Membership FAQs

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers committed to children and dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.

What are qualifications for membership? 

Membership is available to service-minded men and women from all walks of life, from individuals 18 years old to retirees. Our members are unified in their belief that our local children and our community benefit from the efforts of an actively engaged group of caring and involved volunteers.

The Kiwanis Club of Keene meets most Wednesdays at 7:30 AM in the Pub restaurant at 131 Winchester Street, Keene, NH. We usually have an evening meeting on the fifth Wednesday of the month in those months that have five Wednesdays. This allows those who cannot make a morning meeting an opportunity to meet with other Club members. 

Members begin arriving at 7:00 AM and socialize as they are eating breakfast from the Pub's menu. At 7:30 AM, the meetings open with the Kiwanis the singing of a patriotic song then the pledge to the United States Flag and followed by a short reflection. Then, the club president begins the meeting by introducing and greeting our guests. Committee announcements about upcoming events and projects are followed by Trivia, the weekly 50/50 raffle, and "Happy Dollars." Happy Dollars allow us to share things from our lives that we want other members to know and helps us raise money for our administrative expenses. Our weekly speaker is the final portion of the meeting and our meeting concludes by 8:30 AM. 

The Kiwanis fiscal year is from October 1 through September 30. Annual dues are decided each June, currently $125 due by September 15th. There is a new member application pro-rated fee, payable at after your membership is approved. Dues include payments to support resources provided by our local club, the New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis and Kiwanis International.

New members are usually “sponsored” by a current member. If you are interested in joining our club, contact a club member or visit our website and click on the “Contact Us” button. We’ll welcome you as our guest at your first meeting. You’ll have the opportunity to meet members, ask questions about our club, and get acquainted with us. If, after your visit, you are interested in joining the club, your member sponsor (we will assign a sponsor if you aren’t acquainted with a member) will provide you with a packet of information about our local club and Kiwanis International and you’ll become acquainted with the easy steps to join. Upon approval of the Board of Directors, and payment of fees, your sponsor will schedule your induction ceremony. It’s a simple, dignified ceremony where you are welcomed to the Kiwanis Club and receive a Kiwanis lapel pin to wear to meetings.  

What does Kiwanis expect of new members? 

We expect you to attend club meetings as often as possible and participate in Kiwanis service projects and fund-raisers. You are also expected to serve as an active member of at least one committee. We do not require perfect attendance. Our promise to you.

• You will have an opportunity to share your experience, knowledge, and time with the community – “serving one child and one community at a time.”
• An interesting opportunity to relax, converse with friends, and listen to interesting speakers.
• Fellowship with other Kiwanians in Keene’s premier service club. You are encouraged to broaden your knowledge of Kiwanis and learn how to better serve our community by participating in inter-clubs to the other clubs in our Division and attending New England Kiwanis training sessions.

How does the club raise funds? 

The amount of money we grant to area organizations each year is directly related to the success of our fundraising efforts. Whatever we raise in a given year can be distributed the following year. Fundraising events to support the Keene Kiwanis Foundation include:

• The "Make The Ask" annual appeal seeking community sponsorships
• The New Hampshire Games of Chance in Keene
• Annual Kiwanis Golf Tournament
• Sponsorship of our major events

The money for our administrative expenses comes from: 

• The Keene Kiwanis portion of membership dues
• The $4.00 meeting fee that members pay at the meetings.  That covers the meeting expenses and includes two raffle tickets for our 50/50 raffle
• Happy Dollars
• Periodically, members only auctions of baked goods or gently used items 

What types of Community Service does the club provide?

Our Kiwanis club participates in a variety of projects throughout the year that involve community service and assisting children. Below are some of the projects in which we are currently involved for the community.

• We sponsor three active youth groups for local middle school and high school students
• On the fourth Tuesday of each month a group of volunteers help at the Keene Community Kitchen to serve food and clean up following the meal
• Right after Thanksgiving, we sponsor the Annual Kiwanis Club of Keene Tree Lighting Ceremony on Central Square
• Each Christmas season, club members spend part of a Saturday ringing the bell to help raise funds for the Salvation Army
• We sponsor a family identified by the City of Keene each Christmas by fulfilling their wish lists
• We organize and serve food for the participants in the Special Olympics Unified Basketball Tournament at KSC
• At our annual Kool Wheels Family Fun and Safety Day event, we provide free bike helmets to children, free bike accessories and bike safety activities
• We accept grant requests from local non-profits that support children through our online application process

How do you get to know other Kiwanis Club members?

 

• Every Wednesday, we learn about the personal lives of our members during "Happy Dollars". We learn about family members and travels, new children and grandchildren, weddings, and graduations, funny and sad stories, personal and professional accomplishments. 
• Social gatherings provide fun and fellowship for Kiwanis members and our families. 
• We also enjoy visiting other Kiwanis clubs in our area, a practice encouraged throughout the Kiwanis world. "Interclubs" give us the opportunity to meet other Kiwanians and learn about their customs, projects, and successes.

Most important: We have fun together!