Make membership meet service goals 

Make membership meet service goals 

May 20, 2025 | Club building, General interest, Service projects | 0 comments

Four ACE tools help ensure you have the people you need for the projects you want. 

By Tony Knoderer

People join Kiwanis clubs to make a difference in kids’ lives. That means service projects and fundraisers — and those, in turn, require members who plan, organize, publicize and participate in them. Does your club have enough members for the projects you want to do? 

Kiwanis International has the resources to help. In fact, these four Achieving Club Excellence (ACE) tools can help ensure that you have the membership numbers to meet your service and fundraising goals: 

  • Member survey. Does your club need to figure out what projects are best for it before making sure you have enough members to do them? Our member survey can help — by helping you understand the expectations of current members. It’s the first step to ensuring your club provides a positive experience, which depends in part on projects that fulfill the reasons members joined your club. 
  • Club vision. What does your club do, and why? The answers are key to having a clear and concise purpose. This tool will help define what the club and its members expect of each other — as well as who you want to serve and what your focus should be. With those answers, your club is on its way to bringing into focus the projects you want to do and the members you’ll need to do them. 
  • Evaluate your impact. If you’re struggling to match the number of members you have to the service you want to do, it’s time for an assessment of your situation. This tool provides the steps for analyzing current club projects and evaluating your club’s readiness for the changes necessary to meet its ambitions. 
  • Host potential members. When club members know what projects they want to do, this tool will help them recruit the new members they’ll need — by creating events that make interested people feel welcome. With the worksheet, your club can even track its work and gain feedback from guests, allowing the kinds of improvements that keep new people coming in. And the more members you have, the more realistic your club’s most ambitious service goals become. 

Don’t forget: These resources can be found on the ACE tools webpage, which includes other common concerns clubs face — and pairs them with tools that help address those issues.

3 resources for finding leaders

3 resources for finding leaders

May 16, 2025 | Club building, General interest, Leadership | 0 comments

If your club struggles to fill leadership positions, these ACE tools can help.

By Tony Knoderer

Strong Kiwanis clubs have effective leaders. The strongest clubs have a history of effective leadership — the result of a structure that makes leadership positions appealing to capable people over time.  

How does a club consistently find good leaders? Three of our Achieving Club Excellence (ACE) tools can help create a culture that engages members — and potential members — who fill roles that keep the club moving forward: 

  • Member survey. Start by getting to know your members and their expectations. By conducting our member survey annually, current leaders can stay aware of what people want from the club and what can be improved over time. After all, members who find value in the club experience are more likely to get more deeply involved — and eventually take leadership positions. 
  • Community survey. The same is true of people who aren’t yet members. This step-by-step tool helps gather data about community needs from people in the know. Conducted annually, it keeps your club in step with the community — including people who are more likely to join and eventually become club leaders because they see the value in your service. 
  • Host potential members. Potential recruits — and the potential club leaders among them — are more likely to join if they learn from current members what your club is all about. Are you ready to show them? This guide gives you the steps for evaluating your club’s readiness for guests and new members. As with the other ACE tools, annual usage can keep your club sharp for any opportunity to make a good impression.

Don’t forget: These resources can be found on the ACE tools webpage, which includes other common concerns clubs face — and pairs them with tools that help address those issues. 

Convention registration costs increase May 28

Convention registration costs increase May 28

May 16, 2025 | General interest, Leadership | 0 comments

From education and fellowship to inspiration and celebration, it’s the year’s biggest Kiwanis event.

By Julie Saetre

Get ready: The 2025 Kiwanis International Convention is on the horizon! We’ll gather in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., June 25-28. Register now to join your fellow Kiwanians for the biggest event of the year — and to help forge the future. 

Here’s why you’ll want to be there: 

  1. Dynamic educational workshops and classes. Explore the ways Kiwanians are building new clubs and gain insight into expanding and nurturing your club’s membership. Learn how to make your club attractive, meaningful and enjoyable for all generations. Dive into master classes that go deeper into leadership training and community service, with subject-matter experts as your guides. Our workshops will get you ready to tackle a to-do list designed to take your club — and Kiwanis — to the next level. 
  2. The Convention Kickoff. Start your experience with a celebration of Kiwanis. The opening session features beloved actor, producer and author Henry Winkler. You’ll be inspired by Winkler’s story and his commitment to helping children reach their full potential. 
  3. Membership Fair and Welcome Reception. Looking for recruiting inspiration? Pick up tips from clubs that have been recognized for their growth efforts after using Two For Two, club boosts, open houses, guest days or their own membership drives. During the Welcome Reception, visit vendors, meet candidates and enjoy entertainment and refreshments. New this year: a DJ and door prizes! 
  4. Fellowship with Kiwanians from around the world. Take time to relax with longtime Kiwanis friends and new connections. Join fellow Kiwanians for the Sunset Social, a special party on the rooftop of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center with finger food, a cash bar and entertainment. On Saturday night, mingle at the Gatsby-inspired bar or hit the dance floor during our Roaring 20s Gala. 
  5. CKI members. Circle K International — the Kiwanis service program for university students — is holding its convention alongside ours at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center! Stop by the CKI booth in the Kiwanis Marketplace to meet some of its members — and learn about the amazing work they do on their campuses, in their communities and around the world! 
  6. Kiwanis Launchpads. There will be two Kiwanis Launchpads this year. Designed to be short and high impact, these presentations will send you home with ideas and inspiration. The first Launchpad will celebrate Key Club’s 100th anniversary by featuring alumni who credit much of their success to the values and skills they learned in Key Club. At the second Launchpad, you’ll hear from the director of the Fred Rogers Institute, as well as an engaging speaker who will teach you how to find joy in conflict through curiosity.  
  7. Kiwanis Marketplace. This is your go-to hub at the heart of the convention. Shop, snap photos, snag swag and more. Here, you’ll find exhibitors and Kiwanis partners who can inspire fresh ideas on impactful service projects and effective fundraisers. You can also browse Kiwanis-branded merchandise, including special-issue 2025 convention items. Meet the candidates running for international officers and trustees. Learn about your host city. Get details about our ongoing Build. Nurture. Retain. membership initiative. Explore the new Kiwanis Engage membership platform. And more! 
  8. 2025 Kiwanis Annual Meeting. Get informed about the business of Kiwanis International and add your voice to our future. Delegates from clubs around the world will elect the organization’s next leaders and vote on amendments. 
  9. Celebrations. From the Welcome Reception and the Convention Kickoff to the Kiwanis Roaring 20s Gala, you’ll celebrate Kiwanis and the amazing work our clubs and members accomplish every day. Have breakfast with our Signature Project Contest finalists (and see who wins the big prizes). Enjoy lunch on Thursday while learning about The Possibility Project’s Generosity Challenge and on Friday while marking Key Club’s milestone centennial birthday. And get ready for a night of glitz and glamor at Saturday night’s Roaring ’20s Gala. 
  10. Our host city. Pittsburgh is a versatile destination brimming with discoveries. From the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, you’ll have easy access to the Cultural District, the historic Strip District and the Allegheny River. You’ll also be located near shops, restaurants, galleries and theaters. From sightseeing to the sports scene, breweries to bistros, and amusement rides to museums, Pittsburgh has something for everyone!