Conway Optimist Club shares football highlights

I'm sure that this video means more to the parents and players of the Conway Optimist Club youth football program than it will to most of my readers, but I couldn't resist sharing it here anyway. Over several days and through teams of different ages, the Optimist Club shares football highlights that includes completed passes, great blocks, superb running, and touchdowns.

One of the ways that Optimist Clubs make a difference in their community is to provide youth sports opportunities. The young athletes learn sportsmanship, discipline and even good health habits along the way.

Another way that an Optimist Club can make a difference is recognizing those kids for the things that they do. A video, uploaded to YouTube, that they can watch and share with their families and friends is the perfect way for those players to share their stories. And in our emerging and ever-evolving digital world, it is a way that will last well into the future.

The Sunshine Optimist Club recites the Optimist Creed

The Sunshine Optimist Club was developed within a developmental disability agency, Independent Living Services, in Conway, Arkansas. Its purpose is to help students and their families be better prepared for life after high school. By working through the Optimist Club, parents and children establish different relationships than that of caregiver and child and together they make informed decisions about moving forward to an independent lifestyle.

For some parents, knowing that there is a social, emotional, and professional network available to their child makes it easier for them to let go. As members of an Optimist Club, the young adults get to perform community service with peers and build relationships with others outside of the immediate circle of friends.

While this model is still new, and I'm not aware of any other groups that have tried this option, one thing is certain, Optimist Club members from all walks of life enjoy performing one act together. That act is shown in this video as the Sunshine Optimist Club recites the Optimist Creed. Please watch, and don't be afraid to join in.

Angel Tree project in Conway, Arkansas benefits more than 600 children

Six hundred and thirty-four children will open presents on Christmas morning thanks to the efforts of the Conway, Arkansas Optimist Club and area businesses who participated in the annual Angel Tree project.





According to the chairman of the project, this year the Angel Trees, decorated with names and needed gift ideas, were adopted by local businesses and employees completed the Christmas wish lists. Some businesses fulfill wishes throughout the year.

The video was taken at Hendrix Health and Wellness Center where Optimist Club and community members gathered to wrap and sort presents for distribution.

Read all about it at theCabin.net.

History in pictures

Here's a nostalgic picture of the Optimist Club of Monticello, Arkansas.  The picture resides in the community's historical museum marking the original charter of the Optimist Club on March 10, 1961. The author of the Monticello Times writes wouldn't it be great if we could resurrect an Optimist Club in these pessimistic times? Yes, I will be sending an inquiry her way.

Should Optimist Clubs advocate for special interest groups?

I haven't decided how I feel about this approach to forming an Optimist Club.  During the 2008-2009 administrative year, a pilot club was formed in Faulkner County, Arkansas within a developmental disability agency.  Named the Sunshine Optimist Club of Conway, Arkansas, the membership was made up of clients, developmentally disabled adults, who were receiving services from the agency.

Eight or so months later the former president of the sponsoring Optimist Club has taken on the oversight of the program within the Independent Living Services Developmental Disabilities Agency.  His focus will be advocacy and outreach for developmentally disabled students and their parents.

For the most part, I believe that providing individuals of all abilities the opportunity to participate in community service is a good idea. My concern lies in the fact that a separate but equal club could possibly segregate them even more.

I also question if this approach is truly separate but equal and I am pretty sure that the members would enjoy a more satisfying experience if they were embraced as fully engaged members of a traditional service club.

One of the most attractive features of an Optimist Club is that they are self directed.  The members determine how they will serve their community based on the needs that they perceive around them. For a service provider to perform a needs assessment and determine advocacy of their own existing and potential clientele to be their greatest need is not the purpose of an Optimist Club.  There are other organizations, including the developmental disability agency itself, who have this charge.

Using the Optimist Club affiliation to carry out private interests is distasteful to me. Am I being too harsh?  Please share your thoughts.

Optimist Club donates $10,000 to women's shelter

Pine Bluff, Arkansas...The Optimist Club of Pine Bluff Arkansas recently donated $10,000 to the CASA Women's Shelter capital campaign. The only women's shelter in the community is trying to raise $700,000 for a facility that can house up to 60 occupants, twice the size of the current facility. 

I like seeing such donations for they emphasize how an Optimist Club can truly make a difference in a community.  It takes a healthy community to bring out the best in kids. 

Chili cook-off challenges service clubs

More and more civic organizations are coming together to raise funds and awareness for local causes.  The latest one brought to my attention was the Chili Cook-off Challenge in Conway, Arkansas to benefit ArtsFest.  In its third year, ArtsFest is a community festival to celebrate local arts and artists.  This year it included free musical performances, dance companies, an art and music walk and independent film premiers.  There was also a traveling education program on loan from the ArtsFest in Pittsburg, PA and of course, the chili cook-off challenge.  All events were held October 7, 2009.

The chili cook-off challenge was coordinated by they Conway Noon Rotary Club.  Answering the call to action were teams from the Conway Optimist Club, Kiwanis, Lions, Sunshine Optimist Club of Conway and the Conway Morning Rotary. 

It's all about fun and community according to the challenge spokesperson Becky Harris and we agree. But what we really want to know is if one of those Optimist Clubs emerged with bragging rights this year to the best chili in town.  Please post any updates in the comments below!

Sunshine Optimist Club formed in Conway, Arkansas

Optimist Clubs are an opportunity for people to be involved in their community, provide service and give back something to society as a whole.  They also provide avenues for social engagement and the opportunity for personal and professional development. 

The Optimist Club of Conway, Arkansas has stepped outside the typical mold for an Optimist Club and helped start a new club for developmentally disabled adults in their city.  The first of its kind, the Sunshine Optimist Club of Conway was organized on September 9, 2009 with 46 members.  It is expected to grow to 55 or 60 members before closing the charter period on September 30. 

Many of the newest Optimist Club members are already engaged in other clubs, churches, political advocacy, and Special Olympics. With mentoring and support from the local club, Jackie Fliss, Executive Director of Independent Living Services predicts the Sunshine Optimist Club will be successful.  According to Optimist District Governor Mike Bess, it is a model that will be looked at for starting other Optimist Clubs around the world.