PREFACE 1988


The first history of the Carolinas District was published in 1939 covering the years 1902 - 1939. In 1974, a second history was published which included the years 1920 - 1974.

This edition is an update in as much as we used the '74 format to include each governor's own write-up of his administrative year and added pertinent and statistical information to the charts in the back.

The scope of the Carolinas District leadership at the international level can be observed in the section "Kiwanis International Officers from the Carolinas District" and "Kiwanis International Committee Members from Carolinas District." Our districts' contributions at the international level have been and continue to be distinctive and noteworthy.

In the 1974 edition, William H. Montgomery, editor, wrote, "Although realizing that no performance - individual or club - is and never will be perfect, we are hoping that our . . . capsule history will at least partially give us all a sense of pride in the many achievements enjoyed over the years by the number one Kiwanis district." These words are appropriate today in that we have the same hope as well as a desire that this history will contribute to the tradition of excellence which is in keeping with the achievements of the Carolinas District.

Past District Governor Waldie Bushaw suggested in 1974 that the history be updated every 10 years. We missed it by a few years, Waldie. Governor Leo Sheetz asked that I take on the updating task early in his administrative year. I agreed and found the assignment to be both an educational and humbling experience. I learned much about the Carolinas District, its governors and their outstanding leadership. I have been humbled by the extreme dedication, altruistic service and commitment to Kiwanis by some of North and South Carolinas' top leadership. My efforts to update this history represents only a fraction of the work required of William H. Montgomery in '74. His work was extensive. The update required assembling information from 14 past district governors, district secretaries, district records and Kiwanis International and adding it to Montgomery's compilation. To each individual governor and District Secretary Ralph O. Howard, I am grateful.

The real history of the Carolinas District is in the service, achievements and contributions of the individual clubs. It is my sincere hope that in reading this history, local club leaders will become excited about recording, publishing and preserving for posterity their own club's history.

David R. Burnette
Asheville, NC
History Editor, 1988