Civitan History
On March 17, 1917 civitan was formed in Birmingham, Alabama by a group of buisiness men. Civitan International was formed with the chartering of the first club in Canada, in April of 1920 in Toronto. Dr. Courtney W. Shopshire was the founder of this branch, and the first president of Civitan International.

On April 4, 1964, the Smiths Falls Civitan club was chartered by the Capital Civitan Club of Ottawa. This took place at the Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club and was started with 25 members. The first president was Sam Wilson. The charter was presented by Gordon Bates, Governor of the Canadian District. Civitan Sam is the only remaining charter member still active with the Smiths Falls club. One month after the club was chartered, Donald Stanzel was initiated as a new member. At this time the meetings were being held at Wongs Grill on William Street in Smiths Falls. By this time, the membership had increased to 36. Also this same year, the club took on a project of selling Christmas fruit cakes to the public, which is still being carried on by the club to this day.

On the first anniversary on the Smiths Falls club, an election of officers was held, and Sam Wilson was elected as the president by acclamation. Also, during this meeting, three new members were initiated (one of these members being Laurence Lee).

On June 19, 1965 the Perth Civitan club was chartered by the Smiths Falls club. In 1967 Donald Stanzel was elected as club president, a position he held for two years. April 24, 1969 saw the sod turning ceremony for the new Smiths Falls Civitan building located off highway 15 on the northern limits of the town. On April 29, 1973 the Kingston and District Civitan club was chartered by Smiths Falls. Then, on April 16, 1988 the greater Petawawa and District Civitan club was chartered by Smiths Falls.

At present, the Smiths Falls Civitan club consists of 40 members and still continues to support the community through its many charity projects. The Smiths Falls Civitan club has had 5 District Governers, and 2 International Directors; with a third person to assume this position in 1997. The club has also been honoured with 5 members recieving district honour keys. At present Civitan is active in 19 countries around the World.
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