August 2012
2 posts
3 tags
Project #17 - Back to School Part 2 (Stuff a Bus)
Continuing on this school supplies trend of service projects! We’ve already talked about one way to donate school supplies (through backpack kits or donations). This next one focuses more on the collection aspect than on the donating aspect (how to get the supplies, as opposed to where to donate them).
Part 2 - Stuff a Bus
For those who have never experienced a stuff a bus program, the...
July 2012
2 posts
4 tags
Project #16 - Back to School Part 1 (Backpack...
I went to Staples yesterday to buy some refills for my planner when I noticed, finally, that everything is going on sale for Back to School season! That means folders for 10 cents, dollar packs of paper and tons of other super low sale costs.
This is not only the ideal time for you to buy your materials for school (and arts and craft materials for CKI), but also the perfect opportunity to...
Apologies for Delayed Messages!
Hello ladies and gents!
Sorry for the lack of posting in the past few days/weeks! I participated in the 2012-2013 CKI Board Trainer this past week, where the International Board was trained in all things CKI! I was able to bring back some great ideas, some inspired by our very own districts, and so I can’t wait to continue sharing these with you via this tumblr!
To find more CKI-specific...
June 2012
5 posts
3 tags
Project #15 - No Sew Blankets
No Sew Blankets, for anyone who has never seen them, are blankets that are made without any sewing (thus avoiding the use of needles and other prickly things). They’re relatively simple to make and a lot of organizations take them, so this post will include some ways to “spruce up” your no sew blankets :)
As you can see here, no sew blankets are traditionally made out of...
1 tag
("Organization #4") Project - The Eliminate...
Website: http://sites.kiwanis.org/kiwanis/en/theeliminateproject/home.aspx
So for those who do not know, the Eliminate Project focuses one Eliminating Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) from the world through the use of vaccines. Three vaccines, enough to immunize a mother for up to ten years, costs only $1.80.
Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus is a disease that ravages the poorest of the poor. Most...
3 tags
Project #14 - Hygine Kits
Hygiene kits are always needed in Battered Women’s Shelters and Homeless Shelters. Therefore, a great way to help these local shelters out is to create hygine kits for individuals who live there!
Like any other collection-based service project, you are going to first want to see if there are places that will take them. Some battered women’s shelters and homeless shelters only take...
2 tags
Social #3 - Large Scale Scavenger Hunt
A large scale scavenger hunt is a scavenger hunt which lasts for longer than a few days (traditionally about a week or two). With so much time, you’re going to need a butt ton of clues, so plan early!
We like to split our clues into multiple categories: - Activities (do something and take a picture) - Findings (find something and take a picture) - Time Constricted (clues that only last for...
2 tags
Fundraiser #6 - Picnic/Spirit Day
Sorry for the lack of posting recently… my computer went haywire a few days ago and I haven’t been online to post but I am back with more CKI ideas than ever before!
So, finally, the weather is getting nicer, which means there are more and more opportunities to go outside and have a bit of fun :) Which means its also the perfect time to go out and raise that money!
Like all other...
May 2012
4 posts
2 tags
Project #13 - Helping out at a Playground
As I found this weekend, playgrounds are always places that are in need of help and upkeeping. Because many playgrounds are used day in and day out by families, baby sitters and schools, playgrounds must be built sturdy and kept well so that kids can play in them safely and for years to come.
This past weekend, I had the joy of working in a playground in NYC to help paint a wall and a few parts...
3 tags
Project #12 - Couponing Donation
This is a relatively new project I learned about from the Queens College Circle K (President: Daniel, LtG: Kelly) from the New York District. Since couponing has become recently very popular, service project volunteers have looked into ways that couponing could be turned into great in house service project ideas.
For those who do not understand what “extreme couponing” is, couponing...
1 tag
Project #11 - Donate Bears to Hospitals
Hospitals are always in need of toys, particularly hospitals with a large pediatric center. This is especially true in big cities (I live in NYC and, during the summer, I notice this is an issue when I volunteer at hospitals and such). When they do have toys, these toys are often so overused that it’s difficult to keep up with these toys.
Because of this, donating toys and bears are a great...
3 tags
Project #10 - No Sew Blankets
No Sew Blankets are a somewhat expensive but very cute service project that encourages members to work with each other to make blankets for hospitals, kids or shelters.
Here’s a quick online guide to making No Sew Blankets: http://www.instructables.com/id/No-Sew-Fleece-Blanket/
As you can see, the point is to take 2 seperate fleece pieces, cut vertical lines into the sides and then tie...
April 2012
11 posts
2 tags
Project #9 - Advocacy Letters
This was a very popular project back in the day and, while it doesn’t receive the same amount of attention from clubs today, this project can actually be surprisingly fun. Plus, it really doesn’t take that much work!
Advocacy letters or petitions were popular “way back when,” as a means to bring awareness to a specific cause or to encourage congressmen to vote a specific...
1 tag
Project #8 - Help Set Up at a Walk
Walks are becoming very popular as fundraisers to bring money in for large organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and Autism Speaks. During the months of April to September, these walks are especially popular because the weather is nice, people are itching to go outside, and interest in exercising is in full swing (you know, before bikini weather).
However, walks do not run themselves...
2 tags
Fundraiser #5 - Painted Bra Auction
This one is specifically for Breast Cancer awareness, although an overall art auction would also work for any general fundraiser.
The premise,specifically, for a Painted Bra Auction is this: Encourage local artists (or art majors on your campus) to paint a bra. These bras are not actually to be used as bras themselves, but are in fact used as a form of decorated art. By auctioning them off, you...
