By serving others, Key Club members learn to appreciate what they have and become caring leaders. Start a Key Club and you’ll help teens realize the significance of one good deed—in their communities and around the world. Here’s how.
1. Find: Find advisors, members and a place to meet.
2. Lead: Get organized, file paperwork, train club leaders and build enthusiasm.
3. Serve: Reach out to the community and make a difference through meaningful service projects.
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 and an advisor from your local Kiwanis club.
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 the groundwork 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 adopt club bylaws, officially elect officers and directors, plan your club’s meeting schedule and start brainstorming service project ideas.
Charter
The chartering process makes your club a reality. Once the work is done, plan to celebrate with a special ceremony.
Train
Make time to train officers, create a budget and set goals for your club.
3. Serve
Once your club is official, you’ll be ready to reach out to the community and make a difference through meaningful service projects.
Think before you serve
Service is where community needs and member interests meet. Explore the possibilities!
Take action
Empower yourself with liability information, project ideas and tips on working with youth.