Working with college students will be a unique and rewarding experience. Before a Kiwanis club agrees to sponsor a CKI club it must understand the needs of college students and the sponsorship commitment necessary to make the CKI club a success.
What does it take to sponsor a CKI club? The well-being and strength of the CKI club is the responsibility of the sponsoring Kiwanis club under which it is chartered. As the success of CKI is contingent upon a three-way relationship between the Kiwanis club, school administration, and the CKI club, these parties must understand the nature of the CKI relationship.
1. The most important factor contributing to a CKI club's success is the degree of involvement it receives from its sponsoring Kiwanis club. All members of the Kiwanis club must understand the obligation it is making to Circle K International. Before a Kiwanis club decides to sponsor a CKI club, it must decide if it has the time, energy, and financial resources to develop and maintain a long-term relationship with the sponsored CKI club.
2. The Kiwanis club must establish a Kiwanis Committee on CKI to build and advise the club. The Kiwanis club president should appoint a Kiwanis advisor as chairman of this committee and who will also serve as the primary liaison to the CKI club.
3. The Kiwanis club must collaborate with the faculty advisor to provide effective CKI club advisement.
4. The Kiwanis club should have at least one member of the Kiwanis club attend each meeting of the CKI club. The Kiwanis club should invite and encourage CKI club members to attend each meeting of the sponsoring Kiwanis club.
5. The Kiwanis club should assist with the implementation of sound fiscal policies, the preparation of responsible budgets, the maintenance of accurate records, and the planning and operation of needed fundraising activities.
6. The Kiwanis club must advise the CKI club to follow proper administrative procedures by submitting district and international forms, reports, and fees, on or before the required dates.
7. The Kiwanis club must ensure that the CKI club maintains charter strength of 15 members for 4-year institutions over 5,000 students and 10 members for 2-year institutions or 4-year institutions with fewer than 5,000 students.
8. The Kiwanis club must assist the CKI club in presenting CKI educational programs on an ongoing basis.
9. The Kiwanis club must encourage CKI members and Kiwanians to attend all CKI district and international events.
10. The Kiwanis club is responsible for the ongoing training of club officers.
These sponsorship responsibilities constitute the minimum sponsorship requirements. Certainly, the Kiwanis club can contribute in additional ways; however, if a Kiwanis club fulfills these responsibilities, it will have exerted the type of support necessary to sustain the CKI club.
CKI members value the time and commitment shared by Kiwanians. As advisors, friends, and counselors, Kiwanians can facilitate the growth of the individual CKI member and the CKI club.
Column Posted on Web Site April 29, 2016
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