One of the prime movers in founding our club was local businessman D. W. (Dave) Proffitt, who had started Proffitt’s Department Stores [today known as Saks] the same year. Many years later, "Mr. D. W." was to become the oldest living founding member, and thus known by many who are still members today.
On February 6, 1920, even before our club was officially chartered, it accepted the responsibility to form a local Chamber of Commerce for Blount County, which was accomplished a few months later.
On March 19, 1920, K-T District Governor O. P. Darwin from Chattanooga presented the club’s official charter at a gala Charter Night banquet attended by some 33 charter members and their wives or guests. John H. Mitchell, the club’s first President, presided. Mr. R. R. Kramer accepted the charter on behalf of the club. [Excerpted from official Minutes, J. L. Tweed, Secretary]
Club records indicate that there were 59 "charter members" of the club, meaning they had joined by the charter presentation night. At that time 50 members were required to charter a Kiwanis club, although now it is only 25.
The club’s first year was extremely active: Besides forming the Chamber of Commerce, steps taken that year led to creating the first Blount County Health Department, the A. K. Harper Memorial Library, better telephone service, the introduction of railway express service and much improved city planning in Maryville.
By 1954, the club and the community had grown to such an extent, it was decided in July of that year to form the Alcoa Kiwanis Club as a separate organization; the original club then became the Maryville Kiwanis Club. [Later, International protocol changed all club names to "Kiwanis Club of . . ."]
Today, the Kiwanis Club of Maryville has over 130 members, men and women dedicated to service in this community with emphasis on the needs of youth, particularly the very young, in keeping with the Kiwanis International major emphasis "Young Children Priority One."
