How to target a mature audience

I highlight a great number of Optimist Club projects on this blog. Typically they are geared towards bringing out the best in youth or community. However, we have to raise money to do all these good deeds and while I don't highlight that many fundraising projects, I thought this one deserved a nod.

Coordinated by the Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club, the public is invited to enjoy a food and wine festival on Sunday, March 6, 2016.

The Sanibel Uncorked Food and Wine Festival has been taking place annually since 2010. It features wine, music, cooking demonstrations and a silent auction. While it is aimed at the community to enjoy, it also captures the attention of tourists visiting the area in the winter months. 

For further information, or to buy a ticket, please call 239-472-0836. 

This is an example of providing social activities for members and the community with an adult flair. Working with youth is important and rewarding, but nurturing the interest of a mature audience is critical in the survival of our programs. Optimist Clubs need the support and interest of caring adults in order to continue to do what we do best as friends of youth. 

Eerie or cute, it's Halloween

It's Halloween time, with ghouls, goblins and zombies appearing all about town and many are with an Optimist Club. I've seen parties, trunk or treat, and many more activities that are worthy of mention like the absolutely adorable pumpkin races that are taking place in Princeton, Illinois.

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However, I've only seen one activity where the name truly fits: Eerie Erie. Yes, that's right, the Optimist Club of Erie, Colorado encourages the community to come out in costume for a 5k or 10k Goblin run or walk about town. They make the town eerie, if only for a few hours, just in time for Halloween. Some photos of the event, courtesy of the Erie Optimist Club are shown here. To learn more, please visit the Erie Optimist Club website. 

Brand awareness starts with you

The Optimist Club of Leesburg, Florida is getting ready for Kids FunFest 2013. Club members have decided on the location; it will take place at the Harley Davidson of Leesburg. They have recruited sponsors and participants, informational exhibitors and vendors, and they are now in the process of marketing the event.

I'm happy to report that they took to Facebook and Twitter in order to gain some social media buzz and in both locations they claim that the Optimist Club of Leesburg is putting on Kids FunFest 2013. However, they've also included this flyer with their posts.

Notice anything wrong? Let's do a quick survey:

• Location? Check.
• Date? Check.
• Time? Check.
• Who will be there? Check. 
• Who's coordinating the event? 
• How do I get more information?

Sadly, they Optimist Club has forgotten to include its own name, logo and contact information as the coordinator of the event. Not only does the flyer leave questions unanswered, the Optimist Club will miss out on the community awareness and goodwill that the event will generate.

Don't be shy, Optimists! Share the Optimist International logo as often as you can. This is just one example of how brand awareness starts with you.

Kids, pets and pirates on parade

The Optimist Club of Mason County, Washington recently participated in the annual Forest Festival celebration. The festival recognizes the logging heritage of the area, gives a nod to Paul Bunyan and encourages sustainable uses of our forests. It also serves as one of the biggest community events, giving residents a fun weekend to share with their families and friends.

The Mason County Optimist Club produced and coordinated the annual Kiddie and Pet Parade, a precursor to the larger than life Paul Bunyan parade that takes place later in the day.

The theme this year was fairy tales and there were Paul Bunyan look-alikes, medieval warriors and princesses, and my favorite, pirates! As you can see, this whole family got in the spirit, but I have to say, my favorite pirates are the ones in the bottom photo - all four of them!

Good job Mason County. Thank you for sharing your photos. See more on Facebook at the Mason County Forest Festival Parade.

Service clubs go to the Fair

It's Fair Time in Johnson County, Indiana and that means the service clubs are about to make some big money. That includes the Optimist Club of Center Grove-Bargerville that is selling "Beaver Tails" at this year's event.

What's a beaver tail? According to sources, a beaver tail is a cross between an elephant ear and a doughnut. This trademarked delicacy can only be purchased during the Johnson County Fair and only from the Optimist Club.

The club expects to raise more than $7,000 at the fair in 2012. The money is earmarked for youth projects, specifically scholarships, scouting trips and the girls basketball team.

