Civitan International is an association of community service clubs founded in 1917. The organization aims "to build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities." The organization includes 27,000 members (referred to as Civitans) in almost 1,000 clubs around the world.
History
Older logo of Civitan International
In 1917, a group of Birmingham, Alabama businessmen were members of the local Rotary club. Many of the men thought that the club focused too much on increasing the business of club members, so they surrendered their club's charter. Led by Courtney Shropshire, a local doctor, they formed an independent club. They named the club Civitan, derived from the Latin word civitas, meaning citizenship.[1]
The United States entered World War I one month after the club formed. With all attention focused on the war, Civitan remained only a local service club. Some of the earliest projects the club undertook supported soldiers,[2] helped European war orphans, and encouraged voter participation through the payment of poll taxes.[3]
Shropshire envisioned an international organization of Civitan clubs dedicated to serving humanity. The process to incorporate was begun, and the International Association of Civitan Clubs was founded in 1920. In the years immediately following World War I, the organization saw rapid growth. By June 1922 at the second international convention, delegates from 115 clubs attended. There were more than 3,300 Civitans throughout the United States.
The club suffered sharp declines in membership and fundraising during the Great Depression. Some also questioned the necessity of service clubs after the New Deal's creation of relief programs. The organization persevered, in part due to cooperation with with Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions clubs. One of the few brightspots in the 1930s was the creation and rapid growth of the first Junior Civitan clubs.
The organization experienced another noticeable drop in membership at the outbreak of World War II, since many of its civic-minded members were among the first to volunteer for military service. Civitans who remained at home organized scrap metal collections, war bond sales, and blood drives. One club in Birmingham, Alabama, held so many successful bond drives that the Army Air Forces named a B-25 in the club's honor.[4]
The period after World War II saw another surge in Civitan growth. There were 10,000 members by 1947,[5] and the membership trippled in size between 1946 and 1956 to become the sixth largest service club in the United States.[6] By 1960, there were 34,000 active Civitans in 998 clubs.[7] One reason that Civitan expanded so quickly was the flexibility that it allowed to clubs in other countries. Compromises over issues such as the Civitan creed and membership dues allowed the ethnically diverse organization to maintain a strong sense of unity.[8]
By the 1950s, Civitan's focus had shifted to helping the developmentally disabled. The Civitan International Foundation, established in 1960, provided financial support for many organizations and programs which benefited the developmentally disabled. By 2005, the Civitan International Foundation had provided $13,000,000 in grants to the UAB Civitan International Research Center, the first institution in the United States to focus solely on researching developmental disabilities.[9]
Charitable Work
Service Projects
On a local level, individual Civitan clubs undertake various service projects which benefit their local communities. Examples of club projects include maintaing a section of highway (the Tyler Civitan Club was the first to volunteer for the Adopt a Highway program),[10] honoring community leaders,[11] supporting local reading programs,[12] sponsoring children in financial need,[13] purchasing playground equipment for developmentally disabled children,[14] and holding events for developmentally disabled individuals.[15] Clubs operate independently of the international organization or other clubs, leaving them free to participate in whatever service they deem appropriate.
Focus on Developmental Disabilities
While individual clubs are free to pursue their own projects, on an international level Civitan is focused on service to the developmentally disabled. This emphasis was adopted in 1956,[16] with Civitans becoming some of the first to provide special training for teachers of developmentally disabled children.[17]
Civitan continues to focus on assisting those with developmental disabilities. In 1990, the Civitan International Research Center was established on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a $20,000,000 grant from the Civitan International Foundation.[18] The Civitan International Research Center was the first institution of its kind to be focused solely on the research of developmental disabilities. Medical professionals from all over the world also come to the center for training on developmental disabilities.
Clergy Appreciation Week
One of Civitan's most significant international events is Clergy Appreciation Week, inspired by the story of the Four Chaplains. Begun in 1964, the interfaith event honors the sacrifice of the Four Chaplains by encouraging citizens to thank the clergy who serve their communities.[19][20] The week usually involves Civitan clubs presenting local clergy with an award or certificate of appreciation. Local mayors often sign a proclamation recognizing Clergy Appreciation Week and encouraging its observance.
