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1. What is CKI?
2. International Service Initiative
3. History of CKI
4. History of Cal-Nev-Ha District
5. Cal-Nev-Ha District Service Initiative
6. Cal-Nev-Ha District Fundraising Initiative
7. History of Long Beach State Circle K
8. Structure of Circle K International
9. How do I Become a Member?
Circle K International is the world's largest collegiate service organization, with over 13,000 collegians in 17 nations. Circle K is a club found on college campuses that promotes service and fellowship to its members and to the community that they serve. The club is sponsored by Kiwanis International as part of their youth services programs. It allows the young people of today to become more responsible leaders for tomorrow.
Circle K clubs are found at over 500 college campuses in eleven nations. Each club provides thousands of service hours each year in a variety of projects both on a local level and on a world-wide level. Each weekend you can find hundreds of Circle K'ers attending their various projects like beach clean-ups, working with the elderly, cheering at Special Olympics, or collecting goods for those in need.
SERVICE
As one of the three tenets, service is a fundamental element of Circle K International. Collectively, Circle K members perform more than 1 million hours of service on their campuses and in their communities annually. Without service, Circle K International would be just another campus activity. Through service, college students are making the world a better place.
As a sponsored program of Kiwanis International, Circle K International shares the focus of serving the children of the world. In support of this effort, the Circle K International service initiative is Focusing on the Future: Children. This initiative encourages members to address the issues facing children ages 6-13 and to find solutions through service for addressing these issues.
LEADERSHIP
Through the mission and vision of the organization, Circle K International is dedicated to the realization of mankind’s potential. The potential of Circle K International lies in its ability to positively influence members of society who are facing ultimate personal decisions and those who will one day create the vision of mankind for generations to come. Leadership opportunities afford Circle K members the resources and tools needed to become active citizens. Circle K’ers can assume leadership responsibilities at all levels of the organization and through various experiential training conferences.
FELLOWSHIP
If there is one thing that Circle K’ers know best, it is fellowship. Whether they are planning a car wash, visiting shut-ins, reading to three-year-olds or conducting business, Circle K members across the globe take time to meet and welcome new people. With each element and aspect of Circle K International, members experience fellowship and develop life-long relationships with fellow collegians, advisors, Kiwanians and citizens in their communities. Whether a Circle K’er is mentoring a child, networking with a businessman, or bowling with members, that Circle K’er is developing social skills, meeting new people and strengthening relationships.
Objects of Circle K International
The objects of this club shall be:
* 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 institution of which this club is
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 encourage and
promote the following ideals:
* To 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 sound public opinion and high idealism
which makes
possible the increase in righteousness, justice, patriotism, and goodwill.
Circle K International Pledge
I pledge to uphold the Objects of Circle K International, to foster compassion and goodwill 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.
As one of the three tenets, service is a fundamental element of Circle K International. Collectively, Circle K members perform more than 1 million hours of service on their campuses and in their communities annually. Without service, Circle K International would be just another campus activity. Through service, college students are making the world a better place.
As a sponsored program of Kiwanis International, Circle K International shares the focus of serving the children of the world. In support of this effort, the Circle K International service initiative is Focusing on the Future: Children. This initiative encourages members to address the issues facing children ages 6-13 and to find solutions through service for addressing these issues. The Service Initiative has 3 focuses which rotate each year. These focuses are:
1) After School Programs: Turn off TV, Turn on Life
2) Literacy: Open a Book, Show them the World
3) Health and Safety Issues: On Call for the Future (This is the 2005-06 focus)
To learn more about this years focus of the Service Initiative follow this link to download the ISI manual.
In 1936 Jay N. Emerson, a member of the Pullman Washington Kiwanis Club, presented a plan to his club proposing that the Pullman Kiwanis Club purchase a house that could be rented to young men in need of assistance to attend the local college. The plan became a reality as the Kiwanians established the "Circle K House" at Washington State College. For ten years the "Circle K House" became affiliated with a Greek letter organization, although it continued to be sponsored by the Pullman Kiwanis Club.
