What is Key Club?
History Kiwanis Support
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 special 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’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 levels. This highly developed structure provides programs, literature, and the opportunity to relate to teenagers in the United States and other nations. Key Club is the largest service organization of its kind, with more than 217,000 members in approximately 4,700 clubs.
The first Key Club was sponsored 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 service organization for the home, school, and community. This idea slowly spread throughout the United States, and by ~ 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. Also, to establish a strong foundation, the Key Club International Constitution and Bylaws were adopted during that same year. Today, Key Clubs exist across North America and the Caribbean.
Each Key Club must have a sponsoring Kiwanis club. The members of the Kiwanis clubs are dedicated to seeing that Key Clubs are active and thriving. They spend a great deal of time and energy on Key Clubs’ behalf to ensure a successful program. There also are district and International levels of Kiwanis pledged to the support of Key Clubs. Kiwanians on all three levels are valuable sources of information, wisdom, and insight. Finally, the Key Club Department within the Kiwanis International Office in Indianapolis, Indiana, supports the needs of individual Key Clubs and Key Club International. The International Office provides association management, acts as a clearing house for Key Club information, maintains financial and member records, handles correspondence, provides an effective liaison between Key Clubs and Kiwanis, produces an annual International Convention, and publishes the organization’s official publication —KEYNOTER magazine.
Dues
Conventions Local Club
Like most worthwhile organizations, Key Club costs money. Key Club International annual dues are just a few dollars per member. Through these dues each Key Club member receives the official publication — KEYNOTER magazine, an official membership card, and special member benefits. Club officer and advisor training and support materials are provided to every Key Club. Most clubs charge club dues.
An International Convention is staged each summer of each year. This convention is the highlight of the Key Club year and is usually attended by more than 2,500 people. At the convention new International officers are elected, amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws are considered, clubs and members are able to compete in various contests, and a wide range of educational and motivational program opportunities are available. The district organization also conducts annual conventions of similar nature and structure during each spring. All conventions provide excellent programs and educational forums, utilize superb speakers, and offer the opportunity to make lasting friendships.
Though there are district and International levels within Key Club, the local club is the foundation and strength of this organization. The member and club perform the real services. The most important aspect is that Key Club is led by the Key Club members at every level of the organization. The adults are there to advise and counsel only. Members develop the programs, members plan and organize the projects, members run the meetings, and members take the initiative to serve. Key Club is not a fraternity or secret organization, and its membership is open to any student at every level of the organization who is able to meet the requirements for membership as approved by the school principal and willing to provide a minimum of 50 hours of service each year.
