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Neenah-Menasha Roundtable Kiwanis 33rd Anniversary
September 27, 2006
Written by John Allen
In 1973 the Menasha Kiwanis Club became defunct, but some
of the members believed there was still a need for a Kiwanis Club and with a number of
friends, they began to organize a club they believed would succeed.
It would meet early in the morning, 6:50am, to fit the needs of those who had to be to
work at 8:00am. It would cover a larger geographic area to attract those who drove
distances that made it difficult for them to attend noon and evening meetings, and it
would work dutifully to have interesting and exciting programs and activities.
The Neenah Kiwanis Noon Club became the sponsor and on August 2 a club with twenty members
received its charter at an evening dinner meeting with the Noon Club. They were a member
of the district which extended from Appleton to Oshkosh. John Champaigne, Jr. was the
first president. Five of the first charter members are still members of the club today.
In September 1974, the "Kiwanis Club of Neenah-Menasha Roundtable, Wisconsin,
Inc." was formally incorporated by the State of Wisconsin. The purpose for which
organized: "To give primacy to the spiritual rather than the material values of
life." It was December 6, 1974 when the club had met all the requirements and became
officially a part of Kiwanis International.
The membership in 1974 was twenty-four; by 1976 it reached thirty-three. It held steady in
the 1970s, but in the early 1980s the number declined to where it lost its charter and had
to build the membership to "charter strength," which was accomplished in April
1984. The Roundtable has remained in the twenty-five to thirty membership range since
then. It took time for the Kiwanis International to accept women as members and as soon as
it was possible, the Roundtable recruited them to be members. It has been difficult, but
the number is growing. The next step at the International level is to change the financial
formula to make it more attractive for husbands and wives to become members.
The Roundtable Kiwanis has been active in supporting the needs of young people: the Head
Start program, Rainbow child care, providing information for new mothers, and providing
health equipment for the two cities' health departments.
There has been financial help for Kiwanis Key Clubs (high school level) and scholarships
awarded. Outstanding students have received assistance for leadership training. There has
been financial support of camps for young people. For many years there was a "Special
Day for Special Kids."
There has been support physically and financially for residents in nursing homes, with
special interest in Valhaven Nursing Home with parties and entertainment. For a number of
years the members made social visits with the residents.
The Neenah-Menasha Roundtable has been an active part of the community. They not only buy
trees, but have helped plant them. They are active in Menasha's Otto Grunski Days and have
helped with museums and researched and printed historical information. For ten years they
planned, sponsored and worked at the "Fall into Art" fine arts and craft show.
Their fund raisers are wholesome and directed to the communities.
The Neenah-Menasha Roundtable Kiwanis does not publicize its activities, but the members
have great satisfaction in looking back at what they have done and look forward to doing
more.
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This page was last updated on 03/13/00