Seventy-six and growing

You often hear that membership is waning in service clubs around the globe, especially in the United States. That's not true for the Noon Optimist Club of Rome, Georgia. According to the club president, Charles Graves, the Noon Optimist Club recently held a membership drive and over a two-month period has added 12 new Optimist Club members.

Shown in the photo, from left, are Wendy Huckaby, Larry Morrow, Sr., Justin Mitchell, Rodney Bailey, Tim Leonard, Cindy Green Fricks and Ben Simmons. They join 69 other members to make up the largest Optimist Club in the Georgia District.

Like most Optimist Clubs, the Noon Club hosts a number of student appreciation programs including "A Terrific Kid" annual banquet that honors students from each middle school in Rome and Floyd Counties. The club is also active in the district and local scholarship programs. It has been serving its community for 54 years.

If you would like to learn more about the Noon Rome Optimist Club or if you would like to find an Optimist Club near you and get involved, please click on this Optimist Club directory link.

Photo credit: Noon Optimist Club of Rome, GA

What are you doing today?

I like this graphic that I found this morning at the Optimist Club of Jasper, Georgia's website. It asks, "What are you doing today?" and then gives a myriad of opportunities for involvement in its Optimist Club.

In one quick glance, local residents will know that if they join the Optimist Club they will be involved in projects aimed at youth in their local community; they'll work with other adults to carry on these projects; and they have the backing of an international service organization where people in other clubs around the world are doing similar service projects.

Of course, the Optimist Club of Jasper should include its name and contact information on their graphic so that when others, people like me, decide to pull it out and highlight it, there will be a way to get in touch with them. But honestly, as the headline on the club's blog, it really gets right to the point.

What are you doing today? Why not do something with the Optimist Club. The opportunities are endless.

Click here to find an Optimist Club near you. 

Student speaks with optimism

Caleb Blair

I love this picture. It was posted by Barbara Jacoby for the Canton-Sixes Patch in Georgia. She was promoting, rightfully so, the winner of the Georgia District-Optimist International Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing where Teasley Middle School student Caleb Blair won a $2,500 college scholarship for his presentation on "How my optimism helps me overcome obstacles."

I love the picture for what it symbolizes: a young man, standing behind a banner of the Optimist Creed, talking in his language (ASL) about optimism. That's a powerful image.

Congratulations to Caleb and thank you to all contestants who participated in the Optimist International Communications Contests for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing this year.

Georgia Optimists launch awareness campaign

The Georgia District - Optimist International is nearing their 75th Anniversary and they are celebrating with pride - pride in their accomplishments and service; pride in their fellowship and friendships; but most all, pride in being a Georgia Optimist. They've created a video to share that special feeling with you.



As I've commented on this blog before, individuals belong to Optimist Clubs. Optimist Clubs belong to Optimist International. The district serves as an administrative arm to help Optimist International share information and leadership and help the organization grow. I'm always fascinated when individuals identify primarily with something other than an Optimist Club for the club level is where we make a difference.

The Georgia awareness campaign is focusing on individuals over clubs. Answering the question, "What's in it for me?" they highlight three individuals, among others, who say that being a Georgia Optimist gave them the opportunity to develop personal skills like public speaking, confidence and self esteem.

I give the Georgia Optimists high marks for their passion, fellowship and promotion and hope that in the future they remember their club-level roots, for without an Optimist Club, none of their achievements are possible.

Twenty-six years and counting

Rev. David Hall, Jim Nations,
Francis Ranwez, and Hal Sewell (L-R)
circa 1985

I've been watching the projects of the Senoia Optimist Club for about eighteen months now largely because they host a monthly blood drive and get great print coverage for their generosity. When I see them on Twitter, I always retweet. Today, I decided to visit their Facebook page to see what else goes on in their club.

I was rewarded with the knowledge that the Senoia Optimist Club is now 26 years old. They celebrated their 25th anniversary in December 2010 and posted some great pictures on Facebook. But the one that attracted my attention pictured the charter officers of the club. During the anniversary event, charter members Hal Sewell and Carl Powell were presented 25-year pins.

When we look at our Optimist Club rosters, it is not unusual to find a few stalwart members who have been involved for 25 years or more, but it is refreshing to find charter officers and members still engaged after that length of time. In fact, Sewell served as club president in its 25th year.

Making headlines after 25 years of service declares that the Senoia Optimist Club is an essential part of the Senoia community. They meet on the first and third Thursdays of each month, 6:00 p.m., at Maguire's Restaurant, 42 Main Street. If you live in the area, stop by and say hi, thank you and I want to join. You'll never regret your decision.

Find out more at www.senoiaoptimistclub.org. 

Respect and thanks

Optimist Clubs inspire respect for law and to do so, they honor police officers and invite them to participate in many activities throughout the year. Projects like "Shop with a Cop, "Bike Safety Rodeos," and "Child Safety Days" help children understand that police officers are friendly and approachable. Police officers are there to listen and help.

