WHAT IS KEY CLUB?

We make keys! In fact, that's what many people think Key Club is all about. But of course, it isn't. Key Club is a Kiwanis-backed volunteer organization; the KEY in Key Club stands for "Kiwanis educates youth." Its mission statement describes it as "an international, student-led organization providing its members with opportunities to perform service, build character, and develop leadership." Key Club does just that. In all Key Clubs, participation is completely voluntary; this fosters the enthusiasm and club morale regaring volunteerism. At Garfield in particular, all members are encouraged to help lead and participate in projects.

GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL KEY CLUB

Garfield High School Key Club meets every Wednesday in Portable 5 (it's the portable outside of Mr. Anderson's room, the one closest to the main entrance.) In the case of C-weeks (where we have shortened Wednesdays) we meet on the Thursday of that week. Our faculty advisor is Ms. Marta Trimble, and our Kiwanis advisor is Mr. Al Donohue, from our sponsoring Downtown Kiwanis Club. The hierarchy of our club goes like this: We are part of Division 26, which includes other Seattle-area clubs like Franklin High School Key Club and Seattle Lutheran Key Club. Division 26 is part of the Pacific Northwest District, the largest Key Club district geographically!

Our current 2003-2004 Lt. Governer for Division 26 is Daniel Lee (e-mail: lkdfox@cs.com) of our very own Garfield High School. The Lt. Governer keeps track of all clubs within the division, and coordinates many projects between our clubs. He's the main link between the District and the clubs of our region.

As you can see, our Key Club has many great resources available!

JOINING GHS KEY CLUB

How do you join? Glad you asked. You can start by coming to our weekly meetings (again, every Wednesday in Portable 5). If you want to become an official member, we request that you pay your annual dues and get registered with Key Club International. Dues this year are $10. Half of that goes towards administrative costs for our GHS Club, and half of that goes to Key Club International. They use these funds for publishing the Keynoter magazine, mailings, and administration. Without paying your dues you cannot enjoy member benefits such as going to District Convention, the high point of any Key Clubber's year, or the various scholarships availble only to Key Club members.

Please give your dues to Ms. Trimble or to the club's treasurer, Katie Avery. Make checks payable to "Marta Trimble" (she will then make one group check during the next dues send to Key Club international.)

HISTORY OF KEY CLUB

From the 2002-2003 Key Club International Member Handbook: "Key club began in 1925 in Sacramento, California, in order to provide an active, vocational guidance program for students. The attraction quickly caught on to join Key Club with the help of Kiwanians who visited the Sacramento Club and came away with the idea of introducing the high school service club to their communities. The idea spread quickly, and soon Key Clubs were forming all across the nation.

"Key Club International continues to grow rapidly. There are now clubs throughout the world, totalling over 230,000 members, 4,800 clubs, and 21 countries. In time, Key Club has grown to be the largest high school service organization in the world."

SEASONS OF SERVICE (INTERNATIONAL AND DISTRICT THEMES)

Although there is freedom in all Key Clubs to create projects and opportunities, Key Club International has created the Major Emphasis Program which concentrates on its theme, Children: Their Future, Our Focus. Key Clubs concentrate on the different emphais projects for each season. During the summer, Key Clubs can choose to participate in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. In the autumn Key Clubs collect money for UNICEF. In winter we visit children's hospitals as part of the Children's Miracle Network and conduct fundraisers to support such hospitals. Finally, in spring we collect pledges and participate in the March of Dimes, which is an organization dedicated to reducing birth defects, infant prematurity, and infant moratlity. (Links to these organizations's sites can all be found on the Links Page.

On the more local level, our Pacific Northwest District focuses on violence. Specifically, its theme is Breaking the Barriers: Violence Prevention. Our district focus is subdivided into three groups: hate crimes, domestic violence, and school violence. Regrettably, due to membership constraints GHS Key Club has not had much opportunity to participate with our District's focus.

KIWANIS FAMILY INFORMATION

Key Club has great partner organizations. Kiwanis International, which sponsors Key Club, is a volunteer group for adults aiming for the advancement of the individualcommunity and national welfare. Its membership includes more than 300,000 members in more than 8,000 clubs in 80 countries. The Builders Club is a Kiwanis-sponsored program, somewhat like Key Club in the middle school level. Their motto, "We Build," perfectly describes its aim in building a better world through involvement in the community, school, and with peers. The K-Kids is a junior version of the Builders Club, with members between the ages of six and ten. At this young age the group aims to foster leadership and respect among its members. Circle K International is the collegiate division of Kiwanis-backed groups, aiming for involvement on campus and in the community. Finally, the newer Aktion Club provides adults with disabilities leadership and community service. (Links to these organizations' sites can all be found on the Links Page.

KCI PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Again, our main partner organizations are described in the "Seasons of Service" subsection (see above.) Other than those main four, one of the most significant Key Club International partner organizations to Garfield's Key Club is HOLT International. Through HOLT we've sponsored Matthew from the Philippines and have done great service projects and fundraisers for him.

Another partner organization is AYUSA, which offers exchange programs across the globe. At Garfield we have two AYUSA-sponsored exchange students on campus!

CONVENTION!

As the last topic I will touch on, every year registered Key Clubbers have the opportunity to participate in very fun and very worthwhile experiences: District and International Conventions. District Convention is usually the first weekend of April, and every year the location alternates between Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington. For the year of 2003-2004 District Convention will be held in Seattle. District Convention, for many Key Clubbers, is the culmination of the entire year. Attendance for convention is mandatory for our new officers, and is open to any other Garfield Key Clubber provided they have paid dues and are registered with Key Club International! At convention new officers get trained, awards are given out, Key Clubbers from all over the Pacific Northwest forge new friendships, and the weekend ends with a snazzy Governer's Ball that's always good fun.

Also, for the first week in July Key Clubbers from all over the nation meet together in an International Convention. All members of the District board and all Lt. Governers are encouraged to go, but any other Key Clubber is welcomed as well! GHS Key Club recently sent its first member to International Convention last year, when Melissa Andrada won the position of District Treasurer. This year's International is in Indianapolis, Indiana, from July 2-6, 2003. The deadline to register is May 1, although if you want to be included in the tour package a deposit of $500 must be maid by April 15. (See the PNW District Site for more info.)

IN CLOSING...

Key Club has a rich history and is a vast community with great resources and opportunities. If you are a member, hopefully you've learned something new, and if you're not currently a member, hopefully you'll consider being one now :)