Start a Key Club

Step by step:

1. Determine whether a sponsor is available.
Decide which community organization you want to enlist as your sponsor. If you already have a contact with a local Kiwanis club, start there. If not, reach out to Key Club International, and we’ll help you find a sponsor. 

2. Find an advisor.
Identify one or more faculty/staff members to be the club advisor. You might consider someone who has a particular interest in service or leadership development, or perhaps someone who was a program participant when they were a student.  

3. Recruit members.
To be chartered, a club must have 11 members. Anyone who is a member when the club begins is a charter member, and the initial set of officers are charter officers. Find students who have a passion for helping others and ask them to embark on this process with you.  

4. Set aside funds.
Make sure that potential members understand that dues are an expected part of Key Club membership. Also, a sponsoring community organization or Kiwanis club might be willing to cover some of these costs.  

5. Complete the chartering form or reactivation process.
When Steps 1-4 are completed, submit your chartering document to Key Club International. 

6. Celebrate!
When you receive your chartering kit, plan a ceremony to install the new club and officers. Invite potential new members, family members, school officials and members from your sponsoring agency or Kiwanis club! 

Ready to begin? 

Start here to submit a new club charter petition online. If you prefer to print and mail a petition, you can download one. Use the club chartering roster document or create your own. Please do not submit both an online petition and a mail-in petition. 

Clubs that have previously been chartered but have become inactive can apply to petition for reactivation. Previously chartered clubs that have had their charter revoked can submit a petition to re-charter.  

To find an explanation of “club status,” click here.