Frequently Asked Questions

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Are there membership dues and if so how much is it?

Yes there are membership dues and it is $150.00 per year.

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What is the suggested level of giving for the Florida Kiwanis Foundation?

$5.00 per member is the minimum recommended level of giving in the Florida Kiwanis Foundation’s Annual Club Gift Campaign. Clubs with fewer than 20 members are asked to make a minimum club contribution of $100.00 to help continue the good works of the Foundation. Payment by Dec. 31st is encouraged. Funds can be taken from the club’s service account. The Florida Kiwanis Foundation’s Sustaining Member Program recognizes individuals making annual contributions of $25.00 or more, per year. The Florida Kiwanis Foundation also offers the Ralph Davis Fellowship to individuals fulfilling a one-time gift of $1,000.00 or more. The Robert W. Thal Life Member Fellowship recognizes $500.00 donors. The Florida Kiwanis Foundation’s Legacy Society is an ideal program for estate planning and/or major gifts. Call Jack Allen at the Florida Kiwanis Foundation office at 561-799-5600 to discuss your interest in participating in any of the Florida Kiwanis Foundation Programs.

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What is the suggested level of giving for the Kiwanis International Foundation?

The Kiwanis International Foundation requests a minimum per member contribution of $5.00 to the Annual Club Gift Campaign. Clubs with fewer than 20 members are asked to make a minimum club contribution of $100.00 to help continue the good works of the Foundation. The George F. Hixson Fellowship is available to individuals making a one-time gift of $1,000.00 or more. This can be presented by a club or individual or can be directly purchased by the recipient. Diamond Level Hixson and the Hixson Ambassador program recognize higher level donors. The Tablet of Honor is a recognition program available to clubs or individuals who wish to specially honor a recipient. The cost of a Tablet of Honor is $2,000.00. An individual cannot purchase a Tablet of Honor for himself/herself. The Kiwanis International Foundation’s Heritage Society enables individuals to remember the International Foundation through estate planning or planned giving.

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Must clubs file an IRS Form 990 and when is it due?

Since 2007, all Kiwanis Clubs must file a Form 990 regardless of their income level. This requirement affects all clubs. The tax return for all clubs must be filed by February 15. For forms and information go to www.irs.gov. Consult your CPA for filing responsibilities and the proper filing documents. Depending on club income/assets, clubs and club foundations will either file a Form 990-N (e-postcard) less than $25,000.00 in gross receipts; 990-EZ, gross receipts between $25,000.00 and $99,999.99; or 990, gross receipts in excess of $100,000.00. Clubs with a 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation must file a separate tax return for the Foundation in addition to the Club’s 501(c)4 tax return.

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Must clubs be incorporated?

Yes, it is a requirement of Kiwanis International. Incorporation helps insulate members from personal liability and complies with the IRS determination letter qualifying incorporated clubs as 501(C) (4) non-profit organizations. Incorporation is handled through the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. Annual filings are due by May 1. The annual filing fee for renewals is $61.25. To verify the status of your club’s incorporation please visit www.sunbiz.org. Click on Division of Corporations and follow the instructions. If your club is not incorporated, consult with an attorney before discussing incorporation with the state. Fines and penalties are often assessed back to the date of the club’s formation for never incorporating or back to the period when the filing became inactive.

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What is Florida’s Solicitation of Contributions Act and must our clubs register?

Chapter 496 of the Florida Statutes, requires all organizations that solicit contributions from Florida residents, either directly or indirectly, to register annually with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Florida Kiwanis clubs fall under this Statute. If you need assistance in filing, contact the Solicitation of Contributions Section in the Department of Agriculture at 1-800-HELP FLA (435-7352). Clubs are encouraged to seek professional advice from a qualified accountant or attorney, prior to contacting the Department of Agriculture. The website is: www.doacs.state.fl.us Once you register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services it is very important to renew the registration annually. There are penalties for late registrations and substantial fines for non-compliance in registering. Clubs that use the IRS 990-N (e-postcard) applying or renewing their registrations. The Department does not accept the IRS 990-N form. If a club files an IRS 990-EZ or a 990. It may simply be attached to the renewal or application.

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What Kiwanis events are our Kiwanis clubs expected to attend? Should clubs subsidize the cost of attending these events?

