About Us
The Civitan Club of Almonte Incorporated is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization that provides services and assistance to Mississippi Mills and the surrounding areas while promoting good citizenship through our membership.
Our service club is a sanctioned member of Civitan International.
We provide the opportunities to aid others in our community while maintaining the values of Civitan: Fellowship, Service, and Knowledge.
We offer financial support to those in need and are active participants in the many Community Social and Service activities in and around Mississippi Mills.
We are leaders in the community and are recognized worldwide as one of the most active and successful Civitan Clubs.
What We Do
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In order to accomplish this purpose the members of the Club shall meet regularly to have fellowship together, to acquire a broader knowledge of public affairs and community needs, and thus become better prepared for intelligent leadership and cooperation in the solving of civic problems through study and instruction, and each member shall seek out opportunities to render altruistic service to mankind.
The Club promotes and furthers the purpose, aims and objectives of Civitan International and District as well as the inspiration and exchange of ideas between clubs.
The Club shall promote the growth of Civitan within the District.
The Club shall exemplify its motto “BUILDERS OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP” and maintain at all times the highest ethical and moral standards among its members.
Fellowship
Fellowship is an important part of every growing and productive service club. Civitan offers our members many opportunities to socialize, to meet new friends, and network with others in the community. Working together on club projects at at community events can be a fun, pleasurable and satisfying experience. Meetings and special events provide additional social and fellowship opportunities
The Almonte Civitan Club is a very active club with its own projects and community events. We are a very family oriented club and have several Husband,Wife, Daughter, Son family members involved. Although not directly members, family and younger children are frequently involved and welcomed in our activities.
Knowledge
Civitans seek to keep informed about their communities and to improve themselves through lifelong learning. Informative programs are geared to the members’ interests.
Service
Serving the community of Almonte since 1972, the Almonte Civitan Club is dedicated to improving the Mississippi Mills area by helping others. Our members are involved in a variety of service projects to help the community. With our variety of fund-raising projects, we are able to contribute monetary donations to those individuals, groups, events and projects requiring help. We also have many members serving on committees and boards of other organizations providing experience, knowledge and assistance as required. On the international level, the Almonte Civitan club funds the Civitan International Research Center, a center for research and treatment of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) which impact the lives of one in six people worldwide.
Focus on Developmental Disabilities
On the international level, Civitan is devoted to improving the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities. This focus began in the 1950s when Civitan funded some of the first special education training for school teachers. That commitment continues today through local and international efforts such as summer camps, vocational programs, Special Olympic games and cutting-edge research, therapies and clinical services at the UAB Civitan International Research Center.
Who We Support
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Following is a list of some of the many activities and organizations we have supported throughout our 40+ years.
Our efforts with these organizations and activities include leadership and mentoring, providing person-power, use of our facility, moral support and of course financial support.
Almonte General Hospital
Fairview Manor
Country Haven Nursing Home
Camp Quality of Eastern Ont.
Special Olympics
Special Needs Individuals
Mills Community Support
Ride for Dad – Fight Prostate Cancer
Almonte Arena & Expansion-2 Dressing Rooms
Almonte Community Centre
Almonte Legion Br. 240
Light Up the Night
Puppets Up Festival
Almonte Canada Day
Canada Day Fireworks
Almonte Celtfest
Big Brothers/Sisters
Interval House
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum
Santa Claus Parades & Float
Dr. James Naismith Statue
Almonte Soccer
Almonte Minor Hockey
Lanark County Food Bank
Sledge Hockey
Perrianne Jones – Olympics
Latin Fiesta School Box Project
West Carleton Food Bank
Senior Games
Medical Loan Cupboard
Various School Projects
Ottawa Mission
Civitan Canadian Foundation
Alwood Treatment Centre
Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre
Shepherds of Good Hope
Appleton Museum
Almonte Co-op Nursery School
Lions Christmas Baskets
NLAS Almonte Fair
Almonte Highland Games
Various Sporting Teams
Community Emergency Funds
Blood Donor Clinics
Senior Games
Senior Expo
Families with Emergency Needs (fire)
CHEO
Civitan Intl Research Centre
Almonte Boy Scouts
Almonte Girl Guides
Junior Civitan
Gemmil Park
ADHS Bursary
Notre Dame Bursary
ADHS Workshops
Canadian Cancer Society
Meals on Wheels
Post Office Murals
Almonte Amateur Radio Club
Camp Banting
Carleton Place Hospital
AGH Golf Tourney Sponsor
ADHS Reach for the Top
Alzheimer Society of Lanark
Canadian Red Cross
Canadian War Vets
On Stage for Kids
Operation Santa Claus
Support the Troops
Kids Help Phone
Relay for Life
Various 4H clubs
TYPS
Almonte Library
Various Youth Activities
Augusta Street Park
Heart Institute
Therapeutic Riding
Wheels of Hope
Victims of Violence
School Fire Safety Program
Champions for Kids
Civitan Asia – Philippines Relief
Hub Hospice
Life4Dew
Almonte Syrian Refugee Committee
Vial of Life
NLAS Agri Hall
….. AND MANY MANY MORE
About Civitan International
Civitan is a coined word that comes from the Latin word Civitas, which means citizenship.
