Projects and Events
One of the important things your club does is design, plan and carry out projects. As a team, you’ll draw on your passion and apply it to a problem that matters to you – coming up with a project that can make significant change at school, in the Club, in your community, globally or even in the world of technology or social media.
Project options
+ Plan the National Project
Each year, Keystone Clubs around the country participate in a national project developed and led by Keystoners. The project theme, which changes every few years, comes from surveys of Keystoners, who rank critical issues that are important to them and their communities. Projects are led by Keystoners, have to be completed within 12 months and are carried out with the support of the Keystone Advisor, Club staff, other adults, caregivers and the community. When combined with the efforts of clubs nationwide, your work brings about change on a national and global scale. See the NATIONAL KEYSTONE PROJECT GUIDE 2022-23 for details.
+ Lead in four key focus areas
During the charter year (September 1 to August 31), in addition to working on the national project, your club also will do work in four key focus areas: community service, academic success, career preparation and teen outreach. These activities can be anything you want, as long as they are related to one of the key focus areas. Keystoners drive engagement by planning and hosting #WeOwnFriday meetups to interest new teens in becoming members of their local Boys & Girls Club or Youth Center. These events help your Keystone Club meet charter requirements and advance to the next level. See #WEOWNFRIDAY EVENTS to learn more.
Design and planning
In this phase, you’ll use the Passion + Problem = Project approach to figure out your passions, identify a need or problem your community faces and design a project to address the problem. There are many issues in the world that need attention, and it may seem overwhelming to choose one. But, it’s important to remember that each of us has the power to make change by taking one step at a time.
+ Use the P + P = P process
How will you and your teammates choose a project? You’ll decide what kind of project you want to do by using a successful approach to project design: Passion + Problem = Project (P + P = P). Using this three-step process, you’ll: 1) discover a passion you and your teammates share; 2) identify a problem related to your passion, a need you want to address at school, in the Club in your community or in the world; and 3) choose and design a project to address that problem. Use the PASSION + PROBLEM = PROJECT PLANNER to guide you in the P + P = P process, and keep in mind that it may take several meetings to complete.
+ Create a plan for action
Now that you’ve designed the project, it’s time to create an action plan. Setting goals and splitting up the responsibilities are important parts of planning any project, so you’ll need to break down your project into details as you think critically about what it will take to bring it to life. What steps do you need to take, and who will be responsible? Record your decisions on the PROJECT ACTION PLAN.
+ Learn about the need
Once you plan and design your project, and create an action plan, it’s likely that you’ll need to spend time doing research to learn more about your identified need. There are several methods you can use: observation, interview, survey and focus groups. Use RESEARCH METHODS AND RESOURCES to guide you in this stage of project planning.
+ Promote your project
Marketing is critical to your success – it’s how you spread the word about your project to the people you want to connect with. Before marketing your project, discuss and agree on your target audience (the groups you want to connect with) and marketing strategies and activities (flyers, posters, community and Club presentations, radio/TV/newspaper ads, social media such as Facebook or Twitter). Use the PROMOTE A PROJECT tool to get started.
From plan to action
As you get ready to implement the project, review the final plan to make sure all tasks have been completed. Check in with committees to see if they’re ready to move forward. Brainstorm with the team about solutions to any last-minute glitches. You may need more meetings or committee work to make sure everyone is prepared, knows what to do and has the support they need.
+ Do the project!
Your project happens outside of the regular meetings, but when you’re ready to go, do a last-minute check to make sure you have everything you need: name and contact information for the lead person, the address and directions for the project/event site, transportation to and from the site, completed forms (completed and signed permission slips, accident/incident report forms, photo release forms), materials and supplies such as water, snacks, first-aid kit, camera (or cell phone) and video camera with batteries and power cord.
+ Reflect on the project
Take time to reflect after your project is complete – thinking about what you learned, what you did well and what needs improvement the next time around. Use the EVALUATION: HOW DID THE PROJECT GO? to allow you and your teammates to evaluate and reflect on your project.
+ Prepare and celebrate
The final step is showcasing your project and highlighting what you’ve learned in a presentation to Club staff, other Club members, volunteers, board members, family, friends, community members and other people involved in the project. Your presentation should be creative and fun, and it can take any form – a visual presentation like a slide show, scrapbook or photo collage, a performance such as a song, dance, or creative movement, a role play or skit, a competitive game or a piece of music. See SAMPLE PRESENTATION OUTLINE for ideas.
National Conference
The Keystone National Conference is the annual gathering of Keystoners from Boys & Girls Clubs across the country and Youth Centers around the world. The goal of the conference is to recognize the fact that Keystoners have the power to make a difference – in your own lives, in your Clubs and in your communities. Each year, Keystoners and advisors come together at the conference to celebrate club accomplishments and affirm teen’s commitment to excellence in leading self, leading with others and leading in the community.
+ Raise money
Keystone Clubs at the silver, gold and legacy charter level are invited to attend the Keystone National Conference, and your club advisor will work with you and your teammates to see if your club is eligible. If your club is eligible to participate in the conference, remember that attendance is limited. Pay attention to registration deadlines, and register early to make sure you’re admitted. Your club’s Keystone officers and advisor (the planning team) will create a budget for airfare, hotels and meals for those attending the conference. Use the BUDGET PLANNER to budget and FUNDRAISING GUIDELINES AND PLANNER to plan a fundraising campaign that will support your club’s participation.
+ Take part in planning
The Keystone National Conference is planned by the Steering Committee, made up of Keystoners from five BGCA regions – the Northeast, Pacific, Midwest, Southwest and Southeast – and one overseas Club. Each eligible Keystone Club (gold-level or legacy-level chartered clubs) planning to attend the conference nominates one Keystoner to serve on the Steering Committee. This is a great opportunity to connect with peers and mentors from around the world, gain valuable leadership experience and have fun planning one of the largest teen conferences in the country. See CONFERENCE STEERING COMMITTEE ROLES for details.
+ Submit your project
You can submit your club’s project for the National Keystone Project award, which is given at the Keystone National Conference each year. Your advisor will submit the project in advance of the conference, but you’ll help describe the purpose and outcomes for the application. National Keystone award nominations are open only during a certain period – usually during the conference registration period. The AWARD CATEGORIES resource offers details on awards.