The structure of Kiwanis

Club level
It all starts with members in a club. Every club has a president, president-elect, immediate past president, secretary and treasurer. Most officers are elected at the club’s annual meeting; however, the club board appoints the secretary. Clubs also have other leadership positions, such as committee chairs. Clubs are governed by the Standard Form for Club Bylaws and Policies, which is under the authority of Kiwanis International. 

Division level
Clubs in close geographical proximity are grouped together to form a division. Divisions are overseen by elected lieutenant governors, who may also be members of the district board. The number of divisions and lieutenant governors and their membership on the board varies by district. Divisions are governed by their district’s bylaws and policies. Divisions may have committees. 

District level
A district consists of several divisions within a state, province, territory or country. Some districts include multiple states, provinces or countries. Each district is led by a governor who is elected, along with other district officers, at the district’s annual convention. The district board includes a governor, governor-elect, immediate past governor, secretary and treasurer. (It may also include a vice governor, lieutenant governors or district trustees.) Districts have other leadership positions, such as committee chairs. Districts are governed by their own bylaws, under the authority of Kiwanis International, and by policies determined by the district board. 

Region level
Districts are assigned by Kiwanis International to one of seven global regions. Most regions do not have a formal governing structure. Two regions, Europe and Asia-Pacific, hold conventions during which they elect their own officers and representatives to the Kiwanis International Board. Regions have other leadership positions, such as committee chairs. The Europe and Asia-Pacific regions are governed by their own bylaws, under the authority of Kiwanis International, and by policies determined by the region’s board. 

International level
Kiwanis International is composed of Kiwanis clubs worldwide. Currently, there are Kiwanis clubs in approximately 85 countries and geographic territories.  

Each year, delegates at the Kiwanis International convention elect officers and trustees to the Kiwanis International Board, which includes a president, president-elect, vice president, immediate past president and several trustees. Some of those trustees are elected at regional conventions. The executive director, appointed by the board, is an officer and the lead staff position, but not a voting board member.  

Board members counsel assigned districts on numerous matters and relay district concerns to the Kiwanis International Board. Kiwanis International has other leadership positions, such as committee chairs.  

Kiwanis International is governed by the Kiwanis International Bylaws, which are under the authority of the Kiwanis International House of Delegates, and by policies determined by the Kiwanis International Board.