THE HISTORY OF AKTION CLUB

George D. “Jake” Swartout, 1988-1989 Governor of Kiwanis International's Florida District, organized the first Aktion Club for adults who live with a disability in Putnam County, Florida, in 1987. With the assistance of fellow Kiwanians Ed Brooks and Dick Wittner, the Aktion Club concept spread throughout the Florida District and, by world-of-mouth, throughout the Kiwanis world. Aktion Club became an official Service Leadership Program of Kiwanis International on October 1, 2000.

Today, there are clubs in Canada, Barbados, Malaysia, Jamaica, Bahamas, Philippines, Australia and the United States.