Did you know that Natchez has an active Civitan club? If not, who and what is Civitan, you may ask?

Take a minute to learn about this important club. For starters, Civitan was the first all-male service club to welcome women members in 1974.

Civitan is the only service club to adopt Special Olympics as an international project, serving as a Premier Sponsor of International Special Olympics since its inception more than 20 years ago.

There are 17,000 young people in Junior Civitan in schools throughout the world.

Civitan is a service club dedicated to providing service to the community in a variety of ways, with an emphasis on helping people with disabilities who are mentally or physically challenged. The role of Civitan is summed up in three words: service, knowledge and fellowship. Our motto is “Builders of Good Service” and our very name comes from the Latin word “civitas” meaning citizenship.

Civitan was founded in 1917 in Birmingham, Ala., by a group of business and professional men who came together to support the community’s involvement in World War I. The word spread and other communities organized clubs. By 1922, there were 118 clubs across America and international clubs began in 1925 in Ontario, Canada. During the 60s and 70s the club expanded into Europe and Asia. Today there are nearly 55,000 men, women and young people in 18,000 clubs in 20 countries around the world.

Civitan supports the Civitan International Research Center on the campus of the University of Alabama. This facility provides research into the causes and treatment of developmental disabilities. Civitan clubs provide over $1 million a year to fund this world class research center.

Natchez has an active club and we are seeking new members who share our commitment to our community. Membership offers opportunities for leadership, for meeting new friends and business contacts, and for supporting important programs in our community.

Natchez Civitan meets for lunch on the second and third Thursday at the Eola Hotel.

Membership fees are very affordable and include several levels.

If you are interested in learning more about Civitan, please join us on Saturday, June 7 for the membership meeting.

Please e-mail mabow2222@aol.com for information regarding the meeting.

Camille Durkin is the Civitan treasurer.