SASKATCHEWAN — Just a few years after founder Hal Rogers chartered Canada’s first Kinsmen Club, launching a service organization that quickly spread nationwide, Saskatchewan joined Kin Canada in 1926.
Saskatchewan’s first Kinsmen Club was the Regina Queen City Kinsmen, chartered April 1, 1926, which will mark its centennial alongside Kin Canada, with a larger celebration planned for September..
Saskatchewan is home to 32 Kinsmen Clubs, 24 Kinette Clubs, 13 Kin Clubs and one campus club at the University of Saskatchewan.
“We are in the process of revitalizing the University of Regina campus club as well,” sai Michelle Duckworth, District 3 governor, which encompasses Saskatchewan.
Asked what contributes to the longevity of Kinsmen, Kinettes and Kin Clubs in the province, Duckworth said it comes down to people and purpose.
“Kin Canada’s motto is ‘Serving the Communities Greatest Need,’ and that is what every club lives by. Our clubs are made up of volunteers who genuinely care about their communities and who are willing to step up when something needs to be done.”
These men’s and women’s community service clubs attest that projects are not created from the top down but are built by people who live and work in the community every day.
“Clubs are encouraged to adapt how they meet, how they fundraise and how they engage new volunteers, while still holding on to the values that Kin was built on, as every club and community is different. That balance between tradition and flexibility is a big reason clubs continue to thrive for decades. Strong relationships between clubs, mentorship between members and a culture that encourages people to grow into leadership roles also play a huge role in keeping Kin healthy and sustainable in Saskatchewan,” Duckworth said.
Members of Kinsmen, Kinette and Kin Clubs across the province say that while they are serving their communities, there is also significant personal and professional growth to be gained, which is one of the objectives of the association.
“As a fun Saskatchewan fact, our province consistently ranks as the strongest in Canada for volunteerism on a per-capita basis, which really reflects the community spirit that Kin is built on,” Duckworth said.
Outside of Telemiracle, members volunteered 70,376 hours and raised a net $2.7 million for Saskatchewan communities through the province’s 70 community service clubs. Most members hold full-time or part-time jobs and make these commitments in addition to work and family responsibilities.
“We track this each year to be able to celebrate the amazing work the clubs in our district have done,” Duckworth said.
Telemiracle 50 ranks high among this year’s highlights. Kin members from across the province have been working behind the scenes to plan a show and celebration recognizing the milestone.
Clubs across Saskatchewan also have been celebrating significant anniversaries.
“This has led to a meaningful year of reflection, with clubs sharing their histories and highlighting the many different ways they have supported their communities over the decades,” Duckworth said. “It has been inspiring to see clubs reconnect with their past, celebrate the volunteers who built them, and showcase the long-standing impact Kin has had in communities throughout Saskatchewan.”
The Kin Canada centennial celebration will be held in conjunction with the Regina Queen City Kinsmen’s 100th anniversary. Regina clubs are hosting the District Convention, where the annual general meeting is held, and Duckworth said historic memories will be showcased.
Clubs are encouraged to have their communities declare the week of March 29 to April 4 as Saskatchewan Kin Centennial Week, which may include raising the Kin Centennial flag.
Past District 3 governor, club support director and Macklin Kinette member Lori Cosh said several milestone anniversaries are being celebrated during the Kin year running from September 2025 to June 2026:
- Celebrating five years: Maidstone Kin Club
- Celebrating 10 years: Thunder Creek Kinsmen
- Celebrating 40 years: Humboldt Kinsmen
- Celebrating 50 years: Gull Lake Kinettes
- Celebrating 55 years: Wynyard Kinsmen and Wynyard Kinettes
- Celebrating 65 years: Lucky Lake Kinsmen, Dinsmore Kinettes and Eastend Kinettes
- Celebrating 70 years: Outlook Kinsmen and Swift Current Kinettes
- Celebrating 75 years: Watrous Kinsmen
- Celebrating 80 years: Assiniboia Kinsmen
- Celebrating 85 years: Lashburn Kinettes, Prince Albert Kinsmen and Saskatoon Kinettes
- Celebrating 90 years: Kerrobert Kinsmen
- Celebrating 100 years: Queen City Kinsmen
Cosh said Kin Canada’s decision to eliminate the former age-out limit of 40 helped sustain many clubs.
“Our province has always been rooted in volunteering and giving back. Even with busier lives, people still appreciate that things will not happen without giving a little of your time,” she said. “Since COVID, there seems to have been an increase in people looking for community, and a local Kin club is one of the best ways to meet people and get involved.”
She added that 2025-26 is a major year for Saskatchewan Kin.
“Not only we celebrate 50 years of Telemiracle, but also 100 years of Kin in Saskatchewan through the Regina Kinsmen. Moose Jaw Kinsmen have also been chosen to host the national convention in August.”
