Start a new Optimist Club

One of the most rewarding projects that any Optimist Club can undertake is to start a new Optimist Club in a new community. The location for a new Optimist Club may be adjoining your neighborhood or city, or it may be across the county or state line. For some, it isn't even that far as they work to start new Optimist Clubs with groups of people, united by ideas and goals rather than location.

Whatever the group, fostering involvement in doing good in our communities provides a source of pride for the new Optimist Club builders. Sponsoring club members tell stories about their projects and purposes of an Optimist Club and testify why they support the cause; that is, they explain why they are members. Their stories strengthen their own club in the process.

Increased fellowship and shared achievements bring the members together as they promise to continue their commitment long into the future.

If you have an idea that you would like to get off the ground, or a group of people who are looking to get together for social good, consider helping them start a New Optimist Club. The community, children and they will thank you for the special gift of service through an Optimist Club.

Click here to join an Optimist Club.

Click here to find out about starting a new Optimist Club.

Click here if I can answer any questions or schedule a time to come to your community. 

Scouting alumnus forms new Optimist Club

On Sunday, September 13, 2015, I had the honor of being a field representative for Optimist International. My mission: to organize the new Optimist Club of Gresham Scouters.

I'm proud to say, "Mission accomplished!"

Eighteen new Optimist Club members are now ready to serve their community. I venture to say there may as many as 25 or more by the end of Optimist International administrative year on September 30.

The new Optimist Club of Gresham Scouters was conceived as a single purpose Optimist Club. It's purpose is to assist sponsor organizations, primarily the Optimist Club of Gresham, Oregon, with collaborative activities between the club and scouting programs. During the evening, we determined the club will also be actively involved in the scholarship programs offered by Optimist International among other things.

It is always exciting to welcome a new Optimist Club as it is formed. The new members come with ideas to make their communities even better places to live. For the Gresham Scouters, this group of scouting alumni will make being part of the scouting program even more desirable for its charter organizations.

The PNW District was thrilled to add this group of young adults to the mix of Optimist Club members that make up the PNW Optimist Clubs. Welcome to all.

If you would like to start a scouting alumnus Optimist Club in your community, or to find out more about what the benefits of working toghether with an Optimist Club would be for your pack, troup, post or crew, please send a message to Linda Vaught.

How to be happy

Yesterday, I read an article that claims acetaminophen depresses emotions. That's right, the little pill known as Tylenol, that is taken by so many and included in over 600 different medicines, may take away your happiness at the same time that it eases your pain.

An optimist would ask, "Is that a good thing?"

I think not would be the answer because, you see, optimism can also take away pain. By visualizing positive outcomes and positive attributes about oneself, a study has concluded that there is a causal link between optimism and lower pain sensitivity.

In layman's terms, we call this hope. Why would someone need or want to take a pill when a positive, hopeful disposition would do as much or more?

Part of the reason might be that pill-popping is an easy, quick fix; however, we must be careful of the long-term effects of any quick fix. What do we give up when we choose instant gratification? There are balances that must be weighed.

Clinical researchers have started to create optimism training for pain intervention. This is a medical solution that may better be conducted by a community solution, namely, participation in social activities. My suggestion is to give a concentrated effort to participate in social activities that are known for their positive ideology. Join an Optimist Club and find others who are working on their positive mental attitudes and eliminating pain every day.

Find out how you can share optimism by joining an Optimist Club in your local community. If there's not a club near you, please contact me and I'll help you start a new Optimist Club in your home town.

Hang ten with an Optimist Club

The colorful and happy hibiscus is the token flower of Hawaiian shirts and surfboard couture around the world. Nothing says positive mental attitude - PMA - more than the surfer move of hanging ten.

To hang ten means that the surfer has positioned the board in such a way that the back of it is covered by the wave and freeing her to walk to the front of the board to hang all ten toes over its nose.

Sounds exhilarating; don't you think?

However the true exhilaration comes from the belief that one can do it - catch a wave, and ride it with skilled, but reckless abandon.

