Quick little facts to satisfy your hunger for more knowledge about Key Club! For a history of Key Club and to learn about how it's organized, visit the "About Key Club" page.
1. What is the Key Club Pledge?
I pledge, on my honor, to uphold the objects of Key Club International.
To build my home school and community,
To serve my nation and God,
and to combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.
To build my home school and community,
To serve my nation and God,
and to combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.
2. What is the Mission Statement?
An international, student-led organization providing its members with opportunities to perform service, build character, and develop leadership.
3. What are some more odd things I had no idea Key Club had?
- There is a Vision Statement: We are caring and competent servant
leaders transforming communities worldwide.
- There are four Core Values (You could call them the core four): 1.) Caring 2.) Character Building 3.) Inclusiveness 4.) Leadership
- Key Club has three official colors which each signify something: 1.)Blue-unwavering character 2.) Gold-service 3.) White-purity
4. What is the Governor's Project, and what are the District Projects for 2015-2016?
First, let's explain what these projects are: The Governor's Project is a project chosen by the district governor every year. The project can be about anything the governor desires. Past projects have included initiatives to promote education, promote music and the arts, and to help the disabled and elderly. The District Projects are several charitable organizations that the District Board chooses to highlight. Clubs are encouraged, but not forced to fundraise for these causes. This year, there is a special category of projects that were previously included with the District Projects: Kiwanis District Projects. These are projects that the District highlights every year.
Governor's Project: (STILL IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DECIDED)
District Projects: (STILL IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DECIDED)
Kiwanis District Projects: 1.) EliMiNaTe 2.) Kamp Kiwanis 3.) Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation 4.) KPTC-Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center
Governor's Project: (STILL IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DECIDED)
District Projects: (STILL IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DECIDED)
Kiwanis District Projects: 1.) EliMiNaTe 2.) Kamp Kiwanis 3.) Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation 4.) KPTC-Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center
5. Is there a Key Club mascot?
Each district has the authority to designate its own mascot. The New York District has chosen the beaver as its mascot. If you don't think a beaver is cool enough to be a mascot, consider the fact that New Jersey picked a tomato as its mascot (they're the Garden State. Get the joke?). Beavers are an awesome mascot. Some divisions also designate a mascot. Currently Division 4 does not have a mascot, but I am open to any ideas.
6. I want to learn how to be a leader. Can Key Club help me?
Of course! One of Key Club's core values as you know by now is leadership. If you are interested in enhancing your leadership skills, I have a few suggestions:
1. Run for, or seek appointment to, a position within your club.
2. Attend the Leadership Training Conference (click here to learn more).
3. Check out the links page for some resources about how to be an effective leader.
4. Attend a Key Leader Weekend. Key Leader is a weekend retreat run by Kiwanis that teaches Key Clubbers how to be more effective leaders. I went to one and I promise that it is a meaningful experience, and you will not only graduate from the weekend as a better leader but as a better person. I would strongly encourage anyone to attend. The cost is $200, but your sponsoring Kiwanis club can help defray or cover the costs. This cost includes everything but the cost of transportation to and from the event. An FAQ about Key Leader can be found here. The closest Key Leader event to Division 4 is in Port Murray, NJ on the weekend of November 22nd. Visit this page here, filter by date, and scroll all the way to the bottom to register for the event.
1. Run for, or seek appointment to, a position within your club.
2. Attend the Leadership Training Conference (click here to learn more).
3. Check out the links page for some resources about how to be an effective leader.
4. Attend a Key Leader Weekend. Key Leader is a weekend retreat run by Kiwanis that teaches Key Clubbers how to be more effective leaders. I went to one and I promise that it is a meaningful experience, and you will not only graduate from the weekend as a better leader but as a better person. I would strongly encourage anyone to attend. The cost is $200, but your sponsoring Kiwanis club can help defray or cover the costs. This cost includes everything but the cost of transportation to and from the event. An FAQ about Key Leader can be found here. The closest Key Leader event to Division 4 is in Port Murray, NJ on the weekend of November 22nd. Visit this page here, filter by date, and scroll all the way to the bottom to register for the event.
7. I am just one member. How could I possibly make a difference?
It's the smallest gestures that make the greatest difference. Just 30 minutes spent volunteering with an animal in a local shelter that is short-staffed is enough for a rescue who doesn't get much time to play, and one box of pasta means that a food pantry that is almost bare can provide one more meal to a hungry family. You don't have to volunteer 3 hours a day every day (although it would be awesome if you could). Just volunteer whatever time you can, and your community will thank you.
