Trainers build meaningful connections

Trainers build meaningful connections

Dec 8, 2025 | Club building, General interest, News | 0 comments

This workbook/slide deck combination transforms leadership education into an engaging, interactive experience.

By Britney Warner 

The impact of any educational presentation — from a formal training session to a brief workshop —relies on how effectively information is conveyed. The “Building Meaningful Connections” workbook, paired with its instructional slide deck, is designed to transform leadership education into an engaging, interactive experience. Created for district Leadership Development Coordinators and Certified Instructors, this resource offers practical tools and structured activities that foster collaboration, creativity and deeper learning during training sessions.  

 The workbook serves as an all-in-one guide, featuring: 

  • Icebreakers and connection activities: Kick off sessions with exercises like “Sweet Introductions” and “Anchor Your Purpose” to build rapport and set clear goals. 
  • Teamwork challenges: Activities such as “The Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge” and “Build a Model Club” strengthen problem-solving and communication skills. 
  • Deep discussions: Guided prompts like “Wow, Now, How” and “Ripple Effect” encourage strategic thinking and reflection on leadership impact. 
  • Service projects: Hands-on activities, including “Welcome Cards for New Students” and “Trauma Dolls,” connect leadership principles to real-world service. 
  • Wrap-up tools: Reflection exercises like “Letter to Future Self” and “Leadership Commitment Wall” help participants synthesize learning and commit to action. 

The accompanying slide deck provides visual support for instructions, discussion prompts and timing tips, ensuring smooth facilitation and consistent delivery across sessions. 

Key benefits for facilitators: 

  • Promotes active learning: Interactive exercises encourage participation and real-world application. 
  • Supports instructor confidence: Clear steps, adaptable resources and visual aids make facilitation seamless. 
  • Builds leadership culture: Activities emphasize collaboration, creativity and service.

Click here to view and download the slide deck.

Best of 2025

Best of 2025

Dec 2, 2025 | Club building, Fundraising, General interest, Kiwanis Children's Fund, Service Leadership Programs, Service projects | 0 comments

It’s almost time to ring in 2026, but before we toast to a new year, let’s look back at some of the amazing Kiwanis family projects, events and achievements in 2025. 

By Sarah Moreland Byrne

Help when it’s needed most

Service is the heart of Kiwanis, and 2025 was no exception. Here are just some of the ways members around the world helped kids and families in need: 

Support for education:  

  • In Uganda, the Kiwanis Club of Nakivale distributed school supplies to more than 200 students.  
  • In Jamaica, a new scholarship will cover tuition for an associate degree for 10 students each year.  
  • In Vanuatu, students at Vanua Leadership College will learn practical skills thanks to 10 new sewing machines donated by the Kiwanis Club of Christchurch in New Zealand.  

Children’s health and well-being:  

  • The Indiana District of Kiwanis committed to raising US$1 million to fund mental health services at a children’s hospital.  
  • In Italy, the Kiwanis Club of Chieti Pescara G. D’Annunzio provided free health screenings for kids and helped purchase a neonatal ambulance.  
  • The Kiwanis Club of Badenweiler-Müllheim in Germany is keeping students safe by donating 275 high-visibility safety vests.  

Relief in tough times:  

Looking for more examples of amazing Kiwanis projects? Meet the winners of the 2025 Kiwanis Signature Project Contest.
Submissions for the 2026 Signature Project Contest will be accepted beginning January 6.   

Global impact 

More than US$9 million has been raised in cash and pledges so far for The Kiwanis Possibility Project, the first fundraising campaign that solely supports Kiwanis and the children we serve. Our goal: US$25 million to help 10 million children around the world be healthy, happy and successful.  

Other highlights from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund: 

  • Meet the eight outstanding Key Club and CKI leaders who received scholarships to continue their education. Students can apply now until February 1, 2026, for the next round of scholarships. 
  • The third annual Kiwanis Day of Giving nearly doubled its initial goal, resulting in US$186,000 raised for the Children’s Fund! That’s enough to reach more than 82,000 children. Mark your calendars now: Kiwanis Day of Giving returns February 25. 

Learning and leadership 

Kiwanis Amplify: Our online leadership program surpassed 2,000 all-time participants this year! Congratulations to these Kiwanians, who are using what they’ve learned to take on more leadership roles — not just within the organization but also in their professional and personal lives. 

