KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL’S STRATEGIC PLAN

What is a strategic plan?

Think of a strategic plan as an organization’s road map: You can choose the roads you want to take, and the strategic plan ensures you reach your destination — your goals. Kiwanis International’s strategic plan is designed for each district and club to use as a guide for creating their own plans and choosing their own paths toward accomplishing common goals. The plan focuses on five goal areas — or priorities — that will help clubs, districts and our overall organization thrive for years to come as a positive force for good in the world:

Focus on clubs

Our primary focus must be support for our member clubs — because the clubs are central to our success. They are the reason we exist. In everything we do, we must prioritize our communication with and support of our clubs. And most importantly, the creation of new clubs everywhere increases the Kiwanis impact, enhances the global brand and reduces the shared cost.

Kiwanis community

A local network of Kiwanis family clubs, supporters, donors and alumni, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, and others including governments, educational institutions and others that work together under the Kiwanis name to deliver meaningful and impactful service for youth and children to the defined local community.

Our global network of service

The worldwide grouping of traditional Kiwanis family organizations and clubs, non-traditional Kiwanis members, supporters, donors and alumni, and other for-profit and not-for-profit organizations that have united under the Kiwanis name to deliver meaningful and impactful service for youth and children to communities of the world.

Signature project

An annual or recurring, significant, high-impact, high-visibility project within a community that is planned and executed by Kiwanis and its network that defines Kiwanis in the community and benefits youth and/or children.

Service leadership programs as partners

The Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs clubs and members, including Aktion Club, Builders Club, Circle K International, K-Kids and Key Club International, not only as service programs of Kiwanis, but as full-fledged partners in service as part of the global and community Kiwanis networks.

Our global network

Kiwanis’ global network is larger than clubs and members. It is the worldwide grouping of traditional Kiwanis family organizations and clubs, non-traditional Kiwanis members, supporters, donors, alumni and other for-profit and not-for-profit organizations that have united under the Kiwanis name. Together, we become an undeniable force for good in our communities. We are better connected and more capable of delivering meaningful and impactful service for youth and children to communities of the world. That means stronger communities that nurture their children. That means a bigger impact in the world.

Our motto

Serving the Children of the World

Our defining statement (our mission)

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

Our vision statement

Kiwanis will be a positive influence in communities worldwide…so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive.

Our vivid description

Kiwanis’ global network includes a dynamic family of clubs, individual supporters, alumni, donors, NGO (non-government organization) partners and corporate sponsors. Every community around the world has an opportunity to participate in or benefit from a Kiwanis experience. Based upon a legacy of service to youth and children, this global network is dedicated to building community and improving lives by providing opportunities for service, fellowship, leadership and philanthropy according to local needs, cultures and member interests.

Our strategic priorities

Membership and engagement

Goal: Build, retain and support a growing Kiwanis membership network.
Kiwanis inspires and engages men, women, youth, corporations, other nonprofits, partners and communities to make the world a better place for children to thrive. Helping existing clubs grow and introducing new clubs into communities remains the top priority for the organization. Belonging to Kiwanis means being part of a massive force for positive change in the world.

Leadership and education

Goal: Develop competent, capable, caring leaders across the Kiwanis family.
A strong leadership pipeline of current and future leaders is essential for the entire organization to accomplish its mission. The leadership development and education infrastructure must be redesigned and reconstructed. Strong leaders mean strong clubs, strong districts and a strong worldwide movement.

Community impact

Goal: Perform meaningful service, with service to children as our priority.
Kiwanis is best expressed through meaningful service in communities around the world. Since the inception of the organization, meeting the needs of children and developing youth leaders has been what Kiwanis clubs do best. When we work together and with other organizations to address important needs for children, we change lives, build stronger communities and, in doing so, improve our own lives.

Branding and image

Goal: Enhance the Kiwanis image and brand worldwide.
Kiwanians are the most effective “advertisements” for Kiwanis. We represent our image in living color, wear our brand and share our message with the world. The common factor is the name. It is vital in all markets that we build strength by being seen as one organization, as one Kiwanis, by the public. That is why it is important for all Kiwanis members to maintain our standards for brand guidelines and messaging. Additionally, it is crucial to empower members and clubs worldwide with the training and tools they need to share Kiwanis’ story as one unified voice.

Financial viability

Goal: Ensure financial viability and responsible stewardship.
Kiwanis does amazing work in the world. In addition, being able to demonstrate good stewardship in every part of the organization is essential, and the organization has continued to meet overall financial and operational goals each year. Our ongoing commitment to strong financial management has served the organization well. When we make wise financial investments, find opportunities to turn profits into service, combine our financial and volunteer resources, create efficient structures and make processes easy and affordable, we can build our capacity to do even more for the children of the world.

Organizational alignment

The Kiwanis Children’s Fund exists to support Kiwanis International’s strategic priorities by a) building sustainability through an endowment, b) increasing donors and donations through annual giving and c) building philanthropy and philanthropic competency throughout the organization.
Kiwanis Youth Programs exist to deliver Kiwanis-branded youth leadership, citizenship and service programs for children, adolescents and teens to and through the Kiwanis Global Network of Service.
Circle K International exists to deliver Kiwanis service and leadership programming to and through clubs on university and college campuses across the globe.
Kiwanis districts exist to support Kiwanis International and its member clubs through growth and education of existing clubs and expansion of Kiwanis clubs into new communities.
Other Kiwanis subsidiaries and affiliates can be created to improve organizational efficiency, meet the ever-changing legal requirements and standards in different countries and regions, and deliver Kiwanis closer to the clubs.

How do you share your Kiwanis story?

How do you talk about Kiwanis? Our defining statement is the right place to start. The words were carefully selected because they explain exactly what Kiwanis is and what Kiwanians do around the world. Kiwanians serve their local communities and communities far from home. We are dedicated, and we give generously of our time and resources to help children. We make communities stronger by connecting many people and organizations for a greater good. The 20 words of our defining statement open the door to a deeper conversation. They help you talk about what your club does in your town and around the globe — and what Kiwanis means to you. And that conversation opens the door to four other important words: “Won’t you join me?”