Builders Club Developing strong moral character Building leaders since 1975 Developing strong moral character Working together in service Encouraging loyalty Developing leadership Builders Club is a community-service program for junior high or middle school students worldwide. It is an international student-led organization providing its members with opportunities to perform service, build character, and develop leadership. The Builders Club vision is to develop competent, capable, caring leaders through the vehicle of service.

Builders Club What is Builders Club? MOTTO: VISION: MISSION: Building leaders VISION: To develop competent, capable, caring leaders through the vehicle of service.  MISSION: Builders Club is an international student-led organization providing its members with opportunities to perform service, build character and develop leadership.

Character building Leadership Inclusiveness Caring Builders Club Core values Character building Leadership Inclusiveness Caring Character Building: The ability to do the right thing, even when it might be the unpopular choice. Leadership: The ability to listen, communicate, serve, and guide others. Inclusiveness: Accepting and welcoming differences in other people. Caring: The act of being concerned about or interested in another person or situation.

Builders Club What is happening now Today, Builders Clubs exist in more than 1000 schools and community locations! Today, Builders Clubs exist in more than 1000 schools and community locations, primarily in the United States. Growth efforts, however, have taken the Builders Club experience internationally to Canada, the Caribbean nations, Central and South America, and most recently, to Asia and Australia.

Builders Club Builders Club Builders Club members The structure of the “student-led” organization Builders Club members Board of directors Club officers: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer Advisors: faculty and Kiwanis Kiwanis club and school or community location   A Builders Club elects its own officers, determines the schedule for its regular meetings, and establishes its own committees. Projects are carried out under the supervision and cooperation of a faculty advisor, school administrator, and sponsoring Kiwanis club. The club may select its own projects, but it also seeks opportunities to work with the sponsoring Kiwanis club, Key Club, Circle K Club, and/or K-Kids Club in joint service or fundraising activities. A Builders Club can also be formed as a community-based club in a non-educational facility, such as a community center, library, Boys and Girls Club, YM/YWCA, or church.

Builders Club Builders Club Why be a Builders Club member? Members form sound personal values based on experiences in meaningful community-service activities. Membership is open to any middle school students who wants to serve. Assists in building a positive sense of self-esteem. Provides the opportunity to develop initiative and leadership. Provides opportunities to become an active member of the community and learn about community issues. Club members make new friends and contribute to the betterment of the community and the world.

Builders Club Builders Club Enriches students’ education Why should a school invest in a Builders Club? Enriches students’ education Promotes leadership skills and positive self-esteem Increases the school’s visibility Improves their school Provides educational programs that might not otherwise be available. Encourages members to actively participate in activities, which promote leadership skills and positive self-esteem. Involvement in the community increases the school’s visibility. Students can improve their school by specifically meeting needs of the school environment.

Builders Club Builders Club Step 1: Select a site. How do we get started? Step 1: Select a site. Step 2: Order the New Club Building #1 Kit through Kiwanis International. Step 3: Secure a sponsoring Kiwanis club, Circle K club or Key Club. Step 1: Select a site A Builders Club can be established at a school or as a community based club at a community center. The club should decide which is the best option and move forward. Step 2: Order the New Club Building Kit #1 This kit is available at no cost and provides information about building the club. Useful marketing brochures are also provided to assist with sharing information about Builders Club. Step 3: Secure a sponsoring Kiwanis club Using your Kiwanis contacts, determine which area Kiwanis club would be best matched to serve as sponsor. Remember a Circle K or Key club can co-sponsor. Meet with club representatives using the information provided in the New Club Building Kit #1. Share how the club, school and community will benefit from building the club. Share the information about the annual sponsorship requirements.

