About Us
Circle K International is a collegiate
service organization with a worldwide membership that
promotes fellowship, leadership, and service.
Circle K is the largest collegiate community service, leadership development, and friendship organization in the world. Circle K clubs are organized and sponsored by a Kiwanis club on a college or university campus. It is a self-governing organization and elects its own officers, conducts its own meetings, and determines its own service activities.
Circle K is an international community service organization with over 12,000 members worldwide in over 7 countries. Circle K blends community service and leadership training with the opportunity to meet many other college students at service projects, conferences, and conventions.
Each club works closely with their school and local community in planning and implementing projects that best serve the needs of that particular area. Clubs within the same basic geographic area (divisions), also work together on larger projects. On the district level, clubs within the boundaries of California, Nevada, and Hawaii also work to achieve common goals and service initiatives, and come together at conferences, conventions, and large scale projects. This gives members the opportunity to work closely with and get to know many different people, not just those at their own school.
California-Nevada-Hawaii, or Cal-Nev-Ha for short, is the largest district in Circle K International. From the black sand beaches of Hawaii, the glamour of Hollywood, to the world's playground of Las Vegas, the California-Nevada-Hawaii District spans over 2700 miles to include some of the most dynamic and diverse parts of the world. With 40 clubs and over 1,000 members spanning these three states, Cal-Nev-Ha serves as a shining beacon to its fellow districts.
Cal Poly Pomona CKI & Affilliates
Cal Poly Pomona Circle K works in conjunction with our sponsor, Kiwanis Chino, to provide service and spread unity within our communities.
Member's Pledge
I pledge to uphold the objects of Circle K International, to foster compassion and good will toward others through service and leadership, to develop my abilities and the abilities of all people, and to dedicate myself to the realization of mankind's potential
Mission
Circle K International is college and university students who are responsible citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to community service worldwide.
In support of this, we are committed to:
- collaborating with all members of the Kiwanis Family to achieve our common objectives;
- continuing student management of the organization of all levels;
- developing positive role models;
- enhancing inter-cultural understanding and cooperation;
- increasing our service potential;
- providing opportunities for fellowship, personal growth, and professional development;
- working toward greater public recognition of the organization
Objectives
- To emphasize the advantages of the democratic way of life;
- To provide the opportunity for leadership training in service;
- To serve on the campus and in the community;
- To cooperate with the administrative officers of the educational institutions of which the clubs are a part;
- To encourage participation in group activities;
- To promote good fellowship and high scholarship;
- To develop aggressive citizenship and the spirit of service for improvement of all human relationships;
- To afford useful training in the social graces and personality development; and
- To encourage and promote the following ideals:
- give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material values of life;
- To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships;
- To promote the adoption and the application of high social, business, and professional standards;
- To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship;
- To provide through Circle K clubs a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities; and
- To cooperate in creating and maintaining that the sound public opinion and high idealism which makes possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism, and good will.
Circle K International History
1936 - Circle K concept presented at the collegiate level
1947 - First Circle K Club chartered at Carthage College, Illinois
1949 - Circle K becomes an international organization with the chartering of a club at the University of Western Ontario
1953 - Kenneth B. Creasy of Ohio Wesleyan University elected as president of Circle K International
1955 - Circle K International Constitution and Bylaws adopted
1957 - Texas-Oklahoma becomes first district of Circle K International
1971 - Females welcomed into Circle K International
1982 - Circle K International membership surpasses 14,500 members
1999 - Circle K International leadership dedicated year as the Year of Service
2001 - Members of Circle K International surpass the $475,000 mark in an effort to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders
Structure
International
This level is comprised of all 30 districts non-districted clubs of Circle K International. At the International Convention, a president and vice-president are elected to serve on the international board with 9 other elected trustees, who serve as counselors to the districts. Expansion efforts of International are underway in South America, Philippines, and Korea.
District
This level is comprised of all divisions within a set geographic area, sometimes bounded by state lines within the United States. Our district, California-Nevada-Hawaii, is comprised of 8 divisions within the state boundaries that give our district its name. Districts hold annual conventions, training conferences, and large scale service projects. California-Nevada-Hawaii elects a governor, secretary, treasurer, and publications editor to serve on the district executive board. Each division elects a lieutenant governor to serve and act as a liaison between the division and the district. The Governor appoints district committee chairs to serve various functions for the district (such as technology chair). Only the executive board and lieutenant governors have voting power at district board meetings.
Division
This level is comprised of all clubs within a close geographic area, usually bounded by county lines within the California-Nevada-Hawaii District. Each division elects a Lt. Governor, who brings the clubs of the division together and assists each club with their individual needs. A Lt. Governor calls a Divisional Council Meeting once per month, where all clubs are required to attend, and divisional business is discussed. A Lt. Governor works closely with his or her Kiwanis regional advisor.
Club
This level is comprised of all members within a particular school or university (or qualifying associated school or university). Each club elects officers to run the operations of the club and report to their respective Lt. Governor. The club selects its projects from both the needs of the campus and community and the initiatives established by the division, district, and international. This level is where a majority of all community service hours originate from.
Kiwanis Family
Kiwanis
International
Kiwanis International, an organization devoted to theprinciple of service, to the advancement of individual community and national welfare, and to the strengthening of International goodwill. Its membership spans that globe with more than 300,000 members in more than 8,000 clubs in 80 countries.
K-Kids
K-Kids provides young people between the ages of six and ten the opportunity to develop at an early age self-esteem, leadership skills, morals and standards, and respect for others. Circle K clubs are encouraged to co-sponsor a K-Kids Club.
Builders
Club
Builders Club is a sponsored program of Kiwanis International for middle school students that enables members to make a personal contribution to their school, community, and peers. As the motto, "We Build" indicates, Builders Club is for young people who want to take positive, constructive actions to build a better world for themselves and others. Circle K clubs are encouraged to co-sponsor a Builders Club.
Key Club International
Key Club International is a high school service organization and sponsored program of Kiwanis International. Devoted to involving high school students in community and school service, Key Club is developing young leaders and citizens.
Aktion Club
The newest of the Kiwanis sponsored programs, Aktion clubs are the vehicle for adults with disabilities to provide service in their communities. Circle K clubs are encouraged to co-sponsor an Aktion Club.
Like Circle K International, Key Club International, Builders Club, K-Kids, and Aktion clubs are sponsored programs of Kiwanis International. All branches of Kiwanis family work to accomplish the same goals and objectives. As the programs coordinate their service endeavors within the community, the impact they can make together is tremendous. Circle K members, in working with local Key Clubs, Builders Clubs, K-Kids, and Aktion clubs can facilitate their club's membership recruitment in years to come. Circle K members should be active contributors to the Kiwanis-family relationship.
