Circle K International

Organization

Circle K International is a service organization formed to help the community through various service projects. It is part of an umbrella of organizations led by Kiwanis International. Circle K International also aims to build fellowship and create leaders within the membership.

The organization raises funds for various causes. The major initiative is: “Focusing on the Future: Children” which aims to help children of ages six to thirteen. In 2007, Circle K partnered with the U.S. Fund to help raise $500,000 for UNICEF in efforts to help children around the world who do not have access to clean drinking water. This is called "Saving Lives – The Six Cents Initiative." It got its name from the cost in U.S. funds, to purchase one pack of rehydration salts to purify a day's worth of drinking water. Their service partners include UNICEF, Students Team Up to Fight Hunger (STUFH), March of Dimes, Better World Books, Junior Chamber International, and the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

In 2017, Circle K International partnered with UNICEF to adopt the five-year signature project WASH. Circle K International aims to provide education, awareness, and funding to supply clean drinking water and sanitation education to schools and children in Haiti to target Haiti's emergency needs to reach 200,000 people in cholera-affected areas with a complete WASH response package.

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 humanity’s potential."

History

In 1936, the "Circle K House" at Washington State College was established by the Kiwanis Club of Pullman, Washington. Organized as a fraternity, Kappa Iota Phi served men who needed financial aid to attend college. Kiwanians also wanted to provide collegiate students leadership opportunities for their future careers and work service projects to better their communities while having a sense of fellowship. In 1947, Circle K changed from a fraternity to a service organization. That year, the first Circle K club was chartered at Carthage College in Carthage, Illinois. In 1949, two more clubs were added, and by 1955 there were 147 clubs, at which point Circle K received official endorsement from Kiwanis International. Circle K International adopted the Kiwanians beliefs by establishing the three tenets of Service, Leadership, and Fellowship to bring a sense of purpose to the organization.

The Kiwanis International Board of Trustees accepted a proposal to allow the establishment of Circle K Districts on February 22, 1957. The very first Circle K District to be officially recognized was the Texas-Oklahoma District. The second Circle K District was Kentucky-Tennessee which was closely followed by Michigan. Four more Districts were added in the 1957–58 administrative year: Missouri-Arkansas, California-Nevada-Hawaii, Ohio, and Alabama.

In 1971, delegates at the International Convention voted to allow women into the organization. The move was initially met with resistance by Kiwanis, which must approve all changes to the Circle K governing documents. After nearly two years of debate, the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees approved the change on February 6, 1973, and Circle K became the first co-ed organization in the Kiwanis Family. In 1984, Susan E. McClernon was elected the first female International President of Circle K International.

In 1975, Gregory Faulkner from the New York District was elected to the position of International President. Faulkner was the first African-American International President. Faulkner's election and the admission of female members was symbolic of the new level of maturity and responsibility Circle K International had assumed over 20 years of service, growth and development.

At the International Convention in 1987, the delegates approved the use of the initials CKI as an official name of the organization. That same year, Kiwanis International voted to allow women into Kiwanis clubs. Key Club had gone co-ed in 1977.

As of the end of 2005, membership consisted of over 13,250 college students in 17 nations around the world. Most of the Circle K membership currently resides in North America, in 30 Districts recognized by Kiwanis International. Twenty-seven districts are entirely within the United States, while three districts are international representing Canada and the Caribbean. These three Districts are the Pacific Northwest (made up of Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and the Canadian province of British Columbia and Yukon Territory), Western Canada (Alberta and Manitoba), and Eastern Canada and the Caribbean. Districts-in-Formation exist in Eastern Canada, Central and South America, Australia, and the Pacific Rim.

Circle K International celebrated its 50th anniversary at the 2005 International Convention in Greensboro, North Carolina. The International Convention's theme was, "CKI's 50th Anniversary: 50 Never Looked So Good".

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the 2019-2020 International Board announced on April 22, 2020, that the upcoming convention in Las Vegas was canceled. The event was rescheduled for July 18, 2020 - July 19, 2020 as the organization's first free virtual conference and had over 955 registered attendees. The International Council convened for a virtual meeting on July 21, 2020, to elect officers for the International Board and to consider amendments to the policy code. In June 2021, due to the continued threat of the pandemic, CKI members were invited to the Kiwanis Education & Leadership Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah instead of holding their own International Convention. Once again, the International Council convened for a meeting to elect officers for the International Board and to consider amendments to the policy code instead of holding the traditional full House of Delegates.

