Keywords: Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis, Indiana, Downtown Kiwanis Club, Indy Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis, IN, Serving Children of the World, Community Leaders, Indianapolis Business Community, Indiana Organizations, Indianapolis Not for Profit Organizations, Kiwanis Club
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Our downtown-based Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis was founded in 1916. Our Foundation was incorporated in 1949.
What is your primary product or service?
We are a membership-based community service organization comprised of local business and civic leaders, with a mission to improve the lives of local children and youth. We fund scholarship programs, conduct community service projects and provide school-based sponsored clubs, from grade school through college, which offer leadership development and philanthropic engagement skills.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
As the first Executive Director, I had a keen interest in our mission. We have an opportunity to reinvent organizations like Kiwanis, Rotary, Sertoma, etc., and make them relevant to younger professionals.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Our mission is a bit more narrowly defined than some other community service organizations, all centered around improving the lives of local children and youth. We are "paying it forward" for younger generations to work towards community betterment. Many members join Kiwanis to help extend their business network, but after working alongside so many like-minded friends and becoming more aware of community needs related to youth, they remain Kiwanians for life.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
We have a small, two-staff office in the Chamber of Commerce Building downtown, but our Club and Foundation put together the winning bid to relocate the Kiwanis International headquarters building to Indianapolis back in 1981, and they are located on the northwest side of town near the Pyramids buildings.
Provide detailed directions to your location
We are located in the old Chamber of Commerce Building at 320 N. Meridian Street, and our office is located on the 10th floor in Room 1020.
What type of payments do you accept?
Cash, credit card, personal or company checks...whatever.
Which areas do you service?
Our programs are all based within Marion County.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
We are chartered by Kiwanis International.
What are your hours of operation?
Our office is usually open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. We host weekly meetings featuring business and civic leader presentations every Friday at noon in the Skyline Club on the 36th floor of the OneAmerica tower.
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
"Your passion for serving children and youth, and your desire to improve our city, are remarkable."
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
"Life is a place of service. Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness." -- Leo Tolstoy