In Alamance County, there are more than a dozen active chapters of well-known international civic and service organizations, including the Civitan, Kiwanis, Rotary, and Ruritan clubs.

These volunteer-driven and member-based nonprofits aim to improve their communities through philanthropic work, fundraising, and hands-on service, regardless of political party or religious affiliation. Dues-paying members tend to be of various beliefs and backgrounds, including here in Alamance.

Historically, these legacy organizations, some with local charters dating back to the 1920s, have provided philanthropic support to key issues and vulnerable populations in our area, like youth enrichment, literacy and wellness, and roadside and waterway litter cleanups. But just as importantly, they provide community members with a means for face-to-face fellowship and civic participation with people they may not normally engage with.

Research from the think tank American Enterprise Institute highlights a growing class divide in civic participation, while a report the American Bar Association points to the “lost art” of organizing traditional civic groups as membership numbers have been declining and aging.

Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps shows a national rebound in engagement since the COVID-19 pandemic. Between September 2022 and September 2023, 28.3% of Americans, or more than 75.7 million people, dedicated nearly 5 billion hours to formal volunteering through an organization, with another 54% volunteering informally to help their neighbors.

In North Carolina specifically, the numbers are a bit lower. In 2023, formal volunteering rates in our state were 5.5% below pre-pandemic levels.

According to the latest research from Independent Sector and the Do Good Institute, the estimated value of a volunteer’s time in North Carolina is currently about $33.01 per hour.

Are you looking to get more involved and volunteer in the community? Civic service organizations may provide a starting point.

Below you’ll find a list of local chapters of legacy civic service organizations and how you can get involved. Did we miss something? Email laura@alamancefabric.org to add your club’s information to the list.

Civitan International chapters in Alamance County

Alamance Civitan Club

  • Location: Alamance (Burlington)
  • Key projects: Local youth sports programs (Alamance Club League)
  • Meetings: Monthly every second Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Civitan Club House
  • Upcoming events: Find them running the concessions stand at the E.M. Holt Field
  • Contact: Alamance Civitan Club on Facebook

Altamahaw-Ossipee Civitan Club

  • Location: Ossipee (Elon)
  • Key projects: Roadside cleanups, “Hoot on the Farm” and Thanksgiving pork shoulder sale
  • Meetings: Monthly every first Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Altamahaw-Ossipee Community Center
  • Contact: AO Civitan Club Facebook group

Burlington Civitan

  • Location: Burlington
  • Key projects: “Brunswick Stew” sale and two semi-annual breakfast fundraisers for scholarships and initiatives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities like Camp Green Leaves and Special Olympics
  • Meetings: Monthly on the first and third Tuesday at 6 p.m. First Tuesday meetings are at Sound Bound Sandwich Shop (3328 S. Church St. in Burlington). Third Tuesday meetings are at Western Steak House (142 N. Graham-Hopedale Rd. in Burlington)
  • Contact: John Robinson 336-260-5900 or Xylda and John Gee at 33-260-2857

Hawfields Civitan Club

  • Location: Hawfields (Mebane)
  • Charter: May 1965
  • Key projects: Annual “Haunted Forest” and “Enchanted Forest” fundraisers to support the Boys & Girls Club of North Carolina and local youth sports programs (Alamance Club League)
  • Meetings: Monthly on the second and fourth Thursday at the Covington Shelter at Hawfields Community Park
  • Upcoming events: Spring Bazaar
  • Contact: hawfieldscivitanclub@gmail.com

Lakeview Civitan Club

  • Location: Lakeview (Burlington)
  • Charter: November 5, 1963
  • Key projects: Local youth sports programs (Alamance Club League)
  • Upcoming events: Fall Turkey Shoot
  • Meetings: Monthly every first Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Lakeview Civitan Club (144 Roberta Dr. in Burlington)
  • Contact: Lakeview Civitan Club on Facebook

Kiwanis International chapters in Alamance County

Kiwanis Club of Burlington

  • Charter: 1921
  • Key projects: Terrific Kids, Reading is Fundamental, and “many more hands-on projects positively affecting the lives of those around us,” according to the club’s Facebook page
  • Meetings: Monthly every second and fourth Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Southbound Sandwich Shop
  • Contact: Kiwanis Club of Burlington, NC on Facebook

Lions Club International chapters in Alamance County

There are currently no active chapters of Lions Club International in Alamance County. The last one, the Gibsonville Lions Club, closed in 2024, according to NC Lions District 31-O secretary David Gercken. Anyone interested in starting a chapter in Alamance County can email Gary Greene at liongary31f@yahoo.com.

Rotary International chapters in Alamance County

Alamance Rotary Club

  • Key projects: Environmental protection and clean-up of the Haw River.
  • Meetings: Every Tuesday at 12 p.m. at the Best Western hotel (710 Huffman Mill Rd., in Burlington). The first Tuesday of each month is a “Take Away Tuesday,” where members meet at a local agency, business, school or organization.
  • Upcoming events: Not found
  • Contact: alamance-rotary.org

Burlington Rotary Club

Graham Rotary Club

Ruritan National chapters in Alamance County

Meadow Creek Ruritan Club

Mountain View Ruritan Club

  • Location: Snow Camp
  • Charter: 1976
  • Meetings: Monthly on the second Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Ruritan Club (5161-D Mt. Herman Rock Creek Rd., in Snow Camp)
  • Upcoming events: Isley Farm Supply MooFest
  • Contact: mt.viewruritanclub@gmail.com

Eli Whitney Ruritan Club 

  • Location: Eli Whitney
  • Charter: 1955
  • Key projects: Maintains a 60-year partnership with the Eli Whitney Volunteer Fire Department.
  • Meetings: Monthly on the first Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Eli Whitney Community Building (3917 E. Greensboro Chapel Hill Rd., in Snow Camp)
  • Upcoming events: Chapter meeting with a catered meal
  • Contact: ewruritan@gmail.com
  • Social media: Eli Whitney Ruritan Club on Facebook

Sylvan Ruritan Club

  • Location: Snow Camp
  • Charter: 1957
  • Meetings: Monthly on the fourth Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Sylvan Community Center
  • Social media: Sylvan Ruritan on Facebook

Sertoma Inc., chapters in Alamance County

JackO’Kelley Sertoma Club

  • Charter: June 14, 1986
  • Key projects: Fundraisers to support the purchase of hearing aids for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and the African American Male Initiative (AAMI).
  • Meetings: Monthly every fourth Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Golden Corral (3108 Garden Rd. in Burlington)
  • Contact: joksertomaclub.org

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Laura Brache is the Community Engagement Editor for The Alamance Fabric. Based in Burlington, she oversees the newsletter, community engagement events, and collaboration with local student journalists,...