Circle K house
Eleven years later, in 1947, Donald T. Forsythe, Trustee of Kiwanis International, aided in transitioning Circle K from a fraternity to a service-oriented organization. That year, during September, the first Circle K club similar to our present-day organization, was chartered at Carthage College in Carthage, Illinois. For two years, the Carthage College Circle K Club existed alone. But on March 26, 1949, the University of Western Ontario became the second Circle K Club to charter. Carthage College and the University of Western Ontario were soon joined by the Louisiana Polytechnic Institute on May 13, 1949. Circle K gained momentum and grew rapidly throughout the United States; sixteen more clubs chartered in 1950. With the formation of Circle K clubs, Kiwanis International established a Special Committee on Circle K Clubs in 1952. The motto of the organization became the same as that of Kiwanis International: "We Build." In 2005 Kiwanis International changed its motto to "Serving the Children of the World."
The first Circle K club was founded in 1947, and the California-Nevada-Hawaii District was one of the two founding Districts of Circle K International, along with the Michigan District. Cal-Nev-Ha was instrumental in the internationalization of the organization. Chartered on December 12, 1957, the district was founded with thirty-one clubs and has grown to over forty clubs at the present.
 
The District has won a variety of awards over the years, and has had its host of International officers as well. Cal-Nev-Ha has won Distinguished District several times over the past two decades, has had two International Presidents, and many International Trustees. This district has always been in the foreground, both in membership, achievements, and most importantly, service.
The 2005-06 District Service Initiative (DSI) is CNH: The Power of One. The theme emphasizes the importance of every single hour and dollar given to help others. It focuses on the following:
- Pediatric Cancer
- Nutrition and Fitness
- Pediatric Trauma Prevention
The 2005-06 District Fundraising Initiative (DFI) is divided into three main components, as listed below:
1. Pediatric Cancer - $10,001
The Cal-Nev-Ha District has selected Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCCF) as the charity to which we will donate our money. Candlelighters focuses on meeting the physical and emotional needs of children with cancer and their families. Their services include helping to pay for treatment related costs, counseling services, education, and bereavement. CCCF has been certified by the Independent Charities of America as a "Best in America" charity.
2. Pediatric Trauma Prevention - $15,001
Money raised by the Cal-Nev-Ha District will go towards the California-Nevada-Hawaii Kiwanis Foundation's Pediatric Trauma Prevention fund. This fund provides money to local hospitals to equip them for treating childhood injuries and to train hospital staff and first responders. The PTP fund also makes money available to sponsored youth clubs, allowing them to apply for PTP grants of up to $250 to host a project which pertains to children's safety, such as a Bike Rodeo.
3. Tomorrow Fund - $2,001
Circle K International's Endowment Fund provides grants to new and struggling clubs, allowing them to host major service projects that they financially could not accomplish on their own. By supporting the Tomorrow Fund, the Cal-Nev-Ha District aims to help strengthen our organization as a whole, aiding our fellow Circle Kers all over the world.
Long Beach State Circle K was chartered on November 6, 1958 (School was called Long Beach State College). We are not only one of the longest charters in all of Circle K International, but are also the oldest organization at Long Beach State. Long Beach State Circle K has won numerous awards in District and International levels. Long Beach State has had countless District leaders in its history, which include 5 District Governors. One of Long Beach State Circle K’s biggest contributions to the school is the well known Prospector Pete statue in front of the LA-5 Building. To this day the statue continues to be Long Beach State’s biggest symbol.
Prospector Pete Statue donated by CSULB Circle K in 1969
In order for Circle K to exist we must be sponsored by a Kiwanis Club. A Kiwanis club is an adult organization consisting of professionals (Attorneys, Doctors, brokers, management, housewives, parks and rec., retired, etc...). Long Beach State Circle K has had different sponsors in its history. We were once co-sponsored by the East Long Beach Kiwanis club and North Long Beach club. Now we are sponsored by Long Beach Downtown Kiwanis Club. This Kiwanis club was the 2nd club chartered in the California-Nevada-Hawaii District in Kiwanis International. They were chartered September 16, 1919.