When one adopts a positive mental attitude they free themselves from the skepticism that would otherwise hold them back from big and small risks. It provides freedom and hope.

As a member of an Optimist Club, I work on keeping my positive mental attitude. There are many challenges that may distract us every day. Simply opening email or answering the phone brings the outside world into our home and interaction requires preparation and thoughtfulness. Without both, we might snap at those who want to wish us a happy day instead of wishing them a good day in return, but my optimism prevents that from happening.

Sharing optimism is a noble pursuit. Sharing a positive mental attitude should be everyone's purpose in life. Think how peaceful this world could be!

If you are ready to develop and keep a positive mental attitude, I recommend joining an Optimist Club. Click here to find an Optimist Club near you or contact me and I'll help you start a new Optimist Club in your community.

The ROI of joining an Optimist Club

So often, when asked to join a membership association, people will ask, "What's in it for me?"

They wonder:

• Will it advance my career? 
• Will it make my workload any easier? 
• Will it give me more time to be with my family or friends? 
• Will it help me make more friends? 
• Will it give me influence?
• Will it help me make more money? 

The questions continue, both verbal and nonverbal, while someone weighs the value of giving their time to a particular group as the membership recruiter struggles to point out how wonderful it is to associate with a group of like-minded individuals for yes, all of the above will happen if you allow it to happen. Yet despite all the fine attributes of joining, the decision often defaults to no.

How sad it is that in a world where individual advancement is valued so highly, the concept of return on investment is missed by so many. When you invest your time by giving of yourself in service to others, you are rewarded with a positive understanding of self-worth. It makes you feel good about being you.

Flora Edwards said, "In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us."

Kindness begets kindness. Be kind and join an Optimist Club today and share your kindness through service.

Click here to find an Optimist Club near you or contact me and I'll help you organize a new Optimist Club in your community.

Membership for all ages

I'm somewhat torn today.

Optimist International has reintroduced its $30 under 30 membership recruitment campaign. It's meant to introduce the Millennial Generation to an Optimist Club by offering them a reduced membership fee for one year. Those under 30 years of age can join from now until September 30, 2013 for just $30.

I like this program; really I do. However, I'm torn for two reasons. I don't think it goes far enough and I think it goes too far. Let me explain.

The program does not go far enough because it is a temporary program. Introduced last year at about the same time, the first program ran until September 30, 2012 at which time, everyone resumed the regular membership rates. Now for five months, Optimist Clubs have been without this recruiting tool. If they were successful at recruiting members under 30 years of age, they and their new member were penalized by paying a higher rate. That's not a positive message to send and next year, clubs are likely to wait for the $30 under 30 incentive to return so that they can save money.

An organization should never encourage its members to wait to invite others to join. That's one of the reasons that I am not a fan of offering incentives. Membership is a year-round responsibility and privilege, not something that is dictated by prizes.

I also believe that this program goes too far in its focus on young adults. Regular readers know that I believe that in service, age is not the relevant factor. As a whole, our society is getting older. The Baby Boomers are retiring in droves and suddenly, older individuals have more time to volunteer. Where is their incentive to join? Why can't they try out an Optimist Club for $30?

Optimist International should empower its Optimist Clubs to promote membership to all ages and I question that reducing dues for some is the right approach. It sends a bad signal to those who aren't lucky enough to qualify for the discount and puts the focus of membership on money over service.

I belong to an Optimist Club because I believe in the service it provides the community. I help start new Optimist Clubs because I believe in their potential to do good things in their local communities. When there is commitment to a cause, the money becomes incidental; we can always find a way.

No matter your age, please click here if you would like to find an Optimist Club in your community.

Fit in with the Optimist Club

The Lake Orion Optimist Club is made up of "motivated people who want to make a difference in the lives of children in their community" and they went on-air and YouTube with Ontario Neighborhood Television to tell their story.

Chris Barnett and Katherine Baumann explained to Orion Outreach that they have added to their mission this year in an effort to reach out in service to everyone in the community. Nonprofits are encouraged to partner with the Optimist Club for both fundraising and volunteer service.




