Community Service

As a current Circle K President, WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS. Say his name, Kiwanis. George Floyd was mercilessly murdered by the police. This statement is tone deaf, vague, and ignorant in the current state of affairs. We are a service organization dedicated to the people in our communities, and this is the kind of washed-out and absent attitude that continues to let ignorance and bigotry flourish. We should be standing with the black individuals of our communities and the black individuals around the WORLD - in our creed, we wrap it us with "to dedicate myself to the realization of humanity's potential." Let's actually follow through with that. Be better. #blacklivesmatter

Our global vision as members of Kiwanis International is to be "a positive influence in communities worldwide- so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive." Re-read the last part of that again. There are children RIGHT NOW who are not waking up in communities that believe in them, nurture them, and provide the support they need to thrive. As Kiwanis members, we need to encourage ALL members to continue to meet the needs of our communities, especially during times of unrest and uncertainty. We need to ALWAYS stand with members of all our community who are oppressed. We need to value that #blacklivesmatter. This will fulfill our global vision.

If there's one thing I've learned in volunteering & leading with Kiwanis Family these now 4+ years, it's that we're supposed to have a strong and supportive community here. We lead, discuss, volunteer. We recognize humanity's potential INTERNATIONALLY, and yet this post doesn't recognize the reality of our situation: neutral, and seemingly tone-deaf statements are painfully not helpful at all to the country right now. We can't say all of us matter when we don't acknowledge #BlackLivesMatter. Do better than this. It starts with recognizing the real issues for what they are, and utilizing our platforms to support our BLACK brothers and sisters, and their CHILDREN of tomorrow. Resources for donations, education & support: blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ silenceiscomplicit.co/

As a current Kiwanis Club President, I too love my club and this organization with all my heart and work hard to make our name and our mission known and loved in our community. We need to do better than this statement. Kiwanis needs to vocally and without question advocate and stand up for people of color right now. We need to help and be a positive voice for change for our black friends, family members and Kiwanians across this nation.

As a former CKI Club Treasurer, Vice President of Administration, and President this is disappointing at best and actively harmful at worst. You may as well be saying we need to listen understand and be kind to the racists who murdered George Floyd with all this vague language. If you can't say #BlackLivesMatter then you need to reevaluate the values your members hold and ask yourself why you aren't challenging them. We can only grow through discomfort, and let me tell you I have been made to feel plenty uncomfortable by Kiwanis members.

As a previous Key Club District Governor, this is simply not enough. How can you claim to support marginalized communities through your service work yet not clearly denounce the continued murder and injustice these communities face? Say #BlackLivesMatter and seriously evaluate whether your organization actually believes the things it says. Otherwise, take your performative service elsewhere.

How can we begin to confront social and racial injustice when we’re too afraid of saying the issue out loud? The Black Lives Matter movement and black community need organizations like Kiwanis to use their compassion and dedication to social good right now, and we are failing them by only releasing this disappointing statement. I dedicated countless hours of my life to Circle K International to volunteer, raise money, and raise awareness to causes you deemed important. Now, more than ever, please listen to your members and help us raise money and awareness for this cause that we care so much about.

Speaking as a past KIWIN'S member and a current CKI member, I must say, this post took me by surprise. To make such a vague statement regarding the current situation provides absolutely no support for our Black brothers and sisters, both within and outside of the Kiwanis family. Honestly, it isn't just disappointing, but saddening as well to see how unwilling our organization is to directly address the issue at hand. How can we claim to be an integral part of our communities when we can't even express support for its Black members and call out the atrocities being committed against them? It's hypocritical, and I refuse to stand behind it. Kiwanis, you need to do better, because this "statement" is NOWHERE near enough. Use your position as an international organization to actuate change. We are passionate about so many issues around the world, so why not #BlackLivesMatter? #YourSilenceisDeafening

I’m a current Kiwanis member and past Key Club and CKI member. I love this organization with all my heart but this “statement” completely misses the point of what I thought our organization was truly about. If our goal as Kiwanis members and an international organization is to improve the lives of children one community at a time, why are we not using our global platform to really speak out on these injustices? We have a job to do in our position of power and privilege to join in the fight of dismantling this systemic racism. This is the only way we work to improve the lives of our children for generations to come. Instead of saying ‘we should all be nice’ we need to be calling out the racism, hatred, and murder our Black communities and our Black members face every day. I’m so disappointed, I really expected better. #BlackLivesMatter

The sad reality is that this is not surprising, and I've remained silent for too long about the complacent nature of this organization. The same organization that: - Kicked houseless people out of a park (their home) in the name of service just so we could clean it up. - Fought against making the service initiative Women's Rights and instead suggested making it All Peoples Rights. - AND NOW the same organization that will not name ANTIBLACKNESS and RACISM as the root causes of everything going now, but chooses to instead frame it in this ambiguous "both sides are right" kind of way. If you are not clear that #BlackLivesMatter and if you do not condemn White Supremacy very clearly, and the abuse suffered by Black people at the hands of the police, state sanctioned murderers, then you are siding with them. This is beyond kindness, and racism cannot be solved by listening. As the largest CKI I expect UC Irvine Circle K not only to condemn this wack ass post (if they haven't already) but to begin posting ways for its members to support the movements happening all over the United Staes and around the world.

stop hiding. kiwanis advocates for the betterment of children’s health and welfare. part of that is recognizing how the system has failed us, and especially our Black members. you’re either with the movement or not. utilize your platform. #blacklivesmatter

As an African American CKI President, the fact that you would post something like this just shocks me. This statement at a time like this is by far the worse you guys could’ve done. How could you guys be an international organization with a goal to improve the children of the generation with such a vague statement? This is not the time for that. All lives can’t matter if black lives don’t. #BlackLivesMatter

Kiwanis International You need to do better. I’ve been a proud member for 10 years, but this is embarrassing.

Now is not the time to be vague. You either believe #blacklivesmatter or you don't. Now is actually the time to listen, love, and understand BLACK people. Do better Kiwanis and stop trying to protect the old white men in this organization who refuse to help it seek progress.

Kiwanis International are ya'll going to address this or nah?

As a current CKI member, this statement is disappointing and comes off tone deaf to the current situation. As many have said, this is not the time to be vague--I love this organization but I cannot stand behind this statement because it’s too vague. It is the time to be explicit and challenge the harmful and oppressive government that is hurting the black community. We had time to listen and understand but that has not worked--it is actually time to actually express our feelings and take time to not only listen and understand but help uplift and support the Black community. #BlackLivesMatter This response is not enough, and seems like another way to saying All Lives Matter. This is not the time to please everyone. Kiwanis, this is the time to support YOUR members, the members that is helping change the world--back them up, amplify their voices, and support them. Being silent is being complicit, and by being silent you are taking the side of the oppressor. Some resources to help, support, and educate: silenceiscomplicit.co/ blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/?fbclid=IwAR0ZslNi1KnU-Ekbi1Yh2K8CZVqCIOqxY2zQb5bY-hnofTa1nHB-024RESo drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/12DrftJXNpgDg6-buBkFKT2c5JJI4J2Jm

So you’re saying all lives matter? But we’re talking about BLACK lives. Why aren’t you sharing your stance about the inequality of Black people around the world, particularly currently America? I spent hours for three years during my undergraduate college program volunteering with my CKI club. We worked hard to raise money to eliminate mother and neonatal tetanus... what are you doing to help eliminate racism, both overt and oblivious, and systemic oppression that Black people, including YOUR members, face around the world?

Kiwanis International If you’re not sure what to say, check Rotary’s post from last night. ✌🏼✌🏽✌🏾✌🏿