What's a Jammie Jog?

File this under too cute not to share.

The new Optimist Club at Iowa State University held its first fundraiser on November 7, 2015. For a $10 entry fee, students were encouraged to participate in the Jammie Jog: a 1-mile run around campus and all money raised was earmarked for ChildServe of Ames.

According to founding club member Christina Dittmer, the club hopes to "create opportunities for today's less privileged youth."

The fundraiser-jog came about after brainstorming throughout the spring and summer. For the entry fee, the club awarded t-shirts to the top 100 runners and generated a great deal of enthusiasm for their cause.

Wouldn't it be great to see Jammie Jogs on college campuses all around North America raising awareness for Optimist Clubs?


Photo: Max Goldberg/Iowa State Daily

Optimists help first responders help kids

Every year, at a Boise State University basketball game, the Boise Noon Optimist Club will collect hundreds of teddy bears during its program aptly named Operation Bear Care. These plush characters are then given to first responders who keep them in their vehicles and give them to children when they are in an unfortunate or traumatic situation. Other Optimist Clubs and service groups around the country perform similar projects, reaching out to kids to help relieve their anxiety and bolster a comfortable relationship between youngsters and law enforcement.

From L to R: Brandon Blanchard, David Wilke,
Blaine Shutts, Andrea Brownlee and Lorraine Sinnott.

The Optimist Club of Oskaloosa, Iowa has taken this program a step further. They have created an activity kit backpack that is filled with small toys, crayons and coloring books. Serving the same purpose, its approach reaches across a broader age-range. According to Police Chief Jake McGee, the backpacks help distract children when they are in a stressful situation so that he police can do what they need to do. "Hopefully, [it] comforts them a little bit," he concluded. 

Optimist Club President Andrea Brownlee said, "We thought it was a good idea. Something we could do to help the community."

Understated, but there when needed; yes indeed, Ms. Brownlee,  it is a great way to be of service.

Photo credit: Oskynews.org

Your Optimist Club brand is social

I was searching for a picture today and I stumbled up on this presentation. It was given by personal branding coach Christoph Trappe  to the Optimist Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I decided to share it here for three reasons.

First, it provides an example of how businesses can interact with your Optimist Club. By giving them fifteen or twenty minutes to share their expertise with your club members, business owners can raise awareness for the services that they provide.

Second, Mr. Trappe shared his experience of being at the Optimist Club on his community journalism blog: Christoph Trappe's Blog. That raises awareness for Optimist Clubs and provides authentic links to the organization's purpose.

Finally, the slides tell a good story about why it's important to share what you do as an Optimist Club and why you do it. I believe that we want to make the world a better place to live and raise our families. Social media provides a point of entry to share that purpose with a cross section of the public. It's a perfect platform to tell your stories and inspire others with your good deeds.

Okay, if you don't think that social media is a good thing for your Optimist Club at this point, perhaps you might want to try it out at work. Either way, you need to be online. The time frame is no longer when; it is now.

Social media branding 2013 from Christoph Trappe

Embrace the meeting

Several years ago, Optimist International leaders began promoting a slight change in language for one to use when inviting someone to attend an Optimist Club meeting. Instead of using the word "meeting," they said you should invite someone to a breakfast, lunch, or gathering. It was their opinion that no one wanted to attend a meeting, but that they had to eat. Maybe so, but I know that I wouldn't be too pleased with a friend or an associate if they asked me to lunch only to find out that I was really part of a membership drive at their service club. And a gathering? Well, for me, that just brings to mind some sort of cult. My mind races to immortals, as depicted in the movie franchise "Highlander," when the gathering would bring all of their kind together to fight until there was only one.

Post by Urbandale Optimist Club invites people, members and others, to attend a gathering. 

Post by Urbandale Optimist Club invites people, members and others, to attend a gathering. 

I admit that even I have promoted the use of online calendars to and press releases to promote Optimist Club guest speakers as forums and lectures as topics of general interest. I still stand behind that idea; however, I don't agree with obfuscating that your reason for bringing people together is to conduct an Optimist Club meeting.

Meetings are an important part of our culture for the word itself implies that people are coming together for a purpose. That purpose might be social, educational, inspirational, or devotional, among other things; but it is its purposeful focus that helps us get things done. Meetings are important because:

• In meetings, we learn about issues, share ideas, and develop plans to address problems, promote goodness, and make our world a better place to live.
• Meetings are time-conscious. While there are always outliers, most meetings begin and end in a reasonable amount of time. Personally, I have no idea how long a gathering may last and depending on my schedule, I may not be willing to find out.
• Meetings provide a sense of formality. Please don't confuse being formal to wearing a suit and tie; it doesn't matter what you wear to the occasion. Formality means that someone is accountable for what happens before, during and after the meeting. Someone cares enough to engage others and see projects through to the end.

