Hello Key Club leaders,
2024 was quite the year! Following a successful Key Club International convention in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. — where two dues-related bylaw amendments were passed to bolster Key Club’s long-term financial stability — the 2024-25 Key Club International Board started strengthening our organization.
In October, we introduced the Centennial Challenge, designed to foster membership growth and promote district development. I’m thrilled to report that as of December 11, Key Club’s membership has increased 30% over the same time last year. Nineteen districts have already earned points toward the Centennial Challenge, and three — Indiana, New England & Bermuda, and Pacific Northwest — have earned every available point. Thank you all for your effort so far. I look forward to seeing everything you accomplish in 2025 and beyond.
On March 23, Key Club will celebrate its 100th anniversary. I’m extremely proud to be part of an organization with such a storied history, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you all in Orlando, Florida, U.S., for the 2025 Key Club International Convention! Held at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, the convention will offer the Global Leadership Certificate Master Class, inspiring speakers and the election of the 2025-26 Key Club International Board. Keep an eye out for convention scholarship applications and workshop proposals, opening in January and February, respectively.
Entering 2025, international trustees will take a more active role in fostering membership growth in their district pairings. Trustees will work regularly with lieutenant governors to spur divisional growth, specifically by contacting club officers and advisors who did not meet the December 1 dues deadline.
In addition, the board will continue to promote Start Strong: Zambia. Since its inception in 2022, we’ve raised over US$176,000 for the development and education of children in Zambia. During our annual Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign, Key Club International raised over US$16,000.
In addition to Start Strong: Zambia, members can participate in April’s Key Club Walks for Thirst Project, our partner organization dedicated to ending the global water crisis. Last year, Key Club Walks raised US$5,000, and that, along with around US$7,000 of donations from individual Key Clubs doing fundraisers outside of Key Club Walks, gave clean water to the Black Mbuluzi Nazarene Primary School in Africa.
Key Club members have completed almost 40,000 Global Leadership Certificate courses since the program launched in 2021. The 40 online courses that are available to all members are designed to cultivate leadership, fellowship and a passion for service. Completion of the Global Leadership Certificate will help members appeal to college admissions officers and future employers — and it will help them develop the soft skills they’ll need in a professional environment.
Finally, district convention season is quickly approaching. Key Club conventions are the best way to meet other service-oriented high school students from all over the world. As Key Club International president, I encourage every eligible member to consider running for district or international office. If you have any questions about the elections process, you can always contact me or your international trustee, who will be present at your district convention.
Thank you for your dedication to Key Club. Your impact is like a ripple in a pond — it spreads far and wide, touching lives and making a real difference.