Governance

To make students’ experiences meaningful and safe, there are requirements and policies that K-Kids clubs, sponsoring Kiwanis clubs and the adults connected to clubs must adhere to. Understanding a club’s governing documents, governing structure and guiding policies will help everyone know what is expected of them.

Governing documents
The bylaws describe the objectives and core statements of K-Kids, how the club should be structured and run, the roles of participants and more. See what they cover in this standard form that clubs use during the chartering process.

Sponsors and cosponsors
For a Kiwanis club, the requirements of sponsorship  are explained in the K-Kids Petition for Charter. Other clubs in the Kiwanis family (such as Key Club and Circle K) that commit to co-sponsoring a K-Kids club with a Kiwanis club are expected to uphold the same requirements. Learn about sponsors and co-sponsors.

Host site
The host site for a K-Kids club is a school, youth organization, community center, library or other gathering place for primary school age youth. The host must agree to meet specific requirements. These are explained in the K-Kids Petition for Charter, which  is completed and submitted in partnership with the sponsoring Kiwanis club.

Advisors
Most K-Kids clubs have both a faculty advisor (staff or teacher selected by the host site) and a Kiwanis advisor (selected by the sponsoring Kiwanis club). Large clubs may have faculty co-advisors. Understanding advisors’ roles is important to the club’s success.

Learn about advisors’ responsibilities in the K-Kids Advisor Guide. Also, Kiwanis advisors (and faculty advisors leaving campus with students) are required to follow the Kiwanis International’s Youth Protection Guidelines. These include clearing a background check through Kiwanis International and completing Praesidium youth protection courses every two years.

Officers
Each K-Kids club is governed (directed) by a student board made up of officers: a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. Officers are elected by the club’s members. Some clubs also have a sergeant-at-arms position. Officers need to know what is expected of them when serving. Learn about the responsibilities of club officers.

Chaperones
Adults serving as chaperones for club events are required to follow Kiwanis International’s Youth Protection Guidelines, which include clearing a background check through Kiwanis International and completing Praesidium youth protection courses every two years.

K-Kids district administrator
The K-Kids district administrator is the Kiwanis volunteer appointed by the Kiwanis district to provide support to K-Kids clubs within its state, country or specific geographic area. The district administrator promotes the growth of new K-Kids clubs and supports K-Kids clubs in the area. Administrators are required to follow Kiwanis International’s Youth Protection Guidelines. Learn about district administrators.