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Purpose of a Civitan Club
Civitan’s purpose is to serve the community. This is done by fulfilling human needs that are not met by other organizations or by individual efforts. Individuals whose needs are best met through organized group action are prime candidates for Civitan service projects. In all they do, Civitans seek experiences that provide life direction, character building, leadership development, and the satisfaction of helping others. As a result of this work, a Civitan typically experiences a heightened sense of self-esteem and accomplishment.
Civitan – The Organization
Civitan Clubs throughout the world can trace their roots back to 1917, when a group of concerned businessmen met in Birmingham, Alabama to discuss ways that they could collectively improve their community. The group then organized as a purely local club – the Civitan Club of Birmingham. They selected the name “Civitan” which comes from the Latin term ‘civitas’ meaning ‘active citizenship’.
Civitan officially incorporated as an international association of service clubs in 1920. In May, 1925, a club was chartered in Hamilton Ontario, but the club was short lived. Then in January, 1929 the Toronto Club was chartered and ‘Civitan International, became a fact. From then Civitan has spread throughout North America, Europe and South-East Asia. The headquarters of Civitan International has remained in Birmingham.
Civitan International is governed by a board of Directors which have been elected by and represent the various international zones. At the head of this Board of Directors is the International President who is elected by delegates attending the International Convention. The President serves a one year term and the Directors are elected for two years. The headquarters staff are managed by the Executive Vice-President who is hired by, and reports to, the Board. Canadian Districts East and West together form Zone 5 and by agreement choose the Director from alternate districts in succeeding terms.
District East and District West as well choose their own governing body in the form of a Governor, Governor-Elect and Board of Directors, Lieutenant-Governors and the Immediate Past Governor. All are elected except the latter who is automatically a member of the Board. Other district officers such as Secretary/Treasurer and committee chairpersons are appointed from the general membership. Representatives of both Districts meet regularly to conduct the business of the Zone.
The business of each club is conducted by its own executive, which is elected by and from its own membership. A typical executive consists of a president, president-elect, immediate past president, secretary, treasurer and a board of directors. The executive of each club may vary slightly in makeup with some positions combined and others added.
Civitan Emblem
Although the logo of Civitan has changed a few times in the past 90 years, it has significant symbolic points that have remained constant. The gold color represents the purity of highly refined metal, indicative of those who would volunteer their time. The blue is a regal color, which together with the gold, has become symbolic of many organizations within the service club movement dating back to the early part of this century. The “C” around the globe is representative of Civitan around the world. The 12 highlights around the emblem represent the 12 points of the Creed.
Civitan Creed
Our Creed is unique among service clubs, being the most completely developed ethical statement set forth for a service club and serving as a challenge to every Civitan. Originally written in 1922 by Champ Andrews of the Chattanooga, Tennessee, Civitan Club, it has been modified over the years, most recently in 1984.
It reads as follows:
I AM CIVITAN as old as life, as young as the rainbow, as endless as time.
MY HANDS do the work of the world and reach out in service to others.
MY EARS hear the cry of children and the call throughout the world for peace, guidance, progress and unity.
MY EYES search for others to join in the fellowship and service of Civitan.
MY MOUTH utters the call to daily duty and speaks prayers in every tongue.
MY MIND teaches me respect for law and the flag of my country.
MY HEART beats for every friend, bleeds for every injury to humanity and throbs with joy at every triumph of truth.
MY SOUL knows no fear but its own unworthiness.
MY HOPE is for a better world through Civitan.
MY MOTTO builders of good citizenship.
MY BELIEF do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
MY PLEDGE to practice the Golden Rule and to build upon it a better and nobler citizenship.
Charter Members
These members helped create the club back in 1972 and are still very active on projects, events, activities and as leaders on the executive.
- Grant Chaplin
- Paul Cooney
Our Executive
Executive Officiers of the Almonte Civitan Club for 2024-25.
- President – Bob Lesser
- President Elect – Bonnie Schnittker
- Secretary – Brenda-Lee Ryan
- Treasurer – Marilyn Martin
- Sgt at Arms – Maryanne Ryan
- Directors:
Cathy Vachon
Marsha Guthrie
Louise Rix
Kevin Puddington
Sherry Thomson-Morton
Diane Mallette
Lou Ann Cousins
Patty Waters