Junior Civitan International
Encyclopedia
Junior Civitan International is a student-led service organization for middle and high school students. There are 11,000 Junior Civitan members in 400 clubs in North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. It is the longest lasting project of its parent organization Civitan International.
. Unaware of the existence of Civitan International, she created a group for her students that promoted good citizenship and called it Civitan. When members of Civitan International discovered that their organization's name was being used by another group, they reached an agreement which allowed the school club to call itself Junior Civitan. Also, Civitan International agreed to informally promote the creation of clubs for students around the country.
Several more Junior Civitan clubs formed across the country. In 1932, Civitan began to issue official charters to the Junior Civitan clubs. It was not until 1939 that Civitan International passed an official resolution to adopt the Junior Civitan program.
in Uganda and hosting events for people with intellectual disabilities. Clubs operate independently of the international organization or other clubs, leaving them free to participate in whatever service they deem appropriate.
While individual clubs are free to pursue their own projects, on an international level Junior Civitan is focused on service to the developmentally disabled. This emphasis was adopted in 1956. Many of Junior Civitans projects benefit the UAB
Civitan International Research Center, the first institution of its kind to be focused solely on the research of developmental disabilities.
. The Governors of each district raise money to participate in a snowmobile
ride through the Canadian countryside and participate in the Governors update led by the International Board. The event has raised more than $1.5 million for the research of developmental disabilities since its inception.
History
The first Junior Civitan club was formed in 1927 by a school teacher in MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. Unaware of the existence of Civitan International, she created a group for her students that promoted good citizenship and called it Civitan. When members of Civitan International discovered that their organization's name was being used by another group, they reached an agreement which allowed the school club to call itself Junior Civitan. Also, Civitan International agreed to informally promote the creation of clubs for students around the country.
Several more Junior Civitan clubs formed across the country. In 1932, Civitan began to issue official charters to the Junior Civitan clubs. It was not until 1939 that Civitan International passed an official resolution to adopt the Junior Civitan program.
Service Projects
On a local level, individual Junior Civitan clubs undertake various service projects which benefit their local communities. Examples of club events include raising money to prevent the use of child soldiersMilitary use of children
The military use of children takes three distinct forms: children can take direct part in hostilities , or they can be used in support roles such as porters, spies, messengers, look outs, and sexual slaves; or they can be used for political advantage either as human shields or in...
in Uganda and hosting events for people with intellectual disabilities. Clubs operate independently of the international organization or other clubs, leaving them free to participate in whatever service they deem appropriate.
While individual clubs are free to pursue their own projects, on an international level Junior Civitan is focused on service to the developmentally disabled. This emphasis was adopted in 1956. Many of Junior Civitans projects benefit the UAB
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
Civitan International Research Center, the first institution of its kind to be focused solely on the research of developmental disabilities.
Sno-Do
Sno-Do is one of Junior Civitan's most important fundraisers; it is held annually in Barrie, OntarioBarrie, Ontario
Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 90 km north of Toronto. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent...
. The Governors of each district raise money to participate in a snowmobile
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
ride through the Canadian countryside and participate in the Governors update led by the International Board. The event has raised more than $1.5 million for the research of developmental disabilities since its inception.