Kiwanis in fiction: the sequel 

Kiwanis in fiction: the sequel 

Dec 2, 2024 | General interest, News | 0 comments

More movies and TV shows that name-checked Kiwanis before 1990.

By Erin Chandler

Back in February, we posted a list of popular movies and TV shows that had referenced the Kiwanis family over the years, from “Back to the Future” to “The Flash.” We asked whether you could remember any more Kiwanis appearances in pop culture — and you delivered!  

With credit to the memories of our readers, here are five more movies and shows from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s that reference Kiwanis. 

“The Andy Griffith Show” (1960-1968)
Suggested by John Heath in comments on the Kiwanis International Facebook page  

In season eight, episode 21, the fictional small town of Mayberry, North Carolina, U.S., becomes the unlikely host of a summit meeting between Russian and American diplomats. Former police deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts) immediately names “The Kiwanis club meeting hall” among the best options for the location — although it ultimately takes place in the home of Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith). 

“Hud” (1963) 
Suggested by Deanna Gardner, president of the Kiwanis Club of Mitchell-Grissom, Indiana, U.S., via voicemail 

In the critically acclaimed film “Hud,” cynical rancher Hud Bannon (Paul Newman) wins a “pig scramble” — in which participants attempt to wrangle greased pigs — put on by the Kiwanis club in his Texas, U.S., community. Preceding the “scramble,” the movie also depicts local teens doing The Twist in a dance contest, another part of what a banner proclaims to be the “June 7th Kiwanis Club Show.”  

“M*A*S*H” (1972-1983)
Suggested by Kurt Huschka, Herb Kasube and David Cummo in comments on the Kiwanis International Facebook page  

While stationed in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the 1950-1953 Korean War, Colonel Sherman T. Potter (Harry Morgan) tries his best to spread the spirit of service he saw in the Kiwanis club(s) of his hometown in Hannibal, Missouri, U.S. In season nine, episode five, a Christmas meal for soldiers and refugees is stolen from a supply convoy, but Potter rallies his unit to share the contents of their care packages from home, saying, “We got the makings of a great buffet — just like the smorgasbord down at the Kiwanis back home.”

In season 10, episode 16, the refrigerators are too full to accommodate more blood for transfusions. “Back home at the Kiwanis picnic,” Potter remembers, “we used to put the beer in the creek.” So he suggests trying something similar as a temporary storage option.  

“WKRP in Cincinnati” (1978-1982)
Suggested by Kevin Kamper in comments on the Kiwanis International Facebook page 

Arthur Carlson (Gordon Jump), general manager of the WKRP radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S., is a proud member of the Kiwanis Club of Cincinnati. In season two, episode eight, one of the possible dates he names for his new baby’s conception is, “Tuesday night after the Kiwanis dance,” telling his wife, Carmen (Allyn Ann McLerie), that she looked beautiful in her blue dress.  

However, the two-part story spanning episodes 21 and 22 of season two is a prime example of why every Kiwanis club should carefully vet the partners it works with on events. Carlson is chairman of his club’s “Surf City”-themed fashion show and bazaar, which will raise funds for a local “children’s home.” He hires an outside photographer to take pictures of station employees Jennifer Marlowe (Loni Anderson) and Andy Travis (Gary Sandy) for the event poster, but the photographer retains embarrassing pictures of Jennifer. Carlson is proud of his identity as a law-abiding Kiwanian, but he breaks into the photographer’s studio and attempts to steal the photos. The WKRP staff eventually gets the pictures through a series of hijinks — and extorts an extra US$500 from the photographer. Happy ending: They donate the money to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund. 

 Viewers might note that Carlson refers to Kiwanis as “an all-men’s organization” at the beginning of season two, episode 21. Kiwanis began to admit women as members in 1987 — seven years after the episode aired! 

