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HISTORY OF OUR DISTRICT
Kiwanis Comes to California
In May of 1917, Kiwanis came to California. The primary purpose was to teach, in a
language the average man could understand and bring to full fruition, the basic principle of an unselfish interest in the
other fellow. Just how Kiwanis came to California is a matter of historical interest. Shortly prior to May of 1917, W.W. Widenham
and Paul Jesbury of Los Angeles made trips to the East where they came into contact with Kiwanis Clubs. They then make contact
with Allen Browne, who had organized several clubs in the East. On May 16, E.F. Wescott and Alvah Stimmers came to Los Angeles
to assist in the organization of a Kiwanis Club.
At noon on June 6, twelve men met at the Clark Hotel and perfected
the temporary organization of the club. J.R. Miller was the temporary president and Albert Monel was the temporary secretary.
On August 24, the club elected permanent officers to serve until March 1, 1918. In September, with the membership of about
sixty, the new club adopted its Bylaws and began to plan activities.
The District was officially recognized, with
the pledge of 40 clubs in California, at the Providence Convention in June 1918, and W.W. Widenham was appointed District
Governor. On June 19, 1919, the Los Angeles Kiwanis Club, with a membership of one hundred, received its charter from International
and became the 67th club in Kiwanis International.
On March 24, 1923, Reno became affiliated with the District
and the International Board approved the California - Nevada District on December 5, 1924. The Honolulu Club was organized
in May 1947, and the Island Clubs became the Hawaii Division of Kiwanis International. On May 11, 1950 the Hawaiian Division
requested affiliation with California - Nevada District. At the District Convention in Santa Cruz on October 10, 1950, the
District Board approved the request. Kiwanis International approved the request on October 29, 1950 and voted to approve the
name of California - Nevada - Hawaii District as of January 1, 1951.
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