Recognizing that no single organization can provide remedy to the needs of children worldwide, Kiwanis International has joined in a memorandum of understanding with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to foster, nurture, and establish a legacy of serving children, a cornerstone mission for both organizations.
Dave Curry, president of Kiwanis International, and Rick Goings, board chair for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, said the partnership “provides great promise for children in communities across the United States.”
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, Boys & Girls Clubs would encourage its 4,000 clubs in the United States and other nations to:
• Invite Kiwanis members to visit and possibly meet in Boys & Girls Club facilities
• Explore opportunities for joint projects with Kiwanis family members
• Invite Key Club and Circle K members to volunteer in Boys & Girls Club activities, especially education, sports, and recreation programs
• Invite Kiwanis members to serve as judges in the Youth of the Year contest
• Invite interested and qualified Kiwanis members to become board members of the local Boys & Girls Club.
Kiwanis International would encourage its nearly 8,000 clubs around the world to:
• Visit the local Boys & Girls Club
• Become a sponsor of the Youth of the Year program
• Host Boys & Girls Club speakers (including Youth of the Year recipients)
• Invite club staff, board members, and volunteers to consider Kiwanis membership
• Access opportunities for service at or through the Boys & Girls Club
Additionally, Boys & Girls Clubs and Kiwanis members plan to attend and take part in major events such as conventions, large district meetings, training and educational meetings, and other appropriate meetings.
Said Curry and Goings, the partnership brings together two powerful forces to provide to young people:
• A safe place to learn and grow
• Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals
• Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences
• Hope and opportunity
Discussions are ongoing to define the details of the relationship, but Kiwanis club leaders are encouraged, if they do not already have a relationship with local Boys & Girls Clubs, to begin talking and visiting with local Boys & Girls Club leaders to explore opportunities to work together to benefit area children.
To find a Boys & Girls Club in your area, please visit: http://www.bgca.org/clubs/
Posted
Jul 25 2008, 11:48 AM
by
Scott Smith