International Conventions (CKIx)

Governance

CKI operates on a three-tiered system similar to Kiwanis International and Key Club International. The International Board oversees organizational policy, growth and international expansion. The International Board is elected at the International Convention held in a different city each summer. The CKI Board is composed of an International President, Vice-President, and five trustees who represent assigned districts. The International Board meets in-person in July of each service year upon being elected for the annual CKI International Board Trainer.

The 2025–2026 International Board

**International President: ** Jonathan Huang

International Vice-President: Neha Pasupuleti

**International Trustees: **

Trustee: Demarrie Brown

Districts: Alabama, Capital, Kentucky-Tennessee, Montana, Ohio, Texas-Oklahoma

Trustee: Emily Dailey

Districts: Florida, Michigan, New England, Pacific Northwest, Western Canada, Wisconsin-Upper Michigan

Trustee: Theodore Doyle

Districts: Carolinas, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee, New Jersey, New York

Trustee: Kelly Liland

Districts: Caribbean, Minnesota-Dakotas, Missouri-Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Southwest

Trustee: Elisabeth Madore

Districts: California-Nevada-Hawaii, Eastern Canada, Illinois-Eastern Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska-Iowa, Rocky Mountain

As of June 28, 2025, the above individuals, excluding CKI Trustees Demarrie Brown and Elisabeth Madore were elected to serve as the 2025 - 2026 CKI International Board at International Convention 2025, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

On August 26, 2025, a special election was held to fill the final two Trustee roles. Ultimately, Demarrie Brown of the Caribbean District and Elisabeth Madore of the Ohio District were elected to round out the 2025 - 2026 CKI International Board.

International Committees

International Committees serve as a support system for the International Board to implement new ideas and initiatives related to club growth and development. Each year, the International President and International Vice-President decide the official committees for their term, as well as appoint International Committee Chairs & Vice Chairs.

2025-2026 International Committees:

Membership Development and Education

• International Committee Chair: CKI Trustee Kelly Liland

• International Committee Vice Chair: Tyler Rosado, Carolinas

Kiwanis Family Relations

• International Committee Chair: CKI Trustee Theodore Doyle

• International Committee Vice Chair: Brianna Terhune, Florida

Service Programs and Partners

• International Committee Chair: CKI Trustee Emily Dailey

• International Committee Vice Chair: Brandon Denson, Georgia

International Convention

• International Committee Chair: CKI Trustee Elisabeth Madore

• International Committee Vice Chair: Ananya Bommineni, Michigan

Awards and Recognition

• International Committee Chair: CKI Trustee Demarrie Brown

• International Committee Vice Chair: Carly Brundies, Minnesota-Dakotas

District and Club Boards

District Boards provide support and guidance to the Circle K clubs within their geographical area. All districts are headed by a Governor, who oversees the District Board members that often consist of a District Secretary, District Treasurer, District Editor, and Lieutenant Governors. Several Districts combine two District positions into a District Secretary/Treasurer. In place of Lieutenant Governors, a number of Districts have incorporated presidents Councils. District Conventions are held every year (in February or March depending on the District) for member education, club officer training, and election of the next District Board. Districts are charged with implementing International policies within their represented clubs and otherwise enhancing the member experience. All District Boards are responsible for club building, Kiwanis Family relations, laws and regulations, membership retention/education, and planning District events for the membership (e.g., District Convention).

Club Boards (also known as club officers or club Executive Boards) are an important aspect of CKI, second only to the club members, as they are the elected leaders who work within their community. Club Boards work with their District Boards on membership recruitment strategies, Kiwanis Family projects, membership retention and education, and social events. Also, Club Boards plan community service projects and social events for their members. CKI recommends all clubs to elect their new Club Boards before their District Convention.

April 1 marks the CKI New Year each year, when club and district leadership transitions to newly elected officials.

Past international presidents

A. Mr. Creasy and Mr. Alford were president before a charter and separate constitution and by-laws were created for Circle K.