Of course police officers must also enforce the law; that is their job, and sometimes a thankless one. So many Optimist Clubs choose to hold a recognition day to say thank you to the officers in their community. This video comes from WTOC news in Savannah, Georgia where three officers and a detective were honored for keeping the streets safe.



Click here for a press release of the event from the Savannah Chatham Metro Police.

Saying thank you goes a long way, don't you think?

Drug dog visits Optimist Club

The Optimist Club of Rome, Georgia welcomed Sheriff's Deputy Jimmy Allred and Champ to a recent meeting. Champ, an English black lab is a drug dog in the K-9 unit and a significant member of the Floyd County Sheriff Department. I like this story for a number of reasons:

1)   It is about an Optimist Club meeting. I believe that meetings are important because they allow the attendees the opportunity to learn about relevant activities in their community.

2)   It features a working dog and everyone who knows me knows that I am a bit dog-crazy. 

3)   It was written by Chelsea Latta, a high-school intern. What better way to share the Optimist International mission of bringing out the best in kids?

Take a look at the original article here for the full story.  

Share a story with an Optimist Club

I glanced over this article several times.  It wasn't really an article about an Optimist Club Respect for Law activity although there were definitely pictures of police officers. The headline declared "Optimists hear about FBI training."  Ho. Hum.  I can imagine that would be interesting if you know the officer or could hear it first hand, but it wasn't grabbing me as something to chronicle, something to keep right here as a way to experience optimism.  Until...

Yes, I'm alway excited when there is an until moment because that means there is a story behind the story.  It became obvious when I took a closer look.  Do you see it?

That's right, there is a round badge in the center of Chief Deputy Tom Caldwell's chest declaring that he is a member of the Noon Optimist Club of Rome, Georgia. His presentation about the training he received at Quantico was enjoyed by more than the public that he serves.  It was welcomed warmly by people who feel a kinship to this man almost as if a  member of their family had been given a special honor.

All Optimist Clubs have members with special interests and talents and everyone has a lifetime of experience. Why not hear more from those people who sit beside us week after week?  Don't be afraid to learn more about your friends who join you in service. Ask them to make a presentation about their work or an interesting time in their life. They might just have an enlightening story to share.

Photo credit: The Rome News Tribune

That's a lot of pancakes!

This just in...As reported in an earlier post, the Optimist Club of Rome, Georgia is holding a pancake fundraiser today.  I just learned it is their 50th Annual Pancake Breakfast.  You have to admit, that is a lot of pancakes!

According to organizer Jim Bojo, each year the club tries to beat the past year's sales because the pancake breakfast supports all of the club's projects for the year.  Target for this year's event is $18,000.  Help them reach their goal starting at 6:00 am, November 21, 6 a.m. at the Rome Civic Center on Jackson Hill. 

Optimist Club helps with childhood literacy effort

The Optimist Club of Carrollton, Georgia recently came together with the Ferst Foundation, Carroll County Schools and others interested in increasing childhood literacy to support early reading skills.  Through fund raising efforts the Foundation brings books to the community by offering annual subscriptions.  For an annual investment of $36, a child will receive one new book per month. 

Parents say that receiving the book is like opening a present and the children can't wait to read them, often together with their parents.  And that is just what the organizers want to hear, but to make it happen, it takes a lot of support from the community.

First of all, the books have to be purchased; the subscriptions have to be sold or donated; and then the books have to be delivered.  The community contributes at all levels, with much happening at the Burgers, Bands and Books Festival.  Families are entertained, silent auctions take place, books are sold, donations are given, and families sign up for the service while those that can't afford it are matched with sponsors willing to help.  In the four years that the activity has been held, the Carroll County Schools have tracked the results and claim that children participating in the program are reporting higher scores than others who have not.

So what does the Optimist Club do? On the day of the event, they work to bring out the best in kids offering a putt-putt course while parent shop.  Other activities are face painting, storytelling, performances from local bands and food.  After the event, the Optimist Club is one of many civic organizations that donate to the cause.  "I'm here for the kids and it's just a lot of fun," said Optimist Club member Bob Myers. 

Not only is it fun, it is a valuable community asset.  Keep it up!

Celebrating an optimistic life

The Optimist Club of St. Simon's Island, Georgia is celebrating fifty years of serving their community this year.  They recently held a party at the King and Prince Beach Resort where new and old-time members gathered for an evening of merriment.  Thirteen past presidents and the original Optimist of the Year were present as was Charles. L. "Buck" Buckalew and his wife Marge.

Buck is the longest continuously serving member of the St. Simon's Optimist Club and the senior member of the Georgia District.  He is also known as the chief of happiness because he always wears a smile.  But the real story of this gentleman's optimistic life is best seen as the feature article in the Golden Isles Magazine.  Click to the profile page of the Sept-Oct edition and read all about it.  Then forward to page 62 and enjoy pictures from the Optimist Club's 50th anniversary celebration.  It's a very nice tribute to the Optimist Club of St. Simon's Island.