Kiwanis International 2001 International Convention Commemorative Issue(2001)

Kiwanis International is going to hold its 2001 International Convention in Taipei from June 22 to June 26, 2001. The purpose of this convention is to strengthen solidarity between members, advance the group's objectives, expand the scope of service, promote cultural exchange, improve understanding and friendship between international members and raise the international standing of the R.O.C. To commemorate this occasion, the Directorate is issuing a set of two "Kiwanis International 2001 International Convention" stamps. The stamps are scheduled to be released on June 22, 2001. One stamp, which will have a denomination of NT$5.00, will show the convention's official logo. This is Chinese in style and has a globe in its background to symbolize universal brotherhood. The other stamp, which will have a denomination of NT$25.00, will convey the Kiwanis concept of helping the weak and the needy. Stressing the service spirit of Kiwanis International, its design is based around a simple outline of a heart. The stamps are painted by Mr. Wain Lai and printed in deep-etch color offset by China Color Printing Co., Inc.

Founded in 1915 in Detroit, U. S. A. and now headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kiwanis International is a world service organization pushing for progress in local communities. Kiwanis is a civic organization that pools resources of many people to serve society. Members of Kiwanis International volunteer in their spare time. There are currently more than 320,000 members of some 8,700 Kiwanis clubs in 118 countries around the world. Early on, the group focused on helping handicapped children. Since 1923, the headquarters has drawn up a theme every year to expand the scope of its service. In 1967, the first Kiwanis club in Taiwan was established in Taipei. Since then, other Kiwanis clubs have been established, one after another, across the country. In 1973, Kiwanis International R.O.C. was founded. In 1977 Kiwanis International, in a show of support, elevated the International R.O.C. branch to the level of district headquarters.