Corporate membership in Kiwanis Clubs
 
Version 1.0 - as approved 4 March, 2017
 
This page explains corporate membership in Kiwanis clubs in New Zealand.
 
CONTENTS
 Introduction : Volunteerism and the Business Community
 Executive Summary : What this proposal contains

 
  Kiwanis International
 Overview : What is Kiwanis and who are Kiwanians
 Community Links : Partnering with Kiwanis and the community
 Values : The Objects of Kiwanis
 Administration Summary : Overview of the New Zealand - South Pacific District of Kiwanis
 Community involvement : Examples of Kiwanis projects in the New Zealand - South Pacific District
 How our members gain :  

 
  Corporate Membership
 Definition : Corporate Membership and what it entails
  What a typical Kiwanis meeting involves
  Examples of Projects and Fund Raising
 Reciprocal Business : Reciprocity and acknowledgement of key-partners
 Next Steps :  
 

 
Volunteerism and the Business Community
 
Increasingly, businesses are seeking ways to engage with customers and the community.
 
 Staff of insurers and banks for example, are encouraged to be proactive in local-activities and be seen partaking in volunteer roles in the communities.  Many such roles exist but many are narrowly focused e.g., play-centre or school boards of trustees.
 
 One of the constraints encountered, is resistance towards any tie that requires individual membership and commitment with individuals fearful of becoming over-committed.
 
 The world-wide organisation, Kiwanis International, makes it easy for staff of business houses to engage in community service without the onuses and responsibilities demanded by one-on-one individual membership of committees and boards.
 
 Clubs within the New Zealand-South Pacific District of Kiwanis are keen to extend the hand of fun, friendship and fellowship to staff members of businesses through a new initiative called Corporate Membership whereby a business, or branch of a company, becomes the club member, rather than the individual staff member who attends meetings and thereby adds to their knowledge, friendships, and networking, simply by representing their employer.
 
Executive Summary
 
This document is intended only as an introduction to the New Zealand operation of Kiwanis International.
 
 It also discusses an initiative which is new to Kiwanis in New Zealand; that of Corporate Memberships whereby a business or branch of a business is the "club member" and is represented by a nominated staff member.  This nominee may be changed.
 
 Corporate membership of Kiwanis provides business houses with an existing and effective means to create a conduit to the community and a healthy association with its citizens.  It is also inexpensive, structured, and internationally well respected.
 
 As an introduction, we hope this paper lays the groundwork for on-going discussion with you about establishing you as a corporate partner / member of Kiwanis International.
 
 Across the board benefits accrue to staff nominees.  These include personal development skills, building confidence and network skills as well as the personal satisfactions gained from "making a difference" and achieving in the community.
 
 We would therefore like an opportunity to meet and discuss this proposition with your human resources and staff development personnel.
 
What is Kiwanis, and who are Kiwanians?
  1. Kiwanis is a global organisation of men and women volunteers (in about 80 countries) dedicated to serving the needs of children and improving the lives of children and improving their world, one child, and one community at a time.
  2. Kiwanis was founded in USA over 100 years ago (1915).
  3. Kiwanians serve the children of the world; and do so in many different ways.
  4. Kiwanis recognise that children are 10% of the present but 100% of the future.
  5. No two communities are exactly the same.  Kiwanis also recognise that no two children are exactly the same, but their needs are often similar.
  6. Twice in recent years Kiwanis International has combined with UNICEF to improve the health and lives of children.  The first was to eradicate Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) and the second (and current worldwide project) is to eliminate Parental Neo-natal Tetanus (ELIMINATE) - from which a life used to be lost somewhere in the world, every 9 minutes.
  7. Worldwide Kiwanis and its family of clubs has about 600,000 members who raise than US$100 million annually and dedicate more than 18 million volunteer hours a year to strengthen communities and serve children.  Members of every age attend regular meetings, experience fellowship, raise funds for various causes and participate in service projects that help their communities.
Partnering with Kiwanis
Partnerships with businesses in the local community present Kiwanis with unique and exciting opportunities that may not otherwise exist but for the likes of corporate members in Kiwanis.
 
 A "right partnership" is highly advantageous to all parties and accordingly, Kiwanis welcome corporate partnerships that align with our mission (see above), and which preserve the trust of members and the communities alike plus the children and families we serve.  Our partners' products, services and reputation must therefore :
• Be compatible with and complementary to Kiwanis' mission and values;
• Reflect a high degree of integrity;
• Demonstrate a track record of high-quality products and services.
 
Some of the benefits we offer our corporate partners are :
• instant recognition as an active supporter of the community and its wellbeing;
• direct pathways to responsible ways to support children and future customers;
• enjoyable ways for staff to engage with the community beyond the workplace.
 
To do this we offer :
• Social events, meetings with interesting speakers;
• Self development of the individual with feelings of self achievement gained from knowing they are making a difference to the lives of others;
• Friendship, fun and formation of new network;
• Development of social awareness.
 
Similarly our partners provide revitalization within Kiwanis clubs through new and valued conduits to the community.  Kiwanis work co-operatively with well chosen partners whose own services and senses of social responsibility strengthen our work and together add overall value and impact and more effectiveness to voluntary services in the local community.
 
The Objects of Kiwanis
To give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than 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 higher social, business and professional standards.
 
 To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship.
 
 To provide, thorough Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities.
 
 To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism, and goodwill.
 