Soft Release of CKI Prezi Presentation →
1 tag
Social #2 - Youtube Overnight (Sleepover)
This works significantly better if your club is smaller or if it’s a board retreat, but a movie overnight (aka: a sleepover) is a great way for your members to get cozy with each other.
Some schools allow their members or clubs to stay overnight in academic buildings. If this is the case, you might want to consider this option as it can be a central location (for those living on or off...
2 tags
Fundraiser #4 - Oxfam Hunger Banquet
As mentioned in a previous post (Organization #3 - Oxfam America), Oxfam America has many ways to facilitate advocacy and awareness, while still raising money for a good cause (World Hunger).
For those who are simply too lazy to read my previous posts, Oxfam International is a global organization dedicated to combating world hunger and global poverty through various campaigns. The Oxfam America...
1 tag
Organization #3 - Oxfam (America)
Website(s):www.oxfam.org (Oxfam International) // http://www.oxfamamerica.org/ (Oxfam America)
Oxfam International is an international organization that focuses on world hunger, global poverty and social injustices. It’s site calls it “an international confederation of 15 organizations working together in over 90 countries and with partners and allies around the world to find...
3 tags
Project #7 - Care Packages for Soldiers
Care packages for soldiers are a great way to recognize and thank those oversea who are putting their lives on the line. This applies whether you live in the United States, North America or any country in the world (although, as always, the rules will always vary).
Many programs offer opportunities for you to send letters of encouragement and packages that remind the soldier of home. Typical...
1 tag
Organization #2 - Better World Books
Website- http://www.betterworldbooks.com/
Better World Books is an for profit organization which donates to various book donation programs and facilitates book drives across many campuses in the United States. Not only are they one of Circle K International’s International Service Partners (http://www.circlek.org/Service/Partners/BetterWorldBooks.aspx), but they help campuses across the...
3 tags
Fundraiser #3 - Happy Change!
Happy change is a really great way to raise a little bit of money over time, which eventually become atonof change (believe me)!
Essentially, this is the point of happy change: at the end of your meetings, bring out a box (or a container). People put in change to talk about something good (or bad) that happened over the course of the week. This can include birthdays, being happy that the week is...
2 tags
Fundraiser #2 - Food / Eating Fundraisers
This is a great continual fundraiser that can be done over the course of a day. Typically, most restaurants are not against the idea of you holding a fundraiser with them, mostly because it also brings their restaurant good publicity. For those who have not attended this type of fundraiser, an “eat for service” or “eating fundraiser” is a fundraiser in which you use a...
February 2012
9 posts
3 tags
Project #6 - Flash Cards
Flash cards are a great donation gift to after school programs, church (with maybe a learning class) or library. Plus, they’re very fun and easy to make! Here’s what you need to make a good set of flash cards for kids:
Rubber Bands Index Cards (preferably the blank ones, but ones with lines are ok too!)
First, you have to decide what kind of flash cards you want to make. The most...
3 tags
Project #5 - Highway/Park Clean Up
Clean ups can actually be a lot of fun! The fresh air, picking up things with your fellow members… competing to see who can find the weirdest thing! I found a dress made up of potato chip bags once…
Anyway! Highway clean ups! Or Park Clean Ups! Or, really, any clean ups! Beaches, rivers, sidewalks, cities… you name it, there’s probably a community that is dedicated to help...
1 tag
Social #1 - Host a game night!
Game nights are a great way to get the whole club involved, no matter how big or small the club may be. They’re relatively low cost, low energy and can be done anywhere… from an officer’s home to a campus auditorium (although I would suggest something in the middle, like a lounge).
The steps to organizing a game night social is easy: book a room, tell people, and bring games!
...
4 tags
Fundraiser #1 - Tie Dye!
I don’t always make the prettiest tie dye, and my hands always get stained for days, but I still love to tie dye. After all, nothing is more fun than turning your hands into 80 different colors… which eventually turns into a muddle color of purple…
In any case, tie dying is a great activity to do with your club and a great way to raise funds on campus. It requires a large area,...
2 tags
Project #4 - Host a Book Drive
A book drive is a great way to encourage literacy. Since I’ve made a previous post about (Project #2), I figured I’d go along with this literacy trend and post another project that has to do with book and reading (if you can’t tell, reading is a huge passion of mine).
Book drives are actually very easy to organize:
Step 1: Find a location that is willing to take used books....
2 tags
Project #3 - Teach a Skill
Teaching a skill for free is often a great way to get people out and moving and to also hone your own skills (after all, the best way to learn something is to teach it)! Large space in a community area can be used to teach a popular skill or to engage in some exercise with your campus and club.
Skills that are especially popular may include: - Yoga - Tai Chi / Karate / Martial Art - Dance -...
1 tag
Organization #1 - The Harry Potter Alliance
Website - http://thehpalliance.org/
The Harry Potter Alliance is a national organization, inspired from the Harry Potter series, which focuses on charity work and serving the community. The Harry Potter Alliance (HP Alliance) often organizes a variety of “campaigns” (or causes) with which people can donate to or support. HP Alliance has several chapters or clubs on campus throughout...
2 tags
Project #2 - Read to Kids
Literacy (and education overall) has become a more troubling issue, particularly in the United States. Often times, children are not motivated to read on their own because they feel it is something “the school is making them do,” (which I suppose it is). However, by taking the time to read to kids, you could be setting a good example for future generations.
Local libraries and after...
3 tags
Project #1 - Make Cards
Making cards is a great short service project, particularly if you need a service project after a meeting or in a short period of time. There are many organizations looking for home made cards. These can cover a wide range of topics, such as get well cards or cards for soldiers sent abroad.
Need a place to send your cards? Here are some organizations that are always looking for donated cards:
...
