KEY CLUB Developing leaders through service since 1925. Key Club in Brief
Leadership Development
Key Club is a service leadership organization for high school students, operating under school regulations and drawing its membership from the student body. Key Club is unique because it is jointly sponsored by a local Kiwanis club, composed of the leading business and professional people of the community and a school (or in some cases, a community-based organization may act in place of the school.)
Key Club is dedicated to the principle of being student -led at every level of the organization. Key Club members are elected to serve as the officers at the club, division, district and International levels.
Key Club’s objective is the development of initiative, leadership ability, and good citizenship practices. Key Club exists as a student -led organization on the club level, on a district level (state/province), and the International level. This highly developed structure provides service and leadership development programs, and the opportunity for teenagers to relate to their peers around the world.
History The first Key Club was created in May 1925 at Sacramento High School in California by the Kiwanis Club of Sacramento. The original concept was to develop a vocational guidance program aimed to combat the problems of student fraternities. From this evolved the idea of a youth service organization for the home, school, and community. The idea slowly spread throughout the United States, and by 1939, Florida had a sufficient number of Key Clubs functioning to hold a state convention and form a district. Other districts followed Florida’s lead, and finally in 1943, a national organization was started. In 1946, the first club in Canada was formed. Today, Key Club International is a student -led organization existing in 24 nations around the world. It has its own Constitution and Bylaws and is governed by its own board of 13 student leaders.
Service to home, school, and community At Key Club International’s first convention in 1946, the organization was challenged to build a program to bring together all Key Clubs and members to focus energies on making an international impact. This program is still followed today through the Major Emphasis Program (MEP), which aims to help “Children: Their Future, Our Focus.” Components of the MEP: Service Initiative • Key Club members will focus their time and talents on High Five For Health, specifically educating children about proper nutrition, wellness, and play. Service Partners • UNICEF – Trick-or-Treat for Kicking HIV/AIDS Out of Kenya • Read & Lead – One-on-one Reading Program • March of Dimes – WalkAmerica, supporting the Prematurity Campaign • Children’s Miracle Network –Telethon and Service of Champions Day
Every member is a leader, developing skills from planning projects, leading meetings, and being part of a team that helps others. Adult advisors work with the youth leaders to provide guidance and advisement while developing their leadership skills.
The Kiwanis Family Kiwanis International is a worldwide organization of 8,400 adult community service clubs in more than 96 nations. It is the parent organization for all the members of the Kiwanis Family, a special group of dedicated youth and adults who provide more than 20 million hours of community service to thousands of communities every year. The Kiwanis family includes:
• Terrific Kids is an elementary student recognition program that
promotes character development, self-esteem, and perseverance.
• Bring Up Grades or (BUG) is a program designed to provide recognition to elementary students who raise their grades.
• K-Kids is a community service club for elementary students. • Builders Club, service organization for middle school/junior high students.
• Key Club, service organization for high school students. • Circle K, service organization on college and university campuses. • Aktion Club, a community-service group for adult citizens living with disabilities.
Membership Key Club membership is open to students willing to provide at least 50 hours of service each year, qualified scholastically, of good character, and possessing leadership potential. A Key Club may not restrict its membership based upon gender, religious affiliation, or ethnicity. Members………….…………..243,422 Key Clubs………….…………..4,811
Member Benefits Members of Key Clubs pay dues to belong to the clubs. Dues fund the operation of Key Club International, each district and the club. Each member receives a membership card and handbook, a subscription to KEYNOTER magazine and online e-zine, subscription to the on-line Video Magazine, the opportunity to attend and participate in various leadership conferences and conventions, eligibility to apply for numerous college scholarships, eligibility for clubs to apply for service grants, and other special benefits. Each club receives officer and advisor training, educational materials and resources, liability insurance coverage, and ongoing support from the district and the Kiwanis International service centers around the globe.
Each Key Club has the autonomy to select and plan its own service projects to meet any school or community need. a Kiwanis-family member keyclub.org 3636 WOODVIEW TRACE INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46268 USA 1-317-875-8755 ? US AND CANADA: 1-800-KIWANIS ? E-Mail: keyclub@kiwanis.org