Optimist Clubs take action every day

Last year, Optimist International encouraged its clubs to participate in Optimist in Action day. The idea was that an Optimist Club would perform a community service activity one day - any day - in May.

I thought that seemed a bit silly; after all, Optimist Clubs find action throughout the year in all the programs and services they perform.

Today I looked for the activity on the Optimist International website and I discovered that Optimist in Action day actually became a thing in 1992. According to the History of Optimist International, its purpose was to include others in an Optimist Club project at least once per year:

In 1992, a new and innovative program, titled Optimists in Action Day, was introduced as a pilot program to unite Optimists and other volunteers in the community in a single day of community or youth service.

If your Optimist Club is like mine, it probably includes Optimist Club members and community members in its projects most of the time. Instead of promoting our clubs on one day of the year, I suggest that we make our activities more visible every time we host an activity or event or volunteer in the community.

For example, Clyde Adams posted this sign on Facebook today. This weekend, the Four Towns Optimist Club will host an Easter Egg Hunt and this sign will be there letting the public know that the Optimist Club is in action.

Get one for your Optimist Club today!

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. 

Plan ahead and enjoy more success

One of my alerts returned the following headline today, "Optimists conducting coat drive." I clicked because I wondered why would I get such an old alert. I thought I might need to tweak it and then I saw that the Wahpeton/Breckenridge Optimist Club was indeed collecting coats in May. The article said that they were doing so "to ensure students have warm coats to go along with their school supplies in the fall."

I think I would have been equally surprised if the alert had said that the Optimist Club was collecting school supplies; kudos to them for their excellent planning. Right now, people are packing away their winter gear as they prepare for the summer months ahead. What better time could there be to donate a gently used jacket or coat?

So often our Optimist Clubs use just-in-time planning approaches. That means, as an event grows closer, the club members divvy up the tasks to get them done just in time for the big day. However, doing so limits the opportunity to market the event appropriately, save money on supplies and sell tickets when appropriate. And even though this method works to some degree, it doesn't allow the opportunity for outreach and communication beyond the club's immediate circle of influence. It also focuses on tasks instead of objectives and never gives the opportunity to ask, should we be doing this?

The goal of any plan is to help an organization or individual reach certain identified objectives. In the case of event management, the goal isn't typically to merely hold the event, it is to hold a successful event determined by the number of people engaged and the quality of the time that the attendees spend there, among other things. The end objective is to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the event organizer and its guests.

Every year, an Optimist Club should take time to evaluate its goals for the year and then systematically look at the events or activities they conduct to see if they will help it reach its goals. Then, and only then, can the club assign chairpersons and committees to carry out the tasks that bring an event to life.

Early analysis should include a plan for outreach. We don't plan events for ourselves; we plan them for others to enjoy, be nurtured and engaged. One of the first steps should be to ensure our stakeholders, from potential sponsors to the anticipated audience, are aware of activities that are being planned for them so that when the activity arrives, they already have them on their calendar.

Early planning should also include early deadlines and a tracking mechanism to be sure everyone involved is accountable for what they've been assigned. When the committee meets, go over the tasks and celebrate the progress that has been made. Celebrating small steps will build enthusiasm and give more talking points for word of mouth marketing. It will also increase buy-in. Members will feel good about what they are doing and when we feel good about what we're doing, we ask others to get involved.

The overarching goal of any Optimist Club is to increase membership so that it can do more in its community. By planning ahead and focusing on objectives instead of tasks, your Optimist Club will achieve its goal and be better prepared to deliver on its promises for providing community service.

News Flash: Optimist Club meets in Marshall, MO

According to the US Census Bureau, in 2012 there were 13,003 people in Marshall, Missouri. I find it heartwarming that the Marshall Democrat-News thinks that even in a town of their size, the happenings within the Optimist Club are worthy of print. And because of that, they even choose to publish the club's minutes as recorded by the club scribe.

From their minutes of April 5, on that day the Optimist Club of Marshall came together with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, heard from a community group, the Fairy Prom Mothers; reported on a club program with the school district, planned to participate in two city-wide events in April, reported on the progress of the fish fry fundraiser to be held on April 18, and celebrated life events with their club members that included a 95th birthday, 65th wedding anniversary and an engagement.

Of course, after all that goodness packed into a short 1-hour meeting, it concluded with the Optimist Creed.

