Kathy Ammann and Rita Briggman, both members of Solvay-Geddes-Camillus Kiwanis Club, were driving on state Highway 321 and hatched the idea to start a Kiwanis club in Skaneateles.

“We were coming into Skaneateles to attend a Valentine tea party when we saw a sign that boasted an active Rotary and Lions Club in the community,” Ammann said. “I said to Rita, there's a Rotary and a Lions, where's the Kiwanis? We were joking about seeing the sign and having a vision.”

Over the course of several months the idea has grown and begun to take shape. First, they approached Erika Davis, owner of Creekside Books & Coffee, who was happy to offer her business as a location for the club.

“I was eager to be the meeting spot for a Kiwanis club. Many organizations and groups meet at the coffeehouse,” Davis said.

Kiwanis members from the area including J. Donald Herring, governor of the state Kiwanis, met with Skaneateles leaders and police chief Lloyd Perkins to discuss how Kiwanis might help the town.

The club is a group of volunteers that promotes community service. Kiwanis gets its name from a Native American word “kee-wanis” which means to trade or share one's talents. The group respects what other area clubs are doing but hopes Kiwanis members could bring something else to the table.

“We feel that we can fill in gaps and add to what other clubs are already contributing. We can pick up where other clubs leave off if they need additional help,” Briggman said. “We hope that when the focus is helping children, that there will be room for everyone who wants to help.”

The club would focus on service projects where there's a need in the community, “especially the needs of children in the local schools,” Herring said.

“Kiwanis is a global organization dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time,” he added.

Understanding the Kiwanis organization could be most useful through schools, Herring and the women went to Skaneateles Superintendent of Schools Philip D'Angelo. From there, they hosted a meeting with several community members to assess interest.

The trio plans to offer a public meeting next month.

The Kiwanis organization understands people are busy and doesn't require a large time commitment from members, rather it encourages them to offer what they can in their own terms.

“Kiwanis clubs provide an excellent opportunity to meet other service-minded individuals and network with business professionals while making a direct impact on the community through volunteering,” said David Curry, president of Kiwanis International.

If you go

What: Public meeting

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1

Where: Creekside Books & Coffee, 35 Fennell St., Skaneateles

For more information: Call Herring at 638-1555 or e-mail don6381@aol.com