I like the formality and accountability of the meeting process. I, for one, embrace the meeting and I encourage you to do so too.

Pedal pull for youth

Corn Palace

I've heard of tractor pulls, but today is the first time I have ever heard of a pedal pull.  I had to do research to find out if a pedal pull was what I thought it was and sure enough, I discovered that a pedal pull is youngsters on pedal-powered tractors doing exactly what their motorized counterparts do. The National Pedal Pulling Championships are taking place today at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Becca and Lexi Mohlis

I guess I found out about the activity just in time. Please take a look at the children in action and you'll agree, it is an activity that brings joy. I imagine that is why the Marshalltown Noon Optimist Club of Iowa host their own pedal pull event.

Sisters Becca and Lexi Mohlis participated in the Iowa State championships and won in their age divisions.  Becca even qualified to participate in the National Championships today at the Corn Palace.  Good luck!

Photo courtesy of the Marshalltown Noon Optimist Club. 

Flag City, Iowa

I have very quick post today and a shout-out to fellow blogger Dennis Voy of Maquoketa, Iowa. Dennis writes Dennis's Daily Report for KMAQ Radio and he has highlighted the community service efforts of the Maquoketa Optimist Club for placing flags in the community, including residential streets, for the national holidays.

He points out that the flags are a moneymaker for the many projects that the Optimist Club does for children throughout the year, but more importantly, thanks to the efforts of the Optimist Club and the support they receive from the community, Maquoketa, Iowa is known as the US Flag City of Iowa.

Click here to go to Dennis's Daily Report.  

Optimist Club introduces disc golf to their community

What do you plan to do this weekend? While other Optimist Clubs are busy holding bicycle safety days, traditional golf tournaments and getting ready to send kids back to school, the Optimist Club of Washington, Iowa is doing something different: They are holding a Disc Golf Tournament.

The Washington Optimist Club Disc Golf Tournament is a free activity for children and adults. The Optimist Club is giving away discs to everyone who participates and since it is a different sporting event - one that not everyone has heard of - they are  holding a free clinic to teach people how to play before the tournament begins. At the end of the activity, trophies will be awarded in a number of different categories.

It all looks pretty simple and fun for all ages.  Take a look at the video that I found at the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) website. The PDGA is holding a national tournament this weekend. Who knows? Maybe the Washington Optimist Club will spark an interest for a future PDGA tournament in their community.



If you live near Washington, Iowa, please join the Optimist Club on Saturday, July 31, 10 a.m., Sunset Park for the Disc Golf Tournament. It's free and open to the public.

Meetings help us engage with our community

Meetings, meetings and more meetings!  Some people say they have too many and that showing up for an Optimist Club meeting is out of the question.  Personally, I attend at least one Optimist Club meeting a week because I enjoy the opportunity to come together with friends and colleagues who share similar goals.  We recite the Optimist Creed, hear from local organizations and initiatives and make plans for how we will serve the community.  Yes, I think meetings are important.

I am happy to report that in my travels and research, I have discovered that most Optimist Clubs share my belief and members make time to be present at weekly meetings.  Here's a picture submitted by the Quad City Morning Optimist Club of Iowa.  They enjoyed a full house recently for a presentation from Camp Courageous.  Camp Courageous is a year-round respite and recreational facility for individuals with disabilities.  The Quad City Morning Optimist Club is a supporter.

Stay positive with the Optimist Creed

I am always intrigued at their reaction when new people hear the Optimist Creed for the first time.   A newspaper reporter recently visited the Thursday Noon Optimist Club of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He was there to hear from the mayor and expecting tough questions about the recent resignation of the city manager.  What he found instead was a room of "upbeat optimists."  

Journalist Rick Smith wrote in his article, "The Optimists stand and recite a lengthy mission statement after they eat and before the meeting’s featured speaker begins, and the statement is all about being, well, optimistic."  

His article goes on to describe the mayor's address, the questions posed by the group and in his view he believes the transportation projects and street closures could turn the group into pessimists.  Don’t worry; should that be about to happen, I trust they will remember their Creed.  

Economic development and optimism

Economic development is one of my passions.  When I saw that the Iowa Economic Development Corporation recently spoke to the Shenandoah Valley Optimist Club, I had to find out more.  

During a regular meeting, amidst the fun raffle drawings, planning for a blood drive and sharing Optimist Club news, Director Greg Connell enlightened the group about how important industry was to the valley.  He spoke in secret economic developer terms about "project d" and how it will require big water demands that the community can meet.  He also spoke of a lake project, algae plant and new hotel and parking facilities. 

There is more to being a social welfare organization than working with children.  The only way to be engaged with the needs of the community is to reach out, ask questions and be involved in all aspects of development.  

