Alamogordo Optimists learn about the White Sands

As part of the annual Youth Appreciation Celebration, the Optimist Club of Alamogordo, New Mexico welcomed the JOOI Club from the Academy del Sol to a meeting. In return for their hospitality, the students entertained the group with puppets. That's right, puppets.

The JOOI Club is developing a production that uses puppets as characters, "The Invasion of the White Sands Critters."

The White Sands National Monument is approximately 16 miles from Alamagordo. It's pristine white sands make it a natural wonder. Even more so, according to the national parks website, there is no water source for animals that live on the White Sands. All of their water must come from the foods they eat and that makes me wonder, how do plants grow without water? There would be much to learn about this unusual habitat. 

Kudos to the JOOI students on their production. 

Thanks to the Optimist Club of Alamogordo for sharing their pictures with us.

Bingo!

For 132 consecutive months - that's 11 years! - the Norfolk Panthers JOOI Club in Norfolk, Nebraska has visited The Meadows, a senior and assisted living facility, for socializing and fun. One of the highlights is bingo.

The ritual dates back to January 2002 when the JOOI Club decided to visit The Meadows for a project and the friendship between the residents and students began. On September 21, 2009, the residents of The Meadows decided to become an Optimist Club in their own right, but not without the promise that bingo would continue. It has and it will. What a great way to span the generations. 

Thanks to Mark Claussen for the photo.

JOOI of Reading: Seuss on the Loose

Read-aloud programs are some of my favorite activities, especially when the readers are young Optimist Club members. 

As an end-of-the-year school activity at Vision Charter School in Caldwell Idaho, the JOOI students, part of the Middleton Area Optimist Club, coordinated a read-aloud program for grades kindergarten through second grade.

Focusing only on books written by Dr. Seuss, the read-aloud program was called "Seuss on the Loose."  The young students, anxious to be dismissed for the summer, were enthralled with the freshman and sophomore readers as they sat in small groups around the soccer field.

Some students  acted out parts of the stories, changed their voices, and tried out other storytelling tricks to keep the younger students engaged.

All enjoyed so much that they hated to hear the bell ring that dismissed them not only from the activity, but also from school that day. 

Annually, JOOI (Junior Optimist Octagon International) promotes literacy through the JOOI of Reading. As with any Optimist Club program, the club is encouraged to make it their own. 

About 150 students participated in the Seuss on the Loose program. They did a great job and plan to do something similar again next year.

The coordinating group and readers are shown to the left. 

Mentors through reading

It's JOOI of Reading Month in Nebraska. This is the month that students involved in Junior Optimist and Octagon International Clubs encourage others to read as they share the magic of literature.

According to the Nebraska District JOOI director, Mark Claussen, JOOI members participated in JOOI of Reading month in a number of ways including proclamation ceremonies with Governor Dave Heineman and Mayor Sue Fuchtman and reading to students in grades K-2 in five different elementary schools and at Head Start. They also collected and gave away 300 books to students.

Like any Optimist Club, JOOI Clubs are autonomous and can choose the projects that they think will benefit their communities most. I am always impressed when children engage with their younger cohorts. To offer friendship, serve as mentors or just a positive role model builds character for all.

Their adult sponsors are equally rewarded when they see the good deeds of time and attention being paid forward. It gives every Optimist Club member hope that optimism – and Optimist Clubs – will live on in the years to come.

I'm especially touched by this program because of my love for writing, but most of all, it is through the eyes of these children that we keep our ideas fresh and forward-thinking. Optimist Clubs, like all service clubs, stay vital and vibrant when we embrace the wisdom of all generations.

Photo credit: Mark Claussen

Jumping for JOOI is first step

Students at Vision Charter School prepare to "Let's Jump!"

On Wednesday, October 12, 508 students started their day doing jumping jacks at Vision Charter School in Caldwell/Middleton, Idaho.

Prompted by the newly formed Junior Optimist Club, the school was part of the worldwide effort to break the Guinness World Record for the most people doing jumping jacks at the same time. They joined such high profile jumpers as Michelle Obama who led from the White House lawn.

Word isn't in yet if they were successful in breaking the record, reports must be filed and verified, but one thing is for sure, it was a great experience for the Vision Charter School Junior Optimist Club.

The club is just being formed, recruiting members and lining up community service projects to perform. The founding students saw this effort as a way to bring attention to physical fitness and have fun with people all around the world at the same time. They called their effort "Jump for JOOI," in tribute to the name for the youth membership of Optimist International: Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI). 

According to Erin Lair, school advisor to the club, the high school club plans to be active in the school and community. In addition to their ongoing recruiting efforts, their next project is a backpack program for students on free and reduced lunch. The Junior Optimists will fill backpacks with easy-to-prepare foods and students who are food insecure can discretely pick them up to help get through the weekend.

One the strengths of the JOOI program is it fully self directed by the students. They see the need and develop ways to make a difference in their community.

