Structure of Key Club
Welcome everyone to the Structure of Key Club page! Here, you will find insanely useful information about every single level in Key Club International. This includes what each level is, their purpose, and how YOU can get involved!
This page was created because we’ve come to realize that not many people know the basics of this organization. Many members when they are just starting out in Key Club think that it’s only their club’s board! However, there is so much more potential in this organization that extends FAR past the club level. Our goal for this page is to educate and display to everyone that there are so many more opportunities in Key Club.
Here you can visibly see the main levels of Key Club: Clubs, Divisions, Districts, and International. Of course, there are plenty of other sub-levels we will discuss including Sistricts and the International Council. These levels of Key Club are traditionally represented with an inverted pyramid.
CLUBs
Q: What are they?
A: The first and most familiar level of Key Club begins with local clubs which are established in high schools. They consist of elected club officers including presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, treasurers, editors (publicists and webmasters), and you can even have class representatives on this board. General members of Key Club not in an officer position are also part of this group.
Q: What’s their purpose?
A: The purpose of clubs is to serve their local community and have close connections with it. Personally, I think clubs are the most important group in this entire pyramid because, one, clubs are the entire foundation of Key Club. Without clubs, people in higher positions have nothing to supervise and have nothing to work for. This is why maintaining club membership is so important! The other reason clubs are important is because, like I said, they have strong connections with smaller communities. I have learned through experience that it is much harder to communicate with smaller communities and much harder to be involved in a single town when you are in charge of five. Clubs however can be physically present in their communities, and clubs can promote Key Club to their specific club members.
Q: How do you get Involved?
A: One of many ways to get involved is by running for an officer position! Yes, it sounds scary. (we've all been there). But once you try it, you will realize how much fun it is to attend meetings and help plan service events while learning leadership and kindness along the way. Additionally, by simply participating in your club's service events and completing your designated hours, you will be helping out the club more than you know.
Divisions
Q: What are they?
A: Your club is clustered together with other schools in the area to form a division. Most divisions host divisional rallies, allowing you to meet Key Clubbers from other schools while taking part in a service project or social. Divisions are overseen by a lieutenant governor, who is a representative of the District Board. The number of divisions and lieutenant governors varies by district.
Q: What's their purpose?
A: Divisions are established because it's one of many ways to keep clubs and their districts connected. Divisions are the link between the club and district level. They are there to answer any questions a club may have. They are there to remind clubs of upcoming dates and enforce the rules, like getting dues paid or getting monthly reports filled out. Divisions also update their clubs on the latest district news. Additionally, it's crucial for clubs and divisions to stay in touch because the district needs to promote events to every single club. They want everyone to know about the latest news, and they need to know how many clubs there actually are when planning district events, like Fall Rally and DCON.
Q: How do you get involved?
A: Just like the club level, one of the many ways you can get involved is by running for an officer position! With the appropriate experience or with enough drive, you can without a doubt become part of the District Board. At your District Convention, you can choose to run for a Lieutenant Governor position for your own division, a Liaison position for another division (they do the same work, different titles), or you could even apply for an executive position. This includes District Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, or Editor.
Districts
Q: What are they?
A: So far, you've seen that several members make up a club and several clubs make up a division, however, what happens when you have a million different divisions? Much like every other level, Divisions are clustered together to create a District. There are 33 organized districts throughout Key Club International with several others in formation. Each district, normally defined by states, territories, or a nation, is led by a District Governor with the backup of an executive committee.
Q: What's their purpose?
A: Districts are like branches in a business and Key Club International is cooperate (but less scary). Districts are made to ensure everything in their area is organized and running smoothly. This includes ensuring dues are paid, monthly report forms are sent in, and much more. Districts are also established because they are the source of communication for each Division. It's one of the many ways our members can keep in touch with the International level. Plus, Districts are also suppose to keep members engaged by planning events and rallies as well as any other social events. Lastly, Districts are what separate different representatives on the International Level. For example, when International elections begin, potential candidates are plucked from Districts, not Clubs. Each District is allowed to endorse one or two Trustees to represent them, but Clubs cannot endorse anyone. Additionally, each District is allowed one person, the District Governor, to vote in future International elections.