Administration of Kiwanis in New Zealand
For ease of administration, Kiwanis International has divided the world into districts.  New Zealand clubs are part of the New Zealand-South Pacific District.
 
 Each District has an elected Governor and Executive Board, and is in turn, divided into divisions.  Each Division has an elected Lieutenant Governor to assist the Board and President of each club in his or her Division.
 
Community Events and an overview of (some) projects
  1. Historically, in New Zealand, Kiwanis clubs have been the instigator and organizer of "Science Fairs" for school children of various ages.  These are run in association with groups of local business sponsors and science teachers.
  2. Children's days out.  These events, including kite-flying days, teddy-bears picnics, bike-safety days, sports tournament, beach dig etc., are often organized by local authorities who call upon Kiwanians and others to assist.  This may involve supervising play equipment, handing out materials, arranging prizes members and or cooking and serving barbequed sausages.
  3. Schools support.  This takes many forms and ranges from providing rewards for helpful and deserving children who might not be rewarded for academic or sporting achievements - to providing milo (or other hot/cold drinks) in schools, sponsoring outside tutorships not covered in the school and providing books for school libraries.
  4. Making and supplying Kiwanis "hospital dolls" that enable medical staff to show a child what part of their body is to be operated on or treated, and why.
  5. Running book fairs, sales tables, fashion shows, fun quiz nights, boot sales - for a chosen organization, school, St John or Red Cross, or other charity.
  6. Collecting and packing pre-used school equipment and supplies for the lesser privileged children of Vanuatu and other South Pacific islands.  Generally two full containers are sent to our Kiwanis club in Port Vila or Fiji each and every year with transport costs being covered by fundraising by Kiwanis clubs in the district.
  7. Arranging, running and staffing events like annual Christmas parties for under-privileged, physically or mentally challenged and less able children who might not otherwise experience the joys of Christmas.
     
How our volunteers gain
Our members and volunteer helpers benefit in many different ways including :
• great support from dedicated people who enjoy helping build lives for the future;
• being part of a vibrant, world-leading, innovative organisation that changes lives;
• fun, fellowship and rewarding roles that fulfil inner needs and self-development;
• networking and new friendships that are politically and religiously neutral.
 
Corporate Membership Explained
  1. The employer (a business or corporation or other similar entity - or branch or branches thereof) is defined as a "Corporate member" of a Kiwanis club.
  2. The corporate membership entitles (as per 1 above) one person from that company to attend meetings of the host Kiwanis club and report back to other staff members on matters of interest, upcoming needs for any manpower to assist with projects or fund raisers in the community, or relevant social events.  Other staff members of the company are also welcome to attend Kiwanis meetings from time to time as guests.
  3. A subscription (equivalent to a normal individual membership subscription is paid by the Corporate member) for each nominated attendee-member. (NOTE: An annual subscription of most Kiwanis clubs is about $90 - $120 pa.)
  4. When a nominated individual member is transferred or moves on, a replacement nominated person is named by the Corporate member.
  5. Nominated persons are, in all respects, a member of his or her host Kiwanis club and are entitled to wear a Kiwanis badge, logo-clothing, attend club meetings (usually 2 per month), cast a vote, receive monthly club bulletins and e-mailed releases of news and worldwide events, community stories and other publications e-mailed by Kiwanis International, attend education days as well as be entitled to nomination for attendance at conferences and various international conventions.
Format of a typical Meeting explained
Meetings are typically held in the evening on a nominated day of the week.  Some clubs meet for a meal and meeting.  Other clubs have meal meetings scheduled throughout the year.
 
 Guest speakers are invited to provide a talk on matters that are of interest to members.  These talks can be on community affairs, needs within the community, hobbies or interests, medical subjects, municipal affairs, travel, interesting or unusual jobs etc.
 
 Reports are received from conveners and updates on upcoming events are provided to members.  Jokes, a sheriff's session and a read "Parting thought" conclude meetings.  No meeting is allowed to drag-on into the evening.  The idea is to make meetings fun and informative, as well as serving the regular contact and fellowship between members.
 
Projects and Fundraising explained
These are chosen wisely and are generally not long-term or overly ambitious.  They recognize the limitations of clubs towards providing intense work-loads or undue physical involvement.  Current favourites are marshalling at sports events, collecting monies for car parking, sausage sizzles and running quiz nights.
 
Reciprocation with Corporate Members and Key Partners
Initially, Kiwanis was set-up as a networking fellowship, later changing its focus upon altruistic and benevolent objectives.  However networking between members still remains highly evident across many aspects of life.
 
 As a community service organization we do not have an abundance of funds to invest but as business members, we would find ways to encourage public deposits to our charities, increase your foot-traffic and engender other ways to support and promote you.
 
Next Steps
  1. Furnish this report and respond to any queries that may be raised.
  2. Meet to discuss a proposed Corporate Membership (CM).
  3. Decide on a likely timetable to welcome nominees of the CM.
  4. Decide on collateral material to inform staff of intending CM.
  5. Set timetable to speak with staff at morning tea or lunch breaks.
  6. Invite and welcome all nominated CM persons to a Kiwanis club.
     

Kiwanis Links:

NZ-SP District home page /
 
 NZ-SP District home page for the general public /
 
 Kiwanis International web site
 

Page last updated by webmaster@kiwanis.org.nz (David Fentress) on 10 March, 2017.
Your comments, questions and suggestions are welcome.