Other organizations, including Kiwanis and Shriners make a similar amount each year from their food booths at the fair. Gateway Services, however, garners about $15,000 annually as the only organization selling lemon shake-ups.

Service clubs benefit from the fair-goers and the community benefits from all.

Thanks to the Center Grove-Bargerville Optimist Club for the photo and story.

Canada Day with the Summerside Optimists

This isn't going to be a very reflective post. I just happened to see this video on YouTube and thought that I should share it with our readers here at Experience Optimism.

Outside of the United States, the largest number of Optimist Clubs can be found in Canada. There are a great number of projects that we do that are alike. However, due the provincial government, I've also noticed that some projects get a bit of a twist to fit into a Canadian model.

But one thing that remains the same is the opportunity for our Optimist Clubs to celebrate our nations' heritage. In Canada, that day is called "Canada Day" and it happens annually on July 1. This video is a three-minute look at how the Summerside Optimist Club in London, Ontario celebrated Canada's birthday this year. Enjoy.

 

Scary season fun

Headless clown?
Grim Reaper sickle?
Scary body-like shape in an empty clown suit?

Admit it - something about this picture is just creepy and it is only the beginning of the eerie fun that is planned just for the Wichita Falls, Texas community courtesy of the Sunrise Optimist Club.

The Sunrise Optimist Club has been scaring kids, teens and families for 12 years with the Annual Haunted House and Carnival.

Located at 4704 Jacksboro Highway, there are fun attractions inside and outside of the haunted house including Butcherville, Death Row and the Graveyard. Don't care to scream? Don't worry, you can stay at the carnival, play creepy games and have your face painted and enjoy Halloween just as much as a ghoul.

Find out more by liking the Sunrise Haunted House on Facebook or visiting their website.

"All You Need is Corn"

It's back! The Bixby Green Corn Festival will start tomorrow, Thursday, June 23 and run through Saturday evening, June 25, Charley Young Park, Bixby, Oklahoma.

Presented and coordinated by the Bixby Optimist Club, the Green Corn Festival brings the community together for weekend of old-fashioned family fun and entertainment. 

Download the complete schedule here: Bixby Green Corn Festival 2011. 

Be sure to note the times for free roasting ears - while they last, the talent show, contests for all ages and skills, and the Green Corn Parade. End your evening with the Bixby Round Up Club Rodeo or with music at the Charley Young Park Gazebo Stage. 

The celebration will wrap up on Saturday evening with a Street Dance, north of the park, featuring Danny Davis & His Detours Band. 

The Bixby Green Corn Festival is now in its 36th Year.  It's a great example of how a service club can bring the community together to play and grow. 

K.I.S.S. your videos

We all enjoy professional videos; that's why the movie industry continues to thrive as we hand over mega bucks to see the latest stars and stories on the big screen. However, today, we can all be videographers. The tools and resources are there for anyone who wants to give it a try.

Take a look at this 23-second clip taken at a recent gathering in the Pacific Northwest District - Optimist International where Judi Van Cleave was happy to give a plug about her Optimist Club and the Oregon City Pioneer Family Festival.



All you need to make this happen is a handheld video camera, a YouTube account and person who is passionate about the cause.

Oh, and please remember the wise words  Brian Solis gave to attendees at the School of WOM, "Keep it significant and shareable (K.I.S.S.)." I find that I'm much more willing to watch, and share, a short video than a long one!

Optimist Club hosts a big celebration for Community Days

Click to enlarge.

After thirty years of coordinating Community Days in Douglassville, PA, the Daniel Boone Optimist Club is proud to report that the event is still growing. This year they moved locations to accommodate more people to the family friendly event, added a pet parade and a 5k walk/run.

More than 30 organizations are hosting booths or activities this year.Popular returning activities are Bingo, the Baby Parade, pony rides and carnival rides and of course there will be food and entertainment.

