Builders Club News

The Skills Kiwanis Youth Develop

lpyron — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 19:48:51 GMT

Our programs help club members develop important social and emotional skills that promote meaningful connections with self and others. Club members learn to be mindful servant leaders who pause and welcome each new experience with non-judgment and acceptance.

There are four skill sets club members master through involvement in our programs. They include: social and emotional skills, growth mindset, habits of mind and happiness habits. Each skill set is highlighted below.

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS

Self-awareness
Accurately accessing one's feelings, interests, values and strengths/abilities, and maintaining a well-grounded sense of self-confidence.

Self-management
Regulating one's emotions to handle stress, control impulses and persevere in overcoming obstacles; setting personal goals and academic goals and then monitoring one's progress toward achieving them. The ability to express emotions constructively.

Social awareness
Taking the perspective of empathizing with others; recognizing and appreciating individual and group similarities and differences; identifying the following social standards of conduct; and recognizing and using family, school and community resources.

Relationship skills
Establishing and maintaining healthy and rewarding relationships based on cooperation; resisting inappropriate social pressure; preventing, managing and resolving interpersonal conflict; and seeking help when needed.

Responsible decision-making
Making decisions based on consideration of ethical standards, safety concerns, appropriate standards of conduct, respect for others and likely consequences of various actions; applying decision-making skills to academic and social situations; and contributing to the well-being of one's school and community.

GROWTH MINDSET

Youth who have a growth mindset are resilient and view failure as an opportunity to learn a different problem-solving strategy. They’re lifelong learners who don’t give-up when faced with adversity. Young people with a growth mindset learn to love challenges, learn from mistakes and value effort and lifelong learning. They’re also aware of their inner monologue and use self-compassion to promote a calm, clear perspective so that problem-solving and constructive action take place.

HABITS OF MIND

Cultivating habits of the mind in youth helps them effectively assess and solve complex problems. Club members learn these habits through their community-service efforts.

These habits include:

Persisting
Persevering in task through completion: remaining focused. Looking for ways to reach your goal when stuck. Not giving up.

Managing impulsivity
Thinking before acting: remaining calm, thoughtful and deliberative.

Listening with understanding and empathy
Devoting mental energy to another person’s thoughts and ideas: Try to perceive another’s point of view and emotions.

Thinking flexibly
Being able to change perspectives, generate alternatives, consider options.

Thing about your thinking (mindsight – understanding our inner voice)
Being aware of your own thoughts, strategies, feelings and actions and their effects on others.

Striving for accuracy
Always doing your best. Setting high standards. Checking and finding ways to improve constantly.

Questioning and problem-posing
Having a questioning attitude: knowing what data are needed and developing questioning strategies to produce those data. Finding problems to solve.

Applying past knowledge to new situations
Accessing prior knowledge; transferring knowledge beyond the situation in which it was learned.

Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision
Strive for accurate communication in both written and oral form; avoiding over-generalizations, distortions, deletions and exaggerations.

Gathering data through all senses
Pay attention to the world around you. Gather data through all the senses: taste, touch, smell, hearing and sight.

Creating, imagining and innovating
Generating new and novel ideas, fluency, originality.

Responding with wonderment and awe
Finding the world awesome, mysterious and being intrigued with phenomena and beauty.

Taking responsible risks
Being adventuresome; living on the edge of one’s competence. Try new things constantly.

Finding humor
Finding the whimsical, incongruous and unexpected. Being able to laugh at one’s self.

Thinking interdependently
Being able to work in and learn from others in reciprocal situations. Teamwork.

Remaining open to continuous learning
Having humility and pride when admitting we don’t know; resisting complacency.

HAPPINESS HABITS

According to neuroscience research, happiness is a skill set that can be learned. We can re-wire the brain for happiness by participating in specific activities and practices. Why is being happy important? When we’re happier, we think better, we connect more meaningfully with self and others, we retain what we learn, we sleep more soundly and we respond rather than react.

The practices that help us grow happiness also help us develop empathy, compassion and kindness. Here are the 7 Happiness Habits based on neuroscience, positive psychology and mindfulness studies.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness, the ancient practice of focusing non-judgmental awareness on the present moment and thoughts, is increasingly recognized in today’s scientific community as an effective way to reduce stress, increase self-awareness, enhance emotional intelligence and effectively manage painful thoughts and feelings.

