Project energy and enthusiasm

One of the biggest concerns or challenges that I hear from Optimist Club members is that they have trouble getting noticed by the news. Without going into details in this post about what would make an Optimist Club project newsworthy, I'd like to share a recent television interview scored by the Optimist Club of Lafayette, Louisiana. Its spokesperson was invited to share the details about the Optimist Club's haunted hayride during the morning show.

My concern on watching this interview was that the newscaster was more enthusiastic than the spokesperson. The spokesperson got the details of the event out there, but  she didn't give any of the positive emotions that one would want to feel about going to a community event.

Some tips for giving interviews:

• Be prepared. 
• Be ready with a soundbite - Succinctly state two or three key points that you want everyone to know.
• Be enthusiastic about what you are promoting. Project energy. Smile.
• If it is a serious story, share the gravity of the situation with the proper inflection of your voice. 

Engaging with the audience is an important element of public speaking whether one be in-person or on-camera, and every spokesperson gets better with experience. Kudos to the Optimist Club of Lafayette, Louisiana for making news.

A sample of youth appreciation awards

The Optimist Club of Alexandria, Louisiana is just one of many Optimist Clubs who are honoring students this month. November is the traditional month for Optimist International Youth Appreciation although many clubs carry on youth appreciation activities throughout the year as they recognize students for academics, citizenship, and leadership, among other things.

This brief video from the awards presentation explains more about the program.

KALB-TV News Channel 5

You can also learn more at Optimist International or find an Optimist Club near you to experience optimism in action.

Fundraisers may create your identity

Fundraisers - big or small - not only help you accomplish your goals, they help create your Optimist Club's identity within your community. The Middleton Area Optimist Club in Idaho, only three years old, has become known in their community and the PNW Optimist District as the bingo club. Through monthly bingo games, they've raised enough money to host free movies in the park ( now at 10 shows and counting), be a major contributor to the fireworks display in their small town, and support the middle school athletic program at two school districts with tennis equipment. Additionally, they've started a Junior Optimist Club and collaborated with the Middleton Area Parks and Recreation District and the Middleton Fire District to perform a number of programs that needed volunteer participation to come to life.

But it's that bingo fundraiser that the are most known for and that's okay with them because through bingo, the Optimist Club mobilizes other people's money to do more for the community.

In Jennings, Louisiana, another Optimist Club has become known for its major fundraiser and that's okay with them too. The Optimist Club of Jennings, Inc. is the watermelon club. Throughout the summer, and especially over the 4th of July holiday, they sell watermelons, and few cantaloupe too, to help them fulfill the mission of bringing out the best in youth.

Does your Optimist Club have a fundraiser that makes them stand out from others in the community? Tell us about it so we can share the news.

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.  

Rising Stars honored by Optimist Club

The Optimist Club of Bossier City, Louisiana recently recognized 16 students as Rising Stars in a program coordinated by the Optimist Club and endorsed by the Bossier Parish School Board. 

The Rising Stars Program is designed "for youths who have made the decision to take their life in their own hands and become a better students and citizens."    The group is made up 9th and 10th graders and are often students who have never been recognized before.  They are honored for improved attitudes towards teachers and school and increased self confidence and self esteem.  The selection criteria takes into account behavior, grades, attitude and being drug free. 

School Superintendent Bettye McCauley thanked the Bossier City Optimist Club as she praised the students.  "We want these kids to know how we appreciate what they have done with their life," she said. 

The Optimist Oratorical Contest is underway

The 2010 Optimist International Oratorical Contest is underway in Optimist Clubs throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.  Students under 16 are competing for 48 scholarships of $2,500.   The topic is Cyber communications -- progress or problem?

The Optimist Club of Alexandria, Louisiana has completed their contest and advancing to the next level of competition is Lylla Younes.  Lylla explained, "In my opinion, cyber communication can be a problem because it takes away from basic human-to-human communication and experiences."

Now through May, we hope to highlight some words from more speakers in clubs around the globe.  Please be sure to send us some pictures and quotes from Optimist Clubs in your community. 

The Optimist International Oratorical Contest begins at the Optimist Club level.  Find an Optimist Club near you to get started today. 

Westmark Optimist Club Observatory serves the Gretna, LA community

Are you a parent, teacher or youth group sponsor searching for a new location for a field trip?  Do you live near Gretna, Louisiana?  Then you are in luck!  The Westbank Optimist Club of Gretna, Louisiana sponsors the Gretna Observatory, a perfect location for children and adults to learn with wonder. 

The Gretna Observatory opened to the public in 2004.  According to their website, "the Gretna Observatory is the largest public observatory in the Greater New Orleans area. It was built to promote a greater interest in astronomy. It was especially designed to be an educational benefit to school age children and young adults from local schools by creating an awareness and interest in astronomy, science, and technology."

What a great way to reach childrena and share the positive mission of Optimist Clubs.  Thanks to the Westmark Optimist Club for helping children to reach for the stars.