Steve Zuercher of the Clarksville Civitan Club as part of the essay series “The Road to 250: Community Spirit in Action,” celebrating the history of unity in Clarksville ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.

Civitan International is an international organization of service clubs with a mission to promote good citizenship through community service in the communities where we live. Since its founding in 1917, Civitan International has been a beacon of hope for our citizens in need of support. Since 1922, the Clarksville Civitan Club has been a leader in the Clarksville community for realizing the Civitan vision: A global community where people of all abilities and talents make the world a better place. 

The Clarksville Civitan Scholarship Committee presents the Clarksville Civitan Western Grizzard Scholarship. (Contributed)

This vision was codified in 1956 when Civitan International unanimously adopted service to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as its primary mission focus. The Civitan vision to see all citizens participating on the same plane in life aligns with our country’s founding principle that all people are created equal. The Civitan mission and vision is part of a larger uniquely American ideal, is an act of good citizenship, and is a building block in the process of e pluribus unum. 

| DON’T MISS A LOCAL STORY: Sign up for the free daily Clarksville Now email newsletter

Civitan rosters have contained the names of five U.S. presidents, astronauts, industrialists and inventors – leaders who changed the world in a very real sense. Likewise, the Clarksville Civitan Club rosters also include the names of many hundreds of individuals who have impacted lives in ways just as profound.

Clarksville Civitan Club members present Civitan International Servants Heart Awards to Progressive Directions Employees of the Month. (Contributed)

Building up community leaders

The Clarksville Civitan Club contributes to the development of community leaders who seek to achieve the mission to build good citizenship. This fact is clear in that the club has been the source of four Civitan International presidents and one International chaplain. The Rev. John D. Laida served for several years as the Civitan International chaplain while serving the congregation of First Baptist Church. Of the four presidents, Dr. John B. Bond (1958-59) was the first and was influential locally in education at Austin Peay State University. Dr. J.F. Burney (1992-93) led the Business School at APSU, was a founder of Progressive Directions Inc. (PDI) and a major influence and advocate in the community for Special Olympics, health care and mental health treatment. Leroy Parks (1999-2000) has passionately supported opportunities for disabled citizens and normalizing education opportunities for an APSU student with IDD through a scholarship in his name. Jay Albertia (2014-15) has impacted the opportunities and care of disabled citizens throughout middle Tennessee as CEO of PDI and is responsible for much of the volume and scope of opportunities and support for our citizens with special abilities.

Clarksville Civitan members reach out to the community during the Clarksville Association of Down Syndrome Walk and Expo. (Contributed)

Creating opportunities for all citizens

Clarksville Civitans, acting in response to the international mission and vision, have led the progressive increase in the support for and opportunities given to our disabled citizens in Clarksville and beyond. An example is that citizens from Clarksville Civitan founded a home in Clarksville for intellectually disabled women that has developed into the expansive support system provided by PDI in Middle Tennessee. Additionally, Clarksville Civitan uses the proceeds from its annual Vidalia Onion Sales project to make significant donations to the Civitan International Research Center in Birmingham, Alabama, PDI, Buddy Ball, and Clarksville Association of Down Syndrome.

Since 2022, the Clarksville Civitan Club has provided the leadership, management and volunteer coordination for the Greater Clarksville Area 12 Special Olympics. As this program grows, Civitans have drawn in leaders from other organizations in the city to form a more expansive collaboration to provide athletes with disabilities the opportunity to complete and experience joy, confidence and fulfillment on the playing field and in life.

Clarksville Civitan members reach out to the community during the annual Jimmy Dunn Scavenger Hunt that funds scholarships and local charities. (Contributed)

Encouraging good citizenship

The reach and impact of the Civitan mission and vision extends far into the community. The Clarksville Civitan Club develops members who are community leaders. Civitan members are involved in the leadership, service and support of over 25 nonprofit organizations in the community. The Civitan values of service, inclusion, respect, fellowship, courage and leadership build good citizenship in our members and influence other organizations and citizens to be good citizens.

The Clarksville Civitan Club encourages good citizenship in our fellow citizens through several programs. Foremost is the Clarksville Civitan Halbert Harvill Citizenship Award that is given to a graduating senior at APSU for demonstrating the highest qualities of citizenship in their career. Clarksville Civitan also promotes good citizenship for incoming students through the Clarksville Civitan Scholarship, given to one APSU incoming freshman who possesses the traits of good citizenship. Civitan awards include the Civitan International Servants Heart Award that is given to professionals and practitioners who support citizens with IDD, and the Clarksville Civitan Good Citizen Award, given to any citizen who is living out the traits of good citizenship.

Steve Zuercher

| ROAD TO 250 SERIES:

| NEW TO CLARKSVILLE? Check out our Newcomer’s Guide