Kin Canada is an all-Canadian service organization made up of active community volunteers. Working together, members are enhancing the quality of life in their communities by promoting service, fellowship, positive values and national pride. Kin clubs support cystic fibrosis (CF) research and fund local projects across the country.
History of the Association
The Association was founded on Feb. 20, 1920 in Hamilton, Ontario by Harold A. Rogers O.C., O.B.E. (1899-1994). Rogers was 21 and had just returned from the trenches of the First World War when his father, a prominent Rotarian, encouraged him to get together a few young men his own age. However, when Rogers decided to join the same Rotary club as his father, his application was rejected. It was the policy of the Rotary not to have two members from the same business establishment. As a result of this rejection, Rogers and a small group of men gathered for a dinner meeting and became the first Kinsmen Club - the Kinsmen Club of Hamilton, Ontario.
Mission Statement
“Kin Canada is a dynamic volunteer organization enriching our communities through service while embracing national pride, positive values, personal development and lasting friendships.”
Kin Motto
“Serving the Community’s Greatest Need”
Membership
More than 7,800 members belong to 550 Kinsmen, Kinette and Kin clubs from coast to coast. Kinsmen clubs are predominantly male-only while Kinette clubs are predominantly female-only. Kin clubs have a mixed membership of men and women. The Association was founded in Canada and there are no clubs outside of Canada.
Service Activities
Kin clubs undertake a wide variety of local fundraising and service projects. Its motto - “Serving the Community’s Greatest Need” - means that each club determines how it will raise funds and how those funds will be spent in the community. The Association encourages the autonomy of its clubs so that as many decisions as possible are made by its members at the club level.Since 1964, the Kinsmen and Kinettes’ national fundraising project involves supporting the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Canada (CFC).
Association’s Headquarters
Kin Canada is located at 1920 Hal Rogers Dr., in Cambridge, Ontario, about 100 kilometres west of Toronto on Hwy. 401. Eight full time staff provide administrative services to 550 Kinsmen, Kinette and Kin clubs. The chief executive officer is Executive Director Ric McDonald.
* reprinted from the Kinsmen National Website — www.kincanada.ca