The Junior Optimist Club is sponsored by the Middleton Area Optimist Club. It is only the second JOOI Club in Idaho.

The JOOI of acting

The Twin City Optimist Club of Festus, Missouri recently welcomed some young actors to their club. The troupe - the JOOI Club - entertained them with their rendition of "The Sky is Falling," the traditional story about Chicken Little and Henny Penny told, of course, with an optimist twist.

JOOI stands for Junior Optimist Octagon International, the student division of Optimist Clubs. Kids from 6 to 18 can get involved with a JOOI Club and perform community service projects, develop leadership skills and whatever else they think is important in their community. Every year, the Twin City JOOI Club produces a play and invites the community to attend.

JOOI Clubs are autonomous and run solely by the children with two or more adult advisors from the sponsoring Optimist Club.  To find out how you can establish a JOOI Club in your community, please visit Optimist International - JOOI or find your local Optimist Club. 

Thanks to the Twin City Optimist Club for the photo and story.

Paper, not plastic

Recently in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the East Middle School Jr. Optimist Club conducted a community service project for the Salvation Army.  Their goal was to go on a shopping expedition to help stock the shelves for people with needs. As you can see by the picture, paper products were the product of choice.

Any grocery shopper can tell you how quickly toilet paper and paper towels can eat up a tight budget. In another example of how a simple project can make a difference, this thoughtful gift from the students will be well received.

Photo credit: Farmington Hills Optimist Club website. Click here to find out more about JOOI Club projects and the Farmington Hills Optimist Club. 

JOOI students help tackle hunger

The JOOI (Junior Optimist Octagon International) students in Nebraska were part of the Souper Bowl of Caring event that took place in conjunction with Super Bowl earlier this month.

The Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 as a way to involve young people in the fight to tackle hunger. Since that time more than $70 million has been raised for the cause.

The students shown here were involved in packaging meals for Mercy Meals. They loaded 2,000 bags, each feeding six people, for the continuing relief efforts to earthquake victims in Haiti.

The JOOI of Reading

This month, Junior Optimist and Octagon Clubs (JOOI Clubs) have been celebrating the JOOI of reading.  Ideas are available online to help students plan events in their community.  As I was looking, I stumbled upon this idea called "Catch and Release." I imagine, like me, you thought of fishing; but what a great idea for sharing books: leave them around public places and encourage other students to pick them up, take them home and read them. 

I imagine that it would take a book drive to gather enough literature to spread around, a great number of signs, and perhaps even some students to demonstrate that it is a good thing to help yourself to some reading material. But don't wonder about what it takes to start the project; please find out online here: JOOI of Reading. 

This project is truly ageless. Adult Optimist Clubs can participate too. Choose a month, make a plan, and share the JOOI of Reading in your community. 

Students set a fast pace for service

A friend of mine who hails from Nebraska updates his Facebook status regularly, sometimes several times a day. A great majority of his posts are about his activities with Optimist Clubs. He is especially active with Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI) and it's always wonderful to hear about the positive programs in which our students are involved.

Over the past year, students in the JOOI Clubs he works with have:

• Won a grant for "Don't Drive Intexticated" and led an awareness program against texting while driving. 
• Visited a skilled nursing facility to play bingo with the residents for 108 consecutive months (9 years)
• Participated in Jumpstart's Read for the Record/Read Aloud Nebraska
• Helped craft a media campaign against underage drinking with the public health department
• Collected a record 81 pints at the Holiday Blood Drive
• Participated in Operation Christmas Tree for the 17th year providing trees to needy families
• Hosted World Kindness Week at Norfolk Jr. High
• Collected non-perishable items for the food pantry and clothing for the Salvation Army
• Manned the concession stands for the Early Bird Tip-off Classic and other sporting events
• Held an Improv Retreat
• Participated in numerous Internet Safety programs
• Participated in National Night Out
• Hosted the JOOI of Reading at elementary schools
• Hosted Souper Bowl of Caring
• And so much more...

Some service clubs struggle to do a project a month, but the energy and creativity of students can keep us active sometimes on a weekly basis.  Finding an adult mentor and chaperon to keep up with their projects can be a daunting task and truly a labor of love.

Many thanks to my friend, Mark Clausson, Immediated Past Governor, for the great service he provides to the Optimist Clubs, JOOI Clubs, and especially the students in the Nebraska District - Optimist International. 

No age barriers for Optimist Club Christmas baskets

Christmas baskets, loaded with food and presents, are a regular project for Optimist Clubs. Members of the Optimist Club of Pasco-Tri-Cities in Richland, Washington made a "Supermarket Sweep" to fulfill their requests.  As you will see in the slideshow, members have fun together as they serve their community.

Most clubs ask for donations from the community. That's what the Junior Optimist Club at Hartland High School in Hartland Township, MI did. They collected 4,000 pounds of food and supplies with help from their friends in the school district.

