The Kiwanis Club of Columbia,Missouri was  organized on April 5,1922, with a total of 50 charter members.The sponsoring work for the establishment of the Club was done by the Kiwanis Club of St. Louis (Downtown).

The charter was presented at a banquet held at the Daniel Boone Tavern in Columbia,on May 16,1922 .There were nearly 150 persons here,enjoying a six-course meal,highlighted by musical numbers by  girls from both Stephens and Christian colleges.In between these courses, the guests sang Kiwanis songs.

Toastmaster was B.C. Hunt, Club president.In Kiwanis tradition,the program opened with the singing of "America".Opening remarks were provided by officials from other Kiwanis organizations, including the Missouri-Kansas District. Speakers included Dean Walter Miller of the University of Missouri, N.T. Gentry, Judge David E. Blair of the State Supreme Court, and others.

"The object of our existence as clubs is for the living of the Golden rule to our modern everyday life as well as business life," a speaker said."Every Kiwanis club aims and works to be of aid in the church, the city government, or chamber of commerce.Not to run anyone of these established institutions, bat aid and assist them, staying off all general controversy. "

According to the Columbia Missourian, "Favors of four-foot self-winding measuring tapes with the seal and emblem of Kiwanis stamped in blue on each side  of the container were distributed to visiting ladies. Carnival paper hats were placed at each plate, and worn during the evening.The table flowers were presented to the women at the close of the program.