Builders Club Builders Club What does this mean for Kiwanis? RESPONSIBILITIES BENEFITS Increases club member participation Promotes interaction between Kiwanis-family club members Assists in establishing partnerships with local schools, businesses and other organizations Provides the opportunity to serve as a positive mentor Creates recruiting opportunities for future Key Club members Attendance at Builders Club board of directors and general meetings Assistance with the training of Builders Club officers Participation in joint service and fundraising projects Hosting Builders Club members at Key Club/Circle K meetings, projects and activities as allowed by both schools’ policies

Builders Club Builders Club How do we get started? Step 4: Secure a faculty advisor. Step 5: Order the New Club Building Kit #2 from Kiwanis International. Step 6: Recruit members. Step 7: Organize the Builders Club. Step 4: Secure a faculty advisor The principal may appoint a faculty advisor, or the students may suggest someone. Consider the following when appointing an advisor. The students like this person. Consider someone who is a former Key Club or CKI member. The advisor could be a counselor, administrative staff member, or a parent aide who is employed by the school. Step 5: Order the New Club Building Kit #2 After the Kiwanis club agrees to sponsor and a faculty advisor has been selected, order New Club Building Kit #2 from Kiwanis International. It includes the petition for charter, and other important paperwork. Step 6: Recruit members Work with the principal to decide which grade levels should participate. Distribute brochures to faculty and ask that they give information to prospective members. Schedule a time to make a special Builders Club presentation to students. Invite interested individuals to an organizational meeting. Hang posters in the hallways advertising the Builders Club organizational meeting. Step 7: Organize the Builders Club The purpose of this meeting is to adopt the club’s bylaws and elect the charter officers and directors.

Builders Club Builders Club How do we get started? Step 8: Charter the Builders Club. Step 9: Launch the Builders Club. Step 10: Support the Builders Club. Step 11: Promote Builders Club in the community. Step 8: Charter the Builders Club Once the club is organized, the official Petition for Charter must be completed and mailed to Kiwanis International with the $460 charter fee. A charter certificate, member pins, member cards, banner, gong, gavel, and resource CD will be forwarded to the Kiwanis advisor for presentation to the Builders Club. (Allow 6 weeks for receipt.) Planning the Charter presentation: Schedule a special charter night dinner or party where members and officers are officially inducted. Invite Kiwanis members, school staff, family members, and VIPs from the community. Step 9: Launch the Builders Club Introduce Builders Club members to parliamentary procedure. Organize club committees and encourage every member to serve on a committee. Begin planning service projects immediately. Step 10:Support the Builders Club Train club officers. Attend club meetings. Invite Builders Club members to attend Kiwanis-family meetings. Identify members in the sponsoring club to present programs for the Builders Club members. Step 11: Promote Builders Club in the community Write and distribute news releases to local newspapers and radio stations detailing Builders Club projects. The goal is to educate the community about the wonderful projects Builders club members are conducting and to promote the school and sponsoring club(s).

Builders Club Builders Club Partnerships Key Club International and Circle K International have established partnerships with organizations who serve children. Builders Clubs are encouraged to work with the following partners: Circle K Better World Books March of Dimes UNICEF Students Teaming Up to Fight Hunger (STUFH) Key Club UNICEF Children’s Miracle Network March of Dimes

Builders Club Builders Club Frequently asked questions What is the cost for chartering a new Builders Club? What is the financial responsibility for the Kiwanis Club after chartering? How many members are needed to start a new Builders Club? What is the cost for chartering a new Builders Club? There is a one time $460 chartering fee. The following items are provided for this fee: member cards, pins, and handbooks, a club banner, gong, gavel, and a resource CD. What is the financial responsibility for the Kiwanis Club after chartering? The on-going financial cost for supporting a Builders Club is $150 annually due in October. How many members are needed to start a new Builders Club? There is not a set minimum number of members, but it is suggested at least 15 students participate.

Sherri McKeen, Builders Club specialist If you need more information, contact: Sherri McKeen, Builders Club specialist Kiwanis International smckeen@kiwanis.org 800-KIWANIS, ext. 177 www.kiwanis.org 3636 Woodview Trace Indianapolis, IN 46268 USA * kiwanismail@kiwanis.org Worldwide: 317-875-8755 US and Canada: 800-Kiwanis