Gratitude
Research has found that gratitude can significantly increase your happiness and protect you from stress, negativity, anxiety and depression. Gratitude practice is one of the easiest ways to counter the brain’s negativity bias or the tendency to cling to the negative.

Physical Wellness
According to research, if you have a good sense of well-being, it’s easier to maintain good habits such as exercising, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep. People with optimistic mindsets are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors because they perceive them as helpful in achieving their goals.

Giving Back, Altruism
Happiness and altruism are intimately linked. Doing good is an essential ingredient to being happy, and happiness helps spark kindness and generosity.

Science suggests that how we spend our time and resources is as important, if not more important, than the amount of money we make. Giving to others releases endorphins, activating the parts of our brains that are associated with trust, pleasure and social connection.

Authenticity, Vulnerability, Forgiveness
What lies at the root of social connection? The ability to be vulnerable and courageous enough to be your authentic self. When you embrace an authentic and vulnerable stance to life, people will meet you there in that openness, allowing you to experience true connection.

Forgiveness is a byproduct of living authentically and vulnerably. Forgiveness offers patient encouragement of growth. Practicing forgiveness not only benefits the person you forgive; research shows that it has tangible benefits allowing one to let go releasing anger and resentment.

Social Connection, Empathy, Compassion
When connection with others is present, it can boost mental and physical health and increase immunity and longevity. Our happiness depends on the happiness of those we are connected to. Science shows that through practicing happiness, we make those we meet happier. Happiness is contagious!

Meaning, Purpose, Strengths, Success
Happiness fuels success, not the other way around. Science has shown that, “The brain at positive is 31 percent more productive than at negative, neutral or stressed,” reports Shawn Achor, a happiness researcher and author of the Happiness Advantage. The type of work you do is key: Engaging in meaningful activity is a big indicator of happiness.

LEARN MORE

Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning
Visit the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) to learn more about how social and emotional skills make a difference in a young person and their future.

The Mindset Scholars Network
The Mindset Scholars Network’s mission is to advance our scientific understanding of learning mindsets in order to improve student outcomes and expand educational opportunity. It conducts original interdisciplinary research, builds capacity for high quality mindset scholarship and disseminates the latest scientific knowledge through outreach to education stakeholders. Learn more about growth mindset here.

The Institute for Habits of the Mind
The Institute for Habits of Mind offers professional development through virtual media, workshops, consultations and conference. Learn more.

Project Happiness
Multiply the number of social and emotional skills club members learn by getting your happy on and using Key Club's Guide to Project Happiness. Learn more about integrating happiness into your life at projecthappiness.org.

NBC News Education Nation – (Parents resource for Social and Emotional Learning)
NBC News Education Nation has produced an online social and emotional learning toolkit for parents that offers a wide variety of resources and information. This toolkit can be used by anyone interested in helping young people attain these skills. Learn more at parenttoolkit.com.

Make a mini-booklet and share about Kiwanis youth programs

Mini-booklet

Instructions to fold the mini-booklet

Saying thank you in April

lpyron — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 17:38:40 GMT

Appreciation doesn’t need to be formal to be profound. Volunteers who feel noticed and appreciated are much more likely to keep supporting your club — and to spread the word about the work you’re doing. No matter how much people have helped your club, they all deserve recognition for their contributions.

In the United States, there are a few upcoming opportunities:

Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 7 – 13, 2019
Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, April 22 – 26, 2019
Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6 – 10, 2019

Here are ideas to get members started:

Make a bulletin board. Decorate using a theme and incorporate the names and photos of all the volunteers who have supported the club. Take a photo of the bulletin board and incorporate it into club communications, such as a newsletter or social media channels.

Pick up the phone. Either individually or as a group, members can reach out to thank each volunteer. Record the call and show your sponsoring Kiwanis club.

Put it in writing. Host a card-making meeting where members are encouraged to get creative. Use stickers, incorporate photos of past service projects, or craft pop-up art to make each thank-you note personal and meaningful.

Host a recognition event. Ask a local business to help sponsor a breakfast, lunch or award ceremony. It’s a great way to get help with hosting. Incorporate a public recognition aspect to mention volunteers’ specific contributions.

Need more ideas? Check out the Builders Club Pinterest board for more fun and easy examples.

The importance of reflection

lpyron — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 18:43:09 GMT

We do not learn from experience. … We learn from reflecting on experience. ~John Dewey, American philosopher

Reflection is a critical part of any service project. It gives members a chance to process what they learned from the experience and to think about what they can do moving forward. As an advisor, you may notice the impact of reflection in greater self-confidence, stronger problem-solving skills and an increased connection between members.