References

References

1. (April 2007). "Kiwanis International Financial Statement". Kiwanis International.
2. (September 2017). "Circle K surpasses goal by more than a hair". Circle K.
3. "Discover Circle K". Circle K International.
4. "Humanitarian Aid for Children in Crisis {{!}} UNICEF USA".
5. "STUFH – Students Team Up to Fight Hunger".
6. "The Tomorrow Fund". Circle K International.
7. (2010). "History of Circle K". Circle K International.
8. "Illinois Eastern Iowa District Illinois Eastern Iowa Past Award Winners at International Convention".
9. "History Bulletin on Kiwanis Establishing Circle K Clubs".
10. "Loading...".
11. "Georgia CKI history 1954".
12. "University of Michigan Circle K v1 n1".
13. "Randolph Kiwanis September 2005".
14. "International Speaking March 2005".
15. "Carolina May 2007 Bulletin".
16. "Builder Summer 2007".
17. [http://www.alabama.circlek.org/conferences/icon2008.html ICON 2008] {{webarchive. link. (July 25, 2011)
18. [http://slp.kiwanis.org/CircleK/magazine/08-08-18/News_from_the_House.aspx News from the House]{{dead link. (January 2018)
19. "The PNW Post".
20. [http://slp.kiwanis.org/CircleK/leadership/conventions/convo.aspx 2009 CKI Convention] {{webarchive. link. (September 3, 2009)
21. "Kiwanis Public News » CKI Convention. Birmingham. Be there!".
22. [http://slp.kiwanis.org/CircleK/leadership/conventions/2010ic.aspx 2010 CKI Convention] {{webarchive. link. (March 17, 2010)
23. [http://slp.kiwanis.org/CircleK/leadership/conventions/2011icon.aspx 2011 CKI Convention] {{webarchive. link. (January 28, 2011)
24. "CKIx15 Indianapolis".
25. "Nashville Convention 2014". Circlek.org.
26. "CKIx15 Indianapolis".
27. "Circle K history (Bowie State)".
28. (July 25, 2011). "Welcome ckiohio.org - BlueHost.com".
29. "Past Lieutenant Governors of Division 30".
30. "UA Circle K".
31. "Capital District Historians handbook".
32. "fresnocitycollegerampage.com".
33. "The Nittany Cub Behrend Campus Friday March 13, 1964".
34. "Scholarships Information".
35. "Sir Arthur Lewis Community College".
36. "A History of Circle K Part II".
37. [http://www.fordham.edu/campus_resources/enewsroom/inside_fordham/december_14_2009/news/fordham_celebrates_k_74005.aspFordham Celebrates Kiwanis/Circle K Partnerships]
38. "A History of Circle K Part IV".
39. "Montana Kiwanis KSPAN April–June 2005".
40. "SP College Web Factbook 2004–2005".
41. "Circle K history (Georgia)".
42. [http://www.kcss-ripples.org/members.php Kiwanis Club of Sandy Springs] {{webarchive. link. (July 26, 2011)
43. ["Kiwanis: men at work. - Free Online Library"](https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Kiwanis:+men+at+work.+(improving+more+than+8000+communities+around...-a03071078).
44. "Notre Dame NDCK Alumni".
45. "Notre Dame NDCK History".
46. "Products".
47. "Account Suspended".
48. "kiwanisnycyp.org".
49. [http://jimbeckforjudge.com/page2.shtml http://jimbeckforjudge.com/page2.shtml Jim Beck for Judge – about Jim]{{dead link. (August 2017)
50. [http://studentlife.tvcc.cc/residence/staff.htm Treasure Valley Community College staff] {{webarchive. link. (March 9, 2010)
51. "Key Club Members Attend Convention In California".
52. "Carol Clyde Vita".
53. "Millenium Plan".
54. "Kiwanis Club of Tucson news".
55. [http://www.kiwanis-nylin.org/archivedisplay.php http://www.kiwanis-nylin.org/archivedisplay.php New York Long Island North Archive]{{dead link. (August 2017)
56. "Kiwanis Club of Erie October 2001 newsletter".
57. "Dues Education 2002".
58. "New Member Orientation program 2002".
59. "LaMissTenn Happenings: 07/06/2003 - 07/13/2003".
60. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060103145313/http://njkiwanis.org/kiwanian7.pdf New Jersey Kiwanian October–November 2005]
61. "Florida District of Circle K International Fall 2005 Directory".
62. "Macaulay voted head of national Circle K".
63. "University president to speak at Convention".
64. "Club status".
65. "New York District Kiwanis International".
66. [http://slp.kiwanis.org/buildersclub/news/09-12-18/Honors_from_the_March_of_Dimes.aspx Honors from the March of Dimes] {{webarchive. link. (January 17, 2010)
67. "Account Suspended".
68. "Conventions". Circlek.org.