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Circle K is a community service organization, but what makes us different from all those other service organizations on campus? The difference is the people involved. Circle K members have the opportunity to make lasting friendships and become a leader. The people involved truly care about helping the rest of the Kiwanis family in ridding the world of Iodine Deficiency Disorders or helping to raise awareness about the National Bone Marrow Foundation and Project T.E.A.M.
Circle K is also a great place to learn and use your leadership skills. There are many opportunities to take leadership positions and attend conferences to build leadership skills. Every person that has joined Circle K has a different story to tell you of how he or she got involved in this organization and all the lasting friendships they have made. The end result is the same: Circle K has become a important part of their lives and they are glad they made the choice to join. If you are not a member of Circle K yet, what’s stopping you!
What's that? Your school doesn't have a Circle K? Looks like you're about ready to start your first project! There are dozens of people ready to assist you in starting a brand new club of your own. If you're in Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia or Virginia you can contact anyone on the district board listed on this site. Otherwise, call 1-800-KIWANIS and you'll find someone who will point you in the right direction.
for the long, more detailed version as posted before:
Circle K International, 3636 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46268-3196
NUMBER 1 SERIES
Circle K In Brief
Circle K International is the world's largest collegiate organization dedicated to service and leadership development with more than 500 clubs in nine countries. It is not the size of the organization, however, which gives it its identity or provides it with its primary source of pride and satisfaction. Rather, it's the mission and the objects of the organization that set Circle K apart from other student organizations.
Circle K is a service organization through which college students can find a means of responsible student action in their communities and a more active involvement in the life of their campus. As clubs learn about the needs of their campuses and communities, they develop hands-on activities to address these problems.
College is more than a pursuit for a scholastic degree -- it offers good times, getting to know others, personal development, and meaningful contributions to the world. Circle K provides a unique opportunity to make a difference now -- Circle K is the total college experience.
History
In 1936, Circle K was instituted as a fraternity at Washington State University by the Kiwanis Club of Pullman, Washington. The idea started with Jay N. Emerson, who was later elected Kiwanis International President. His interest led to the building of the first Circle K club in 1947 at Carthage College, Illinois.
Other Kiwanians became interested, and during the next eight years 168 Circle K clubs were started in the United States and Canada. In October 1955 representatives from these clubs met in Philadelphia and voted to form an international organization under the sponsorship of Kiwanis. In 1956, a special department was created in the Kiwanis International Office to serve as the International Headquarters for Circle K.
Purpose
Our mission is a statement of what CKI wants to become and for whom: Circle K International is college and university students who are responsible citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to community service worldwide. Circle K inspires people to better our world. Its motto, the same as Kiwanis International's, is "We Build." Circle K provides constructive opportunities for students to become involved on their campuses and communities through service work to others in need. Circle K members have the chance to work with fellow students, children in the community, and other adults in need of special programs.
Activities and Programs of Service
Circle K is not bound to any one particular service activity. Each club is encouraged to analyze its local situation and determine how its environment can be served most effectively. Every two years a new Service Initiative is designed by the Circle K International Board. Members and clubs are encouraged to perform service activities that fall within the parameters of this program.
The Role of Kiwanis
Kiwanis International is a world-wide service organization for leading professional and business women and men. Each Circle K club is sponsored by a local Kiwanis club. This sponsorship is a result of Kiwanis' concern that all people should take an active interest in community life. Circle K provides a vehicle for college students to find that involvement.
Circle K clubs are self-governed and to a large extent self-financed, working independently of, but in cooperation with, their sponsoring Kiwanis clubs. A consistent relationship is maintained by Kiwanians interested in working with Circle K members. Kiwanians also are aware of the needs of college students, and seek to meet these needs through scholarships and career networking. Kiwanis and Circle K members frequently act as partners in service -- this common objective has proven to be a viable means of bridging the generation gap.
International and District Organizations
Circle K International is administered by a Board of Trustees composed of eleven college students elected at the annual convention each August. The Circle K staff, located in the International Office, helps coordinate administrative functions for the entire organization.
For purposes of more immediate contact, local clubs are grouped into state, multi-state, provincial regions, and/or countries called districts. Each of the thirty districts has a board of officers which administers the clubs within their boundaries.
The district and international levels hold annual conventions that are highlights of the Circle K year. These conventions combine education, inspiration, business, politics, and fellowship. All Circle K members are encouraged to attend.
Benefits of Membership in Circle K International
1. Campus and Community Service - Because of CKI's rich history of helping others, members of CKI clubs share in the tradition of serving their campuses and communities. CKI members, by planning and participating in projects and activities, volunteer their time, talents, ideas and skills for the purpose of making a long-lasting and far-reaching impact on their environment.
2. Leadership Development - Through the CKI structure, every Circle K'er has the unique opportunity to develop leadership skills by serving as an officer or committee chair. Whether it be serving as a club project chair, district officer or international officer, each member has the opportunity to discover and develop talents and skills.
3. Professional Development - Involvement in Circle K will allow college students to apply what they learn in the classroom to everyday situations. The skills that are developed and the opportunities experienced through involvement in Circle K will increase a student's employability after college. Furthermore, Circle K's connection to Kiwanis promotes career networking between collegians and professionals.
4. Friendship - Because CKI is organized on more than 500 college and university campuses in nine countries, members have the unique opportunity to become friends with collegians throughout North America. Attendance at divisional, district, and international conferences and conventions provides members the special chance to learn of diverse perspectives, make new friends all over North America, share ideas and concerns, and travel.
5. Scholarship Opportunities - Through the generous efforts of the Kiwanis International Foundation and Kiwanians in the thirty districts of CKI, up to thirty $1,000 scholarships (one per district), are made available to CKI members. At the International Convention, additional scholarships are presented to Circle K'ers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and scholarship.
6. Member Cards - Each member receives a membership card showing membership in good standing in CKI.
7. Member Handbook - As part of CKI member education, each new member receives a handbook which outlines the purpose, history and structure of the organization.
8. Circle K Magazine - Each member receives five issues of the Circle K magazine which features articles and information pertaining to college life, organizational programs, and Circle K activities.
9. Experienced Counseling - Every club has the opportunity for self-improvement by communicating and interacting with district and International officers.
10. Club Mailings - Every member club receives mailings from the district and International office containing information on everything from club projects to International Convention.
11. Education, Membership Recruitment, Public Relations, Promotion and Training Information - Every member club receives the latest program and public relations information and materials developed by the International Office. These materials are designed to assist in club administration, growth and development. Upon publication, these resources will be forwarded to clubs. They also are available upon request.
Membership Requirements
There are general requirements for Circle K membership: willingness to serve, commitment to humankind, and dedication and adherence to the ideals of the organization.
Each Circle K club is assessed $18.00 (US) for international dues per member per year. In return, members receive all the benefits described above. Circle K clubs and districts also set the amount of dues which are to be paid by each member for administrative expenses. District dues are a separate obligation and vary by district.
A Kiwanis International
Sponsored Program
Circle K International
3636 Woodview Trace
Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196
www.kiwanis.org/circlek
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