California-Nevada-Hawaii District Key Club International

In 1924, Sacramento High School in Sacramento, California was in trouble. Destructive clubs and fraternities, although outlawed, moved underground and continued to exercise a negative influence on the student population. Educators and community leaders feared these detrimental effects and sought some means of replacing the clubs with wholesome youth activities. The principal and a faculty member thought that what the school needed was an organization of students that discouraged delinquency by its example. Mr. Vincent asked the local Kiwanis Club for help and, together, they decided to pattern the new group after Kiwanis.

The idea of a junior service club similar to Kiwanis was presented to the school in 1924, but it was not put into practice until eleven students signed a petition on March 25, 1925 which was sent to the Kiwanis International office with a request to be chartered as a Junior Kiwanis Club. By the time the charter was granted and the club held its first meeting, the membership had grown to twenty-five members. Through this group, Kiwanis hoped to provide vocational guidance to the students of the entire school.

The club became known as the Key Club because of the positive influence of these key students who held luncheon meetings each week to which Kiwanians came as guest speakers. Key Club members also attended Kiwanis meetings, thus bringing these young men into constant contact with the business and professional men of the community.

As the experience of the Key Club grew, the club became a complete service organization open to the whole school. A social program was offered to balance its service activities. Over the following years, Key Club went through a period of expansion by word-of-mouth. Other communities throughout the United States started Key Clubs patterned after the one in Sacramento High School. By 1939, about fifty Key Clubs were chartered, many of them in the Southern United States.

CNH CyberKey Emblem.

The first five clubs officially chartered by Key Club International were those of Sacramento, Monterrey, Oakland Technical, Hemet, and Stockton (now Edison) High Schools. Since Key Club was growing in the area of its birth, and a few clubs existed in neighboring Nevada, by 1947 it was decided that a district should be formed. The first step was to hold a conference in San Diego in October to which all the California Key Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs were invited. A full slate of officers was elected and a set of district bylaws and a constitution were adopted. John Cooper of Oakland Technical High School was the first district governor of the Cali-Nev District. The first official district convention was held in Oakland in March 1948; it was attended by eighty members representing the 23 recognized district Key Clubs. With the chartering of the McKinley High School Key Club in 1952, the district became Cali-Nev-Ha. The first edition of the Cali-Nev-Ha Key appeared on May 1, 1954.

The advent of the new millennium saw the Cali-Nev-Ha Key Club District grow to over 500 clubs with nearly 29,000 members. It continues to grow. As of May, 2012, membership neared 45,500.[3]

The California-Nevada-Hawaii District is divided into three main levels of governance: district, division, and club. Divisions are placed into regions, groups of neighboring divisions who are partnered together as an alliance for service within their borders. The highest recognized position is the district governor with the lowest ranking being the club bulletin editor. Key Club also adopts the inverted pyramid, in which the members are the highest governing body, while the district board and international are the lowest.

The District Board

The CNH Board is similar to all other Key Club International District boards.

A total of five board meetings, (initial district convention, spring board, summer board, winter board, and concluding district convention), are held during the Key Club term of one year. The initial assembly of the district board at the initiating district convention is primarily used as a transitional/training conference for the elected lieutenant governors.

CNH Key Club District Map of Regions and their respective Divisions as of the 2009-2010 year.

Current Executive Board (2020-2021)

• District Governor - Daniel Min
• District Secretary - Grace Yim
• District Treasurer - Yena Suh

Lt. Governors

A lieutenant-governor has general duties as prescribed by Key Club International. In Cali-Nev-Ha, there may be sixty or more, all of whom, sit on the district board, and constitute a majority.

Each Lt. Governor is assigned to a committee with a specific domain of policy making, each committee is led by an appointed non-Lt. Governor committee chair. Changes and adoption of policies made by the committees are debated by the Lt. Governors and must be approved by a majority vote in order to pass at a District Board meeting.

