How Civitan Originated

On March 17, 1917, a group of Birmingham, Alabama businessmen and professional men began meeting weekly at lunch to discuss ways they might contribute to the improvement of the community. Like all major cities ─ then and now ─ Birmingham had problems.These men found some of the answers, and decided to join together as a winning team.

During World War I, these Birmingham Civitans generously contributed both resources and service. Club members not entering the armed forces took up the task of conscientiously supporting every drive started in support of the United States war effort.

Dr. Courtney W. Shropshire, a prominent physician and surgeon, was among the initial group. He is credited with being the founder of Civitan International.

 As word of the effectiveness of the Birmingham Civitan Club spread, men from other cities became interested in the Civitan concept. The growing interest outside Birmingham soon convinced the original members that their club could be a pattern for an interntional organization of Civitan clubs.

The international organization was established on April 15, 1920, with Dr. Shropshire as president. Several years later the title Founder and First President was conferred upon Dr. Shropshire. Today there are also Campus  Civitan Clubs and Junior Civitan clubs geared to helping our young people get involved in helping their communities. These Civitan clubs help to support an award winning research institution dedicated to solving mental retardation issues, the Civitan International Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The New Bern Civitan Club

The New Bern Civitan Club was chartered on October 4, 1956 with 26 members. As of November 1, 2012, our membership now numbers 125!  Since our beginnings, our club has been dedicated to helping the less fortunate in the community, the state and the nation. While Civitans primary charitable focus is mental retardation and developmental disabilities, we also have many local projects.

While "diverse" has certainly become an overused word, it well describes the membership of the New Bern Civitan Club. Members have included CEOs, high level managers, county and municipal officials, university professors, college presidents, attorneys, doctors, dentists, accountants and educators.