Mission and Values
The Kiwanis mission
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
The Kiwanis vision
Kiwanis will be a positive influence in communities worldwide — so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive.
The Kiwanis motto
Serving the children of the world
The Kiwanis Objects
- To give primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than to the material values of life.
- To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.
- To promote the adoption and the application of higher social, business and professional standards.
- To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship.
- To provide, through Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service and to build better communities.
- To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism and goodwill.
Our Foundation
The Kiwanis Club of Benicia partners with the Kiwanis Club of Benicia Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) public charity established to expand our impact in the community. Gifts made to the Foundation are tax-deductible and directly support scholarships, youth programs, and community service projects in Benicia. EIN 39-4214362
Our Officers & Board
President Gretchen Burgess
Vice President Heidi Colter
Past President Toni Foster
Presidential Assistant Bryan Irving
Treasurer Steve Zimmerman
Board Member: Karen Arnold, Terry Baldwin, Gretchen Burgess, Heidi Colter, Toni Foster, Bryan Irving, Mary Lichty, Laurel Merritt, Steve Zimmerman
Lt Governor Michelle Hock
Our History
On February 5th, 1926 the Benicia Kiwanis Club received its charter from Kiwanis International. It was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Vallejo. One of the founders of the Benicia club was Robert H. Mann. Robert and his wife Myrtle moved to Benicia in 1909. Robert was the civilian administrator of the Benicia Arsenal until his retirement in 1945. Myrtle was a science and math teacher at Benicia High School.
Robert held the offices of Secretary and President in the Benicia Kiwanis Club and then served as Lt. Governor of Division 8 in 1935. Robert also served as Chairman of the International Attendance Committee during 1929-30.
In over 90 years, 8 Benicia Club members have served Division 8 as Lt. Governor. Our Cal-Nev-Ha Division spands the states of California, Nevada and Hawaii. Quite a large area to preside over and bring together.
The year 2004/2005, Benicia Kiwanis received the Distinguished Club award bestowed at the California-Nevada-Hawaii district convention. During that same convention, another award was presented for an outstanding club newsletter.
The Benicia Kiwanis Club was instrumental in the restoration of the Clocktower Fortress, utilized today by the city and its citizens for many events. The club currently charters the Key Club at Benicia High School and Cub Scout Pack 108. We also give out numerous scholarships at both Benicia and Liberty High Schools. In the most recent years we’ve assured that every school in Benicia has an AED and is trained to use it to save lives in our community. Also for over 50 years we’ve hosted and run the Easter Egg Hunt at the Bandstand in City Park and supported our elementary schools by providing needed supplies and tutoring.
Each one of us holds in our hearts the Kiwanis motto of “Making the world a better place one child at a time.”