There are many ways to encourage reflection. Here are three suggestions:

Peer interviews. Members can pair up and ask each other questions about their experience and then share their answers with the group. The club can brainstorm interview questions or use this reflection guide.

Presentation. The club can collaborate on a video or slideshow about their service project and present the slideshow to school administration, as well as the sponsoring Kiwanis club or the organization they served. Or all three!

Journal. A personal or group journal encourages reflection at each stage of the service project (brainstorming, planning and execution). After the final entry, members can use journal notes to write an article — and submit it to the local or school newspaper.

And the winner is!

lpyron — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 18:26:12 GMT

Congratulations to the best poster, best essay, best speech, best video contest winners.

Best Poster — Kingsland Middle School, Minnesota-Dakotas Kiwanis District
Best Essay — Merritt Brown Middle School, Florida Kiwanis District
Best Speech — Corner Lake Middle School, Florida Kiwanis District
Best Video — Mason Middle School, Ohio Kiwanis District

If your club didn’t have an opportunity to participate in December, more contest opportunities are available. Submit entries by May 1, 2019, for the following recognition opportunities.

Annual Achievement Award
Kiwanis Children’s Fund Leadership Award
Distinguished Club Officers
Distinguished Advisors
Best Scrapbook

Visit the Builders Club contest page to learn more.

Share gratitude on Valentine's Day

lpyron — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 17:55:49 GMT

Begin planning now and help club members celebrate gratitude during Valentine’s Day by thanking others. Work with club members to compile a list of all the people who help them on a daily basis. The list might include the bus driver, custodian, cafeteria workers, school nurse, school counselors, and teachers. Club members may also want to work together to make Valentine’s care packages filled with letters and drawings to send to nursing home residents or to military personnel serving abroad.

Be sure to provide opportunities for a discussion prior to selecting a project to help students develop a passion around appreciation and to connect this passion to the project. Going through this process with the club members allows them to discover their passion for giving and helping others.

Here are 25 + Valentine's Day crafts for kids that are sure to please.

Connect with Key Club

lpyron — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 18:16:43 GMT

Builders Club puts students on the path to lifelong servant leadership. Help them stay on that path after middle school. Encourage members to join Key Club in high school. In fact, get them familiar with the program now! We have ideas for making a lasting connection.

Ask Builders Club officers to contact Key Clubs in your area and see if the two clubs can collaborate. Here are three suggestions:

Share about Key Club. Encourage Builders Club members to visit the Key Club website and learn more about what Key Club members do.
Find Key Club's in your area and attend each other’s meetings. This is a great way for the two clubs to support each other and even combine their efforts as they make a difference in the community. When members are regularly in each other’s presence, the clubs can learn from each other and share ideas. Find Key Clubs in your state/district.
Serve together. Encourage the club presidents to coordinate a project in which members from both clubs serve side by side. Check out the Key Club service directory to see what types of project Key Club members conduct. This might spark ideas.
Be social. A great way the two clubs can get to know each other is through fellowship. This can be something as simple as a pizza party or a tour of the high school. Plan an event during Builders Club Week in March. It’s an opportunity for middle school students who are curious—maybe even a little nervous—about high school to have a relaxed setting to explore and ask questions. Builders Club members should take the opportunity to ask Key Clubbers what it’s like to be in high school. Work with your members to brainstorm questions, so they go in feeling comfortable asking the teens about their experiences.
Start a Key Club. If there isn't a Key Club in the high school that graduating Builders Club members will attend, empower them by providing members with the resources to build one.
Share your Builders Club/Key Club connection. If your Builders Club was successful at connecting with a Key Club, let us know what you did. Email buildersclub@kiwanis.org.

Send your #TOT4UNICEF funds by December 31!

lpyron — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 14:00:00 GMT

Submit funds
Thank you for joining the fight to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus! Once your club has collected all donations, send a check or money order (made payable to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund) and this completed gift form to:

The Eliminate Project: Campaign Office

Kiwanis Children’s Fund

PO Box 6457 – Dept 286

Indianapolis, IN 46206 USA

ATTN: Trick-or-Treat

It’s important to send your funds directly to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund. That way they can keep track of all funds raised. Remember, clubs that submit $250 or more will receive a special banner patch. Other recognition awards are also available.

