| The club member is the most important part of a Kiwanis
club. Many people refer to a club as inverted pyramid – with its base
being the members. Clubs can range in size from a newly formed club of
15 to a well-established club of hundreds. No matter what size, its purpose
is the same – “to serve the children of the world.”
The best interests of a club are served when a number of different club
members serve as officers and members of the board of directors. Persons
other than the secretary and treasurer should not be encouraged or expected
to hold the same office or chairmanship for more than two years.
Officers
Officers are elected to serve a one-year term, from October 1 – September
30. These are:
- President
- President-elect
- Immediate Past President
- Vice-President (s)
- Treasurer
- Secretary
Consult the Standard Form for
Club Bylaws for duties and responsibilities of each officer.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors consists of the officers and the directors (who
are elected by the club). There shall not be less than five directors
on the Board. Each director serves a period of two years or until their
successors shall be duly elected and qualified. To ensure continuity on
the Board of Directors, one- and two-year terms are required in the initial
election. The Board of Directors shall determine the policies and activities
of the club, elect and discipline members, approve the budget, approve
all bills, take counsel with committees, and have general management of
the club.
Consult the Standard
Form for Club Bylaws for a complete list of duties and responsibilities.
Committees
The basic standing committee structure for clubs is established by the
International Board of Trustees. The basic structure should include separate
committees that address community services, sponsored youth, Young Children:
Priority One, human and spiritual values, club administration, membership
growth and education, public relations, and finance and fund raising.
This structure, along with the duties and responsibilities of standing
committees, shall be included in annual club and district officer guidebooks
and/or manuals.
Where and when the opportunity exists to extend Kiwanis through the sponsorship
of a new Kiwanis club, the President shall appoint a Committee on New
Club Building. This committee shall have the responsibilities as outlined
in the procedures for new club building established by Kiwanis International.
Where desired, there shall be the option of expanding the committee structure
by creating other standing committees which would enable the club to function
more effectively in terms of its own needs and interests. The duties of
such committees shall be determined at the time they are created.
Each standing committee shall be composed of three (3) or more members
and shall serve for a term of one (1) year, commencing on the first day
of October. All members of a committee are appointed by and are subject
to removal by the President. Each committee shall be responsible to the
President and shall make such reports as the President or Board of Directors
may direct.
Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, special committees
may be appointed by the President and shall perform such duties as may
be defined in their creation.
Each committee shall cooperate with the appropriate Kiwanis International
or district committee(s) to promote, when practical, programs suggested
by such committee(s). |
