Do you wonder how you can become an impactful leader in your community? Well, getting involved with UNICEF is a great way to start! Learn more from UNICEF Champions Kayla Do and Sawyer Sullivan: 

Sawyer Sullivan, Pacific Northwest District: 

Who can be a UNICEF leader? 

Anyone can be a UNICEF leader in their home, school and community. From starting a committee and working with club officers to connecting with your district UNICEF Champion, making a difference is easy! 

 Building leadership experience: Creating UNICEF roles in your club 

Even if you aren’t a club officer, you can lead your fellow members in fundraising for UNICEF. Ask your club leaders if you can create a committee or officer position dedicated to planning and executing fundraising events for UNICEF. You also could serve as a communicator, highlighting UNICEF at club meetings and making sure your members stay informed about the organization’s work. Consider collaborating with your club’s fundraising coordinator or committee — they will be well-versed in the fundraising process at your school! 

 Communicate with your officers 

Ask your club officers how best to support UNICEF within your own unique club environment. Can they plan a project for UNICEF with your support and ideas? You also could collaborate with another club within your school, such as a UNICEF Club, to carry out one of these events. Are there any upcoming opportunities for you to present information about UNICEF? A strong Key Club officer board will listen to member feedback and ideas to create engaging events for their members. After all, their job is to represent you and build the community! 

 Reach out to your district’s UNICEF Champion 

As you plan your club’s UNICEF events or presentations, reach out to your district’s UNICEF Champion for more information and ideas. They can provide fundraising advice and instructions on how to donate along with key information to pass along to your club members. Because each district, division and club has different ways to support UNICEF, ask about how you can get involved in your division/district as well. Reach out to your division’s lieutenant governor and your district’s governor or check your district’s website for contact information. 

 

Kayla Do, Texas-Oklahoma District: 

My experience as a UNICEF Champion 

Being a UNICEF leader doesn’t necessarily have to mean having an officer position. It’s about showing initiative and caring enough to make a difference. In my personal leadership journey, I learned to start with motivating others to care about global issues by making an impact with what they have. Inspiring others to care about causes bigger than themselves is my ultimate goal. 

In my school, I try to lead by example. Whenever my club hosts a UNICEF fundraiser, I make sure I’m involved in every step, from giving my input and brainstorming ideas to helping set up or promote the event. I’ve found that people are more willing to participate when they see your enthusiasm and passion, so I try to keep up the energy and make every effort feel meaningful and fun. Through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF alone, we’ve raised US$1,000 in my home club through persistent efforts to sell our Halloween “Boo-grams,” with all proceeds going toward UNICEF. 

Outside of fundraisers and events, being a UNICEF leader also can mean spreading awareness and encouraging others to take part in simple acts of service. Whether it’s posting about UNICEF’s mission on social media, talking about its impact during meetings or collaborating with other clubs to host joint projects, every action counts. I also recommend reaching out to your district’s UNICEF Champion for inspiration and new ideas to bring back to your club. It’s a great way to stay connected and keep improving the way we support UNICEF. 

At the end of the day, being a UNICEF leader isn’t about doing everything by yourself perfectly or organizing huge events beyond your reach. It’s about leading with heart and genuine passion for the things you care about. It’s about using your voice, time and effort to make a difference — no matter how small it may seem.  

Every effort, every fundraiser and every act of service adds up to something meaningful.