You’ve heard their names and seen their logos. You’ve probably watched them march in parades, donated money to one of their charities, or played on a Little League team they sponsored. But what, exactly, do these civic organizations do?
1. Knights of Columbus
Founded: The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is a Catholic men’s organization officially chartered in 1882 by Father Michael McGivney and a handful of his parishioners. Their name was inspired by Christopher Columbus, as they felt they were carrying on his mission of spreading Catholicism across the globe.
Mission: One of K of C’s primary focuses is offering low-cost insurance to Catholic families in order to provide for them should the primary breadwinner be injured or pass away. However, on a broader spectrum, they also offer many community services such as clothing, food, shelter, and family counseling to those in need. Since 2000, their community outreach programs include the donation of $1.3 billion to various charities and over 626 million hours of volunteer service. Most recently they gave $500,000 and purchased 1,000 wheelchairs for relief efforts in Haiti after the earthquake that devastated the country.
Members: 1.7 million members in 13,000 councils throughout the Western Hemishphere
Notable Members: President John F. Kennedy; Samuel Alito, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packers head coach and Super Bowl trophy namesake; Jerry Orbach, “Detective Briscoe” from TV’s Law & Order
Fun Fact: The group sponsors The Knights of Columbus Vatican Film Library in St. Louis, Missouri, one of the world’s largest collections of microfilmed manuscripts copied from the Vatican Library and many other notable institutions. More than 37,000 medieval manuscripts, totaling over 12,000,000 pages, are available for academic study.
2. The Lions Club
Founded: The Lions started as a group of businessmen who got together for lunch. One member, Melvin Jones, wondered aloud what would happen if these men of intelligence and ambition were to turn their efforts towards bettering their community. Figuring there was power in numbers, they invited similar business groups to join them in their civic cause. Borrowing the name of one of these groups, Lions Club International was founded shortly after in 1917.
Mission: The Lions offer many different types of services in their communities, including food and clothing drives, health screenings, and child immunizations. But the Lions are best known for assisting the blind and sight impaired, as well as promoting good eye health for all. Aside from vision screenings, they run eyeglass recycling centers, which send out thousands of donated specs to needy people. They also maintain Lions Eye Banks that provide tissue for 30,000 eye surgeries every year. The Lions are lending a hand in Haiti, too, with over $2.2 million to help provide support services for people in need.
Members: 1.3 million men and women from 45,000 clubs in 205 countries
Fun Fact: The Lions made eye care their mission after none other than Helen Keller asked the organization to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness” during their 1925 national convention. To support this mission, the Lions have been selling brooms made by blind craftsmen for decades. Profits from the brooms go to help the Lions’ work.
3. Kiwanis
Founded: The Kiwanis were founded in Detroit, Michigan, in 1915. They were initially a business networking organization, but eventually changed their focus to community service.
Mission: The organization’s primary mission is molding good kids into exceptional adults. They offer programs that teach leadership skills, the importance of community, and offer services like after-school tutoring programs. Annually, Kiwanis sponsors around 150,000 projects that cover a wide spectrum of services and raise over $100 million for their communities.
Members: Kiwanis is one of the few organizations that offers membership to almost all age groups—from elementary school students to adults. Combined, there are approximately 600,000 members in 8,000 clubs throughout 96 countries.
Fun Fact: The name Kiwanis is borrowed from a Native American phrase, “Nunc Kee-wanis,” meaning, “We trade” or “We trade our talents.”
4. Fraternal Order of Eagles
Founded: The Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) was started as a social club in 1898 by a small group of theater owners. As its popularity grew with traveling performance troupes, it became a full-fledged organization that provided health and funeral benefits to members. Their chapters are named after the treetop nests of eagles, called “aeries.”
Mission: Today, the FOE primarily focuses its energies on battling health problems like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and spinal cord injuries. They also have a fund dedicated to one of their most famous members, Jimmy Durante, to help children in need. Additionally, they are well known for placing thousands of plaques inscribed with the Ten Commandments throughout the United States. Perhaps most famous of these was a six-foot tall monolith presented to the State of Texas in 1961. In 2006, a lawsuit attempting to have the monument removed from public property made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court allowed the monument to stay after a narrow 5-4 decision.
Members: There are currently about 1.1 million male members in more than 1,700 local aeries across the U.S. and Canada. There are over 335,000 female members in more than 1,500 auxiliaries.
Notable Members: The FOE’s membership is nothing to scoff at. The list includes seven U.S. Presidents (Teddy Roosevelt, Harding, Franklin Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Carter and Reagan); entertainers, like Jimmy Durante and Bob Hope; and numerous sports personalities, like Roger Maris, Stan Musial, and Arnold Palmer. First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt and Bess Truman were members of the Ladies Auxiliary, too. And you may not know the name, but Frank Hering, an FOE member, first suggested the idea of Mother’s Day and helped convince President Wilson to found the holiday in 1914.