Their school advisor, Nicole Conley, commented on the student' generosity. She said, "I am always awestruck how much teenagers want to give. Many people believe them to be selfish creatures, and some are, but I generally believe they lack the knowledge of how to get involved.

Optimist Club members will agree with Ms. Conley's statement. That's why they spend time with children, providing projects for them to do and as they get older, helping them to carry out projects on their own. A caring community begins with caring, involved adults. We like to call them Optimist Club members.
Read all about the Junior Optimist (JOOI) project here.

Junior Optimists collect Toys for Tots

Junior Optimist Clubs are good at finding new service projects to do and they manage to stay busy throughout the year. Christmastime is no different.

One of the projects that came across my desk this week is taking place today, December 11, in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The Prior Lake High School's Junior Optimist Club is collecting Toys for Tots at Prior Lake Marketplace from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They ask that the toys be unwrapped and they ask for toys appropriate for all ages.

The Junior Optimist Club started six years ago. They have been collecting toys for four years. To date, members have collected more than 5,000 gifts. To find out more about the project or the Prior Lake Junior Optimist Club, please call Amy Raetz at 952.447.1137.

Caroling for canned goods

In Plainfield, Indiana, the Junior Optimist Club at Plainfield Community Middle School will take part in an annual tradition: Christmas Caroling in the Community. They have a special twist on their event. In addition to sharing holiday cheer and fun, they collect canned goods that are given away by counselors at the Middle School.

The event will take place throughout Plainfield neighborhoods on December 9, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Flyers are being distributed several days before to alert residents to the purpose of the carolers and other organizations and groups have been asked to join the 50 Junior Optimist Club members in the fun.

Thanks to Junior Optimist Club sponsor Joan Effinger for the story.

What is your favorite Christmas project? Please tell us about it here. 

Junior Optimist Club recognized in Honolulu

Ninety-three people attended the Junior Optimist Club of Honolulu's awards and recognition dinner on Wednesday, May 19, 2010.

According to the Optimist Club of Honolulu, Hawaii, they have sponsored this remarkable group of young people for eleven years.  Recognizing their service to their club, school and community, this year six young ladies from the Kaimuki Middles School were in the running for Optimist of the Year.  Darsha VanAntwerp was declared the top optimist.

The club has a motto that we all hope is true, "Once an Optimist, always an optimist."  Congratulations ladies.  Thank you for all that you do.

Photos courtesy of the Optimist Club of Honolulu.

Louisiana style fundraising

What's a mud bug?  Well a crawfish, of course.  And why am I writing about mud bugs here?  Because the Optimist Club of New Iberia, Louisiana recently cooked up 5,000 pounds of mud bugs for their Annual Crawfish Boil.

According to Optimist Club chef  Larry Crochet, that's down about 1,000 pounds from last year, but they still served about 1,000 hungry patrons. It is estimated they will raise about $6,000 to $7,000 with this fundraiser.  All proceeds benefit youth projects in New Iberia with special assistance to three JOOI Clubs at Catholic High, Westgate High and New Iberia Senior High.  The Optimist Club also contributes to the library reading program and hosts a bicycle safety fair.

The New Iberia Optimist Club hopes to host a shrimp boil later in the year; however, they are concerned that the BP oil spill in the Gulf might make that impossible.

Read more about this project and see some pictures of the event at this link.  

ServeNebraska to recognize JOOI service leadership

Mark Claussen, Governor of the Nebraska District, shared on Facebook today that the Nebraska Optimist Clubs were invited to the Nebraska Governor's Conference on Service Leadership to discuss JOOI service  activities with adult participants.  They will also be providing some volunteer services during the confereince. 

According to Mark, this is the third time for their program to be recognized at the Governor's Conference.  In 2007 they were presented weiht the First Lady's Community Service Award. 

Congratualtions Mark and to all of the JOOI members that you represent.

The Governor's Conference on Service Leadership will be held April 8, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel, Omaha, NE.  It organized through ServeNebraska. 

Sharing the JOOI of Reading

The Junior Optimist Club from the Plainfield Middle School in Plainfield, Indiana shared the joy of reading recently with the school district's developmental preschool. 

They visited the school to deliver blankets made with a community grant that promotes Youth as Resources and while there they played games and read to the younger kids and helped them with an impromptu slumber party. 

Junior Optimist Clubs are part of the Junior Optimist Octagon International JOOI program with Optimist International.  One of their signature programs is the JOOI of Reading. 

Photos courtesy of the Flyer Group. 

Junior Optimists from Anguilla attend convention

Twenty-five young delegates represented Anguillan Junior Optimist Clubs to the Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI) Convention this year. That is the largest number of delegates to ever attend a convention from one district.

The convention attendees had the opportunity to attend education and networking sessions on leadership and community service and to meet with the Board of Directors of Optimist International. Shown with the delegation here are Don Sievers, President and his spouse Anita; Theo Golding, Chairman of the Board; and Mark Shriver, President-designate and his spouse Patricia McKay, M.D.

Link to Anguilla News.

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?