Kiwanians can recruit Key Leaders

Kiwanis International has a noble cause of serving the children of the world. Sometimes, those children are in your own back yard, attending high school.

All students—whether in Key Club or not—can benefit greatly by experiencing the service leadership and teamwork skills imparted by Key Leader. By recruiting students to attend Key Leader events, Kiwanis clubs can help students help themselves.

The recruitment process need not be difficult, but personal contacts are best.

“The key to success is not sending out e-mails; it’s in making personal contacts,” says Erin Fischer, Key Leader program specialist.

She suggests clubs make an appointment with a high school’s guidance counselor (principals generally are too busy) to discuss the possibility of a Key Leader event. Even better, she says, is to allow a student who has already attended Key Leader make the actual presentation.

Talking points and a complete Key Leader marketing kit are available by e-mailing Lori Martin at the International Office.

Additional ideas include writing a story for Key Clubs to put in their newsletter, attending PTA and PTO events and asking to speak, working with Key Leader colleagues in neighboring districts to cross-promote events, and contacting new clubs and asking them to work on a small fundraiser to support two or more Key Leaders to attend an event.