President's message

Take a cup o’ kindness
for ‘days gone by,’
then toast the times ahead

’Tis the season to sing Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne, oft associated with a fond reflection of the past and a promise for friends to meet again. Sung traditionally on New Year’s Eve and at the conclusion of gatherings, the chorus encourages us to “take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne.” In other words, to toast the “good old days” or “days gone by.”

Nelson Tucker 2006-07 Kiwanis International President

So, let’s raise a glass to Kiwanis, my friends, for we’ve had some good times, indeed.

During the past 91 years, we’ve changed from a local men’s business networking club to a large-scale, worldwide service-oriented force of men and women focused on helping humankind. We’ve made a major impact on the world’s health through our highly successful fight against iodine deficiency disorders. We’ve logged millions of hours and raised millions of dollars in the selfless name of children. And we’ve made many friends—in partner organizations, such as UNICEF, and among one another as brother and sister Kiwanians. A cheer for Kiwanis’ past!

And then, let’s raise a glass again; this time with a toast to Kiwanis’ future.

Let’s toast new club ideas that attract new membership demographics: clubs that meet online, club memberships based on common interests and hobbies, clubs for families, clubs built from past Service Leadership Programs’ members, clubs built around a cause or a specific need. Let’s toast new faces, new nations, new generations, and new cultures—and the limitless service and fundraising we will accomplish together.

Let’s raise a glass to 1 million members and the children of the world, who drive our passion to grow stronger in our service. To the lives we will change. To the world that will be a wholly better place because of Kiwanis.

To auld lang syne:

And there is a hand, my trusty friend!*
And give me a hand of yours!
And we will take a right goodwill drink,
For auld lang syne
And to glorious days yet to come.

*Final verse translation of Auld Lang Syne taken from The World Burns Club World Federation.