CKI Chartering Toolkit

[Kristen Reed]

SERVICE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

CKI Chartering Toolkit

For thousands of young adults in 17 countries around the world, Kiwanis lights the way with Circle K International. CKI members fight hunger, tutor kids and even help the 2.2 billion children worldwide who lack safe drinking water. Ready to become a part of it? Here’s how.

1. Find: Find advisors, members and a place to meet.
2. Lead: Get organized, file paperwork, train club leaders and build enthusiasm.
3. Serve: Reach out to the community and make a difference through meaningful service projects.

1. Find
The first step is finding advisors, members and a place to meet.

Site and sponsor
Your home base (and meeting place) may be at a college or university, a community center or somewhere else. Usually, a Kiwanis club will sponsor your club—offering both financial support and hands-on guidance—although CKI clubs don’t require Kiwanis club sponsorship to start a club. Who will help steer your club in the right direction? Most of the time, it takes two: an advisor from your site and an advisor from your local Kiwanis club.

• Qualities of a volunteer (PDF)
• Sponsoring a Service Leadership Program (PDF)
• Finding a Kiwanis sponsor (PDF)
• Advisor Manual for CKI (PDF)

Club structure and organization

• Structure and club operations for CKI (PDF)

PR and marketing tools
Tools such as posters and brochures will help you spread the word about your club and recruit your first members.

• Recruitment materials for CKI

Core members
Often, a core group of members helps assess the club’s potential, create a prospect list, promote the club and find other members.

• Recruitment suggestions for CKI (PDF)

2. Lead
Once you’ve laid the groundwork for your club, it’s time to get organized, file paperwork, train club leaders and build enthusiasm.

Organize
Put all the pieces together. Get together with new members to adopt club bylaws, officially elect officers and directors, plan your club’s meeting schedule and start brainstorming service project ideas.

• Club Bylaws for CKI (PDF)
• Electing officers for CKI (PDF)
• Sample calendar for CKI (PDF)

Charter
The chartering process makes your club a reality. Once the work is done, plan to celebrate with a special ceremony.

• Petition for Charter for CKI (PDF)
• Charter presentation for CKI (PDF)

Train
Make time to train officers, create a budget and set goals for your club.

• Officer training – Club Officer Guide for CKI (PDF)
• Officer training – PowerPoint for CKI (PowerPoint)
• Tips for trainers (PDF)
• Budget for CKI (PDF)
• Budget explanation for CKI (PDF)
• Icebreaker ideas (PDF)

For details on officer roles and meeting procedure, refer to the CKI Club Officers Guide above.

3. Serve
Once your club is official, you’ll be ready to reach out to the community and make a difference through meaningful service projects.
Think before you serve
Service is where community needs and member interests meet. Explore the possibilities!

• Five steps to planning thoughtful service (PDF)

Take action
Empower yourself with liability information, project ideas and tips on working with youth.

• Service Partners for CKI (PDF)
• Guide for working with youth (PDF)
• Risk management and general liability

Worldwide: 317-875-8755, ext. 411 • USA and Canada: 800-KIWANIS, ext. 411 (549-2647) members...@kiwanis.org