This meeting describes a traditional meeting style, one that I, growing up in the Midwest, came to know best. Traditional meetings give ample time to be informed, productive and social. Many find that there is comfort in structure and guests will often comment that they especially appreciate that the club says the pledge. They always enjoy the Optimist Creed.

And this compact, 206-word summary tells me, and all of Marshall, Missouri, that the Optimist Club is alive and well and doing great things in the community.

Are  your Optimist Club's minutes worthy of print? If your answer is yes, then don't be afraid to share them with the world!

Recognition for students or adults?

The headline said, "Big awards given, students recognized" and this was the photo that accompanied the story.

I thought, oh my, those two gentlemen don't look like students. And then I read the rest of the story.

It is worth certainly worth noting that Wayne Bruch, left, received the Optimist of the Year Award for 2013 and Doug Godin received the Key Man Award for 2013. The presentations were made at during the student recognition program for the Fort Morgan Middle School students. I would imagine that the audience included students, parents and educators along with Optimist Club members and their guests.

The good news is that the club got to brag a little about its members and projects to a receptive audience. The bad news is that the Fort Morgan Times kind of short-changed the students with their coverage.

It appears that the paper responded to a press release from the Optimist Club for this article. "'The Evening Optimist Club is glad to fund an amazing program such as this,' the release says," writes the news staff as it describes how students were nominated to receive recognition. But sadly, there's no picture of students and not even a listing of their names.

This is an example of how we can cross purposes with a press release. I would imagine that the reporter assigned to the story wasn't sure which idea to promote and made the best decision they could given their knowledge of the subject. For me, I'd rather see pictures of the students; and this makes it look like the Optimist Club recognizes their own first.

Free advice: When sending out a press release, be sure that you are promoting one idea, not many. And make darn sure that you want the picture included with the story that is written.

Congratulations to all, the adults and the students, honored by the Fort Morgan Evening Optimist Club.

Elect Linda Vaught Jackson

Linda Vaught Jackson

Today I announced to the world - the Optimist world that is - that I am running for Vice President-elect, West Region, Optimist International.

It's been a long time coming. As readers of my blog know, I first joined an Optimist Club in 1987. Over the years I've been an active Optimist Club member and volunteer leader for the Illinois and Pacific Northwest Districts. In 1996, I was the secretary/treasurer of the Distinguished Illinois District and in 2010, I earned the status of Distinguished and Outstanding Governor for the Pacific Northwest District. I fully believe that if you work only for the best and expect only the best that you will achieve the best. The fact that I earned honors means that the Optimist Clubs were successful in their communities and for that I am grateful.

During my Optimist career, I have even had the opportunity to work in heaven. That's right I was a professional staff member as the director of membership development and training at Optimist International for two years.

You might say that I've done it all, but you would be wrong because I haven't yet had the opportunity to represent Optimist International as a vice president. Many people say that the role of lieutenant governor is their favorite position in the organization for as such, you get to travel to other clubs, share in their excitement for their projects and causes and inspire them to do even more.

I believe that the vice president role would be much like that feeling on steroids. There are so many projects to learn about, so many Optimist Clubs to visit and so many Optimist Club members to meet. But visiting and giving well wishes is not enough. We must grow our organization and that means adding members and new Optimist Clubs.

My passion is public relations. I believe that my expertise in strategic communications combined with my enthusiasm for Optimist Clubs is a powerful force that will allow me to help others amplify the good deeds and positive vision of our organization. Those Optimist Club stories will become magnets that will draw new volunteer members to our network of positive people and projects.

When elected, I promise to deliver a strategic public relations plan that all Optimist Clubs may follow. More than that, I promise to work with the Optimist Clubs in the West Region to launch, maintain and promote their positive presence in their communities.

Together, we can tell the Optimist Club story. Together, we can gain more members and  add additional new Optimist Clubs. Together we will grow.

This is the first year that Optimist Clubs will be allowed to vote online for international officers. Please discuss my candidacy with your Optimist Club members and encourage the president of your Optimist Club to vote for Linda Jackson for the West Region - Optimist International. Thank you for for your support.

Please like Elect Linda Vaught Jackson - West Region, Optimist International on Facebook. 

The greatest thing about being an Optimist is

Yesterday was the last day to submit a video to Optimist International for the #ReelOptimism video contest. Late in the evening, the Middleton Area Optimist Club shared theirs with me. The link came with the message, "While we don't expect our videography to win any awards, we hope that our testimonies win some hearts."

