Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization comprised
of individuals who want to improve their communities. As a group,
they can achieve what they cannot do alone.
Kiwanis is not a social club nor a secret or political
society. It does prescribe a way of life for others. It often
does, however, act as a forum for diverse ideas.
It performs service beyond the capability of an
individual; assistance to the aging, the needy, and to youth;
improvement of communities; encouragement of international understanding.
Individuals of good standing in the community, invited
by a Kiwanis club itself, are eligible for membership. The cost
is low, considering the tremendous satisfaction Kiwanis membership
provides.
Kiwanis was found in Detroit, Michigan, January
12, 1915. It extended into Canada in 1916. Not until 1962 did
it serve outside these two nations.
Today, Kiwanis numbers more than 300,000 members
in over 8,000 clubs. Though Kiwanis serves in countries around
the world, the basic principles are the same.
Circle K
Circle K is a coeducational service, leadership
development, and friendship organization, organized and sponsored
by a Kiwanis club on a college or university campus. It is a self-governing
organization and elects its own officers, conducts its own meetings,
determines its own service activities, and establishes its own
dues structure. Its Objects include the Objects of Kiwanis.
Once organized, a Circle K club continues to be
sponsored by a Kiwanis club. Although the ultimate responsibility
for Circle K is that of the Kiwanis Board of Directors, the sponsorship
function is most directly carried out by the Kiwanis club Committee
on Circle K Clubs, assisted by a faculty advisor (who may or may
not be a Kiwanian) designated by the college or university administration.
District and International Conventions are held
each year. At the International Convention, International officers
are elected, the Constitution and Bylaws are amended, and Circle
K members participate in a service project.
Key Club is a coeducational service organization
for high school students, organized and sponsored by a Kiwanis
club. It is a self-governing organization and elects its own officers,
determines its owns service activities, and establishes its own
dues structure. Its Objects include the Objects of Kiwanis. Once
organized, a Key Club is continuously sponsored by a Kiwanis club.
Although the ultimate responsibility for Key Club sponsorship
is that of the Kiwanis board of directors, the sponsorship function
is most directly carried out by the Kiwanis club Committee on
Key Clubs, assisted by a faculty advisor (who may or may not be
a Kiwanian) designated by the high school administration.
It was in May, 1925 in Sacramento, California, that
the 11 charter members, comprising the first Key Club, met officially
for the first time. Prior to that meeting, came a full year's
activity through which the idea of Key Club developed and finally
reached fruition.
Key Club continues to grow rapidly. There are now
clubs located throughout the world. In these groups, thousands
of students are receiving training in leadership and service.
Key Club is truly an "international" organization. In 1946, the
first club was built in Canada, and since that time many more
have been added. Every year, led by the international officers,
two hundred or more new Key Clubs are added to this fast growing
organization, but emphasis is on permanent, active clubs, rather
than on mere numbers as such.
Builders Club is a coeducational service program,
sponsored by a Kiwanis club, which provides young people between
the ages of 12 and 15 the opportunity to help others, serve their
school and community, and build a positive future for themselves.
The Kiwanis club role is to initiate organization
of a Builders Club in accordance with guidelines provided by Kiwanis
International, get the approval of school officials for its establishment
as a school organization, recruit initial members, schedule the
organizational meeting, file the Petition for Charter, plan for
the charter presentation event, and after the club is fully operating,
to provide continuous coordination, counsel, and assistance. Additional
information, including a Petition for Charter and the Standard
Form for Builders Club Bylaws, are included in the "Builders Club
Building Kit," free upon request from Kiwanis International.
A Builders Club takes the name of the school in
which its members are enrolled, and the school administration
names a faculty member to serve as faculty advisor to the Builders
Club. For this reason, a Builders Club must be approved by the
school administration before it can be organized, and once organized,
it must operate in conformity with school regulations regarding
school organizations.
A Builders Club elects its own officers, determines
the schedule for its regular meetings, and establishes its own
committees. Projects are carried out under the supervision and
cooperation of a faculty advisor, school administrator, and sponsoring
Kiwanis club. The club may select its own projects, but is also
seeks opportunities to work with the sponsoring Kiwanis club,
Key Club, or Circle K Club and/or K-Kids Club in joint service
or fund-raising activities.
Kiwanis Kids programs provide elementary age students with an opportunity to develop as capable, competent and caring
leaders. A sponsoring Kiwanis club can sponsor one or more of these programs at school or community center. There are three Kiwanis Kids programs all of which nurture the development of good character, good citizenship, and positive self-esteem. The three programs include: Terrific Kids, Bring Up Grades, and
K-Kids.
Terrific Kids is a student recognition program that teaches the importance of establishing and attaining realistic goals. Students work with their classroom teacher to set goals to improve behavior, peer relationships, attendance, or
schoolwork. When the goal is achieved the student is
recognized as a Terrific Kid and receives a special pin.
Terrific is an acronym meaning: Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive, Capable. Students are also honored with a pizza, ice cream, or other food-themed party and presented with certificates and giveaways. A Kiwanis club, Key Club, or Circle K club can sponsor a Terrific Kids program.
Bring Up Grades (BUG) is a program designed to provide recognition to students who raise one grade into an
acceptable range while maintaining grades in all other
subjects. Student’s achieving this goal are placed on the school’s BUG Honor Roll and recognized with a pizza, ice cream, or other food-themed party and presented with
certificates, pins and other giveaways. A Kiwanis club, Key Club, or Circle K club can sponsor a Bring Up Grades
program.
K-Kids is a “student-led” community service club for
elementary-age students that teaches members the value of helping others through participation in community service projects and club activities. A sponsoring Kiwanis club
supports the K-Kids club. Kiwanis club members attend
K-Kids meetings, and assist with training of club officers, train club members to use parliamentary procedure, assist with service and fundraising projects, and provide financial support. A Key Club or Circle K club can co-sponsor a
K-Kids club.
