In 1936, the Kiwanis Club of Pullman, WA instituted Circle K as a fraternity at Washington State University. In 1947, the First Circle K club was built at Carthage College in IL. In 1955, Kiwanis officially recognized Circle K as an International Organization. Each year Circle K members meet at an international convention to elect college students to serve as officers (President, Secretary, and 9 Trustees) to run the organization. The 1999 Convention was held in Houston, Texas and the 2000 Convention in San Diego, CA.
The main purpose of Circle K is to provide opportunities for college students with a commitment to leadership and community service. Circle K is not bound to any one particular service project. Rather, each club analyzes it's local situation and provides service to address those needs. Each member must have a willingness to serve, commitment to humankind, and dedication to the ideals of the organization. There are many benefits of Circle K, besides the rewards of service. You have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, compete for scholarships, attend district and regional training conferences, and other special recognition programs that reward dedicated members. Circle K also gives you a chance to be part of an internationally recognized organization, and you are able to get connections to professional and other career opportunities!
