What is AKtion Club? 

AKtion Club is a service club for adults with developmental disabilities. The purpose of the club is to enable service-minded people to volunteer in projects that benefit the community. Its goal is to provide ways for people with developmental disabilities to achieve greater involvement in their communities and take a leadership role in providing community service. Club members plan and implement service projects for the Gig Harbor community. 

Who is it for? 

AKtion Club is intended to be as inclusive as possible. Any adult age 18 or older with developmental disabilities is eligible to join. Membership is not limited based on the nature or severity of disability, unless there are behavior problems that would be overly disruptive or threatening to other participants. Participation is targeted at people living within the Peninsula School District boundaries, but the club will accept members from other areas who have an interest.   

Is this a new club? 

AKtion Clubs are a well-established part of the Kiwanis International service organization. There are AKtion Clubs across the U.S., within Washington State, and around the globe in 14 countries. The Kiwanis Club of Gig Harbor sponsored the start of a new AKtion Club chapter for the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula community in 2024.   

How do I sign-up for this club? 

Anyone who is interested can sign up to participate in the Gig Harbor AKtion Club at any time. Please use this AKtion Club Interest Form link to contact us. A member of the AKtion Club Collaborator Team will contact you.   

When are the meetings? 

Monthly AKtion Club meetings are planned on the third Tuesday of each month at Rosedale Hall from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Please use the AKtion Club Interest Form on this page to join our mailing list. We will send specific information about each meeting and AKtion Club activities to the mailing list.   

Will transportation to/from meetings be provided? 

No. Participants must arrange their own transportation to and from meetings. Carpooling might be an option for some participants.   

Does a participant need a caregiver to be present at meetings? 

Yes. The club does not have the resources or qualified staff to provide personal care support for participants. Some members may be capable of participating independently, but this is subject to the approval of club sponsors on a case-by-case basis.   

Does an attending caregiver have to be a member of Kiwanis or AKtion Club? 

No. Caregivers are not required to be members of either the Kiwanis Club of Gig Harbor or the AKtion Club and they are not expected to pay dues or fees.   

Will facilities accommodate people with mobility issues? 

Yes. It is the organizers’ intent to ensure people with mobility issues be able to gain access to the meeting facility safely and without special assistance beyond what a caregiver provides. The meeting facility is ADA compliant, and convenient to most of the Gig Harbor area.   

How much does it cost? 

Member dues are $15/year payable in October of each year. The AKtion Club Board of Directors develops its budget and plans for fund raising and service projects.   

Will food and refreshments be provided at meetings? 

Refreshments are provided on a voluntary basis by club members or the Collaborator Team.   

How can I find out more? 

To learn more about AKtion Clubs in general, go to www.aktionclub.org/discover. For more information about the Gig Harbor Kiwanis AKtion Club use this link to contact us through the AKtion Club Interest Form.

The Collaborator Team is made up of representatives of Gig Harbor organizations that collaborated with the Kiwanis Club of Gig Harbor to create the AKtion Club. Collaborating organizations include PenMet Parks Specialized, Adaptive & Inclusion programs, the YMCA, and the Peninsula School District Special Education and Community Transitions Programs (CTP).   These organizations have one or more programs that serve developmentally disabled individuals in Gig Harbor. They understand the need for a community service organization lead by individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The Collaborator Team serves a supportive role. The Club Members plan and implement programs to serve the Gig Harbor Community.