CULLMAN, Ala. – For years, the Cullman Civitan Club worked throughout the Cullman community, providing service, support and help to those in need. After a dwindling membership roster forced the club to relinquish its charter, the Cullman Civitan Club is, once again, in full operation.
On Thursday, April 25, the Cullman Civitan Club held its charter meeting, marking its official return as a branch of Civitan International. Members said the support and guidance of neighboring clubs, the Hanceville Civitan Club and the Decatur Civitan Club, were instrumental in bringing the Cullman Club back to life.
The meeting began with a contest that was started at a previous gathering. Members were able to take home a wooden birdhouse, constructed by clients and staff at Hope Horses, to paint and decorate. Club Director Ruth Nicklaus’ cozy cottage came in first place with Director Kathy Sims’ and member Taylor Johnson’s in second with a bubblegum pink Barbie Dream House. President-Elect Alec Smith clinched third place with a Super Mario-themed house.
As the meeting got underway, Club Builder Kearney “Dee” Hutsler from ACTION Inc. and the Birmingham Civitan Club took to the podium to induct new club members.
“Civitan was founded primarily to provide concerned citizens an opportunity to help others and serve the community with brute action. Civitan has served its purpose well; its spirit has caught the imagination and loyalty of thousands over many nations,” said Hutsler. “In Civitan, you will add your talent to those of others to accomplish the high ideals this organization stands for. Civitan is fortunate to find new members worthy of its standards. Civitan challenges its members and inspires them to work for a better community, nation and world.”
The group of new members stood before the congregated club members and builders and recited the Civitan Creed, signifying their devotion to community service and selfless support of others in need.
“The Rogersville Civitan Club was formed in the 1930s; they performed great service to the community for all those years,” Decatur Civitan Club President Ed Higdon explained, saying that the loss of one club was the rebirth of another. “Time caught up with them, and they had to surrender their charter. They had enough in their budget, which they gave to the Decatur club to help build and support a new club.”
Higdon then presented Cullman Civitan Club President Tia Smallwood a check for $1,000, the money the members of the Rogersville club specified was to be used to start a new club; an additional check containing newly paid membership fees for Cullman members was also presented to Smallwood for $1,500.
“I am so proud of this new group,” said Smallwood, “The Civitan Club is meant to give back to the community, but we get so much more in return.”
Officers of the Cullman Civitan Club are:
- Tia Smallwood- President
- Alec Smith- President-Elect
- Beverly Wilkerson- Secretary
- Debbie Little- Treasurer
- Jay Conway- Director
- Ruth Nicklaus- Director
- Kathy Sims- Director
- Misty Shannon- Sargeant in Arms
Charter members are:
- Jay Conway
- Ruth Nicklaus
- Beverly Wilkerson
- Brian Murphy
- Joey Fullenwider
- Tia Smallwood
- Alec Smith
- Chistopher McLaughlin
- Matt Kinsland
- Josh Hickman
- Kathy Sims
- Brannon Ray
- Matt Schlosser
- Mellisa Swann
- Denise Key
- Debbie Little
- Jonathan Creekmore
- Taylor Johnson
- Katie E. Brown
- Misty Shannon
- Rebekah Lloyd
- James A. Blankenship
“With more than 30,000 members worldwide, Civitan International is a global organization dedicated to serving the local communities of its members. Using the structure of building local clubs, Civitan equips its members to address local needs with local solutions.
“Civitan is the only service organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This long-standing focus began as a local project in Baltimore in the 1940s when Civitan began funding specialized teachers in schools. In 1956, Civitan membership unanimously adopted service to I/DD as the major project focus of the international organization. Today, Civitan supports the Civitan International Research Center in Birmingham, Alabama where more than 100 researchers work on diseases that impact the lives of 1 in 6 people worldwide.” (civitan.org)
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