Less than 25% of all service clubs provide what Optimist International considers to be exemplary, outstanding service. They give the clubs that earn that level the honor of being called an Honor Club. What does it mean to earn that distinction?Please read on to learn what being an Honor Club President meant to me.
A purple and gold rectangle bears my name on my Optimist Club's banner. I wouldn't want it any other way. Representing a year of dedication and commitment, that symbol set in motion a career in Optimism.
I chose to be president of my Optimist Club even though others had turned down the opportunity. I smiled and said yes when asked to serve because I knew our Optimist Club made a difference in our community. We served kids, we were civic leaders, and we offered hope to those who were less fortunate. We gave of ourselves and in doing so, developed a sense of pride and teamwork. How could anyone decline the opportunity to lead such an admirable cause?
My Optimist Club flourished. We sponsored service projects and fund raisers, we paid our bills and made reports to the district and Optimist International. We recruited new members and never failed to honor the Optimist of the Year with a Life Membership. I began attending district meetings and discovered that what we were doing was not a secret. We were successful because we were following the steps to Honor Club status. We were not alone in our service, but we were among the elite.
It's an honor to be Honor. It truly is. Achieving Honor Club recognition proves an Optimist Club is serving the youth and community to its fullest capacity. It means the club has conducted no less than three service projects, achieved growth in membership and completed their financial and administrative requirements. The reward for doing everything right is the silent pride in knowing the Optimist Honor Club ranks among the top twenty-five percent of all service clubs in the world.
From Honor Club president, I rose to District and International service; but it is always most rewarding to return home, to where it all began. My name, emblazoned on that banner, declares I am first and foremost an Optimist volunteer. I roll up my sleeves and go to work, for it is only at the club level that I can personally touch the life of a child.
This essay was written by Linda Vaught and was first published in the April/May 1998 edition of the Optimist. Please click on the administrative year to discover the current requirements for Honor Club.
2007-2008 or 2008-2009 .
Categories
alabama
alberta
anguilla
arizona
arkansas
arts
B.W.I.
barbados
british columbia
california
canada day
cayman islands
ccdhh
celebrations
change
charitable Christmas Trees
childhood cancer campaign
childhood literacy
childhood wellness campaign
children
citizenship
college
colorado
communication
community building
community development
community service
do the right thing
donation
doodle 4 google
drug abuse
easter
education
enchantment
engagement
essay contest
experience optimism
Facebook
faith
fellowship
festival
fishing
fitness
florida
food drive
football
friend of youth
friendship
fundraiser
fundraising
generation gap
georgia
good government
grand cayman
gratitude
Halloween
happiness
hawaii
health and welfare
healthy club checklist
holiday
hope
idaho
illinois
indiana
inspiration
internet safety
iowa
iron eyes
jamaica
jay leno
join an optimist club
jooi
joy
junior golf
kansas
keep america beautiful
kentucky
leadership
louisiana
maine
manitoba
marketing
maryland
membership
mentor
michigan
minnesota
mississippi
missouri
Montana
motivation
music sunday
n carolina
n dakota
nebraska
new jersey
new mexico
new optimist club
new york
ohio
oklahoma
ontario
opportunity
optimism
optimist club
optimist clubs
optimist creed
optimist international
optimist international convention
optimist international foundation
optimistic story of the day
oratorical contest
oregon
outreach
partnerships
patriotism
pennsylvania
playground
pnw district
promotion
public relations
quebec
quotes
recognition
recycling
respect
respect for law
s carolina
scholarship
school supplies
schools
service clubs
share optimism
social media
south carolina
South Dakota
st. maarten
stories
success
talent show
teachers
Ted
tennessee
testimonials
texas
traditions
twitter
virginia
volunteers
w. virginina
washington
website
wisconsin
young adult
youth appreciation
youth safety
youth sports