REGULAR (Members in Good Standing)
An application of membership, along with the appropriate initial dues payment and a clear background check, allows the application to be formally approved by the Club Board of Directors. Members remain in “good standing” as long as their dues have been paid in accordance with the bylaws of the Club and a clear background check is obtain bi-annually. Members in “good standing” are able to vote on all matters affecting the Club and can hold an office or chairmanship. All “members in good standing” are also members of the Kiwanis Club of Sun City West Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Their good standing status allows them to vote on all matters concerning the Kiwanis Foundation as well as hold an office. A criminal background check conducted by a firm contracted by Kiwanis International is required of all members every two years. The background check is paid for by the Club.
CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP
A membership application in the name of the business needs to be submitted. The identifying owner or proprietor of the business must obtain a clear criminal background check and submit the appropriate dues payment before the Club Board can approve the Corporate membership application. A Corporate membership allows the owner or proprietor of the business to appoint a designated person(s) to attend meetings. That representative must also obtain a clear criminal background check. A Corporate membership allows for full participation in club activities and social events sponsored by the Club. However, Corporate members cannot vote on Club matters and cannot hold an office or chairmanship. They are not considered members of the Kiwanis Club of Sun City West Foundation. A criminal background check conducted by a firm contracted by Kiwanis International is required of all Corporate members every two years. The background check is paid for by the Club.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Though not a recognized form of membership by Kiwanis International, the Kiwanis Club of Sun City West extends a welcome to those who are winter visitors and are members in good standing with another club. The Club requires a clear criminal background check for those wishing to participate in any and all events involving children. If a current criminal background check has been obtained from a home club, it can be submitted if it was performed by Kiwanis International’s designated contract provider for background checks. Associate members are able to fully participate in all club activities and fundraising events but cannot vote on Club matters or hold an office or chairmanship. They are not considered members of the Kiwanis Club of Sun City West Foundation.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
This is an honorary status conferred on an individual who perpetuates the Objects and objectives of Kiwanis International. The recipient must have been a member of Kiwanis for at least three years. An application for Life Member Status by a club is subject to the approval of the club’s board of directors and must be signed by the president or secretary of the club. The recipient receives a gold-tone personalized membership card. Each card is individually numbered, and a permanent record is maintained at the International Office. A membership badge is also issued to the recipient. A one-time fee must accompany the application which is submitted to Kiwanis International for approval. Upon approval, the club will be exempt from payment of International dues for that member. Therefore, it is technically not a membership class but a dues status designation. Club members still may become a life member of Kiwanis International by paying 15 times the amount of Kiwanis International dues in effect at any given time.
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
This is a non-dues payment category that is reserved by the Club Board for the Faculty Advisors of our SLPs (Service Leadership Program) and other individuals the Board wishes to acknowledge. Honorary status allows the Club to provide such individuals with a magazine subscription without the obligation of paying dues, attending meetings or participating in Club activities.