Kiwanis Public News

Kiwanis at NAIS conference

2010-03-12T13:51:00Z

Recently Kiwanis International's Service Leadership Programs exhibited at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) annual conference in San Francisco, California. The event drew 4,000 registered attendees. Teachers, principals, headmasters and nonprofit-program leaders stopped by the Kiwanis International booth to learn more about Kiwanis's youth programs-Kiwanis Kids, Builders Club, Key Club and Key Leader.

While only a handful of booth visitors had previous knowledge of Kiwanis or one of its Service Leadership Programs, many others left intrigued by the concepts and interested in starting one or more of the programs at their schools or community centers. "This is great. This is exactly what we need," said one booth visitor.

To draw people to the booth, Kiwanis conducted a drawing for three prizes: a Key Leader weekend, a BUG or Terrific Kids program toolkit and a spa-themed gift basket.

"This conference highlighted an exciting and new potential growth area for our Service Leadership Programs: independent schools," said Laura Zabel, Kiwanis International area director for Service Leadership Programs growth. "It's different than other conferences I've attended, where 50 to 60 percent of those you meet already have Kiwanis youth programs in their schools."

NAIS is a membership organization and the United States voice of independent education. NAIS represents approximately 1,400 independent schools and associations in the United States, and affiliates with independent schools abroad as well.

Update: New graduated enrollment fee

2010-03-10T20:47:00Z

The new graduated new member enrollment fee goes into effect April 1st, 2010. This means clubs will no longer pay a flat fee of $50 (Tier A), $25 (Tier B), or $15 (Tier C).

What you should know:

The new fee applies to all clubs in Kiwanis-Tiers A, B and C.
The fee will be based upon the date the new member is entered at Kiwanis. So, if a club sends an "add" in January for someone who joined two months ago, they will be charged the January rate. The graduated enrollment fee brings the member into Kiwanis, until the club is billed in October 2010.
Districts will decide whether to implement a similar fee structure. Kiwanis International will continue to charge the current fee, if applicable.
The attached rate applies only to new members of existing clubs. The current rate for charter members of a new club remains in effect. Members joining a new club after the charter presentation will be charged the new member fee for an existing club.

View a spreadsheet of the new graduated structure.

Should you need further assistance, please contact Member Services at 1-800-549-2647, ext. 411 (United States and Canada) or 1-317-875-8755, ext. 411 (worldwide) or memberservices@kiwanis.org.

Happy birthday, Key Club!

2010-03-04T16:13:00Z

In 2010, Key Club International turns 85. The March issue of KEY CLUB magazine highlighted some of the organization’s milestones and accomplishments, including the first club to be chartered, the first magazine, the first Web site and a list of famous Key Club members. Read the entire story and others from the March issue.

Kiwanis One Day is April 10. What will your club do?

2010-03-04T16:12:00Z

One day each year, Kiwanians around the world join together for one day of global community service. There are no boundaries. And there's no limit to what you and your club can do for children, for your community, for the world. Find Kiwanis One Day service ideas at www.KiwanisOne.org/oneday.

Bring your BIG idea to life!

2010-03-04T16:11:00Z

Enter now to see your little idea turned into a BIG Idea! Clifford The Big Red Dog® is looking for individuals and/or community groups doing great things to make a difference in their community.

The BE BIG!^TM Campaign is designed to communicate that small, simple actions can make a BIG difference. The campaign invites everyone, big and small, to take action and raise awareness for how Clifford The Big Red Dog's BIG IDEAS (Share, Play Fair, Have Respect, Work Together, Be Responsible, Be Truthful, Be Kind, Believe in Yourself, Be a Good Friend, Help Others) can make the world a better place.

Clifford welcomes volunteers, schools or community partners to enter for a chance to see their BIG idea win $75,000 in community grants!

Scholastic's "Be Big in Your Community" Contest launched on February 1, 2010 and will continue accepting entries until June 30, 2010.

30 finalists will be selected by a multi-tiered judging process:

One entry will be honored with a $25,000 community grant
Ten entries will be honored with a $2,500 community grant
Nineteen entries will be honored with a $1315.79 community grant

All projects will be executed with the help of Scholastic, HandsOn Network affiliates and BE BIG's corporate sponsor, American Family Insurance!

Enter Now!