The journey isn’t over yet! Kiwanis Amplify returns in 2026 with 22 new subject matter experts — and the first 200 incoming Kiwanis lieutenant governors to register will participate for free. Sign up to be the first to know when registration is live. 

New leaders: At the 2025 Kiwanis International Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., delegates elected Michael Mulhaul of the New Jersey District as 2025-26 Kiwanis International president. Hope Markes of the Eastern Canada and Caribbean District was elected to serve as president-elect, and Cathy Szymanski of the Pennsylvania District as vice president. Timothy Sheppard of the Rocky Mountain District and Amy Zimmerman of the Ohio District were elected trustees for the United States and Pacific Canada Region.  

Also joining the board for three-year terms are Shinichi Yoshikuni of the Japan District and Jon-Fadri Huder of the Switzerland-Liechtenstein District. See the full House of Delegates recap.  

Start planning for the 2026 Kiwanis International Convention in Manila, Philippines, June 24-27! 

Plus new ways to …

Volunteer with the Kiwanis family: We introduced Kiwanis Voices, a pilot program that allows 18- to 26-year-olds to join Kiwanis with their peers — and helps them move together through the early years of their service journey. 

Experience Kiwanis stories: In March, we launched our new podcast! With topics ranging from teddy bears and Thanksgiving meals to farm fun and honoring veterans, “Here’s an Idea” shares fundraising tips, service project ideas and more through conversations with members, leaders and staff. Listen to this year’s 13 episodes — and growing — wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video recordings.   

Start a project if you’re part of a new club: The Kiwanis Children’s Fund kicked off its new Kickstarter grant program, which invites new clubs that charter with at least 30 active members to apply for a service grant.  

Celebrating youth leadership 

The Kiwanis family consists of volunteers of all ages. Our Service Leadership Programs (SLPs) span elementary school through university and include a club for adults with disabilities. Here are a few SLP highlights for 2025:  

Key Club turned 100! Key Club International, our program for high school students, celebrated 100 years of leadership and service with alumni events, a district-based challenge, appearances from past presidents — even a commemorative book! At the annual Key Club convention, Isabella Baldisseri of the Pacific Northwest District was elected as 2025-26 Key Club International president. 

CKI is growing! Circle K International, our program for university students, chartered 33 new clubs this year — the most since 2017. CKI joined Kiwanis in Pittsburgh to host its 2025 convention in tandem with the Kiwanis International convention. Delegates elected Jonathan Huang of the New England District to serve as 2025-26 Circle K International president.  

Supporting worldwide causes: Key Club and Circle K International continued to partner with UNICEF USA on fundraising campaigns, Start Strong: Zambia and Brick x Brick, respectively. Three Key Club board members even traveled to Zambia to see their impact in action. 

P.S. Save the dates for K-Kids Week and Builders Club Week in February and Aktion Club Week in March!  

Interested in starting an SLP club? Check out these seven reasons students in your community could benefit from an SLP club. 

Create your club’s roadmap to success

Create your club’s roadmap to success

Dec 1, 2025 | Club building, General interest, News | 0 comments

Membership plans are due by December 31. 

By Emily Saalfrank

A strong Kiwanis club doesn’t grow by accident. It grows with intention and purpose — and a team that’s excited about serving kids and the community. That’s why completing your club’s membership plan really matters. It’s a quick way to clarify how you want to grow during this Kiwanis year, as well as how many new members you want to welcome and what tactics you’ll use. When a club takes just a few minutes to reflect and plan, it helps all members to move forward together.

Membership plans for 2025-26 are due December 31, 2025. So if your club hasn’t started, now is the time! Our “Create Your Club’s Membership Plan” workbook is your club’s entry point for:  

  • Examining where your club is today.  
  • Strategizing where your club wants to be.  
  • Analyzing which membership strategies work best for your club.  
  • Deciding how your club will meet its goals.  

Think of your plan as a simple roadmap. It’s not just about adding members — it’s about strengthening your club’s impact in the community and creating more opportunities for people who want to make a difference.  

Every plan helps a club get engaged, active and excited about inviting others into the Kiwanis family. Thank you for being part of that energy and momentum. Our communities — and the kids we serve — are stronger because of you. 

The form to report your new member-add goal and the recruitment tactic you are using is simple to complete and submit. It also allows others at the district and international levels to support you in achieving your goals.