Mission. By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids.

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2 What We Do Optimist International is an association of more than 2,900 Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to "Bringing Out the Best in Kids." Adult volunteers join Optimist Clubs to conduct positive service projects in their communities aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. With their upbeat attitude, Optimist Club members help empower young people to be the best that they can be.

3 Mission By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids.

4 Purposes of an Optimist Club To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed; To promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; To inspire respect for the law; To promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people; To aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world.

5 How We Do It Each Optimist Club determines the needs of the young people in its community and conducts programs to meet those needs. Every year, Optimists conduct 65,000 service projects and serve well over six million young people. The most well-recognized activities of Optimist Clubs are those which aid and encourage the development of youth but each club determines their projects and services according to the needs of the community and the interests of the members.

6 Programs Childhood Cancer Campaign Scholarship Contests Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Essay Oratorical Internet Safety Community Activities Respect for Law/ Promotion of Non-Violence Youth Appreciation Youth Safety Tri-Star Sports Skills Activities Optimist International Junior Golf Championships

7 Junior Optimist Octagon International Junior Optimist Octagon International is the umbrella organization for Alpha, Junior and Octagon Clubs which are youth Clubs. JOOI has Clubs throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Alpha Clubs are for children ages 6 to 9 years of age. These Clubs focus on learning about volunteerism and teamwork. Junior Clubs are for youth ages 10 to 13. This particular age group focuses on learning leadership skills and serving the needs of others. Octagon Clubs are for youth ages 14 to 19 and are still in high school or its equivalent. This group hones their leadership skills, identifies needs in their local community and plans projects and fundraisers to address those needs. Most JOOI Clubs are built in schools. However, there are many community based JOOI Clubs and some JOOI Clubs partner with other organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs to form a JOOI Club.

8 JOOI Programs JOOI of Reading Designed to get other kids to pick up books and start reading. Personal Growth & Involvement Designed to motivate JOOI Members to participate within their Clubs and learn about the various aspects of JOOI. KaBOOM! Play Days Internet Safety Encourage diligence, awareness and safe practices for teens while online. Souper Bowl of Caring A national youth-led movement of giving and serving that is transforming Super Bowl Weekend into a time to think of our neighbors in need.

9 Why We Do it Optimist Clubs have been Bringing Out the Best in Kids since Optimist Clubs conduct positive service projects aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. By believing in young people and empowering them to be the best they can be, Optimist volunteers continually make this world a better place in which to live.

10 We Live The Optimist Creed By Promising Ourselves... To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

11 What s In It For You The Value Proposition: What You Get By Joining An Opportunity to: Enhance your career through a step-by-step process that helps you develop your professional and leadership skills Practice your professional and leadership skills in a real life laboratory Develop and increase your social and business contacts in your community Be involved in Optimist sponsored professional development training programs locally, regionally, nationally Work with today s youth in order to make a difference in the future Make your community a better place to live and work

12 Thank You!

13 Back up slides follow

14 Purposes of an Optimist Club

15 To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed;

16 To promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs;

17 To inspire respect for the law;

18 To promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people;

19 To aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world.

20 Childhood Cancer Campaign Four Areas of Service: Support to children diagnosed and receiving treatment for cancer Support to families and care partners of children with cancer Support to health care and service providers Support for cancer research

21 Junior Golf Championships The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships is one of the largest and best-known junior golf tournaments in the world. Each year, more than 600 golfers participate in THE OPTIMIST Tournament. More than 5,000 golfers compete in official Optimist District qualifying tournaments. The best of these golfers, along with international golfers from around the globe, advance to the annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championships.