Temporary new member fee waiver for existing Kiwanis clubs
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on communities worldwide. More than ever, kids and communities need Kiwanis. To encourage existing Kiwanis clubs to continue to invite new members, the Kiwanis International Board approved a new member fee waiver to bolster membership and help Kiwanis clubs perform the service needed in the wake of this pandemic and beyond. The Board encourages districts and clubs to comply with this waiver due to the emergency conditions presented by the pandemic.
APPROVED MOTION BY THE KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL BOARD
That the Kiwanis International Board approves the waiver of the Kiwanis International new member fee for any new members who join existing Kiwanis clubs between April 22, 2020, and September 30, 2020. Further, due to the emergency conditions and resulting effects created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board recommends districts and clubs to also waive their respective new member fees.
NEW CLUB NOTE FROM THE APPROVED AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
This recommendation is not applicable to charter members of new Kiwanis clubs joining during the same time period. Such charter members will pay the appropriate charter member fee then receive a waiver of dues for the administrative year 2020-2021. This additional waiver is not applicable nor appropriate for such charter members.
NEW CLUB CLARIFICATION
Clubs organized* on or before December 31, 2019, do not receive a dues waiver for the 2020-2021 administrative year. These clubs may submit additional members and be granted a new member fee waiver. Clubs organized* on or after January 1, 2020, must submit new member fees. These members receive a dues waiver for the 2020-2021 administrative year.
DISTRICT AND CLUB NEW MEMBER FEES
The Kiwanis International Board strongly requests districts and clubs to waive any new member fees. District Boards and Club Boards should meet to approve such waivers. Kiwanis International will not collect new member fees for districts during this period. If a district wishes to continue to collect a new member fee for members added through September 30, the district must invoice the club. Questions regarding member rosters for billing should be addressed to René Booker at rbooker@kiwanis.org.
DUES VERSUS FEES AT KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL
In addition to a new member fee (the amount a member remits to initially join Kiwanis International), insurance and magazine subscription are fees assessed in subsequent years. Dues are not assessed to new members. Annual dues are billed on members after their initial new member period beginning October 1.
*Organization date: The date the club officially hosts its organizational meeting. That date is placed on the new club information sheet and determines the club’s first day of business with Kiwanis International. This date holds even if club roster, dues, and bylaws have not been officially sent to Kiwanis International. Charter date: The date the club hosts a celebratory event to honor the club’s formation in the community. The charter date is not officially recorded at Kiwanis International.