Celebrate
And now that the hard work is done, share what your club did! Recognize members’ contribution to eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus with a certificate. Announce your club’s accomplishment to the school and your sponsoring Kiwanis club. Hold a pizza party or ice cream social. No matter how your club celebrates, share your stories with us at Campaign@TheEliminateProject.org, Facebook and Twitter—or mail your letters, drawings and photos to the campaign office at the address listed above.

De-stress for better connection

lpyron — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 17:40:04 GMT

Stress is part of life. We can’t ignore it or run away from it, but we can learn to manage our response to stressors. When we do this we’re more optimistic, think more clearly, learn more effectively, feel more connected to others and are better at responding instead of reacting.

Before we can learn to manage our stress response, we need to know what stress feels like in the body. Knowing this helps us recognize what’s happening so we can act. Take a moment to think about what you feel when experiencing stress. Does your heart race? Do you feel jittery or ill? Do you lose focus and shut down? Think about what situations evoke these feelings.

Now that you know what to watch for, embrace the calm in these situations by doing one of the following practices based on Neuroscience, Positive Psychology and Mindfulness. Share these practices with club members to help them manage their stress.

Name it to tame it
Name the negative emotion you’re feeling out loud. Anger, Sadness, Frustration, whatever it might be – name it!
Now take three calming breaths and say these words silently as you breathe. With each in-breath: “Peace.” With each out-breath: “Release said emotion.”

Why it works
Naming the emotion reduces the emotion’s impact. When we acknowledge emotions and release them we can experience the emotion without being overwhelmed or carried away by it. Even naming the emotion without doing the breathing works.

Take three deep breaths
Take a deep breath in through your nose, and release the breath slowly through your mouth. Do this three times. Notice how you diaphragm raises with the in-breath and falls with the out-breath.

Why it works
Deep diaphragmatic breathing with a slow exhale is key to stimulating the vagus nerve, activating the parasympathetic nervous system. It lowers stress, reduces heart rate and blood pressure and calms you down.

Offer self-compassion
We’re great at comforting friends when they’re having trouble, but what if we’re in a bad spot? Research says we resort to negative self-talk. Instead of belittling self over something that went wrong, offer self-compassion. Here’s how.
Acknowledge your suffering. Example: “I feel really awful about this situation.”
Acknowledge that suffering is part of life and that others experience this too.
Be kind to yourself. Place your hand over your heart and say comforting words silently. Example: “It’s alright, I learned from this and will do better.”

Why it works
Using self-compassion turns off the fight, flight and freeze stress response that is triggered by negative self-talk. Offering words and actions of self-compassion and forgiveness calm the brain allowing the reasoning section of the brain (pre-frontal cortex) to come online.

Be grateful
List 10 things or people for whom you feel grateful. Either write it down or say this silently to self.

Why it works
When we think about why we’re grateful, our natural feel-good hormones — dopamine and oxytocin — are released in the brain. These hormones calm the brain and prime the neuropathways for better learning. This is a great practice to use for test taking anxiety.

Recall happy times
Think of a happy memory from an earlier time. Recall everything that happened and exactly how you felt at the time. Experience the happy emotions.

Why it works
When we recall happier times, we recreate all the good feelings from the event. We trick the brain into feeling happy and the feel-good hormones — dopamine and oxytocin — flood the brain, boosting our mood and calming us.

Make someone smile
Notice the people around you. Really see them. Is there something amazing you notice about someone near? Approach this person and give them a sincere compliment. A kind word from the heart.

Why it works
When you do a kind deed for someone else, you’re rewarded. Your brain is flooded with the feel-good hormones of dopamine and oxytocin. You feel more connected to the person you complimented, your mood is elevated, and you feel happy and calm. The great news is that the person you complimented experiences the same thing.

Laugh out loud
Laugh for no reason, without relying on humor, jokes or comedy. Just laugh out loud. Practice in the mirror in the morning or in the car before driving to school. This is just one of the laughing yoga practices. Learn about more laughing yoga at laughteryoga.org.

Why it works
Laughing tricks the brain into feeling happy and energized. The feel-good hormones dopamine and oxytocin are released, boosting your mood and calming the brain which relieves stress.

Revisit the present moment (Body scan)
Doing a quick body scan helps us check-in and affirm what we’re feeling. It can be done sitting or standing, with eyes open or closed anywhere you happen to be. Take a deep in-breath and relaxing slow out-breath. Place your attention at the top of your head noticing any sensations. Now move your attention down the body focusing on each body part. Finish by focusing attention on your feet and how they’re connected to the earth.