To learn more about CSULB CKI's history click here!
To learn more about CSULB CKI's mascot "Point Dexter" click here!
 Club Level
This is the most important level of our organization. The club level is where majority of the service opportunities come from. It's the club level where you make an impact in your community and on campus. The club level requires more leadership in order to run successfully. A traditional CKI club would have a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, however some clubs have additional positions (like ours which has 2 secretaries). In addition to elected offices, a successful Circle K club adds a cast of appointed chairs to assist on specific items. Examples include a Historian whom takes pictures at events and develops a scrapbook, a Service Chair who focuses on offering a diverse amount of service projects for the entire membership. Other usual positions include Fundraising Chair, PR , Membership Development and Education, Kiwanis Family, Spirit and much more.
Division Level
The Division level consist of a group of clubs put together based on their geographic location. Our club is part of the Metro Division which consists of Circle K clubs in the Metropolitan Long Beach and Los Angeles area. There are 6 clubs in the Metro Division which include Long Beach State, UCLA, USC, Long Beach City, CSU Dominguez Hills, and El Camino College. The Division gets together once a month for a Divisional Council meeting to discuss clubs progress and news concerning the division, district and international levels. Leadership opportunities include Lt. Governor who is the link between the clubs in the division and the district level. There are a total of 8 divisions in the California-Nevada-Hawaii District.
District Level
The District level consists of at least one state (3 at most). Other districts include nations as part of their district. The District level offers the opportunity to interact with college/university students all over the state(s). We are part of the California-Nevada-Hawaii district which is the largest district in all of Circle K International. It consists of all UC systems schools, many Cal State system schools, private universities and Community Colleges. Many district events are held, but none bigger than the Fall Training Conference (Large Retreat held in November) and the District Convention (held in March). Leadership opportunities include elected positions (elected at District Convention) such as District Governor, District Secretary, District Treasurer, District Publications Editor and 8 Lt. Governors (one for each division in the district). There are also opportunities to serve as an appointed chair such as Convention chair, FTC Chair, Kiwanis Family Chair, Service Chair and many more. Many of the District chairs hold sub committees for members to take part in to contribute to the district. There is a District office used by the entire Kiwanis Family in Oakland, California. For more information about the district level go to www.cnhcirclek.org.
International Level
Internationally, Circle K International is the largest college service organization in the world! It consists of 30 districts in 13 nations. The International level offers an International Convention held every summer. Previous Conventions have been held in Jamaica, Chicago, Houston, San Diego, Buffalo and Orlando, Indianapolis and St Louis. The 2005 Convention site is in Greensboro and the 2006 Convention site is in Boston. Leadership opportunities include elected positions (elected at the International Convention) such as International President, International Vice President and 9 International Trustees. In addition, the International level offers participation in Ad Hoc Committees to take on certain issues of the organization which include Website, Key to College and Large Scale Service Project. There is an International Office located in Indianapolis shared by the entire Kiwanis Family. For more information go to www.circlek.org.
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The criteria for new membership in Long Beach State Circle K International:
1. The candidate must be a student with at least half time status as defined by Long Beach State University (6 units).
2. The student must maintain the status of good standing with Long Beach State. Long Beach State requires that the student must pay all registration and tuition fees, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0, and abide the bylaws of the University in order to achieve the status of good standing.
3. The student must pay all International and District dues.
4. Once declared an official member of CSULB Circle K, if any of the above membership requirements are not fulfilled, membership will immediately be revoked by the acting President of the club unless you receive a temporary pardon from the dean of associated students.
All undergraduate and graduate students meeting these requirements are eligible for membership at Long Beach State Circle K Club regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, sexual orientation, age, major or disability.
The criteria to maintain membership in Long Beach State Circle K International:
1. Maintain status requirements of becoming a member
2. Attend at least 3 service or campus projects per semester
3. Attend at least 2 social or fundraising projects per semester
4. Attend at least 2 club meetings per month (This requirement is pending in case of jobs or classes and is discussed with an officer.
5. OPTIONAL (not a requirement): Join and participate in a committee
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