According to Optimist Club president Sue Fleming it is a nice community event. "You get to meet your neighbors and see what is going on in the community," she explained.

She also reminds the community that the Optimist Club is always welcoming member volunteers to help organize the event and carry out other activities that help make Douglassville a great place to live. To find out more, visit www.danielbooneoptimist.com.

Optimist Club members contribute to the community's success

About one year ago I promised myself that I would post something new every day to this blog about how Optimist Clubs make a difference around the world. I discovered that when you post as frequently as I do about the same subject, you find lot of similar activities being conducted by different Optimist Clubs, many at the same time. I get excited when see a project that I wrote about last year return again this year even stronger and better.

Two of those activities are community events that wouldn't happen without the efforts of Optimist Club members are taking place this month:

• The Lebanon Blues Festival, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Lebanon, Ohio - not only did they return, they added more bands, sponsors, a 5k, 15k and fun run, a car show, and a brand new website. Start making your plans for next year. If you are into blues, I think you should add this to your to-do list. 
• The Black Patch Festival, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Princeton, Kentucky - with a nod to other service organizations, they reached out to make sure all were included and that no projects usurped another so that everyone had an equal opportunity to be recognized, raise awareness and support.  

It's so important when you carry out activities year after year to include others in your planning and production cycle. New members are important to any Optimist Club, but even more vital when your whole community is truly depending on you to represent the community as a whole.

Major projects such as these will attract new members, new people who want to be involved. Your responsibility is to engage those new volunteers in meaningful, purposeful ways.  Help the new Optimist Club volunteer connect with others so that they feel a part of the team.

When you reach out to new volunteers, you build leaders for the future of your club and the continuity of your project. Make it possible and fun for everyone to be a part of the action.

Optimist Club launches Rhythm and Ribs Festival

The Optimist Club of Erin,Ontario is planning a new event for their community this year: the Rhythm and Ribs Festival. They hope that thousands will turn out for the event; however, according to the organizing committee it is has not been planned as a fundraiser, but rather as a celebration of McMillan Park, 109 N. Main Street, that opened up in the downtown core last year.

Rhythm and Ribs will feature ribs from three local restaurants, Bistro Riviere, Dave's and What's Cookin', a beer garden and arts booths. Plus nine bands will perform over the two day period

The Erin Optimist Club and other associations were involved in developing the park and see the event as a way to celebrate the community. Rhythm and Ribs will take place August 14-15, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bixby Optimist Club sponsors and coordinates Green Corn Festival

The Optimist Club of Bixby, Oklahoma will host the Annual Green Corn Festival on June 24-25 at Charley Young Park in downtown Bixby.  The event includes music, parade, carnival rides, bingo and other great games for young and old; but some of the greatest entertainment of the weekend is the Miss Bixby Pageant and the Youth Talent Show.


Optimist Clubs pride themselves on bringing out the best in kids.  Additionally, they support local communities in the way that the community needs most.  The Green Corn Festival is a celebration that brings the community together for traditional fun activities.


Check out the schedule here. 


Shown above is Miss Bixby, Sara Subramaniam, with the Bixby Green Corn Festival poster for 2010.  Students in 9 - 12 grades created posters that were judged and then auctioned to guests at a chamber luncheon meeting.  All proceeds benefit Optimist youth projects in the Bixby community.

Visit the Oregon City Pioneer Family Festival

The Optimist Club of Oregon City, Oregon is getting ready for a big celebration. It's called Pioneer Family Festival and it is a three day weekend packed with carnival rides, midway entertainment, vendor booths, festival food, Teddy Bear Parade, safety displays, and history preservation displays.

 

In addition to the usual fun of a weekend festival, there is also a BMX competition and a skateboard competition.  New this year is an Arts in Action Area where urban artists will demonstrate aerosol artwork.  (Can we say graffiti?)  This is one way that the club keeps the allure of history engaged with current affairs. 

All of the fun is scheduled to take place at Clackamette Park on May 14-16, 2010.  Make your plans now to attend!