When a Kiwanis club cosponsors a Builders Club, it joins forces with another Kiwanis family club — usually Key Club or Circle K International — to provide meaningful support and guidance. Together, these clubs collaborate to meet the sponsorship requirements outlined in the Builders Club Petition for Charter, ensuring a strong foundation for young leaders to grow and thrive.
Here’s what cosponsoring clubs do and how they can work together:
- Assign volunteers. The Kiwanis club appoints a member to serve as the Builders Club Kiwanis advisor. The cosponsoring Key Club or CKI club also appoints a contact person. The Kiwanis advisor (and other volunteers 18 years or older) must complete Youth Protection Training before working with the Builders Club.
- Fund the Builders Club. After paying the initial chartering fee, the Kiwanis club allocates money in its budget to support the Builders Club, including paying its annual renewal fee. Some cosponsoring Key Clubs and CKI clubs pay a portion of the charter and annual fees. Throughout the year, cosponsoring clubs can help with activity and service project expenses, as well as snacks for meetings.
- Create a plan and calendar. It’s time to get to work and have fun! The Kiwanis advisor and Key Club/CKI representative should meet with the Builders Club faculty advisor at the beginning of the year. Discuss how and when they will assist with service, training, ceremonies or other projects, such as this year’s Global Service Project, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, Builders Club Week, and Builders Club Contests & Awards. Use the Builders Club Advisor Toolkit to learn how to offer support.
- Invite Builders Club members and parents to service events. Include the Builders Club members in a cosponsoring club’s service projects, when age-appropriate, or start a new one with a Kiwanis International partner. For example, build a Little Free Library or grow a community garden with help from KidsGardening.
Kiwanis cosponsors collaborate to offer the best possible experiences for the Builders Clubs they sponsor. And because more Kiwanis volunteers are involved, Builders Club meetings and service activities receive additional support.