What You Need To Know About...

...Kiwanis

1. General
2. Circle K
3. Key Club
9. Books & Gear
10. Useful Links

General

1.01 What is Kiwanis?

Kiwanis is an International community service organization with members in 93 countries. They are people who help people and their special focus, though not their exclusive focus, is on helping kids.

1.1 What kinds of projects does Kiwanis do?

You name it, they do it. Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, working in schools, helping the elderly, cleaning up parks and beaches...you name it. Each club has its own special set of projects; each club is autonomous in that they can choose the projects that appeal to them and that will make the biggest difference in their community.

1.2 What are the requirements for membership? Can women join?

Yes, women can join! The requirements for membership in Kiwanis are very open -- you need to be at least 18 years old and you need to be approved by the club that you wish to join. In practical terms virtually everybody who applies in good faith is approved for membership. I was a member of Kiwanis for more than 10 years and can't recall ever seeing an application rejected. If you're interested in joining a Kiwanis club just ask for a membership application and they will be more than happy to offer you one I'm sure.

1.3 Is Kiwanis a religious organization?

Not really. While "spirituality" is a component of Kiwanis, there are Kiwanians of every faith and background including atheists. Some clubs have a stronger focus on the religious aspects than others, but there is no one official religion of Kiwanis.

1.3.1 Is Kiwanis a business networking organization?

Not overtly but since most of the members are business people and Kiwanians like doing business with other Kiwanians a lot of business happens as a direct result of Kiwanis.

1.4 I've heard that Kiwanis is having trouble with membership.

All community service clubs are battling that problem -- their members are getting older (like everybody else) and young folks today are working long hours and balancing busy lives. Plus the opportunities for volunteering are plentiful and so it's harder to get people to commit to joining an organization to do community service.

1.4.1 I can volunteer anytime I want to, why do I need Kiwanis?

Because many hands make light work. Yes, you can jump right in and help your favorite cause, but it's a lot more powerful when you can bring 25 friends (your Kiwanis club) along with you to help.

Circle K

2.01 What is Circle K?

No, not the stores. Circle K is a community service organization for college students which is sponsored by Kiwanis. There are Circle K clubs at most major universities.

2.1 Does Circle K membership help on my resume?

Depends upon who is doing the hiring. If they are a company that is impressed by community service then yes, I think it helps. Perhaps as importantly Circle K is a good opportunity for you to network with your peers and form relationships that may pay off in later years. Plus you'll get to know business leaders in your community (your sponsoring Kiwanis club) which can only help you later.

Key Club

3.01 What is Key Club?

Key Club is a sponsored service group at the high school level. Kiwanis clubs sponsor a club of high school kids who want to do community service.

3.1 What are "Kiwins"?

In the California-Nevada-Hawaii District there is a high-school service group called "Kiwins." Kiwins date back to the days when Key Club was a boys-only organization and Kiwanis clubs wanted to have a service club that would serve young women as well. Thus "Kiwins" was born. These days both Key Club and Kiwins are co-ed organizations and it is rare for a school to have both clubs since they are somewhat, though not totally, redundant. There have been many talks about folding the Kiwnis back into the Key Clubs and just having them all be Key Clubs, though there is a little resistance to that idea among Kiwins who like having their own identity.