Current Lieutenant Governors

• Division 2 North - Rachael Zheng
• Division 2 South - Jarlene Clavido
• Division 3 North - Rachel Kwon
• Division 3 South - Chrystal Masaoay
• Division 4 Central - Jacob Rice
• Division 4 East - Vincent Vu
• Division 4 North - Vivian Du
• Division 4 South - Derek Ma
• Division 4 West - Mai Vu
• Division 5 North - Shanelle Relucio
• Division 5 South - Edward Rosario
• Division 7 North - Nathan Tran
• Division 7 South - Isaiah Ou
• Division 7 West - Hollie Truong
• Division 8 - Aimee Han, Benicia
• Division 10 North - Nicole Setiabudi
• Division 10 South - Jerica Fang
• Division 11 - Kayla Benzoa
• Division 12 East - Emily Vu
• Division 12 South - Andrew De Guzman
• Division 12 West - Lion Park
• Division 13 North - Luisa Arellano
• Division 13 South - Vyanh Tran
• Division 13 West - Javier Nunez
• Division 14 - Chaylin Polines
• Division 15 East - Lia Busby
• Division 15 North - Katherine Nguyen
• Division 15 South - Emily Lu
• Division 16 East - Marcus Mcnulty
• Division 16 North - Samara Stamps
• Division 16 South - Mahima Kodavati
• Division 16 West - Jannika Reyes
• Division 18 East - Brenda Manyvanh
• Division 18 West - Vacant
• Division 19 North - Ryan Son
• Division 19 South - Anran Ren
• Division 20 - Kaitlyn Sneed
• Division 21 - Gina Roberg
• Division 22 Hikina - Jennifer Cheung
• Division 22 Komohana - Hollie Rader
• Division 22 Makai - Maya Oishi
• Division 23 - Helena Alquiza
• Division 24/29 - Sasha Avakyan (IP LTG of Division 42E)
• Division 26 North - Edeline Ong
• Division 26 South - Caroline Lobel
• Division 27 North - Sebastian Flores
• Division 27 South - Colin Kang
• Division 28 East - Lorelei Casillian
• Division 28 North - Jaden Talon
• Division 28 South - Feliza Cunanan
• Division 28 West - Minie Chauhan
• Division 30 North - Amy Wang
• Division 30 South - Jennifer Vo
• Division 31 - Kathleen Nguyen
• Division 32 - Justin Hou
• Division 33 West - Adriana Alvarado
• Division 34 North - Kristen Carpio
• Division 34 South - Cheryl Bai
• Division 35 East - Hilary Wong
• Division 35 West - Catherine Nguyen
• Division 36 East - Chelsea Widjaja
• Division 36 West - Valeria Herrera
• Division 37 East - Lynne Do
• Division 37 North - Guile Hua
• Division 37 South - Haley Tran
• Division 37 West - Aria Phan
• Division 38 East - Ashley Sanchez
• Division 38 West - Aidan Sidikpramana
• Division 39 - Vacant
• Division 42 East - Carter Kawaguchi
• Division 42 West - Rafa Apodaca
• Division 43 - Caitlenn Frofunga
• Division 44 North - Vacant
• Division 44 South - Jackie Wong
• Division 44 West - Sarvesh Krishan
• Division 45 - Vacant
• Division 46 North - Monica In
• Division 46 South - Tristan Allen
• Division 47 - [needs confirmation]

District Leadership Team

There are currently eight active committees and three appointed editors on the District Board. All Lt. Governors must serve on the Candidate Training Conference Committee of their respective geographical region during their term.

• District News Editor | Nancy Duong
• District Technology Editor | Luis Herrera-Silva
• District Video Media Editor | Austin Nguyen
• Communications & Marketing Committee | Chair: Britney Sun
• District Convention Committee | Chair: Harin Lee
• Kiwanis Family & Foundation Committee | Chair: April Nguyen
• Membership Development & Education Committee | Chair: Melanie Garcia
• Member Recognition Committee | Chair: Antonio Quesada
• Policy, International, and Elections Committee | Chair: Ilene Thaopraseuth
• Service Projects Committee | Chair: Tobi Yao
• Strategic Planning Committee | Chair: Irin Shim

District Project

A specific project focus selected every other year by the District Project committee made up of members of the District Board. The current District Project (Project Jumpstart) covers the years 2012-2014. Clubs in the California-Nevada-Hawaii District come up with projects that encompass this District focus. Clubs do these projects throughout the year. The District has certain District Project weeks during the year that clubs throughout the district concentrate on certain aspects of the District project.[5]

Governor's Project

Bee Clean, CNH! was a 2-year long (2017–2019) Governor's Project. Clubs throughout the California-Nevada-Hawaii District were asked to dedicate at least one service event per month to improving the environment.

Spirit tradition in the district primarily revolves around the "How Do You Feel", Cheer in which a Key Clubber asks another Key Clubber or group of Key Clubbers how they feel, the targets then respond with the cheers answer. Nevada Key Clubbers are known to respond with an "Unga" instead of an "Abooga" while the Kiwins answer with an "Awooga". The "We've got Spirit" Cheer has a universal usage while all other cheers are rarely used as competitive cheers other than at Key Club International Convention. Division often mark their own unique cheers and battle cries to be used against one another at major district events.[6]

CNH Fall Rally South 2008 session 3

The CNH fall rally is a fundraiser and the largest gathering of Key Clubbers held during the district year. Because of the district's geographic size, two fall rallies are held each year in order to allow for greater ease of attendance. Fall Rally North, held in late October, is currently held in Northern California at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Fall Rally South, held in mid-November, is held in Southern California at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Thousands of members[7] gather at each of the two theme parks. Because of the sheer number of Key Clubbers at Fall Rally South, the rally is divided into four sessions, with divisions being assigned to specific rally times.

