The Kiwanis International Board of Trustees extended a declaration that emergency conditions exist because the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the operation of the organization.  When the Board of Trustees first issued the declaration in April 2020, it asked all leaders and staff to focus on the immediate needs of the clubs and members. The declaration will be reviewed at the next board meeting in April.  

Kiwanis International has compiled guidelines for clubs and districts to help members continue serving safely with adequate health protocols:

• Follow all federal and local laws. The Kiwanis International Bylaws require clubs and districts to comply with laws of local jurisdictions in all areas of operation. This is especially important as it relates to health and safety laws, such as the size of gatherings, social distancing and mask requirements.  

• Coordinate with meeting venues regarding social distancing requirements, mask requirements, food service, surface cleaning, etc. 
• Consider requiring all attendees to obtain a negative COVID-19 test before meeting. This should be strongly considered for any gatherings of 50 or more people.
• Require all meeting attendees to sign waivers that state that anyone who believes they may have contracted COVID-19 at a Kiwanis event waives all related claims against any Kiwanis club, district or Kiwanis International. Any meeting of youth members (younger than 18) in the Kiwanis family will require a signature from a parent or legal guardian. A sample waiver is included here.
• Conduct temperature tests on all attendees before they enter the meeting area. Anyone who has a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (or 38 degrees Celsius or higher) should be excluded from the meeting.
• Ask all attendees to certify that they have not experienced any common COVID-19 symptoms in the past 72 hours. A list of common COVID-19 symptoms can be found here. 
• Ask attendees to wear a mask when attending any indoor meeting.

Find resources and information to help keep your club operating and making a positive difference for kids in your community at kiwanis.org/covid.