Reflections from 2024-25 Key Club International President David Robaina
Hello Key Club,
As the 2024-25 Key Club International president, I can tell you that the past 10 months have been incredibly busy yet rewarding — and it’s strange to think that my Key Club journey is nearing its end.
My introduction to Key Club is familiar to many members — I basically stumbled into it. I joined to spend time with my older brother, who was a proud member, and I quickly grew to love this organization. After serving as a lieutenant governor and an international trustee, I ran for president with the goal of expanding Key Club’s membership, increasing service hours, boosting fundraising efforts and strengthening our overall impact.
Since then, the Key Club International Board has worked to turn those goals into action. Here are some of this year’s milestones:
- Reached 230,000 members — 5,000 more than 2023–24 and the highest total since the pandemic.
- Raised over US$77,000 toward Start Strong: Zambia since August, bringing overall donations to over US$250,000 since 2022.
- Raised over US$16,000 for the Centennial Fund to support the next 100 years of Key Club.
- Raised over US$6,400 for the Birthday Club Campaign — funding the Youth Opportunities Fund, which supports service projects in schools and communities.
- Finalized the agreement with a new global environmental partner. The announcement is coming soon!
- Advanced our DEI goals across Key Club by expanding Youth Opportunities Fund grants and scholarships — making leadership and service more attainable for more clubs and members.
- Fostered a more inclusive, welcoming and accessible environment with a successful Global Engagement Rally and the webinar “Key Club: Where Everyone Belongs.”
In the past few months, I’ve spent a lot of time considering how Key Club members shape the organization — and how the organization shapes us. I’ve come to two main conclusions.
First, I firmly believe that Key Club begins and ends at the club level. Whether it was watching members in the California-Nevada-Hawaii District decorate floats for the Rose Parade or seeing my own home club at Brophy serve dinner at St. Vincent de Paul, I was reminded that the laughter, dedication and heart that make this organization feel like a family all originate with our clubs.
Second, I’ve come to see Key Club not just as service-based, but as leadership-based. That distinction lies in the power of choice. Anyone can be asked to volunteer — and that’s still valuable — but Key Club members themselves choose to serve. It’s the decision to help, to grow in empathy and initiative, that sets the organization apart.
Key Club has truly changed my life, and I hope that all members have a similarly rewarding experience. I can’t wait to meet everyone at the Key Club International convention in Orlando, Florida, U.S.!