At both fall rallies, all district board members (executive officers, appointed board members, and lieutenant governors) are "auctioned" off to divisions. The winning division is then able to spend a designated period of time with the "purchased" officer. Funds and ticket sales for both events go toward Pediatric Trauma Program and Pediatric Emergency Medicine programs at the partner hospitals in Oakland, San Diego, Loma Linda, Madera, Honolulu and Reno.[8] In 2009-2010, the fall rallies generated over $120,000, more than double of the previous year.[9]

The district convention is held each year in March or April, the conclusion of the CNH Key Club year. This convention is held in celebration of the accomplishments of the individual Key Clubber as well as the clubs, divisions and District's achievements. A convention center has been required to host the assembly of massive amounts members at the general sessions, the location of the convention center alternates each year between Northern and Southern California. Workshops are hosted throughout a three-day period covering training and service project information for elected officers to member centered meet and greets and motivational seminars. The Policies International and Elections Committee oversees the election process of the new District Executive Officers and International Officer Candidates. Caucuses are held to allow the members of the District to hear candidate's platforms and ask questions. A House of Delegates assembles with two representatives from every club in the district to vote.

The results of the election are announced Saturday night at the general session. The general sessions also host a variety of talent acts by members as well as the presentation of scholarships and recognition of people and club who have shown outstanding service to the organization. Spirit rallies are conducted at each general session and a spirit stick goes to the group deemed most spirited. On the final day the Incumbent District Board is retired with all current divisional and club officers, the new District board is installed and all elected club officers gain official control over their positions at that point.[10]

Recent District Convention Locations

• 2020: Reno, NV (cancelled due to Covid-19 outbreak; many public health agencies recommended cancelling/postponing large events)
• 2019: Ontario, CA
• 2018: Reno, NV
• 2017: Anaheim, CA
• 2016: Sacramento, CA
• 2015: Anaheim, CA
• 2014: Sacramento, CA
• 2013: Anaheim, CA
• 2012: Santa Clara, CA
• 2011: Anaheim, CA
• 2010: Sacramento, CA
• 2009: Anaheim, CA
• 2008: Sacramento, CA
• 2007: Long Beach, CA
• 2006: San Jose, CA
• 2005: Long Beach, CA
• 2004: Sacramento, CA
• 2003: Ontario, CA
• 2002: San Jose, CA
• 2001: Long Beach, CA
• 2000: Long Beach, CA
• 1999: Santa Clara, CA
• 1998: Santa Clara, CA
• 1997: Anaheim, CA
• 1996: Long Beach, CA
• 1995: Santa Clara, CA
• 1994: Anaheim, CA
• 1993: Anaheim, CA
• 1992: Santa Clara, CA
• 1991: Los Angeles, CA
• 1990: Anaheim, CA
• 1989: Santa Clara, CA
• 1985: Fresno, CA

Past Governors

1. Arthur Ochoa 1985-1986
2. Lori Tsuruda 1984-1985 (first woman elected)
3. Monte Weiss 1983-1984
4. Gene Richardson 1982-1983
5. Patrick Maurer 1997–1998
6. Don Le 1998–1999
7. David Chang 1999–2000
8. Joe Gaudet 2000–2001
9. Dennis Chon 2001–2002
10. Annie Le 2002–2003
11. David Voce 2003–2004
12. Hai Vo 2004–2005
13. Elliot Emmer 2005–2006
14. Doris Vu 2006–2007
15. Dorothy Yen 2007–2008
16. Jennifer Zhu 2008–2009
17. Jesse Truong 2009–2010
18. Diana Nguyen 2010–2011
19. Erinn Wong 2011–2012
20. Alyssa Yocom 2012—2013
21. Victoria Lai 2013–2014
22. Jacqueline Tsang 2014–2015
23. Joshua Nuesca 2015–2016
24. Kevin Myron 2016–2017
25. Angelica Garcia 2017–2018
26. Jonathan Lum 2018–2019
27. Chuofan Yu 2019-2020
28. Daniel Min 2020-present

• After divisions have succeeded the sixteen club maximum, they realign into the two or more of the four cardinal directions.
• The District is known for its District Board Attire in which District Board members wear all black business attire with a golden necktie.
• The CNH District Office is located in Division 15 North
• Sacramento High School is the oldest and founding chapter of Key Club International
• The CNH District is the only district to share the same geographical domain as another Key Club District (CNH KIWIN'S)
• The Sandy Nininger Award is the highest honor a Key Clubber in the District can obtain; the Jack Luther Advisor Award is the highest honor the District can bestow upon a faculty or Kiwanis advisor.

• Cali-Nev-Ha District Key Club International
• Key Club International