“Mama’s Family” (1983-1990)
Suggested by Aimee Maynard Brown in comments on the Kiwanis International Facebook page 

The Kiwanis Club of Raytown Three Trails, Missouri, U.S., is an active presence in the lives of Thelma “Mama” Harper (Vicki Lawrence) and her family. In the premiere episode of season three, Mama’s Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Don are unable to attend the funeral of her sister, Frannie (Rue McClanahan), because they are attending the Kiwanis picnic. In episode 23 of the same season, her son, Vinton (Eric Brown), is invited to join the Mystic Order of the Cobra, which she describes as consisting of “the rejects who couldn’t get into the Kiwanis.” Unlike Kiwanians, the fictional Cobras don’t seem to incorporate a service component. Finally, in season six, episode three, Vinton’s wife, Naomi (Dorothy Lyman), reminisces about her first date with her husband, which took place on a Kiwanis hayride. 

Stay tuned for the third installment of our “Kiwanis in Fiction” series, which features more Kiwanis appearances in television and movies from 1990 through the present, suggested by our staff and club members! 

Connecting with Key Club creativity 

Connecting with Key Club creativity 

Nov 20, 2024 | General interest, Service Leadership Programs, Service projects | 0 comments

In California, U.S., a Kiwanis club’s festival benefits from students’ energy.  

By Julie Saetre

Seven years ago, the Mountain View Kiwanis Club in California, U.S., decided to hold its first Harvest History Festival to celebrate Mountain View’s agricultural past. For help with the event, the club reached out to the two Key Clubs they sponsor. In fact, they made an offer: In return for assistance, the Kiwanis club would pay each student volunteer’s Key Club membership dues for the year. The response was enthusiastic — and impressive. 

“They helped with the setup, they helped with the tear-down. The city [representatives] were so impressed with them,” says Marina Marinovic, a Mountain View club member. “And so, as the festival kept going, I would think of ways that we could raise some money for them.” 

At subsequent Harvest History Festivals, Key Club members have sold snacks and raffle tickets to raise money for their club budgets. And their festival responsibilities grew to include face-painting, manning a coloring table, guiding children through arts and crafts projects and more. 

When one of Marinovic’s neighbors was giving away a puppet theater, Marinovic approached the Key Clubs and asked whether they’d like to create a puppet show for the festival. The members readily agreed.  

Thanks to their enthusiasm, Marinovic now hopes the clubs will be able to hold future performances for young patients at area children’s hospitals. It’s not just the spirit of service but the Key Clubbers’ passion for creative projects that makes her optimistic. 

“I don’t think they get an opportunity to do that so much in school anymore,” Marinovic says. “So it seems they enjoy doing something that is fun and great for children.” 

Is your club making the most of its Key Club sponsorship? Marinovic advises Kiwanis clubs to reach out to their Key Club members and discuss ways that their clubs can collaborate.  

“It’s great to interact with kids and see how resourceful and wonderful they are to work with,” she says. “It’s great to have the young energy there and for them to interact with older members. It just really brings up the spirit of the whole event. I don’t think we recognize that they can really support Kiwanis clubs as an asset.” 

How to make your club more visible 

How to make your club more visible 

Nov 19, 2024 | Club building, General interest, Service projects | 0 comments

Use these ACE tools to raise your community profile. 

By Tony Knoderer

Kiwanis clubs should take pride in their service. After all, improving children’s lives is one of the best things people can do. But when you let others know what you do in their community, something more than pride is at stake. 

The more visible your club and its service are, the more clearly nonmembers see what’s possible — and why joining your club is the best way to help make that possibility a reality. 

Kiwanis International has resources that can help your club raise its public profile. Take a look at these three Achieving Club Excellence (ACE) tools:   

  • Evaluate your impact. Start with an accurate sense of the difference you’re actually making. With this tool, your club can make an honest and thorough assessment of each service project and fundraiser. When you increase or expand your club’s impact, you also increase the number of people in your community with firsthand experience of that impact. 
  • Develop partnerships. When your club networks with local businesses, organizations and others, you create multiple avenues to prominence — from sponsorships for service projects and fundraisers to connections with key people in the community. This tool provides the steps to get you started. 
  • Celebrate success. Taking time to acknowledge the club’s work — and individuals’ contributions— makes everyone feel valued. And making your community part of the celebration can add to the excitement around your club. Use this tool to help determine when and how to celebrate with your community. 

Don’t forget: All these resources can be found on the ACE tools webpage, which includes other common concerns clubs face — and pairs them with the tools that help club leaders address them.