Ink a deal to headline in Vegas: convention sponsorships open

2010-02-25T13:59:00Z

Why is sponsorship of an event at the 95th Annual Kiwanis International Convention good for your business? Sponsorship is a way to focus your marketing dollars while showing that you are an organization that cares about serving the children of the world. Our membership encompasses leaders from all over the world and that represents tremendous purchasing power and influence.

Your company can sponsor signature events and official convention material at the 95th Annual Kiwanis International Convention. Act fast to get your brand and message in front of the single largest global gathering of Kiwanis members this June in Las Vegas. Prime sponsorship spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sponsorship opportunities include:

Presenting sponsor of the convention (two sponsorships available)

Internet Café sponsor (two available)

Official souvenir tote bag sponsor (exclusive opportunity)

Welcome Reception sponsor (three available)

Family Lounge sponsor (two available)

Relaxation Station sponsor (three available)

Convention program sponsor (exclusive opportunity)

Various budget ranges exist to suit your company's social or civic mission.

Download the Sponsor and Exhibitor Prospectus and complete the application (also part of the booklet). Questions? Contact Al Smith at asmith@kiwanis.org.

Cirque du Soleil tickets selling fast

2010-02-19T19:44:00Z

Cirque du Soleil will bring adventure to the 95th Annual Kiwanis International Convention with performances from its production of KÀ. An epic confrontation between good and evil, the show combines acrobatic performances, martial arts techniques, dance, puppetry and multimedia to tell the story of twins who embark on a perilous journey.

Don't miss your chance to see Cirque du Soleil live in Vegas! This event will sell out. Register today to attend the 2010 Kiwanis convention and choose Cirque du Soleil for an evening of entertainment in the ticketed events section of the registration form.

Do-it-yourself: create a club brochure

2010-02-19T19:26:00Z

Promote your club with Kiwanis International's new customizable brochure. The trifold template has space for you to list your club's name, contact information, meeting place and time and service projects and is available in the following languages:

Chinese
Dutch
English (North American version)
English (world version)
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Spanish

Members may print the brochures on their personal computers or take them to a print shop.

Get your club’s new members connected quickly

2010-02-12T15:26:00Z

What does your Kiwanis club do to welcome new members into the fold? No doubt you go out of your way to make them feel special. One way to welcome new Kiwanians is to connect them as soon as possible to all the benefits of a global organization.

When reporting new memberships to Kiwanis International, be sure your club secretary includes the new member's e-mail address. Kiwanis International will then send the member a link to a Web site geared for new Kiwanians. This new-member welcome page provides a ton of information and resources to help members jump-start their year.

And did you know that anyone in your club can download a new member card at www.KiwanisOne.org/membercard? To complement your growth goals, there is also a multi-card template with nine cards per 8 1/2 x 11" page. Download at www.kiwanisone.org/membercards.

Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs’ winter meeting: What’s the buzz?

2010-02-12T15:23:00Z

Last month, more than 200 Kiwanis Service Leadership program district administrators, chairmen and coordinators met in Denver, Colorado, with Kiwanis International staff from Circle K, Key Club, Key Leader, Builders Club, Kiwanis Kids and Aktion Club to share news and ideas. Keynote speaker Dan Roam, author of The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures put everyone in a creative spirit. The goal of the gathering? To make sure the buzz and ideas energize Service Leadership clubs around the world. Here are a few of the hot topics:

Social media: Are you using it to communicate with your clubs? Here are some links to social media resources:

Growth: Did you catch all the new growth materials at www.kiwanis.org/charter? Plus: Support your SLPs with the valuable tools at www.kiwanisone.org/advisor.

Teamwork: How's it working for your club? Get tips, share ideas and find resources at Kiwanisteambuilding.wikispaces.com

Next year's SLP district administrator's conference be January 21-23 (that's 2011).

Young disaster victims need Kiwanis’ help

2010-02-09T17:02:00Z

Paul G. Palazzolo, Kiwanis International President and Elmer Austermann Jr., Kiwanis International Foundation President call for support of the Kiwanis International Disaster Relief Fund. Read the letter.

Matthew Morris joins Kiwanis International Foundation as Chief Fundraising Officer

2010-02-08T20:37:00Z

INDIANAPOLIS—Kiwanis International is pleased to announce that Matthew Morris has joined the Kiwanis International Foundation as its chief fundraising officer.

