How it works
Key Club International is a self-governing, student-led organization. Each year, Key Club members elect student officers for club, district and international boards. Key Club members receive guidance and support from adult volunteers, including Kiwanis advisors, faculty advisors and district administrators. In addition, the Key Club International staff trains and assists district governors and international board members. The organization is funded by nominal dues paid by every member.
Here are a few questions that students often have about the organization.
What does it mean to be a member?
Key Club is open to any student who wants to serve others and become a leader in their school and community. Each member of a Key Club must be willing to perform at least 50 hours a year of combined service to their home, school and community.
What do club officers do?
In each Key Club, members are elected to leadership positions (including club president) by their fellow members. The duties of club officers are specific to their positions, but their work collectively helps the club be effective and efficient — from successful service projects to productive club meetings and more.
What opportunities are available beyond the club?
Each Key Club is located within a district consisting of other Key Clubs in its geographical area. Each district is led by a student board of directors, which consists of a governor, secretary, treasurer (or secretary-treasurer), webmaster and bulletin editor. In addition, districts are divided into divisions, and each division is led by a lieutenant governor, who also serves on the district board.
What about international leadership?
Key Club is led at the international level by a student board of trustees, each of whom represents multiple districts. Key Club International offices include president, vice president and 11 trustees. Each trustee is responsible for communication and support between the Key Club International board and at least two Key Club districts. The Key Club International Board and all district governors comprise the international council.
How Key Club is organized
Member
Every Key Club is a part of a worldwide mission, but it all starts with you.
Club
Key Clubs are established in a high school or equivalent institution, or a community-based club can be chartered. The recognized officers of each Key Club shall be the president, the vice president, the secretary, the treasurer, the editor, the webmaster (or technology-associated position) and one director from each class.
Division
Each district is divided into territories called divisions, made up of various clubs. Each Key Club division is led by a lieutenant governor, a student leader who carries out the district’s policies and provides support to the clubs. Click here to see a map of the the Key Club International districts.
District
A district is sometimes defined by one or several states or by nation and tends to correspond to a similar Kiwanis district. Each Key Club district is chaired by a governor elected by delegates at the annual district convention.
International
Key Club International encompasses all clubs within the organization’s more than 30 districts and in other countries not included in any specific district. It’s led by an international board composed of a president, vice president and 11 trustees, all of whom are active Key Club members. Meet the International Board.