Why it works
Focusing on body sensations brings us back to the present moment. We leave all our worries and regrets behind to focus in the here and now through our senses. This is a mini vacation for the brain. A reboot that reconnects us with the current moment. This stress-relieving practice can be used any time but is especially helpful when trying to quiet the mind for studying or sleep.

Learn mindfulness meditation
Mindful awareness is paying attention in a specific way: on purpose, in the present moment, without judgment. We can learn this skill by practicing mindfulness meditation, a type of meditation that can be done anywhere at any time. Try these free guided meditations available from the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center: http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations.

Find your happy
According to the newest scientific research about happiness, when we’re happier we manage our stress more effectively and bounce back quicker when faced with challenges and difficulties. Learn more about all the techniques mentioned here and check out resources to help in finding true sustainable happiness at www.keyclub.org/projecthappiness.

Kiwanis Youth Protection Week

lpyron — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Together, Kiwanis advisors and faculty advisors play an important role in the protection of Builders Club members. It’s all part of providing an environment in which they learn to become leaders.

Faculty advisors to Builders Clubs are encouraged to read the Kiwanis Youth Protection Guidelines and share the school’s own youth protection policies with the sponsoring Kiwanis club.

Kiwanis advisors to Builders Clubs are required to have a clear criminal history background check conducted and verified by Kiwanis International on file with the Kiwanis club, and to follow all school policies regarding youth safety. By offering a standard, comprehensive background check for all Kiwanis advisors, we can be confident that all Kiwanis clubs are protecting those we serve—and protecting Kiwanis members too.

If you do not already have a background check completed through Kiwanis International, contact your Kiwanis club’s secretary to update your information in the Kiwanis secretary dashboard of the Kiwanis online reporting system. Once your status is updated, you will receive an email with instructions on how to complete your background check.

All background checks are kept confidential. Individuals will not be notified if the background check is clear. It will, however, be marked in the Kiwanis club secretary dashboard as clear.

Sneak Peek: Program Kits

lpyron — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 11:00:00 GMT

The Builders CLub kit includes great resources! Members will find resources and materials to help make 2018-19 a memorable year.

Here’s a sneak peek at this year’s kits:

Member handbooks. Encourage students to refer to the handbook regularly. This year, it includes a calendar for planning events, and it’s handy for sharing information with parents.
Member pins. Ensure members receive a pin so they can show their Builders Club pride. Designate a day each week (preferably club meeting day) for members to wear their pins at school.
Officer and advisor pins. In addition to the member pin, give each advisor and officer a pin to reflect his or her title. Host a club officer installation to honor new officers. A suggested outline for this ceremony event is on page 34 of the advisor guide.
Pledge poster. Help members remember the Builders Club pledge through the school year by hanging this poster in your club meeting room.
Officer guides. Guides are designed specifically for each club officer role (president, vice president, etc.). Each guide is unique to a position’s responsibilities, but all are designed with the same basic structure—with job descriptions, tools to help plan or prepare, resources and helpful websites, and checklists of responsibilities.
IDEA Toolkit. Encourage club officers to lead club members through activities using this toolkit. Members will Identify the Need, Develop the Passion, Execute the Project and Advance the Impact of future community service projects using this resource.
Table tents. Table tents include the title of each club officer to use during club meetings. Consider laminating them to keep them in good condition, or collect them after every meeting.
Advisor guide. Created for both the faculty advisor and the Kiwanis advisor, this guide is filled with information and tips for supporting a Builders Club.

Planning your Trick-or-Treat Outing

lpyron — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Halloween is your club members’ chance to save lives and have fun—for less than the cost of a bag of Halloween candy. It’s easy to participate. Here are five simple steps to pass along to club members so they can plan their project:

Pick a fundraiser. Collect funds door-to-door. Dance the night away alongside vampires and werewolves. Host a "trunk-or-treat." Enjoy an old-fashioned pumpkin pie bake-off. The ideas are endless. Click here to find a few!

