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 (See WOCO information).

Merging Ideas & 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 Active 20-30 USA & 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 USA & Canada.

International Affiliations

Active 20-30 USA & Canada is also a member of Activo 20-30 International and the World Council of Service Organizations (WOCO).

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.

Songs & Pledges

Many of the clubs begin each club meeting with a song or the Pledge of Allegiance and may end each meeting with a song as well.

Badges & 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 help stimulate camaraderie within the club and help the members begin to know each other not only at meetings but at club projects and fundraisers as well.

National Presidents

2006-07	Jennifer Norman Carson City, NV
2005-06	Richard Middlebrook Bakersfield, CA
2004-05	James Koch, Jr. Eugene, OR
2003-04	Trish Sweeney Placerville, CA
2002-03	Duane Dougherty Napa, CA
2001-02	Scott Balzer Central Edmonton, Alberta
2000-01	Nick Grant Gardnerville, NV
1999-00	Dallas Sweeney Placerville, CA
1998-99	Tucker Davies Eugene, OR
1997-98	Keaton Merrell Scottsdale, AZ
1996-97	Sharon Straede Roseville, CA
1995-96	Monty Daley Sacramento, CA
1994-95	Kevin Thompson Torrance, CA
1993-94	Gary Robles Phoenix, AZ
1992-93	Mike Nohrenberg Eugene, OR
1991-92	Gary Wickel Turlock, CA
1990-91	Gregory Finch Sacramento, CA
1989-90	William Bennett Napa, CA
1988-89	Tom Davis Tolleson, AZ
1987-88	Charles Moody Phoenix, AZ
1986-87	Steve Gair Wasco, CA
1985-86	Charles Stark Santa Rosa, CA
1984-85	Randy Tomilson Calgary, Alberta
1983-84	Fred Simpson Sun Valley, CA
1982-83	Arnie Krogh Sacramento, CA

National Conventions

2006	New Orleans, LA hosted by Reno, NV and Carson Valley, NV
2006	Scottsdale, AZ hosted by Scottsdale, AZ and Valley of the Sun, AZ
2005	Cruise to Ensenada, Mexico hosted by Bakersfield, CA
2004	South Lake Tahoe, CA
2003	Phoenix, AZ
2002	Sacramento, CA
2001	Reno, NV
2000	Santa Rosa, CA
1999	Scottsdale, AZ
1998	Sacramento, CA
1997	Eugene, OR
1996	Tucson, AZ
1995	Santa Rosa, CA
1994	South Lake Tahoe, CA
1993	Anaheim, CA
1992	Portland, OR
1991	Santa Cruz, CA
1990	Mexicali, Mexico
1989	Sacramento, CA
1988	Phoenix, AZ
1987	Sacramento, CA
1986	Eugene, OR
1985	San Jose, Costa Rica
1984	Edmonton, AB (Canada)
1983	Cancun, Mexico