Service to our community

Service clubs, which used to be the backbones of community service, are fading into obscurity.

We’re talking about groups like Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions. Plus fraternal societies that were also devoted to their towns like Knights of Columbus, Masons and Odd Fellows. And sororities like PEO and Catholic Daughters of America.

Once upon a time there were more than than 120 members of the Hy-Noon Kiwanis Club. They would fill the banquet room at the old Ken-A-Bob Buffet every Monday noon with their off-key singing. Now that cacophonous choir is down to less than 30 members, and only about half come to the weekly meetings at Lake Avenue Lounge. The morning Kiwanis club, the Beavers, has a dozen or so of their 20-member roster show up for their breakfasts every Tuesday at Lakeshore Cafe.

Rotary Club, which meets Tuesday noons at King’s Pointe, is down to about 25 active members, a third of what they had 20 years ago.

The Lions disbanded a few years ago. So did the Odd Fellows, who had their meeting rooms above Security Bank. The Knights of Columbus had to sell their meeting hall on East Lakeshore Drive. And the grand Masonic Lodge downtown is now Lake Avenue Lounge and events rooms.

For decades it was almost mandatory that business owners belong to one of these service clubs. The membership was mostly men, since they mostly ran the businesses, but over time chauvinism stepped aside and women were encouraged to join.

Art and I both joined service clubs when The Storm Lake Times began publication 34 years ago. We wanted to cover the bases so Art became a Kiwanian and I was a Rotarian. In those days we ran our own press, and printing was a demanding mistress who got in the way of our civic engagement on press days. We had to give up our memberships. Since I no longer have to run the platemaking machine and labeler, a couple years ago I was able to accept an invitation to join Kiwanis.

These service clubs aren’t just dinner dates or networking opportunities. As the name implies, they are dedicated to service. They donate tens of thousands of dollars each year to community projects, particularly focused on youth. Hy-Noon Kiwanis raises money primarily through its Triathlon /Duathlon, the Labor Day classic car show in Chautauqua Park, and the Storm Lake Basketball Jamboree, which the Times Pilot co-sponsors. For more than three decades the Jamboree proceeds helped pay for the Field of Dreams baseball and soccer complex on the north side of town, in addition to other youth projects. Kiwanians also organize the monthly food distribution that feeds over 400 local families. The Beavers are busy raising money through their annual May fishing tournament to furnish the new Kiwanis Park at the corner of East Fifth and Russell streets. The clubs also donate money for local scholarships.

For decades Rotary has held its turkey fillet barbecue every September, and right now they are selling chances on when a car they placed on the lake will fall through the ice.

When these clubs had 100 or more members, it was easy to organize all these events. But with membership dwindling to a few stalwart Baby Boomers, it is getting harder for the clubs to continue their philanthropy. There are simply not enough warm bodies to do all the work.

Volunteers are essential to maintaining a vibrant small town. We can’t expect the government to do it all, especially nowadays. Storm Lake’s biggest celebration, the Star Spangled Spectacular, was not started by the city or even the Chamber of Commerce. Rather, it was the volunteer Storm Lake Area Arts Council, which founded the event over 40 years ago that brings upwards of 30,000 to The City Beautiful every Fourth of July. The Arts Council petered out around 20 years ago but the SSS has continued through the efforts of volunteers and Storm Lake United.

Balloon Days was another big event which attracted hot air balloonists and lots of visitors from all over the country to Storm Lake over Labor Day weekend. But it was a victim of its own success. What started as a few enthusiasts getting together grew into an event that overwhelmed its small band of organizers. When they were unable to find volunteers to take up the cause they turned it over to the Jaycees, but that service club ran out of gas after about three years and the event floated away.

The struggles faced by service clubs are mirrored in social clubs. PEO, the women’s group, searches for members. A once-vibrant Elks Lodge slipped away. Lake Creek Country Club’s social side faced the same issues. Churches are always asking for volunteers.

For whatever reason, Gen Xers and Millennials aren’t joiners. I know the question, but I don’t have the answer. Can we blame it on a digital society, where we can meet anonymously on Facebook rather than engage each other in person?

As these service organizations slip away, our community will be the poorer for their loss. They got things done for the rest of us. Will someone step up to continue this tradition of service? Joining a service club would be a good start.