The video explains some of the programs of the Lake Orion Optimist Club and it's easy to understand how Optimist Clubs are encouraged to be autonomous and to do the projects that are most needed in their communities. According to Barnett, the Optimist Club is a great place to find yourself. If you think you want to volunteer, but not sure where to start, the Optimist Club has projects that will inspire community service and foster friendships.

Do you have a project that needs helping hands? Connect with the Optimist Club in your community or work together with your friends to start a new Optimist Club. You'll enjoy the fellowship in service. I promise.

The Lake Orion Optimist Club can be found in Lake Orion, MI. 

Optimist International is a powerful force for good

Optimist Clubs conduct community service projects on a local level with an emphasis on programs that help children live up to their full potential. That doesn't mean that a club might not focus on pets, adults, the environment, health and wellness, and the many other elements that come together to make up the community at large. Quite the contrary; everything that we do as an Optimist Club should help our members and our stakeholders have a better quality of life.

Optimist Clubs sometimes form for single purposes like sports or to complete a project in the community. When the project is completed, there may not be a need for an Optimist Club unless those who came together know what else an Optimist Club can do. That's why I believe every Optimist Club, old, new or in-between,  should follow the purposes of Optimist International:

• To develop optimism as a philosophy of life, utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed;
• To promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs;
• To inspire respect for the law;
• To promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people;
• To aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world.

And be true to the mission statement of the organization:

• With hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in children. 

I'm part of a group on LinkedIn for Optimist Club members and recently there has been discussion about a new Optimist Club that was formed to serve the American Cancer Society through fundraising and other means. The club is creating its own mission statement. According to a club spokesperson, this club will embrace some elements of Optimist International's mission statement, but it will have goals that are distinct. 

Every Optimist Club is autonomous. That's a given and both a beauty and downfall of the organization. The beauty of autonomy is that it is easier to organize a club when you can adopt another's reason for being. The downside is that doing so dilutes the purposes, reputation and identity of Optimist International. 

I believe in the purposes of Optimist International and would encourage every new club builder and every member to remember what we stand for as Optimists. Spread the words, dreams, and deeds of Optimist International first and foremost. 

Affiliation with Optimist International is a powerful force for good in its own right and we should celebrate its potential and accomplishments just as we celebrate the potential and accomplishments of those we serve. Don't give away the opportunity to be an Optimist Club. It's a special feeling that can, given the chance, lead to a rewarding way of life. 

Be the best you can be: Be an Optimist

When one attends an Optimist District meeting, one will find that a question is often debated:

 Do Optimist Clubs build new Optimist Clubs or is that a function of the District? 

In order to answer the question, I fall into the both and neither categories. I believe that people are responsible for starting new Optimist Clubs. It doesn't matter if they represent a club, a district, Optimist International, or even themselves, people must have a passion for sharing the purposes of an Optimist Club in order to inspire others to be involved.

At a recent meeting of the Pacific Northwest District Optimist Clubs, Rocky Jackson spoke about the need for new clubs in our communities. He also discussed why he joined an Optimist Club and why he stays involved. For him, it's about doing all we can to ensure children have opportunities to play, learn and grow into responsible and caring adults. He claims that he joined an Optimist Club almost as a favor to a cousin. He stayed because he learned that the work he did helped not only kids, but it helped his community and most of all himself.

It's not selfish to help ourselves. Being the best we can be allows us to help others. I invite you to become the best you can be by joining an Optimist Club. Ask me how.

Rocky Jackson, OI VP, 10-11, talks about new Optimist club building at PNW District Optimist meeting. twitter.com/newoptimistclu…
— Linda Jackson (@newoptimistclub) October 20, 2012

A job well done

Soon I will be doing a little traveling for Optimist International to visit the Arizona District and to congratulate Tom Hogan, Governor 2010-2011 for earning top honors for all Optimist Districts for the past year.

Tom led with distinction adding seven new Optimist Clubs to the district roster and achieving approximately 10% net new membership growth. That's very impressive anytime, but even more so in our slow economy. He and his team of leaders and members are well deserving of being named number one.

