A new CKI club in Canada brings more helping hands to Kiwanians and the community.
By Julie Saetre
Deanna Fisher was in a perfect position to facilitate the launch of a new Circle K International (CKI) club. CKI is the Kiwanis Service Leadership Program for college and university students — and Fisher had been charter president of the CKI club at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. She remained a member for five years while she completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
After college, Fisher joined the Kiwanis Club of Windsor. She continued supporting CKI — first as the CKI Western Canada District administrator and now as the CKI Eastern Canada District administrator. She also launched a tour to speak with Kiwanis clubs about the benefits of sponsoring a CKI club.
The Kiwanis Club of the Seaway, Sarnia, Ontario, immediately stepped up.
“[The members] said, ‘We have the money, we have the manpower. We see what success Windsor has had with their [CKI] students, and we’d love to replicate that,’” Fisher says. “They really got on board, and then we got it chartered.”
Today, the Lambton College CKI Club is one of the most active clubs in its district, assisting with various events on campus and volunteering for community projects such as beach cleanups.
But members also help their sponsoring club with a variety of holiday events and other projects, including service at the Kiwanis club’s Children’s Animal Farm. In fact, the benefits of sponsorship have left Fisher with some simple but effective ideas for building engagement.
“Invite [CKI members] to attend [the Kiwanis club’s] meetings,” she says. “Have them do reports. Bring them to events. Because they’re another set of hands. They are a bunch of very capable people who are happy to help. They want to do their own projects, but they also want the support and mentorship that Kiwanis provides.”
Fostering future Kiwanis membership
As Fisher herself proves, meaningful support from a Kiwanis club can translate eventually to new Kiwanians. The key, she says, is consistent communication even after graduation.
“That’s really important — to not just let them get waylaid and never speak to them again,” Fisher adds. “Because it’s a relationship that you’re forming.”
If a new graduate is relocating to another city, for example, the Kiwanis club could set up a virtual meeting after the move. Even if the graduate plans to take a year to travel, getting their contact information can help the club reach out in 12 months to check in.
“Say, ‘How is life? We haven’t chatted recently, but we would still love to see you in our organization. Is there any way we can chat about it? We would love to see what you’re up to,'” Fisher suggests.
“The more you can foster that relationship, the more likely students are to join Kiwanis.”
Learn more
Kiwanis International has further details about the benefits of sponsorship. Find information about all our SLPs, along with links to their respective websites, and watch this video to see how and why to start your club’s sponsorship.