Has your club reached out lately?  If not, please do so first thing Monday morning.  

Le Mars Optimist Club celebrates 25 years of service

Celebrating twenty-five years of service in a community is truly an honor.  The community of Le Mars, Iowa is helping the Optimist Club celebrate their 25th anniversary by recognizing 25 years of impacting children in a positive way.

Please take a look at this wonderful article in the Le Mars Daily Sentinel.  According to Jerry Haack, charter president of the club, it all started in 1985 with a bicycle safety day, Youth Appreciation Week, essay contests, Respect for Law Week and sports contests.  The club added the Just Say No program in 1987 and has continued drug abuse awareness every year since then.

Throughout the years the club has sponsored skating, bowling, and recreation nights at the YMCA.  The events are always free and years later participants remember how much fun they had with the Optimist Club.

The Le Mars Optimist Club has also helped fund large projects in the community like the swimming pool and little league sports complex, but the members always enjoy the projects that let them work directly with the children and make them smile.

When the club was started 25 years ago, there were other service clubs in town.  However, the 39 members wanted to do something special for children.  I think they have accomplished their mission.  Thank you to the Le Mars Optimist Club for your service and best wishes for 26 more years.

Download the article for the Le Mars Sentinel in PDF. 
Photo club members planning for the Just Say No program in 1987 courtesy of the Le Mars Optimist Club. 

Raise the roof

Radio station KCII is an integral part of the fundraising strategy for the Optimist Club of Washington, Iowa.  Together they are helping "raise the roof" at the popular teen hangout Hamakua Place.  They began with a $500 challenge donation and are looking for others supporters to kick in.

The KCII website lists the ongoing activities of Hamakua Place and the Optimist Club.  Most radio stations will list community events and fundraisers.  Isn't it great when they write about them and have the on-air personalities talk about them too?

Visit KCII here.

On-air personality talks about Optimist Club

Dennis Voy, an on-air personality with KMAQ radio in Maquoketa, Iowa recently shared his enthusiasm for the Optimist Club. He gave a shout out to the new president Rick Henshaw and new secretary/treasurer Lois Fischer.  According to Dennis's Daily Report they will do a good job, but you can find out for yourself by joining the Optimist Club of Maquoketa for a big breakfast.  They meet every Wednesday at the Eagle's Club. 

Dennis's report was peppered with friendliness and familiarity.  He knows most of the members personally and has memories of eating carmel apples made by the Optimist Club when he was a young boy made by the parents of the current members.  That's advertising that you can't buy.  Thanks Dennis; you embody the spirit of optimism.  I hope they consider you for an honorary spokesperson of the year award. 

Big wheels bring fun and optimism to Solon Beef Days

"It's mainly to get kids outdoors and do something with their parents or grandparents," explained Doug Thompson, member, Optimist Club of Solon, Iowa as he described the festivities that surround Solon Beef Days. Of course there is beef - the main food attraction, but more important are all the family activities that keep the kids moving.

The most popular Optimist Club sponsored children's attractions were the Big Wheel Trike Race and the Fishing Derby. Families also enjoyed a hay bale toss, music, food and friends during the 38th annual event. Community traditions are important. What tradition is your Optimist Club involved in? Please leave us a comment and tell us all about it.

Junior Optimist Club to benefit from in-school Club Time

Here is a positive trend that every school should embrace: Club Time in place of study hall. According to Phil Kramer, Principal at Jefferson Middle School in Dubuque, IA, a newly created class schedule will create the opportunity for more students to be involved in what was once considered extracurricular activities: student organizations.

The kinks are still being worked out and he admits that it still being determined how many times per month clubs will meet, but the concept is solid just the same. Kramer explained that Club Time is important because it allows students to socialize, identify causes and choose to work together and build leadership skills. "Our hope is that every kid will be involved in some type of club," he stated. Students that prefer to attend study hall will still have that option.

One of the groups that will be affected by the new Club Time mandate is the Jefferson Hillhawks Junior Optimist Club. Upon learning there was a new class schedule being proposed, Club President Maryann Flury and Vice President Taiana Butler proactively started campaigning for clubs to be included. This is exactly the type of leadership skills that Junior Optimist Club members learn from being involved.

I think Club Time sounds like a great way to involve even more students in positive activities and help them develop an attitude of community service. How about you?

It's worth the look: Ankenny Optimist 5K Walk/Run

Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words. That means this twenty-picture photo gallery must be worth 20,000 words. Please click on the link to take you to the Des Moines Register Online where I promise you will enjoy the Ankenny Optimist Club 5k 1 Mile Walk/Run. This is the fourth year for the event. Young, old, male, female, able-bodied and those in wheelchairs enjoyed the day. Ankenny Optimist Club photo gallery.