Last year was an odd year for organization statistics for Optimist International. Then International President, Danny Rodgers insisted that deletions would not count against the districts for recognition purposes resulting in a number of governors earning awards for less than 100% achievement. It's difficult to try something new and he took a lot of heat for his decision. This year, with direction from the Board of Directors, things have returned to normal.

Of course, most of us don't do what we do for honors and awards.We do it because we really believe that we make a difference through our involvement with Optimist Clubs and in Arizona, I know that is true. In fact, the Arizona District has added two new Optimist Clubs this month.

So how are they starting so many clubs when others are struggling? Their model takes the opportunity for a new Optimist Club directly to the schools and engages adults who are already interested in helping children reach their full potential. An Optimist Club provides insurance, scholarships, and fundraising opportunities that the school, parents, teachers and students would not otherwise have. It's an easy sell, but one that takes great coordination, time and passion to implement.

I can't wait to say congratulations to Tom and the Arizona District - Optimist International in person.

How's that for optimism?

The Coyote Optimists at Cerro Coso Community College

Just before the end of the Optimist International administrative year, a new Optimist Club was formed at Cerro Coso Community College. Optimist Club members from West Bakersfield, James Minyard and Dr. Tom Thomas, led the charge to introduce the students to the positive feelings that accompany the opportunity for service through optimism.

As the students settled into their new club, the school has also joined in their optimism. They announced the organization's formation by publishing the Optimist Creed.

"How's that for optimism," asks the public information officer Natalie Dorrell.

I think it is just right! Thanks and welcome to the new Coyote Optimist Club.

Read more at the Cerro Coso Community College website. 

Weekly programs are pure gold

With summer in full swing, our Optimist Clubs have been busy performing service projects out in the community. From bicycle rodeos, to car shows and pancake feeds, you've heard about them right here; but what you haven't heard about lately is what I consider to be one of the most important projects of all: club programs.

That's right, club programs. Most clubs gather every week for fellowship and project planning. The clubs who are most engaged in their communities take those weekly meeting opportunities to have guest speakers.

Guest speakers explain what is happening in their organizations and give their perception of what is needed or what is good in the community. It's a great way to learn how and where the Optimist Club might fit in. It's also an easy way to read the business and community service climate and take notice of trends so your club can act accordingly. Of course sometimes guest speakers can be entertaining and other times merely there to generate awareness for their cause.

The reason for this post came from an article that I saw in the Richfield Community News & Voices. Last week, the Optimist Club of Richfield, MN welcomed Joseph Imholte, Director of Special Exhibits, Science Museum of Minnesota to their meeting. He was there to promote the latest traveling exhibit "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs," on display through Labor Day.

According to Imholte this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these artifacts. Isn't that the truth?

Can you imagine your Optimist Club making certain that children of all ages have the opportunity to see King Tut? Can you imagine them taking their families and friends to the exhibit as well? Wouldn't you?

Being part of an Optimist Club means learning about what is going on in the community so you can share the experience with others. Make sure that you are inviting speakers to visit your club frequently, if not every week. You'll learn more about the place you call home and as a bonus, share your love of optimism with new people every week.

"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. 

Starting a New Optimist Club in Terre Haute

One of the greatest service projects that Optimist Clubs perform is to help start up a new Optimist Club. A new Optimist Club will serve a new set of children and expand opportunities for adults to develop their leadership skills. New Optimist Clubs also serve a vital community development function, bringing people together to raise money for projects that they identify they need to make their town a better place to live.

I've been involved in numerous new club building efforts and it's always rewarding when the project catches the attention of the local news. That's what is happening here in Terre Haute, Indiana where WTHI has announced how residents can get involved.

Heading up the new Optimist Club is Dennis Bialaszewski. He says the club will be different from others, and will meet monthly only to "share ideas, set projects and complete activities."  The beauty of being an Optimist Club over any other service club is that each club is autonomous and the agenda that best fits the community is the agenda that sounds just right.

New service club starting up: wthitv.com