In this role, Morris is focusing on guiding the New Beginning Campaign—a fundraising campaign where Kiwanis International will match all gifts up to a total of $750,000—and fundraising for Kiwanis’ next Worldwide Service Project, which will be announced at the Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas, NV, in June. The Worldwide Service Project campaign is expected to secure approximately $100 million for a global health initiative. Visit www.kiwanis.org/wsp for more information.

“Matt’s experience securing major gifts is impressive,” said the foundation’s Chief Operating Officer Linda Brimmer. “He will be a tremendous asset to our organization and will help us reach our fundraising goals.”

Morris is responsible for the strategic direction and creation of successful major gift campaigns, providing quality and efficient donor services to members and non-members, ensuring all donor communication and information needs are implemented and serving as an advocate for the vision, mission and values of the organization and the Kiwanis International Foundation.

Morris previously served as senior development director at Indiana University Foundation, where he supported major gifts fundraising in Central Indiana, Greater Cincinnati and Washington, DC; participated on the principal gifts team, securing lead gifts for Indiana University; managed the major gifts portfolios of more than 100 individuals; and oversaw major gifts fundraising for the IU School of Journalism, during which more than $6 million was raised as part of the campus’ Matching the Promise Campaign.

A graduate of the Indiana University School of Journalism and an avid runner, Morris lives in Fishers with his wife and two daughters.

About Kiwanis International
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Kiwanis International and its service leadership programs for young people, including Circle K International, Key Club International, Key Leader, Builders Club, Kiwanis Kids, Kiwanis Junior and Aktion Club dedicate more than 19 million volunteer hours and invest US$100 million to strengthen communities and serve children annually. The Kiwanis International family comprises 600,000 adult and youth members in 70 countries and geographic areas. For more information about Kiwanis International, please visit www.kiwanis.org.

Get set for Key Leader this spring!

2010-02-05T14:32:00Z

It may still feel like winter, but the sap is running in the trees. It's that time of year. Time to prepare for new beginnings, fresh starts and warm vibes. Make it happen in your club-and make it happen with a teen in your community. Start making plans to sponsor a Key Leader participant today! Check out this spring's offerings.

Foundation grant targets children in Haiti

2010-02-05T14:27:00Z

The Kiwanis International Foundation (KIF) has awarded a $10,000 grant from its Disaster Relief Fund to Sleeping Children Around the World to provide bed kits for children in Haiti. The grant was requested by Aktion Club, which adopted Sleeping Children Around the World as its service initiative about three years ago.

A massive earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, reducing most of its capital and the surrounding area to rubble. This most recent grant brings the amount of money the foundation has earmarked for disaster relief there to more than $40,000.

Founded in 1970, Sleeping Children Around the World has been providing bed kits to children in need around the world, mostly in underdeveloped and developing countries. Each bed kit includes a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if needed), clothes outfit, towel and school supplies. The foundation grant will be enough to provide about 300 bed kits to kids with the most needs in Haiti.

Since partnering with Sleeping Children Around the World, Aktion Clubs have raised more than $50,000, including matching funds from the foundation.

Go big in Vegas. Consider a convention sponsorship

2010-02-04T21:12:00Z

Why sponsor, exhibit or advertise at the 95th Annual Kiwanis International Convention? With nearly 6,000 attendees, your investment has the potential to see a significant return. Kiwanians have tremendous purchasing power and our membership encompasses leaders from throughout the world. Don't miss this opportunity to market to the single largest gathering of your peers!

Download the Sponsor and Exhibitor Prospectus and discover the unique opportunities to participate.

Sponsorship options include convention presenting sponsor, Internet Café, official souvenir tote bag, welcome reception, relaxation station, family lounge and the official convention program. Various budget ranges exist to suit your company's social or civic mission. Sponsorship spots are available on a first come, first served basis. Submit your interest as soon as possible for prime sponsorship spots.

Sponsorship questions? Contact Al Smith at asmith@kiwanis.org.

Booths in the exhibit hall will put your programs, services and products front and center to thousands of browsing Kiwanians over the convention's four exhibiting days (Wednesday-Saturday). Booth space must be reserved via signed contract by May 3. Space goes fast - submit your application today.

Advertising space in the official convention program sells out quickly. Reserve your ad space early (no later than April 16) to ensure your message makes it into the hands of every attendee in June. The power of your message doesn't fade at the end of convention-programs travel home with Kiwanians and are shared with club members unable to make the trip to Las Vegas.

Booth or advertising questions? Contact Kim Stephenson at advertise@kiwanis.org.