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Exciting Milestones
April 25, 2008, Active 20-30 USA & Canada, including the Active 20-30 Club of Indianapolis, was named a Point of Light Award Winner. On the same day, a Congressional Commendation was issued as a tribute to the Active 20-30 Club.

Realizing the Need
Active 20-30 International had its beginnings in 1922 when young men in two widely separated communities of the United States saw the need for a service club for young men. They found that established service clubs were dominated by older men, run by older men, and whose officers were invariably much older men.

This realization led those groups of ambitious young men to stray away from existing groups and organized a club of their own. These clubs shared the ideal that young men would have a chance to engage actively in service to their communities; where young ideas, backed by enthusiasm and the energy of youth, could share in civic responsibilities on an equal basis with clubs composed of older men.

These pioneers of young men’s service clubs simultaneously created two virtually identical clubs: the Active International, located in Aberdeen, Washington, and 20-30 International formed in Sacramento, California.

Both the International and Active International Associations were charter members of the World Council of Young Men’s Service Clubs (WOCO). John Armenia, Joe Crowe and Arnie Scheldt of Active and Dr. James Vernetti, Henry Heyl and Ray Fletcher of 20-30 were among those who fostered the World Council movement up to its formal beginning in 1945.

Merging Ideas and Resources
In 1959, President Norm Morrison of 20-30 and President Ken Helling of Active, exchanged a letter renewing the long standing proposal that these two identical young men’s service clubs should merge.

Between 1959 and 1960, meetings were held between the two groups, culminating in the proposed Constitution and Resolution to be presented to the 1960 Conventions of each organization. In addition to Morrison and Helling, Jack Kummert, Doug Martin and Clint McClure of 20-30, and Victory W. "Bill" Smith, Owen Barnes and Jim Robertson of Active participated in the early negotiations.

In 1960, the 20-30 International Convention was held in Santa Cruz, California. The delegates unanimously adopted the merger proposal and the Constitution. One month later, the delegates at the Active International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, also unanimously adopted the propositions. Therefore, on August 1, 1960, Active International and 20-30 International became the Active 20-30 International.

While the mechanics of the merger were being formulated, each organization maintained its separate administrative structure, officers and National Office through its convention year. In October 1960, the first combined magazine, Active 20-30 made its appearance. The first convention of Active 20-30 International was held in Tucson, Arizona, July 10-14, 1961, where the Constitution and bylaws were officially adopted.

The major International Projects selected for the new organization were Keys in the Car, Aid to Scouting, Public Speaking and Rheumatic Fever. During the 1975 Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the new International Charity Foundation was adopted to replace Rheumatic Fever.

The Creation of the Active 20-30 United States & Canada
In 1981, a proposal was put forth to the membership to allow for National Associations in Active 20-30 International. In 1982, the Active 20-30 United States and Canada, Inc., was formed with its National office in the building owned by Active 20-30 US & Canada on 1915 I Street, Sacramento, California. Arnie Krogh of Sacramento served as its first National President. In 1996, the National Office was moved over to 915 L Street in Sacramento, California, where the Nossaman, Guthner, Knox and Elliott, a professional association management team, is currently serving Active 20-30 United States & Canada.

Local History
Indianapolis #1036 celebrated its chartering in April of 2004. Since its inception, its members have worked whole-heartedly to represent the ideals of the national organization while making a difference in the local community.

The Indianapolis club has been represented at National and International conventions and, along with Fort Wayne #700, has played host to members from across the country and around the globe.

Members of Indianapolis #1036 dedicate their time and talents to the Children's Bureau and St. Vincent New Hope on a regular basis. Please see our Calendar of Events for the next Hands-On Activity dates. Our general meetings and hands-on events are open and guests are welcome!

For a complete listing of our local board members, click here.

The Active 20-30 Club of Indianapolis chooses to focus on hands-on involvement in our community. Some of the organizations we regularly partner with include:
- Children's Bureau
- St. Vincent New Hope
- Riley Hospital for Children,
through the I.U. Dance Marathon and more.

Bell, Banner & Gavel
Every club in Active 20-30 is issued a "club banner", a brass bell and a president's gavel. These are standard items that each club must maintain as an Active 20-30 club and must be used at all official club meetings. However, a tradition among many of the clubs is to make sure that no one "steals" these items from the meeting. Any member may attempt to steal one of these items during the meeting and then it is returned in some most unusual ways. Even members visiting from area clubs may attempt to steal one of these items.

Badges and Fines
When a person becomes a member of a club, they are issued an official name badge with their name and club name engraved. In many clubs, it is a requirement that each member wear their badge during the meeting.

Some of our clubs have a good time during meetings whereby their President may issue fines for violations such as no name badge, excessive talking, not being able to introduce each member at their table, buying a new house or car, etc. These fines are usually taken in good humor and it makes the general meeting more exciting and humorous for all in attendance.

Other Traditions
Each new club is encouraged to create their own traditions which helps stimulate camaraderie within the club and helps the members begin to know each other not only at meetings but at club projects and fund raisers as well.

For additional information about WOCO or Active 20-30 International, please visit their respective websites:
- WOCO
- Active 20-30 International

For additional Active 20-30 Clubs in the United States, please click here.