Pennsylvania Key Club

Major Emphasis Contest

The Major Emphasis Award is given to the Key Club, which, through its unselfish efforts, has produced during the year the best Major Emphasis project.

Please note that this program award is now known as "Major Emphasis" or "ME." Though the entry form and the Guidebook have not received their needed updates, please reframe from the use of "Major Emphasis Program" or "MEP" in your submission.

Note: This contest is due in the district contest room before the general session on Friday evening. There will be a first, second, third, and honorable mention winners in the Pennsylvania District. Only the first place winner in the district competition will be eligible for entry in the International contest, if the entry meets the criteria.

2012 International Guidebook Rules - Pages 44 and 45

  1. First place winners in each district contest will be eligible for entry in the International competition.
  2. Report must be typed. Each section found in Section G must begin on a new page and each page must have a heading specifying the section being described. There is no word limit.
    The official Major Emphasis Involvement Report cover sheet must accompany all entries. It must be completed in its entirety. (The entry form does not need to be typed, only the report.)
  3. The activity described can cover any phase of Key Club Major Emphasis involvement specifically highlighting personal development and social interaction of children during the year from district convention to district convention. The report may include newspaper clippings, substantiating photographs or other pertinent information. Projects acceptable for this award may include both hands-on service and fundraising efforts.
  4. Reports will be judged according to the amount of Major Emphasis activity described in Section G. Suitable recognition and awards will be presented to the Key Club filing the best Major Emphasis Report in compliance with these rules. This award will be given at the international convention. There are no platinum, silver, gold or bronze divisions in this contest; instead there are first, second and third place awards. (1st, 2nd and 3rd places only apply to International judging.)
  5. To be eligible for the International contest, the report that wins the district contest must be received by the Key Club International Office, 3636 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196, no later than the first Friday in May.
  6. Decisions of the judges are final, and no changes, alterations, or regradings will take place after the results have been certified by the judges.
  7. Sections to be described and the points for each are indicated below:
    1. THE NEED—a statement must establish in what way the project deals with the ME to qualify for judging.
    2. THE PLAN (10 points) —describes how the project was organized.
    3. IMPLEMENTATION (20 points) —Describe the steps taken to implement the plan.
    4. FINAL RESULTS (25 points) —describes the benefits of the service rendered.
    5. PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE KIWANIS FAMILY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS (10 points)—Describe actions and partnerships formed. Describe how the project was publicized.
    6. PERCENTAGE OF CLUB MEMBERS PARTICIPATING (10 points)—
      1. 01-09% = 1 point 50-59% = 6 points
      2. 10-19% = 2 points 60-69% = 7 points
      3. 20-29% = 3 points 70-79% = 8 points
      4. 30-39% = 4 points 80-89% = 9 points
      5. 40-49% = 5 points 90-100% = 10 points
    7. CLUB’S OVERALL PROGRAM DEALING WITH ME (25 points)—Describe any other projects/programs your club implemented to address the Major Emphasis. Describe how your club worked with ME during other parts of the year.

Over the years, the Pennsylvania District has seen many clubs and individuals enter the contests and unfortunately has seen a number of clubs and individuals be disqualified because of various award criteria. The following entry tips/eligibility checklist is to be used to help highlight some of the important contest criteria that has changed or is sometimes overlooked. It is to be used to assist you in your completion of the awards, but does not substitute for the official criteria set in the Key Club International Guidebook.

2012 MAJOR EMPHASIS AWARD (ME)

  • The ME aims to help “Children: Their Future, Our Focus.”
  • Our ME Service Partners: UNICEF -Trick or Treat for UNICEF, March of Dimes, and Children’s Miracle Network
  • The current service initiative is “The Eliminate Project.” With The Eliminate Project, Kiwanis International and UNICEF have joined forces to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. Neonatal tetanus kills one baby every nine minutes—nearly 60,000 newborn children every year.

Entry Tips/Eligibility Checklist

  • Submitting your entry in a binder makes it easy for judges to handle and notable for the extra effort.
  • Have the appropriate certification signatures and club ID# on the official report form. Our district is PENNSYLVANIA.
  • The entry report form does not need to be typed, but the report does need to be typed. Use the entry form as your first page.
  • Include a typed list of total service hours involved. This makes an extra impression.
  • List the actual number of club members paid as of Dec 1, 2011 and February 1, 2012. Membership numbers are subject to verification with Key Club International dues records.
  • Begin each section listed under section “G” on a new page, include the title of each section on the top of all pages describing a single section, as listed in the current “Key Club International Guidebook”. There is not a word limit!
  • Signatures of the faculty advisor and the Kiwanis club advisor required on the entry form may not be the same person.
  • Describe only activities that start a phase of the ME after the start of the 2011 Pennsylvania District Key Club Convention from March 4, 2010 to March 16, 2012.
  • Check that dated materials included are in the time frame. Examples: Dated newspaper clippings, photos, letters, and e-mails.
  • Be careful that the entry is not subject to copyright infringements.

Category Judging Criteria Tips Checklist

  • The Need - State the need; list the methods and steps taken to determine how the need deals with the ME.
  • The Plan - Describe how the project was organized, the time frame, projected costs, service hours, resources needed, etc.
  • Implementation - Describe the steps taken to carry out the plan.
  • Final Results - Describe the benefits of the service rendered, specifically “KEY” into highlighting personal development and social interaction of children. If you show the number of individuals served by the project, the impact on the school, community and long-term benefits in this category it will be impressive.
  • Partnerships with the Kiwanis Family and Other Organizations - Describe how partnerships were formulated. Describe how you worked together on the project. Describe how the project was publicized.
  • Percentage of Club Member Participation - Report the percentage of club members who participated.
  • Club’s Overall Program Dealing with ME - Describe the projects/programs that were implemented to address the ME. Describe how your club worked on the ME during other parts of the year.

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