Junior Civitan International
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Junior Civitan International is one of Civitan's oldest and most successful programs. Students between the ages of 13 and 18 can join a Junior Civitan club at their school or in their community. Each Junior Civitan club is sponsored by a senior Civitan club and promotes student leadership, character development, and community service.
Candy Box Project
Many of Civitan's fundraising programs support the Civitan International Foundation. The Civitan Candy Box Project, one of Civitan's oldest and most successful fundraising programs, has raised $50,000,000 since its inception in 1976. Civitan volunteers place boxes of mints at businesses in their community. Patrons donate money for a mint. Volunteers collect the money, keeping some for club service projects and sending the rest to the Civitan International Foundation.
Claxton Fruitcake Sales
Civitan's other important fundraiser involves the sale of Claxton Bakery's fruitcakes. This partnership began in 1951 when a Civitan member enjoyed the cake so much that he suggested they be sold nationally as a fundraiser.[21] Each year during the holiday season, local Civitan clubs sell millions of pounds of fruitcake.[22] The proceeds from these sales benefit the Civitan International Foundation and its work with the developmentally disabled.
International Activities
Civitan has clubs in 27 countries and maintains a strong international focus. Because of its long history of service in West Africa, Civitan was invited by the Special Court for Sierra Leone to monitor the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, held at the International Criminal Court facilities in The Hague.[23] Civitan clubs are active in the following countries:[24]
Famous Civitans
Several well-known individuals have been Civitans, including:
See also
References
- ^ Armbrester, Margaret E. (1992). The Civitan Story. Birmingham, AL: Ebsco Media, 14.
- ^ "Civitan History and Founders". Civitan International Website. Retrieved on 2008-05-23.
- ^ Armbrester, Margaret E. (1992). The Civitan Story. Birmingham, AL: Ebsco Media, 15.
- ^ Armbrester, Margaret E. (1992). The Civitan Story. Birmingham, AL: Ebsco Media, 51.
- ^ Armbrester, Margaret E. (1992). The Civitan Story. Birmingham, AL: Ebsco Media, 69.
- ^ Armbrester, Margaret E. (1992). The Civitan Story. Birmingham, AL: Ebsco Media, 67.
- ^ Armbrester, Margaret E. (1992). The Civitan Story. Birmingham, AL: Ebsco Media, 95.
- ^ Armbrester, Margaret E. (1992). The Civitan Story. Birmingham, AL: Ebsco Media, 102.
- ^ "UAB center receives $920,000 grant from Civitan International". Birmingham Business Journal (2005-11-08). Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ "History". Texas Department of Transportation Website. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
- ^ "Civitans Honor Local Volunteer". Tri-Cities Personal News and Media Center (2006-09-18). Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Welcomes". The Dispatch (2008-05-16). Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
- ^ "$5,000 Donated Through South Johnston Senior's Project". The Daily Record (2008-05-15). Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Civitan Day Camp Rededication Ceremony and “First Play Day”". TK Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Civitans Host Special Day of Fishing". Sun Journal (2008-05-07). Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
- ^ Leonhart, James Chancellor (1962). The Fabulous Octogenarian. Baltimore Maryland: Redwood House, Inc., 287.
- ^ Armbrester, Margaret E. (1992). The Civitan Story. Birmingham, AL: Ebsco Media, 74–75.
- ^ "History". UAB Civitan International Research Center website. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Clergy Appreciation Week". Civitan International website. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Armbrester, Margaret E. (1992). The Civitan Story. Birmingham, AL: Ebsco Media, 97.
- ^ "Civitan History and Founders". Civitan International Website. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Armbrester, Margaret E. (1992). The Civitan Story. Birmingham, AL: Ebsco Media, 72.
- ^ "Borderless Civitan" (Spring 2008). Civitan Magazine 87 (4): 10. Birmingham, AL: Civitan International.
- ^ "Civitan Around the World". Civitan International Website. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
External links
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