Kiwanis Sponsored Organizations
As Kiwanis membership has grown
and enthusiasm for its service-based format has spread,
Kiwanis has created additional volunteer opportunities
for people at every stage of life through its sponsored
programs.
Circle K is a service club for
collegians and has clubs on more than 600 university and
college campuses in 17 nations. Circle K was started in
Pullman, Washington, and was formally organized as a
service organization in 1947. Its members are committed
to leadership, service, and fellowship.
The oldest Kiwanis
sponsored-youth program is Key Club. Seventeen boys in
Sacramento, California, made up the first Key Club in
1925, and today the organization is active in more than
20 nations and includes nearly 5,000 clubs. More than 2
million youth have enlisted in Key Club since its
inception, including many who are now top government and
business leaders.
When middle school and junior
high students began to show an interest in organizing to
serve their schools and communities, the Builders Club
program was launched in 1975. With support from Kiwanis
clubs, Key Clubs, and Circle K clubs, the Builders Club
network has grown to include clubs on more than 1,200
campuses in 18 nations.
This organization for elementary
school-age students began in 1990 when the first club
was formed in North Lauderdale, Florida, and formally
adopted as a sponsored program by Kiwanis in 1998. Today,
there are more than 600 clubs and 12 nations, all of
which are actively creating opportunities for community
service, leadership development, and citizenship
education.
In October 2000, Kiwanis
extended service opportunities to adult citizens living
with developmental disabilities through the formation of
Aktion Clubs. These clubs provide members with
opportunities to develop initiative and leadership, to
serve their communities, to be integrated into society,
and to demonstrate the dignity and value of citizens
living with developmental disabilities. To date, there
are more than 200 clubs in seven nations.
Kiwanis Junior clubs are
recognized in Europe and help to share the Kiwanis
service experience with younger adults, ages 18-35.
Kiwanis Junior became an official program in 1992 and
now includes more than 50 clubs.
Kiwanis International announces
Key Leader—a new leadership experience for today's youth
leaders. It will focus on service leadership as the
first, most meaningful leadership development experience.
A Key Leader will learn the most important lesson of
leadership—leadership comes from helping others succeed |
