Building Kiwanis clubs in Africa 

Building Kiwanis clubs in Africa 

Feb 11, 2025 | Club building, General interest | 0 comments

A member shares his experience of Kiwanis as a beacon of hope on the continent. 

By Paluku Mathe Patrick
Kiwanis Club of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo 

Africa, a continent of diversity and resilience, has witnessed remarkable growth in its Kiwanis clubs over the years. Behind this expansion lies a journey of overcoming unique challenges while celebrating inspiring achievements. Establishing a Kiwanis club in Africa means navigating social, economic and cultural realities while maintaining a clear vision for creating a positive impact on children and communities. 

Every club we establish is a beacon of hope for children’s futures. Our mission transcends borders and proves that unity can change lives. Countries like Nigeria, Madagascar, Morocco, Uganda, Réunion, Cameroon, Kenya, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo exemplify these successes in 2025. Through the dedication of visionary members, these clubs are turning ideas into impactful actions — rehabilitation schools, climate inclusion, supporting local initiatives and bridging generational gaps. 

Yet the journey is not without its challenges: recruiting committed members, raising awareness about Kiwanis values and tailoring projects to meet local needs. These obstacles, however, are met with courage, innovation and determination. 

Each new club in Africa serves as a testament to the power of ambition and unity. Kiwanis in Africa is more than a movement — it’s a message of hope for future generations. 

Learn more about how the recently chartered Kiwanis Club of Goma is bringing fresh hope to African children. 

How creativity increases club value

How creativity increases club value

Feb 1, 2025 | Club building, General interest, Service projects | 0 comments

A past New York governor reveals how one internet club thrives by doing things differently.

By James Mancuso
Photos by Maureen Neuringer 

In the Kiwanis world, the term “membership” is often heard, and for good reason. The effectiveness of this organization hinges on the number of members willing to roll up their sleeves and contribute to community service.  

However, as we strive to grow our ranks, perhaps it’s time to elevate another word in our lexicon: “creativity.” 

One successful model is Kiwanis Club of the East Coast, U.S., which operates primarily online. Now in its second year, this internet-based club exemplifies how creativity can fuel growth and service impact.  

The internet has become a powerful tool for increasing accessibility and engagement in Kiwanis. By creating a model that accommodates varying levels of commitment and involvement, Kiwanis Club of the East Coast demonstrates that it is possible to foster a vibrant community of service-minded individuals, regardless of their schedules. 

A new way to engage
The club’s operating model is straightforward: Each quarter, members research and evaluate several charities. During their meetings, three selected charities present their missions and needs, followed by an electronic vote to determine which organization will receive funding. This structure not only keeps members engaged but also allows them to explore a diverse range of charitable causes. 

Members commit to a quarterly donation of $100, leading to thousands of dollars in collective contributions. This system has enabled the club to make a significant impact without demanding excessive time from its members. 

One of the notable charities supported by the Kiwanis Club of the East Coast is Night Out for You (see photo below), which offers adults undergoing cancer treatment experiences akin to “make-a-wish” services. By providing opportunities such as attending Broadway shows and dining out, they help ease the burdens of medical challenges.  

The club has also supported organizations that provide service dogs to disabled veterans, care for injured wildlife, and offer music lessons to children — showcasing a broad spectrum of community interests.  

Harnessing the internet’s power
As Kiwanis clubs navigate the challenges of membership growth, they must be willing to embrace creativity as a cornerstone of their efforts. Internet clubs can open doors to a wider audience. (See a Kiwanis blog post from last year regarding how the East Coast club itself came together.)  

Kiwanis Club of the East Coast shows what Kiwanians can achieve when they adapt and innovate, proving that service and community impact can flourish in diverse formats. 

If you are interested in membership, reach out to Club Secretary Lisa Hallett at kiwaniseastcoasters@gmail.com.  

James N. Mancuso and Maureen Neuringer are Distinguished past governors of the New York District.

3 tools to reverse membership losses

3 tools to reverse membership losses

Jan 27, 2025 | Club building, General interest | 0 comments

These ACE resources provide answers for Kiwanis clubs that are losing people. 

By Tony Knoderer

Clubs lose members. It’s a fact of life. People move away or their jobs become more demanding — or other circumstances arise that don’t necessarily signal a lack of interest. But when a Kiwanis club is losing more members than it’s gaining, the reasons are usually larger than these individual causes.

The good news: Kiwanis International offers resources that can help reverse membership losses. In fact, three of our Achieving Club Excellence (ACE) tools are designed for your club to build a culture that keeps members engaged:

  • Member survey. What makes the club experience valuable for members? With this tool, specific questions and activities can help your club find the answers — and provide the kind of experience that inspires people to stay. 
  • Club vision. What does your club do, and why does it exist? This tool helps your club create a vision that guides its leaders and inspires its members. And that helps make everyone more enthusiastic about persuading other people to join.  
  • Club excellence plan. In addition to vision, your club needs shorter-term goals and milestones that help members see the progress they’re making. This tool helps create them, along with a plan to reach them. 

Don’t forget: All these resources can be found on the ACE tools webpage, which includes other common concerns clubs face — and pairs them with the tools that help address those issues.