Key Club is an international student-led program providing members with opportunities to learn leadership skills whileserving others. Clubs can be chartered in partnership with a Kiwanis club and a school or community-based organization serving high school students.
Before you begin the club building process, please contact either Governor Daniel Ivan Lin ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or New Club Building and Reactivation committee chair Lt. Governor Stephanie Behrens ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Lt. Governor Helen Wong ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to learn more about chartering a Key Club. They will help you through this process, including ordering a club-building kit for you andcontacting a local Kiwanis club to sponsor the new Key Club.
To introduce Key Club to your school and community, please download the file below titled “Who We Are”, which lists all the information aboutKey Club International and the work we do.
If you have additional questions, please contact Governor Daniel Ivan Lin, New York District New Club Building and Reactivation chairperson Lt. Governor Stephanie Behrens and Lt. Governor Helen Wong, New York District Administrator Mr. Goldstein, or the Kiwanis International’s member services department This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or via phone at 1-800-KIWANIS, ext. 411. Welcome to the Kiwanis-Key Club family!
Key Club Chartering Toolkit
Key Club International is a Service Leadership Program (SLP) of Kiwanis International, which helps develop leadership through service. By serving others, Key Club members learn to appreciate what they have and become caring leaders. Start a Key Club and you’ll help other teens realize the significance of one good deed—in their communities and around the world. Here’s how:
1: Find
The first step is finding advisors, members and a place to meet.
Site and sponsor
Your home base (and meeting place) may be at a high school, a community center, or somewhere else. Usually, a Kiwanis club will sponsor your club—offering both financial support and hands-on guidance—although Key Club International doesn’t require Kiwanis club sponsorship to start a club. Who will help steer your club in the right direction? Most of the time, it takes two: an advisor from your site (a teacher, a counselor, et cetera) and an advisor from your local Kiwanis club.
Getting Permission
Approach the people in charge of the meeting location (e.g. school principal), and talk about what Key Club is and the work we do. If you need help, contact Governor Daniel Ivan Lin.
Club structure and organization
Core members
Often, a core group of members helps assess the club’s potential,create a prospect list, promote the club and find other members.
PR and marketing tools
Tools such as posters and brochures will help you spread the word about your club and recruit your first members.
2. Lead
Once you’ve laid thegroundwork for your club, it’s time to get organized, file paperwork,train club leaders, and build enthusiasm.
Organize
Put all the pieces together. Get together with new members to adoptclub bylaws, officially elect officers and directors, plan your club’smeeting schedule and start brainstorming service project ideas.
- Club Bylaws for Key Club (PDF)
- Electing officers for Key Club (PDF)
- Calendar of events for Key Club (PDF)
Charter
The chartering process makes your club a reality. Once the work is done, plan to celebrate with a special ceremony.
- Petition for Charter for Key Club (PDF)
- Charter presentation for Key Club (PDF)
- Installation of officers for Key Club (PDF)
Make time to train officers, create a budget and set goals for your club.
- Club Member Training Guide (PDF)
- Club President - Vice President Training Guide (PDF)
- Club Secretary Training Guide (PDF)
- Club Treasurer Training Guide (PDF)
- Club Bulletin Editor Training Guide (PDF)
- Club Webmaster Training Guide (PDF)
- Key Club Advisor Training Guide (PDF)
- Officer training – facilitator guide for Key Club (PDF)
- Officer training – officer duties for Key Club (PDF)
- Officer training – PowerPoint for Key Club (PowerPoint)
- Tips for trainers (PDF)
- Parliamentary Procedure (PDF)
- Budget for Key Club (PDF)
- Budget explanation for Key Club (PDF)
- Leading club meetings for Key Club (PDF)
- Icebreaker ideas (PDF)
Finding Resources
There are so many resources out there to help make your club successful.
- Sign up for the mailing list of the New York District Key Club
- Download Key Club Resources
- Contact District Board of Trustees
3. Serve
Once your club is official,you’ll be ready to reach out to the community and make a differencethrough meaningful service projects.
Think before you serve
Service is where community needs and member interests meet. Explore the possibilities!
District and International Projects
Each Key Club is free to choose whatever service project it would like to participate in. However, what makes Key Club special is the unity of our organization. Here are some District-wide and International service initiatives every Key Club is encouraged to take part in.
- New York Governor's Project: Keys to Education (hands-on service initiative)
- New York District Projects (partner organizations for charitable fundraising)
- Key Club International Major Emphasis Program: Service Initiative - Live 2 Learn (hands-on service initiative)
- Key Club International Major Emphasis Program: Service Partners (partner organizations for charitable fundraising)
Take action
Empower yourself with liability information, project ideas and tips on working with youth.
- Service project ideas for Key Club (PDF)
- Fundraising project ideas for Key Club (PDF)
- Fundraising, Finances, and Charitable Giving (PDF)
- Seasons of Fundraising (PDF)
- Guide for working with youth (PDF)
- Risk management and general liability
Record and report your service projects!
Club officers, it is your duty to make sure that your club receives the credit and recognition it deserves. By filling out periodic paperwork, you will help our District and our organization reach our service goals.
- Election Report Form (PDF - filled out as soon as new officers are elected)
- Monthly Report Form (filled out by the 7th of each month by the club secretary)
- Fundraising Report Form (filled out by the club treasurer every time a fundraising project occurs)
- Lieutenant Governor Evaluation Form (filled out each month by the club to evaluate their Lieutenant Governor)
- Service Spotlight (Microsoft Word - document articles and pictures of service projects and submit them to the District for recognition)
