Club History

On March 16, 1999 the Kentucky-Tennessee District Governor, Terrell Horne, presented a charter to the Kiwanis Club of Tellico Village. The Club became part of Division 4 of the Kentucky-Tennessee District. The Sweetwater Club was our parent sponsor.

The Club began with 34 charter members. The charter President was Gerald Denney, who served for 19 months as our Club's first President. During the first six months the average attendance was about 20 and the membership dwindled to a low of 25. Then the remaining active members hitched up their collective skirts and pants, got energized, and went about building a solid Club. At the end of the first 12-month period, the membership had increased to 40 and the average attendance had increased to 28. Now that the club is five years old, we have grown to 74 members and our bi-monthly meetings boast an average attendance of 58.

The Tellico Village Club comprises a very energetic group of members having a great diversity of backgrounds. Most are new Kiwanians, with a handful of 'transplants' from other areas, but all are intent on promoting the objectives of Kiwanis.

The Club didn't waste any time in making our local communities aware of "the new club in town." We immediately set some aggressive committee and Club goals for service to young children, youth, and the community as well as for Club growth and interclub visitations. This ambitious program was backed up by a dedicated fund-raising effort. We put ourselves on notice of what we intended to do with a well executed publicity program.

In the Club's short history it has sponsored three new Kiwanis clubs: one in Farragut, TN; one in Vonore, TN; and  the third in Lenoir City, TN.  Recruitment has been a tradition with this Kiwanis club. If you consider the recruitment of the original 34 members plus the addition of 40 new club members plus 23 members for the Farragut club and 24 members for the Lenoir City club, the Kiwanis Club of Tellico Village has recruited over 130 new members for the Kiwanis family in only seven short years. In addition, our club organized and continues to sponsor a Key Club with over 40 members at nearby Loudon County High School.

The Kiwanis Club of Tellico Village has succeeded in attaining the Distinguished Club Award every year of its existence. It boasts having had eight Hixon Awards; Four Distinguished Presidents -- Gerald Denney, Paul Thornton, Terry Boyes, and Don Sigman; two Lieutenant Governors, Paul Thornton & Don Klein; and one District Governor, Al Porell.

All this has resulted in a new organization in our area that enjoys a great reputation: we are known as a "can do" Club whose energies and considerable talents and experience base are dedicated to serving young people and the general community, as well as to promoting overall Kiwanis International objectives.

We are truly a Club in which all members can -- and do -- participate with pride!

[This page was last updated December 19, 2009 ]

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