Builders Club

For YEARS in our Club Leadership trainings, we were told NOT To USE ACRONYMS, and then your trainers (I've been one) promptly talked about our SOAPS (Sponsored Organizations and Programs) and for the last few years SLP's (Sponsored Leadership Programs). For most Kiwanians, SLP's are just letters when in reality they are one of the most important things we have and do in Kiwanis. SLP's are our K-Kids, our Builders Clubs, our Key Clubs, or Circle K's and our Aktion Clubs. They are all very important parts of our K-Family, and every Kiwanian needs to truly understand how important they are to our Kiwanis, our community's and our country's future. The SLP that I want to talk to you about is the one I'm involved with, the one I have seen have a tremendously positive impact on the lives of its members.
Builders Clubs are the reason I am still a member of Kiwanis and probably always will be.
A Builders Club is a student-run organization at the Middle or Junior High School level, sponsored by a Kiwanis Club and guided by a faculty Advisor and a Kiwanis Advisor. That doesn't sound like a really big deal, but trust me; Builders Clubs are REALLY BIG deals. I taught at least one and sometimes six Middle/Jr. High History classes each of the 36 years I taught school. I love this age group! They are enthusiastic, energetic, young people on the brink of becoming adults; who think they ARE adults. In short they are in that dreaded age of Puberty. An age when kids are extremely vulnerable, going through big changes in their lives: physically, mentally and emotionally. It is a pivotal and crucial point in their lives. While wanting to be independent, they need direction and support from adults. It's one of the most difficult times for their parents too, because at this age, kids don't want to be told what to do. Sadly, many parents just throw their hands up in frustration. Opportunity or disaster is just waiting to happen. How can we help? The answer is a Builders Club.
You and your Kiwanis club can help kids at this age to develop into self-confident, productive young adults filled with real self-esteem, capable of standing up to peer pressure and even stand up to drugs and drug dealers. These young people are a credit to themselves, their families and their communities. It's easy to do, just sponsor a Builders Club! I saw it happen to my students, every year. Not one of my students who became involved in our Builders Club was ever suspended again, at least not while they were in that school; and, my school had the highest poverty rate of any school in our school district.
You as Kiwanians can make a difference! I'll tell you more in the next ESK, but until then, start looking into getting a Builders Club started in your community. If I can be of any help, just call me (585) 342-7654 or write me at 91 Jewel Street, Rochester, NY 14621. Or, you can walk up to your Lt. Governor and ask them, "How do I start a Builders Club". You really will be changing your community, one child (one Builders Club) at a time.

Column Posted on Web Site December 29, 2013