Key Club is a coeducational service organization for high school
students, organized and sponsored by a Kiwanis club. It is a self-governing
organization and elects its own officers, determines its owns service
activities, and establishes its own dues structure. Its Objects include
the Objects of Kiwanis. Once organized, a Key Club is continuously
sponsored by a Kiwanis club. Although the ultimate responsibility for
Key Club sponsorship is that of the Kiwanis board of directors, the
sponsorship function is most directly carried out by the Kiwanis club
Committee on Key Clubs, assisted by a faculty advisor (who may or may
not be a Kiwanian) designated by the high school administration.
It was in May 1925 in Sacramento, California, that the 11 charter
members, comprising the first Key Club, met officially for the first
time. Prior to that meeting, came a full year's activity through which
the idea of Key Club developed and finally reached fruition.
Key Club continues to grow rapidly. There are now clubs located
throughout the world. In these groups, thousands of students are receiving
training in leadership and service. Key Club is truly an
"international" organization. In 1946, the first club was built in
Canada, and since that time many more have been added. Every year, led
by the international officers, two hundred or more new Key Clubs are
added to this fast growing organization, but emphasis is on permanent,
active clubs, rather than on mere numbers as such.