If your still not convinced, consider the fact that Key Clubbers along with their Kiwanis counterparts eliminated Iodine Deficiency Disorder in just 6 years! Now Key Club and Kiwanis are working to eliminate another disease, Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus, in just 5 years! The project, known as the EliMiNaTe Project, is very easy to get involved in. It only takes $1.80 to pay for the tetanus immunization that will protect a mother and her future babies from tetanus. Want to make a difference? Skip your $6.00 coffee one morning and donate the money to EliMiNaTe. You will have saved 3 lives. For more information about EliMiNaTe, click here.
If your still not convinced, consider the fact that Key Clubbers along with their Kiwanis counterparts eliminated Iodine Deficiency Disorder in just 6 years! Now Key Club and Kiwanis are working to eliminate another disease, Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus, in just 5 years! The project, known as the EliMiNaTe Project, is very easy to get involved in. It only takes $1.80 to pay for the tetanus immunization that will protect a mother and her future babies from tetanus. Want to make a difference? Skip your $6.00 coffee one morning and donate the money to EliMiNaTe. You will have saved 3 lives. For more information about EliMiNaTe, click here.
8. I have this great idea for a project, but I need some money to get it off the ground.
Consider applying for a grant from the Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF). Every year Key Club awards grants between $100 and $2000 to various individuals and clubs whose service projects require some money to execute. To learn more about the YOF, you can the article I wrote in the June Newsletter or visit the YOF page on keyclub.org.
9. So Key Club is student led? There are really no adults?
Well okay, there are some adults. On every level of Key Club International there are adults who oversee the student leaders and make sure things run smoothly. Clubs have their advisors, lieutenant governors are supervised by "Kiwanis Committee Representatives," districts are run by "administrators," and International has a "director." However, don't be discouraged. Adults in Key Club usually just do the things students can't do like handling the IRS and millions of dollars in dues. If a district or international officer is not doing their job, an adult does not step in to do their job for them. An officer that fails to fulfill their duties is removed from his or her office. If you attend the Leadership Training Conference or the International Convention, you will be able to see first hand just how much influence students have. Students are the ones proposing changes to the bylaws, running meetings, and presenting awards.
In clubs, adults such as your advisor should provide support and guidance, but club officers should really be running the club. Key Club International whole-heartedly believes that students should be running clubs, so please let me know if your advisor is being a "helicopter advisor." As an officer, you have the responsibility of running your club, not your advisor. Don't let your members down!
In clubs, adults such as your advisor should provide support and guidance, but club officers should really be running the club. Key Club International whole-heartedly believes that students should be running clubs, so please let me know if your advisor is being a "helicopter advisor." As an officer, you have the responsibility of running your club, not your advisor. Don't let your members down!
10. Why do I have to pay dues?
As a member of the New York District you automatically pay $12.50 in dues. $6.50 goes to Key Club International and $6.00 go to the New York District. Being such a large organization, Key Club does have some costs. Unfortunately, not everyone is as willing to give their time and services for free as so many members do. According to Kiwanis International, you dues go towards the following places:
•Club mailings
•Member communication & administration
•Leadership development resources (e.g. Key Leader)
•Major Emphasis materials
•Materials about service partners
•Convention planning and promotion
•Youth Opportunities Fund service grants
•Member scholarships
•Board, Governor and Administrator Training and Meetings
•Support to district boards
•Club & member recognition and awards
•KEY CLUB magazine and video magazine
However, I want to focus on one in particular: Convention planning and promotion. Each year your dues help fund the Leadership Training Conference and the International Convention (if you don't know what these are click here to learn more). These conventions are amazing, and you're paying to held fund them, so why not attend? Other clubs you participate in might not collect dues, but how many of those clubs give their members the opportunity to attend two amazing conventions? None that I know of.
Any money collected beyond $12.50 is collected by your club to support club operations.
•Club mailings
•Member communication & administration
•Leadership development resources (e.g. Key Leader)
•Major Emphasis materials
•Materials about service partners
•Convention planning and promotion
•Youth Opportunities Fund service grants
•Member scholarships
•Board, Governor and Administrator Training and Meetings
•Support to district boards
•Club & member recognition and awards
•KEY CLUB magazine and video magazine
However, I want to focus on one in particular: Convention planning and promotion. Each year your dues help fund the Leadership Training Conference and the International Convention (if you don't know what these are click here to learn more). These conventions are amazing, and you're paying to held fund them, so why not attend? Other clubs you participate in might not collect dues, but how many of those clubs give their members the opportunity to attend two amazing conventions? None that I know of.
Any money collected beyond $12.50 is collected by your club to support club operations.