CHILDREN - THEIR FUTURE, OUR FOCUS
MAJOR EMPHASIS by Wyatt Fisher - Deputy Communications Director
Each Key Club is free to do whatever projects it wishes to do, especially because there often aren’t enough Key Clubs in an area to meet its needs. However, all clubs are asked to participate in Key Club International’s Major Emphasis,“Children: Their Future, Our Focus”. WELL, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? “Children: Their Future, Our Focus” basically means that Key Clubs should participate in at least one service project that focuses on serving the children of the world. The Major Emphasis unites all Key Clubs under the single most important part of our communities: youth.
WOW, GREAT! HOW CAN I HELP? There are a lot of ways in which your club can contribute to the Major Emphasis, especially through the Key Club service initiative (The Eliminate Project) and our three preferred charities (Children’s Miracle Network, March of Dimes, and UNICEF)! Through The Eliminate Project and UNICEF, Key Clubbers can collaborate with Kiwanis to eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus from 60 underdeveloped or at-risk countries, and through Children’s Miracle Network and March of Dimes, you can contribute towards the betterment of conditions for children in hospitals and premature babies.
For more information, visit: keyclub.org/discover/whatwedo.aspx
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DO WE HAVE TO PARTICIPATE WITH THESE PROJECTS? No you don’t, but you’re encouraged to! The Pacific Northwest District alone has already raised over $30,000 for The Eliminate Project, and Key Clubbers across the globe raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for our preferred charities, and your club should want to be a part of that! However, the Major Emphasis does encompass all projects that contribute towards the improvement of the future of our youth.
ARE THERE ANY AWARDS? Why yes there are! Key Club International offers a Major Emphasis award to the club which overall best contributes to the Major Emphasis. The award is judged on the need, plan, implementation, K-Family involvement, and final results, and there are first, second, and third place winners. Award applications will be available in the DCON 2013 registration packets, and judging will take place before DCON. The winner of the district contest will be passed on to international, and the winners will be announced at International Convention 2013. Your club could be famous for its contributions to the Major Emphasis!