If engaging with the community, developing leadership skills and spending time other students making crafts or planning community service events is what you are looking for this semester, you may consider attending the next Circle K meeting which will be held on Feb 17.
Circle K is an international organization run by students- it is a part of the Kiwanis family which offers programs from K-Kids at elementary school level, Builders for middle school, Key Club in high school, Circle K for collegiate level, Kiwanis for adults and Aktion club for those with disabilities. The club focuses on three core branches: service, fellowship and leadership, living by the motto “Live to serve; Love to serve.”
Circle K puts on numerous service projects throughout the community and campus from lake cleanups to working at the YMCA camp. Members of the club are given the opportunity to volunteer at a variety of events and build connections throughout the community. One major benefit, says Megan Korth, fourth year Winona State student and co-president of the club on campus, is access to community service events that students otherwise might not hear about.
Each Circle K club is given a Kiwanis advisor within the area. These advisors have a lot of experience within the program and volunteering in the area and they offer more expansive networking and resources.
“It’s a great opportunity to get to know Winona outside of campus. It gives you a lot of reasons to go see the city more than just, you would have otherwise,” Korth states.
The club carries out its goal of fellowship through bonding activities such as crafting and showing up to sporting and other campus events to support the community. The club also makes cards around holidays to give out around the community, always working to build relationships and spread kindness. Kael Jacobson, year one Winona State student and Public Relations Manager says, “We hope a positive impact and that people reach out to us is because we’re reliable and we’re credible. We hope that we better the community in any way that we’re able to.”
Circle K offers multiple different ways to build leadership skills and opportunities to attend conventions as a part of the Minnesota-Dakota district. Through service events students will build confidence and take on responsibilities within their community. There are also board positions available for students to take on and practice their leadership abilities while building their resumes. At the next meeting, the club will hold elections for chair positions for the next school year. Everyone is encouraged to come and learn more, as well as run for board, even if you don’t have experience. The current leaders will hold training days for those who are elected, so students can feel confident in networking with the Kiwanis program and providing for members.
There are many opportunities within the club to expand your skillset and meet new people, which is especially helpful for college students who are working to grow and learn to serve their community.
“I think that’s a really great organization because it can teach you, and you can have volunteer opportunities,” Jacobson says, “Through those momentary opportunities, you get to learn how to be a leader and learn good skills just to have in the world while doing things that benefit your community or benefit the world in total”