Fun Fact: The FOE has been an outspoken and powerful force in American politics. As a personal thank you for the group’s direct influence or support, the FOE has received four pens from government officials that were used to sign major bills into law. One is from Gov. Joseph Dixon of Montana who signed the first old age pension law in 1923. The second is from President Franklin Roosevelt, when he signed the Social Security Act in 1935. The third and fourth were both given by President Lyndon Johnson for supporting the 1965 Medicare amendment to the Social Security Act, as well as the 1967 “Jobs After 40” bill, which outlawed upper age limits in hiring.
* * * * *
Are you a member of one of these organizations? Or do you have any inspiring stories of how a civic organization has helped you or your community? Let us know in the comments.
See Also: The Stories Behind 4 More Civic Organizations.
Comments (41)
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Surprised Rotary International didn’t make the list. At least now I know why American Eagle branded its underwear line as aerie.
posted by CPete on 3-10-2010 at 4:17 pm
LOL! I always read the Kiwanis signs as “Kiwis” …. I thought they were a New Zealand Club lol.
reCaptcha: Continued Resolved (very fitting!)
posted by Nick on 3-10-2010 at 4:53 pm
I know of a music festival/competition for younguns that’s called the Kiwanis Festival. Is it run by the same group?
posted by PunKid on 3-10-2010 at 5:12 pm
I’m also surprised the Rotary didn’t make the cut.
I’m a KoC. It’s a great organization where the members do a lot of broad- based, non-religion based, community improvement work, teaming up with other community organizations for the betterment of everyone…
…and to be honest, a fair bit of evangelical type of work also.
This is the best time of the year to be a KoC. Because it’s Lent, if you are a fish fan, even if you aren’t Catholic, you should go to your local Church for the Fish Fry. Best all-you-can-eat deal around…and a majority of the money goes for charity like the Haiti releif mentioned in the article.
posted by TXCherokee on 3-10-2010 at 5:45 pm
I used to be a Rotarian. (My boss in a previous job required her managers to join something.) It’s a decent organization, albeit expensive.
One thing they do is raise money to give polio vaccines to kids around the world, with the mission of eradicating the disease.
posted by Lisa on 3-10-2010 at 6:03 pm
apparently, when we were born, my grandfather bought life long memberships for my brother and myself to the eagles club. never used it though.
posted by stacey on 3-10-2010 at 6:59 pm
I’m a Kiwanian, and I work with persons who are blind and visually impaired. Did you know that not only can you recycle eyeglasses in the Lions receptacles, but also handheld magnifiers? (At least in NC, anyway). A magnifier can make a huge difference in the life of someone who is visually impaired.
posted by dancing_lemur on 3-10-2010 at 7:51 pm
My dad has been part of the KofC for several years now, and has found it to be a great organization. He was the head of their chapter for a while and now he’s just a “regular” member, but still quite active.
posted by shirleyfeeney on 3-10-2010 at 8:18 pm
My dad and I were members of the K of C. My dad was pretty high-up — a fourth degree member (I have his sword and getup) and also a state officer I think. When he passed away, the K of C insurance folks were awesome.
I’m no longer a member. I really only joined to appease my dad. A lot of the old guys in the council just kind of sat around and did mostly the same programs year after year, but some of the newer guys got really politically involved with the whole neo-conservative thing, and I just wasn’t interested in that. I figured I can do good deeds on my own without any sort of political overtone.
posted by Bob on 3-10-2010 at 8:38 pm
Stacey, no one could buy you a membership in the Eagles at the time you were born. You must be at least 18 before you can apply for membership; you must be recommended for membership by at least one current member; and you must be accepted for membership by vote of the members of the Aerie you wish to join.
In addition, about three years ago the Eagles amended their constitution and bylaws to permit women to become Aerie members; prior to that women could only become members of the Auxiliary.
And we still do lots of good; too much to be listed in this little bitty space. Click on my name to check out the FOE website.
-”BB”-
Past President of
La Crosse (WI) Aerie #1254
posted by Bicycle Bill on 3-10-2010 at 8:46 pm
I received a scholarship from the local Lyons club for college. Our eye doctor was the president at the time and recommended me for the scholarship. I guess since the only time I saw anything about the Lyons club was at the eye doctor, I just assumed it was a professional organization for eye doctors.
posted by Mrs. Coffee on 3-10-2010 at 8:49 pm
Port Lion Alaska was named in honor of the Lions club, after they helped rebuild the village after it was destroyed by a tsunami caused by the 1964 earthquake. An example of the incredible work they do.
posted by Matt on 3-10-2010 at 10:06 pm
Why no love for the Moose fraternity? I always thought of them along the same lines as the Eagles.
posted by Jen on 3-10-2010 at 10:30 pm
I spent 6 years in Kiwanis at the university level and am in my 15th year at the “adult” level, and it is truly a great organization.
