Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The name “Kiwanis” means “we trade” or “we share our talents.” It was coined from an American Indian expression, Nunc Kee-wanis.

Kiwanians are volunteers changing the world through service to children and communities. Kiwanis members help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged, and care for the sick.

A Young Professional Kiwanis Club has a focus to cater to young people who are too busy to devote time into a traditional Kiwanis club. At the same time you can still devote some time in doing real community service as well as network with others.

Here's a list of the programs we have coming up in 2012:

January 19th: Myra Gordon from the Illinois Prairie Foundation will talk to us about her organization, the benefits of setting up a sub 501c3 account and the good neighbor grant.

February 16th: Mark Cortesi will talk to us about the Music is the Medicine foundation and promote the upcoming Anthony Gomes concert.

March 15th: Kari Sandhaas, the Vice President for Adult Programs for the Autism Society of McLean County and Mike Matejka, will be speaking to us about the business benefits and employment potential of people with high functioning autism.

April 19th: Mary Beth Taylor from Crossroads will come talk to us about her organization and the benefits of fair trade. Additionally, Lisa Nelson from IWU will talk to us about free summer concerts.

May 17th: Marilyn Gaddy from the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls will come talk to us about her organization and a potential for partnerships.

June 21st: Laura Duvendack, Program Director for the Boys and Girls Club, will be speaking to us in June about the Boys and Girls Club and what we can do to help.

July 19th: Craig Fowler, the founder of Jewels in Your Crown, will be speaking to us about "how to get anyone to do anything you want when no one has to do anything.".

September 20th: Todd Lyons, an ATM Bronze Toastmaster, teaches how to deal with the dailyness of every day life. How do you maintain a positive energy level, when one day seems much like another, and nothing you do seems to matter? Using the movie Groundhog Day, he illustrates and helps explain and clarify: What are the two basic choices we all face every day? How can we accomplish big things through daily routines? Positive thinking doesn’t work for me, how do I motivate myself to meet my goals?

October 18th: Stephanie Woodard from Habitat for Humanity will come speak to us their organization and how we can help them.

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