Set your goal. Estimate what you'll raise through your project. Then subtract your expenses. This is your fundraising goal.
Get supplies. Do you have everything you need to host your fundraiser? Order collection boxes at the Kiwanis Family Store. Do you need decorations, food or costumes? Consider asking for donations from local businesses or even large chain stores.
Promote your event. Check out our social media graphics to promote your event online. Or make your own flier or display. Let everyone know about the upcoming event and how they can donate. And share the information with your sponsoring Kiwanis club.
Submit your donations. Send your donations to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, along with the donation form. If your club submits US$250 Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF donations by December 31, 2018, your club will earn a banner patch.

Thank you for helping the Kiwanis family eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. For more information, visit our Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF webpage. Or email The Eliminate Project campaign staff.

The power of awe

lpyron — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Researchers describe awe as "that sense of wonder we feel in the presence of something vast that transcends our understanding of the world." People commonly experience awe in nature. According to researchers, experiencing awe diminishes the emphasis on the individual self and encourages people to improve the welfare of others.

Here's an easy way to introduce club members to the experience of awe. View nature up close and personal with the help of Explore.org's nature cams. That's right, club members can watch live nature cams in real time and watch gorillas in Africa, brown bears in Alaska, pandas in China, or bison in Canada.

Club members can experience awe without leaving the classroom. Visit explore.org/livecams or download the Explore2Go app. Connect with the natural world by viewing wildlife in national parks, wildlife reserves, farm sanctuaries and animal rescues.

Suicide prevention month

lpyron — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 11:00:00 GMT

September is Suicide Prevention Month. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 41,000 individuals die by suicide each year in the United States, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss. Learn about resources that can help raise awareness and prevent the loss of life.

Resources

Member kits to arrive in September!

lpyron — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 21:39:00 GMT

It’s that time of year! The 2018-19 membership kits will be mailed to all active clubs in September. To help ensure that the Builders Club receives its kit with enough materials, reach out to the secretary of your sponsoring Kiwanis club. Have that person complete the following steps by August 31:

1. Log into the Membership Update Center at www.kiwanis.org/login.
Choose the Kiwanis club that sponsors the Builders Club.

2. Select the secretary dashboard icon from the menu on the left side of the screen.
Scroll down to the Sponsorships section and select the pencil icon next to the Builders Club that the club sponsors.

3. Update club information. Confirm or update the membership count.

4. Update the mailing address. Verify or update the mailing address (include the attention address line) to which the membership kit should be shipped. If a mailing address is not updated, the kit will be mailed to the Kiwanis club secretary.

Repeat steps 2-4 for each Builders Club that the club sponsors.

WHAT WILL I RECEIVE IN THE BUILDERS CLUB PROGRAM KIT?
The program kit includes essential tools to help you guide club members throughout the year. Learn more about the items included in each renewal kit.

WHAT IF I NEED MORE MATERIALS OR HAVE QUESTIONS?
If your Builders Club has more members than provided in the member kit, supplemental kits can be ordered starting October 1 through the Kiwanis club’s secretary dashboard or from the Kiwanis International Member Services team at 317-875-8755 (worldwide) or 800-KIWANIS, ext. 411 (USA and Canada) or e-mail memberservices@kiwanis.org. Additional kits cost US$25 and include member materials for 30 members. Payment must be received before additional kits will be shipped.

WHAT IF I ENCOUNTER ISSUES WHEN RENEWING ONLINE?
Contact the Kiwanis International Member Services team at 317-875-8755 (worldwide) or 800-KIWANIS, ext. 411 (USA and Canada) or e-mail memberservices@kiwanis.org. We'll work with you to complete the registration process.

Thank you for supporting Builders Club!

Connecting with Builders Club members

lpyron — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 21:52:00 GMT

Builders Club members are exploring their independence. As an advisor, you’re a key figure—an adult role model and mentor. Here are five ways to lay the foundation for a meaningful relationship with members:

Learn and use their names. When you address someone by name, you show that person respect. Show members that they’re important by taking the time to learn and use their names.
Celebrate individuality. Middle school students are trying to figure out who they are and what place they have in the world. They might be exploring ways to dress, act and talk. Embrace their individuality and uniqueness, rather than judging or stereotyping.
Share a little about yourself. Take time to tell personal stories or share some of your interests and hobbies. The more comfortable your students are with you, the more relaxed and receptive they will be.
Take an interest in their lives. Learn a little about each member. Find out some of their hobbies, what kind of music they like and what they do in their spare time.
Smile. Young people rely heavily on nonverbal communication and watch those around them for nonverbal cues. When you give anyone a smile, it’s welcoming and inviting—especially for someone of middle-school age.