Yes, PunKid, Kiwanis sponsors many music festivals — especially in Canada.
Kiwanis is responsible for virtually eliminating Iodine Deficiency Disorders – the world’s leading preventable cause of mental retardation – through the iodization of salt world-wide (lack of iodine causes goiters, cretinism, and mental deficiency).
Kiwanis has the world’s most comprehensive set of school-based service/leadership programs, with international student-led community service organizations at the elementary school (K-Kids), middle school (Builders Club), high school (Key Club), and college/university (Circle K or CKI) levels.
We also have Aktion Club – where adults with disabilities such as Down Syndrome can lead, serve their communities, and gain confidence in their own abilities.
For more information, visit http://www.kiwanis.org
Whether you support or belong to Kiwanis, Lions Club, or any of the other service organizations, thank you for caring about your community and your world. If you have never belonged to a service club, I encourage you to “try one on” and see how you like it. You will find some really caring people and good friends. You will also find that your own problems seem smaller when you help someone else overcome theirs!
Patrick Ewing
Governor
Pacific Northwest District
posted by Patrick Ewing on 3-11-2010 at 12:31 am
No mention of the orgional and oldest service fraternity, the Freemasons? How about Shriner’s and the Hospitals?
I was a member of the Key Club (Kiwanis for high school students) in HS….that was interesting.
posted by Andy on 3-11-2010 at 8:01 am
There are strange things afoot at the Circle K. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
posted by Andy on 3-11-2010 at 8:02 am
We live about a mile from a FOE aerie, and all we knew about it was they play Bingo 6 nights a week! Thanks for sharing the info.
posted by Nicole on 3-11-2010 at 8:15 am
My brother plays in a band and tells me he often plays at the “animal” houses on weekends: The Elks, The Moose, The Eagles.
posted by KJ on 3-11-2010 at 8:34 am
what about the “oddfellows”
i just love that name. Who could resist joining the odd fellows?
posted by cajun bob on 3-11-2010 at 8:43 am
When I was younger, me and my buddies joined the Elks because they had cheap beer prices at the “lodge”
posted by Dave on 3-11-2010 at 9:32 am
Someone else mentioned masons, and oddfellows… but what about the Optimists? Another group I have no understanding of but do like the name!
posted by Hyacinth on 3-11-2010 at 10:01 am
I have just got in from the local Kiwanis Club meeting and find this on Mental Floss. Our Kiwanis club is great. Locally we have developed a park in our county that did not have one. We support 3 K Kids Clubs, a Builders Club and a Key Club at local schools. We give out scholarships. We hold local events and activities for children. And we have helped local families with sick children. Our club and the Carolinas District has sent money to Haiti after the earthquake. And as Patrick mentioned, previously Kiwanis International Works with the World Health Organization on childhood health issues.
Get involved.
Barry Mitchell
President-Elect
Kiwanis Club of Hampstead, NC
posted by Bear at the Beach on 3-11-2010 at 10:02 am
I am not a member of any of those, but you do know you can do things on your own. Me and my mate Mike have done loads for the local community including getting a new play area built! And this year we are going to break the world record for most conker games played simultaneously! We failed last year by 30 games!
posted by Alf on 3-11-2010 at 10:10 am
My parents belong to the FOE. Dad always said “Going up to the Eagles” and you knew where he was going.
As far as I know, my dad went there for the cheap beer and to socialize.
A little fact, you can’t just join. You have to be nominated by a current member and fill out an application and get reviewed.
posted by Jenner on 3-11-2010 at 12:04 pm
Unlike Kiwanis and Lions, the Eagles is a fraternal order. While it doesn’t have the secrecy to its ceremonies that the Masons do, it does have elaborate religious rituals as part of its meetings.
If you were going to spotlight civic groups that were more alike, perhaps Rotary and Optimists should have been included, rather than the Elks and the Knights of Columbus (which is obviously a religious-based organization). Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, and Optimists are all purely service organizations, without the religious rituals that lodges such as the Eagles, Elk, Moose, Oddfellows, and of course, the Masons, have.
posted by rev on 3-11-2010 at 12:05 pm
In the town where I grew up, the Knights of Columbus were famous (to us non-Catholics) for one thing: wildly fun, alcohol-fueled wedding dances. If a couple was having their dance at “the KC hall,” you knew it was going to be a good time!
posted by Rachel on 3-11-2010 at 2:56 pm
The famous pens you mentioned in the entry about the Eagles are on display at Eagles aerie #1 which is in south Seattle, WA. I worked just down the street from it for years and just happened to go to a function at their hall. I was amazed at the memorabalia and pictures they had on display there. A lot of history and almost nobody is aware that it is there.
posted by Andrew on 3-11-2010 at 3:01 pm
I always liked the mints or candies that the Lions Club put out at my doctors office when i was a kid for $0.25 donation. I would also see them at the pharmacy. No more treats these days, just an old eyeglasses donation box.
posted by AWS on 3-11-2010 at 4:02 pm
I was an active member in Key Club when I was in high school. My senior year I was a lieutenant govenor in the New England district. Many of my best memories from HS are related to the fundraising and community projects we did.
posted by Karen on 3-11-2010 at 4:24 pm
I think there needs to be a follow up, I too am curious about the elks, Optimists and Odd Fellows-especially the Odd Fellows.
