The Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoe was initiated by the Kiwanis Club of South Lake Tahoe – Sunrisers. In 1981, Lt. Governor Tom Millham sought to reestablish a Kiwanis Club on the Northshore of Lake Tahoe. An earlier attempt to form a club in Incline Village, Nevada failed. This time the new Kiwanis Club would be based in Tahoe City, California.
Millham and a Kiwanis International representative appeared in Tahoe City and made contact with David C. Antonucci. He was a former Sunrisers member and had recently relocated to Tahoe City. The group walked the main street of Tahoe City going from business to business recruiting new members.
When the requisite 25 members were attained, a charter application was submitted to Kiwanis International and approval was granted to form the club.
The club was officially chartered on November 4, 1981. The charter officers were Bill Bannister, President and David C. Antonucci, Secretary. Due to a quirk in Kiwanis bylaws, the new club could not assume the name of the defunct Incline Village club, Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoe. Instead it began as the Kiwanis Club of North Tahoe, Tahoe City. However, the new club was given the banner, bell, gavel and podium from the old club and from the beginning called itself the Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoe anyway. Later the name was officially changed. On December 4, 1981 the new club held its charter banquet and installation ceremony at the Cal-Neva Casino Resort.
The Club was almost entirely composed of baby boomers with young families. This trait was influential in the Club initially determining to put emphasis on youth academics, youth sports and the schools.
The under-30 age and 60’s attitude contributed to the Club rejecting the pomp and circumstance and rigid rules of typical of Kiwanis Clubs. At various times, the Club refused to pay international dues, attempted to induct women, declined to submit monthly reports, ignored inter-clubs and generally distanced themselves from district, region and headquarters bureaucrats. The Club had a “maverick” image but nonetheless got excellent results. Most upper level Kiwanis officials followed a passive, hands off approach in dealing with the Club…
For more on the history of our club please see the Kiwanis Club History Narrative.
For a list of Past Presidents and Kiwanians of the year see our above and beyond page.