CIRCLE K INTERNATIONAL
East Tennessee State University
THE KIWANIS FAMILY
As you may already know, Circle K International is just one branch of the Kiwanis Family, or K-family. There is also Key Club for high schoolers, Builders club for middle schoolers, K-Kids for elementary schoolers, and Aktion Club for the disabled, all of which are sponsored by Kiwanis International. All members of the Kiwanis Family work towards the same ideals and have a strong heart for service and leadership. The organization is called a family for a reason; each branch is connected and helps the others grow and prosper. CKI works the most with Kiwanis, as a Kiwanis Club is the main sponsor behind our clubs, but we may also work with other members of the family joining together with Key Clubs or Builders Clubs for service projects or helping to run a K-Kids or Aktion Club.
Adult Organization
KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL
Kiwanis clubs, located in 80 nations, help their communities in countless ways. Each community’s needs are different—so each Kiwanis club is different. By working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. When you give a child the chance to learn, experience, dream, grow, succeed and thrive, great things happen. Our club’s sponsoring Kiwanis club is the Johnson City Kiwanis Club. They help us to run our club and help provide financial help for our service projects and conferences. They have their own projects throughout the year where they volunteer and raise money for the kids of the community.
High School Organization
KEY CLUB INTERNATIONAL
Founded in 1925, Key Club is the world’s oldest and largest high school service organization. The goal of Key Club is to teach the world’s youth to be leaders through the service of others. Key Clubs are autonomous organizations who are free to plan their own service projects that are guided by their Major Emphasis Program, Children: Their Future, Our Focus.” Key Clubbers do a fantastic job living their motto, “Caring: Our Way of Life.” Our club is lucky enough to have a Key Club close by at the University School on campus!
Middle School Organization
BUILDERS CLUB
Founded in 1975, Builders Club is the world’s largest service organization for middle schoolers and has clubs all over the world. This is a student led organization that is based out of schools and community based groups such as churches, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, etc. Their objectives are to provide opportunities for working together in service to school and community, to develop leadership potential, to foster the development of strong moral character, and to encourage loyalty to school, community, and nation.
Elementary School Organization
K-KIDS
Kiwanis Kids, or K-Kids, is the fastest growing service organization for elementary schools. For many children, this is their first real exposure to leadership and community service. Like Builders Club, K-Kids can be based out of schools or community groups. It also has the same four objectives as Builders Club, as the two are very similar. This club is a great chance for kids to learn that there are others who are in need and just how gratifying it can be to help.
Adults with Disabilities Organization
AKTION CLUB
Aktion Club provides an opportunity for adults with disabilities to serve their community. The mission of Aktion Club is to develop competent, capable, caring leaders through the vehicle of service. The core values of Aktion Club are character building, leadership, inclusiveness, and caring. When someone with a disability decides they want to give back to their community, they need to look no further than Aktion club, where development has no disability.