My boyfriend is an Eagle. Both his maternal and paternal grandfathers are Eagles and he joined because they wanted him too. Their grandama really wants me to join the Auxiliary but so far I have been able to dodge it.
Whenever we get the monthly newsletter I jokingly tell my boyfriend that we should go to the dances sometime.
I think a lot of these clubs may be dying out becuase of the lack of youth wanting to join, though are grandfather’s are Elks and Eagles are fathers aren’t and my boyfriend probably won’t continue after his grandaparents are gone.
I am definitley going to try and find out if there is a Lions Club in my town so I can donate a bunch of old pairs of glasses.
posted by Brit on 3-11-2010 at 5:19 pm
I meant OUR grandfather’s…
posted by Brit on 3-11-2010 at 5:20 pm
Wow just ignore my post so full of errors, I’m having a bad week…
posted by Brit on 3-11-2010 at 5:21 pm
I’m not in any of these organizations, but for those of you wondering about the Optimists – my general manager is the president of our local chapter and a lot of their business comes through our office. Their primary focus is helping youth, and our chapter sponsors essay and oratorical contests for high school students, which award college scholarships. They have an endowed scholarship at our local community college (supported by an annual 5K run) and sponsor water safety education (we have several lakes in our area) and contests to award life jackets to elementary students.
In our area, at least, the Rotary Club is mainly the more well-to-do local business owners – the politicians, the attorneys, the doctors. I guess that’s because of the expensive dues they require, but they also do a great deal of good in our community.
I think may of these organizations are losing membership, as the younger generations do not see the need in joining “organized” clubs to do good works (like some of the commenters have mentioned.) Personally, I have too many other obligations (full-time work, family, and an active church life) to add one more thing to my plate, but I support these organizations when I get the chance.
posted by Melissa on 3-11-2010 at 5:57 pm
I was a Kiwani as a kid, currently work with a theatre that is using a space previously used as a K of C meeting hall, and each year make candles for a local Lions Club to sell as a fundraiser. I gotta find some way to affiliate with the Eagles!
posted by acepgh on 3-11-2010 at 10:55 pm
I read that “Kiwanis” actually means “We have good time. We make noise.” The founders just THOUGHT it meant “We trade.”
posted by Sara in Al on 3-12-2010 at 11:43 am
Active 20-30 Club is referred to internally as the best kept secret ever! It was formed in the 1920′s because young men got tired of stuffy old men running stuffy service clubs with their stuffy and never-changing ideas.
The membership, all between the ages of 20 and 39, focus on leadership development and serving local children in need.
I agree with Melissa about the reasons service group membership is on the decline – sad to see. There are so many great organizations out there and such a need to be served – thanks for showcaseing a few, mental_floss!
ReCaptcha: Would Regret (I think not!)
posted by Trena on 3-12-2010 at 11:45 am
“The Lions have been selling brooms made by blind craftsmen for decades. Profits from the brooms go to help the Lions’ work.”
My Lions club in Oklahoma didn’t sell brooms, we did collect glasses to be reused for those that couldn’t afford their own.
posted by Bewlay on 3-12-2010 at 5:14 pm
I was a member of Leo Club (Lions Youth organization, like KEY for Kiwanis) in Middle and High School, getting as high as Vice President.
After College, I hope to join my local Lions Chapter. I’ve attended four District 4 Symposiums (Composing of CA, West Nevada and I believe So. Oregon Clubs. The lessons I’ve learned and contacts I made while doing projects with other local Leo Clubs and with other organizations like Key/Kiwanis and Rotary have all been great people that I keep in touch with even now.
posted by Sachil S on 3-13-2010 at 3:28 am
Seems there is a need for a follow up article on some of the organizations you may have missed…I agree with one of your reader’s comment that it is a shame that some of the organizations are weakening…community service is still alive but i think the people are changing how they participate.
posted by ferrell on 3-14-2010 at 9:33 pm
y brother plays in a band and tells me he often plays at the ‘animal’ house on weekends: The Elks, The Moose, The Eagles.
posted by what does my name mean on 4-23-2010 at 9:41 pm
Out of the Lions Club was born the Leo Club, which tends to be populated by Middle School and High School students.
posted by Crystal on 12-19-2010 at 7:24 am