Under that face mask, share-a-smile

Oh my, what can happen in one year? There have been births and deaths, celebrity sightings and political strategizing, travel wonders and travel warnings, extremes in the weather, and days of inexplicable sorrow and delight. The Earth has traveled its course around the sun and new marvels and challenges have emerged.

None have been more life-changing than the challenge with which we are now all facing. COVID-19 - a dangerous, lethal virus - that has disrupted our daily lives forcing people around the world to stay home to stay safe. Lives have been lost as healthcare workers, scientists, and world leaders push for answers that will eradicate the virus and return economic stability to all.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Optimist Club meetings, among other gatherings, events, and daily business, have been canceled or postponed. Individuals are allowed out of the home for essential services and it appears that soon we'll be going back to our traditional lives in a "new normal" way.

One of the staples of our new normal will be the face mask, worn to protect ourselves and others from the airborne transmission of the deadly virus. Optimist Club members from the Share-A-Smile Optimist Club wants to lead the reminder that life is good. Under that face mask, remember to just keep smiling.

A smile lifts your spirit and your eyes will transmit its warmth to all you meet. Share-a-smile, your smile, with others today.

200 reasons to #JoinAnOptimistClub

This website shares information and ideas with its sister page Optimist Clubs in the Pacific Northwest.

One of the things both are known for is the #JoinAnOptimistClub promotion that has been ongoing since September 2014.

Since that time, www.experienceoptimism.org and www.pnwdistrictoptimist.com have shared more than 200 memes with the hashtag #JoinAnOptimistClub.

Most can be found on Facebook on the author's public page. All are meant to be shared.

The thought behind the campaign is that many times we forget to ask people to #JoinAnOptimistClub. With this fun twist, maybe we'll be more inviting and our clubs will be more approachable. Share optimism today by sharing a #JoinAnOptimistClub meme.

Click here to find an Optimist Club near you.
Please send a message if you would like to start a new Optimist Club in your community.

Your friends are always welcome

I am a member of the Share-a-Smile Optimist Club in Fircrest, Washington. We're a small group, and we are still fairly new for we began two years ago in May 2016.

Aside from sharing optimism, our primary focus is dogs, and to be honest, it is a rather selfish focus at that.

We like to get together for dog walks. It gives the animals and humans some social time and provides the extra benefit of exercise.

Optimist Clubs exist because someone is passionate about what they do. Optimist Clubs thrive when that mission is shared with others.

If you live in the Tacoma-Fircrest area, we would love for you to join us for a walk. Please send me a message here: Linda Vaught.

If you are optimistic and would like to share that passion with others, we invite you to #JoinanOptimistClub near you. Click here to find an Optimist Club.

If there is not a club in your community, no worries. We can help you start one. Click here to send a message and get going today: start a new Optimist Club.

Why not join us? We're Optimists

On the second Saturday of each month, we share a membership recruitment and retention tip on the PNW Optimist Clubs Facebook page. 

Most tips remind the reader to communicate better with their internal and external audiences, members and stakeholders. Some, like today, inform of best ways to sell the intangible product: membership. Take a read, please, and share with your Optimist Club for greater success. 

Membership retention and recruitment tip #54: Be less salesy. 

Perhaps you have seen this happen at a club meeting - the speaker has just completed her presentation and the chairperson stands up to thank them and before they are through, they are waving a membership application in the speaker’s face asking them to join. 

We often say that in order to recruit, we just need to ask, but there are some preparatory comments that will help you seem less aggressive when asking someone to join your club. 

Consider asking if the prospective member has belonged to a club previously, what they did or didn’t like about their experience, and what they might hope to gain by joining your group. 

These questions, among others, will start a relationship, gain their trust, and show that you and your organization cares about its members.

We invite you to join an Optimist Club. Click here to find an Optimist Club near you and get involved!