Article XV, Section 6 of the Standard Form for Club Bylaws states, “clubs shall provide for proper representation in all International and District meetings in which a club has the privilege of participation.” This section also directs “provisions for expenses for club representatives shall be made in the club’s administrative budget.” The amount of subsidy is left to the club’s Board of Directors to establish. However, it should reasonably address the related expenses, proportionate to the club’s ability within its budget. These costs should be considered when developing the club’s administrative budget and the club’s dues structure for its members should reflect coverage of these costs.
Example of events includes the following:

- Club Meetings
(General Meetings, Committee Meetings, Board Meetings etc)

- Division Council Meetings DCM - Club leaders are expected to attend regular meetings of the Division Council. Though frequency varies by division, these meetings are intended to unite the division in cooperative efforts to improve the quality of life in the community and to provide a means to establish close working relationships among clubs. CKI, Key Club and Foundation District Officers and Trustees are encouraged to participate in these meetings.

International Convention - Annual event which is

- District Convention

- Club Leadership Education - Club Presidents-elect and Incoming Club Secretaries are expected to attend a full day training session in their area. The cost of the training is minimal and generally includes a luncheon, breaks and educational materials.

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Should clubs carry Directors’ and Officers’ / Errors and Omissions Insurance?

This answer is widely debated and clubs are advised to make their own determination. Florida has legislation that may provide some exclusion from personal liability, however Kiwanis International’s attorneys state that if challenged in court, this exclusion may or may not protect club officers and directors from personal liability. If your club has an attorney, ask for an opinion. Although D&O insurance is available through Kiwanis International’s insurance carrier, many clubs have found less expensive coverage through local agents. Clubs are advised to get two or three quotations, including one from Kiwanis’ agent.

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Clubs must file Official Monthly Reports electronically.

All clubs are required to file their Official Monthly Reports electronically at www.floridakiwanis.com. Club Secretaries without access to the web are asked to appoint an assistant to help in filing the reports. For assistance in filing, or to walk through your first online report with our webmaster, call Jose Josinvil at 407-324-9800 ext. 10. Jose is generally available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Classes on filing electronically are generally given at the District Convention and Educational Conferences. There is also an electronic instructional video available at the Kiwanis International Website.

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Are clubs be eligible to compete for awards if they are not filing monthly committee reports?

Except for Inter-Clubbing which is reported on your monthly reports. All clubs wishing to compete for Awards must file their Committee Reports electronically at www.floridakiwanis.com. Only clubs filing electronic Committee Reports are eligible for District Award Competition. Clubs not wishing to compete for awards are not required by the Florida District to file monthly Committee Reports. Committee Reporting is strictly voluntary.

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Where do we turn for help, general information or Bylaw interpretations when questions arise in our club or division?

Your first call should be to your District Office. The Florida District of Kiwanis has a fully staffed professional office in Sanford at your disposal Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Please contact us at 407-324-9800.The combined talents and expertise of our District Office Staff makes them uniquely qualified to address most of your questions and concerns. On rare occasions where they may not have an answer, they will point you in the proper direction for assistance or they will further research your questions and get back to you. The Kiwanis International Office in Indianapolis, Indiana is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. To contact the International Office call the Member Services Department at 1-800-Kiwanis, extension 5.

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How much are K-Kids Dues and the Annual Sponsorship Fee?

There is no dues structure for K-Kids, although many local clubs charge $1.00 per member to help establish a club treasury. The annual sponsorship fee for the sponsoring Kiwanis Club is $150.00 per K-Kids club to a maximum sponsorship fee of $450.00. There is no additional sponsorship fee for more than 3 K-Kids clubs.

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How much are Builders Club Dues and the Charter Fee?

The charter fee for sponsoring a new Builders Club is $460.00. Beginning in 2008-09 there will be a $150.00 annual sponsorship fee, per Builders Club. There is no cap on the number of clubs that must be paid for. Many Builders Clubs charge a small amount per member to establish a club treasury.

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How much are Key Club Dues and the Charter Fee?

The charter fee for sponsoring a new Key Club is $600.00. There is no annual sponsorship fee. International dues are $6.50 per member. District dues are $4.50 per member. Many clubs charge a small amount per member to establish a club treasury.

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How much are Circle K Dues and the Charter Fee?

The charter fee for sponsoring a new Circle K Club is $600.00. There is no annual sponsorship fee. International dues are $25.00 per member. District dues are $10.00 per member. Many clubs charge a small amount per member to establish a club treasury.

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How much are Aktion Club Dues and the Charter Fee?

The charter fee for sponsoring a new Aktion Club is $460.00. There is no annual sponsorship fee. International dues are $5.00 per member. There are no District dues, although a reasonable fee may be charged to attend the Annual Aktion Club Conference. Many clubs charge a small amount per member to establish a club treasury.