The Southwest District of Kiwanis was organized October 12, 1918, at El Paso, Texas,. El Paso, Phoenix, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, were the three area clubs in existence. J.W. Kirkpatrick of El Paso was elected governor, and he served until October 6, 1920. At the second convention in El Paso, Dr. Henry M. Bowers of Albuquerque was elected governor, and he was re-elected at the next convention, in Albuquerque in October of 1921.
El Paso was the first club to reach charter strength on March 10, 1917, Phoenix was the second club on May 15, 1917, and the third club was Albuquerque on October 3, 1917. Source: The Original Twenty-Nine Districts of Kiwanis International. Though we started small the Southwest District now has 80 clubs with over 1,800 members across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Each and every Kiwanian strives to be positive influence in communities worldwide — so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive. Every year, Kiwanis members stage more than 1.3 million service projects and raise nearly $390 million for children, families and communities around the world.
History
The Southwest District of Kiwanis was organized October 12, 1918, at El Paso, Texas,. El Paso, Phoenix, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, were the three area clubs in existence. J.W. Kirkpatrick of El Paso was elected governor, and he served until October 6, 1920. At the second convention in El Paso, Dr. Henry M. Bowers of Albuquerque was elected governor, and he was re-elected at the next convention, in Albuquerque in October of 1921.
El Paso was the first club to reach charter strength on March 10, 1917, Phoenix was the second club on May 15, 1917, and the third club was Albuquerque on October 3, 1917. Source: The Original Twenty-Nine Districts of Kiwanis International. Though we started small the Southwest District now has 80 clubs with over 1,800 members across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Each and every Kiwanian strives to be positive influence in communities worldwide — so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive. Every year, Kiwanis members stage more than 1.3 million service projects and raise nearly $390 million for children, families and communities around the world.
Photographs provided by the Tempe Historical Museum