Q: How do you get Involved?
A: One of many ways to get involved is by running for an Executive District Position! It may sound scary, but I promise that you will not regret it! It's not as scary as it seems. Before applying for an executive position, good Key Club experience is highly encouraged. This includes having a Lt. Governor background or even experience as a club President or Vice President. In order to campaign, you must fill out the proper paperwork beforehand, create a "biosketch" (resume with colors and graphics), and you must prepare yourself for "caucusing" (speeches and interview questions). For more info, talk with your advisor or District Admin. Additionally, besides running for a position, you can get involved just by participating in District activities. Attend you District's Fall Rally and DCON and make yourself known.
District Pairings
Q: What are they?
A: A District Pairing is a group of three Districts overseen by one International Trustee. The Trustee works with each of its District Governors to ensure mutual success in the future. Traditionally, District Pairings have Instagram accounts and send out monthly newsletters.
Q: What's their purpose?
A: We have District Pairings because it’s simpler and more organized for the International and District levels to connect considering International can have a way to watch what’s going on within all of Key Club. They use one International Trustee to work closely with a trio of Districts in case Districts have questions or need extra help from the International level. In other words, District Pairings are the link between the District and International level. Additionally, it's crucial for District Pairings and Districts to stay in touch because the District Pairing needs to promote events to as many Key Clubbers as possible. They want everyone to know about the latest news, and they need to know how many clubs there actually are when planning International events like ICON. However, they wouldn't know this information without their Districts.
Q: How do you get involved?
A: One way to get involved with the District Pairing level is to run for International Trustee or District Governor. First, for International Trustee, you would need a strong background of Key Club and leadership experience. Being club president would most likely not qualify you for this position, however, Lt. Governors or Executive Position holders would. Not only would you need to be endorsed at your District Convention, but you would also need to go through caucusing at the International Level. It seems like a lot, but if you have a strong passion for Key Club, I highly encourage that you at least try for it. As for District Governors, you would also need a strong Key Club background, but you would only need to be elected at your District Convention. Now, besides trying to run for higher offices, a couple other ways to stay involved with your District Pairing is by following your District Pairing Instagram account, reading your Trustee's newsletters, participating in future District Pairing bonding nights, or joining your Trustee's officer hours. Although your Trustee's may seem intimidating due to their high Key Club position, they are here to help more than District Governors. Trustees help everyone in the Pairing! From general members to executive members.
International
Q: What are they?
A: International is the upmost part in all of Key Club. The International Board is chaired by the Key Club International President, with the aid of an International Vice President as second in command. There are also eleven other supporting board members known as International Trustees. Plus, these are same people assigned to a District Pairing.
Q: What's their purpose?
A: The purpose of International is to make sure that the entire organization is running smoothly and properly. Their goal is to make Key Club International the best it can possibly be for key clubbers from all around the world. They oversee everything and are the ones making any drastic changes in the organization. They can edit the rules and bylaws, start up new programs, connect with different service projects, and anything else you can imagine. In other words, they have the power to do just about anything!
Q: How do you get involved?
A: One way to get involved with the District level is to run for International Trustee. For International Trustee, you would need a strong background of Key Club and leadership experience. Being club president would most likely not qualify you for this position, however, LT. Governors or Executive Position holders would. Not only would you need to be endorsed at your District Convention, but you would also need to go through caucusing at the International Level. It seems like a lot, but if you have a strong passion for Key Club, I highly encourage that you at least try for it. Additionally, you can always run for International President and Vice President! These are some big shoes to fill, but with the proper experience and leadership skills, anyone can do it, trust me! Now, besides trying to run for higher offices, a couple other ways to stay involved with International is by following Key Club International social media accounts, reading your Trustee's newsletters, or by attending the International Convention.