The Optimist Club used the prompt I shared with them the week before at the regional meeting for Idaho Optimist Clubs. They gathered the answers provided by others at the meeting and put some of them together in a video format. The club explained that they had a number of entries and that they would share longer ones as posts on the PNW District Optimist Clubs blog. To stay within the 3-minute limit for the contest, they chose only the ones that made instant statements.

Find out what "The Greatest Thing About Being an Optimist is" to this fine group of people in this YouTube video.

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

One more reason to get your Optimist Club online

I'm starting to see a  new challenge for Optimist Clubs and their publicity efforts. Just when they began to get more mentions in their local newspapers, the newspapers have put up paywalls. That's right; now in many locations, in order to see the good deeds and great pictures of your local Optimist Club at work you must be a digital subscriber to the newspaper.

The best way to overcome this obstacle and to continue to get positive stories about your Optimist Club in the media is to write about your projects yourself.

Start a blog, and like the Experience Optimism and PNW District Optimist Clubs blogs, your content will be available at all times.

In addition to stories, you'll be able to promote events, publish contact information, spread inspiration, and share optimism with others.

To get started, visit Blogger or Wordpress.com and just follow through. It's pretty easy if you follow the instructions. However, we can also work together to get your Optimist Club online.

Would you like to work with me? Send a note now to Linda Vaught Jackson. I'd be honored to help your club create a public relations plan that helps it get noticed.

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.

Remind people often of what you want them to know

I recently stopped receiving updates from Visual.ly, not because I didn't like them, but because my inbox was getting so full that even with the emails, I rarely went to the site to see what was new.

Thanks to a pinner on Pinterest, this great depiction of "Inner State" of happiness, made at Visual.ly, caught my attention this morning.

It says that to be truly happy one should exercise, have happy friends, find excitement with smart thrills, get enough sleep, trust themselves to make good choices, be present and live for now, share their gratitude, bounce back from life's troubles, take time away from technology and smile.

Most of those wonderful thoughts have been shared here before, but they always bear repeating for they are good reminders to help us live a full and balanced life. But this post is serving two purposes this morning. First, it is to help you pursue and find happiness; but its second purpose is to point out that we don't always see something the first time around.

I missed this great infographic on Visual.ly, but found it later on Pinterest. I've read the words before, but never in this format. It was a fresh approach and it caught my attention.

That's why we have to repeat the information and stories that we want to be heard because people listen, read and react on their own schedules. If it's good for them to know, tell them again. And again.

The convention concludes; that means it's time to get to work

The Optimist International Convention 2013 has come to a close. I watched most of it live via Ustream, but it was not quite like being there in person when the enthusiasm from others can infect you and make you happy about most everything that you see and hear. It's easier to be critical of the production quality, and sadly, the message, from afar.

Perhaps it is not very optimistic of me to comment, so please accept my apologies up front if my criticism offends you; but to watch the convention come to a close with a slideshow of random children from around the world without linking them to why they should matter to me or to other Optimist Club members can only be described as an example of a poor public relations strategy. A much stronger ending would have been to show us how Optimist Club members touch the lives of so many in their communities every day. Uploaded to YouTube, such a video could have served double duty as a membership recruitment and retention tool.

It's sad to miss opportunities, but that is what happens when there is not a professionally-designed and managed communications plan in place.

On a more positive note, I am quite enthralled with 2013-2014 International President Ron Huxley's theme. He plans to lead the organization with "MO." Standing for "My Optimism," President Ron explained that belonging to an Optimist Club means something different to each person. We all have different reasons for continuing our commitment to our clubs and the organization and to recognize such individuality, "MO" will give us the opportunity to share our stories with others. As a social media activist for optimism, I'm looking forward to bringing this theme to life.

Melvin Bannister speaks against individual
memberships to Optimist International

In other happenings at the Optimist International Convention, I'm happy to report that the amendment to the bylaws that would have started a pilot program for individual membership to Optimist International thereby bypassing Optimist Clubs failed. Perhaps there are more folks like me who know how important it is that Optimist Clubs have a voice in the management and strategic direction of Optimist International. With that knowledge, perhaps we can begin to design a more collaborative future vision, one where Optimist Clubs come first.

Please contact me, Linda Vaught Jackson, to share ideas so that we may be involved in designing that vision and working together to make our dreams real.

Meet the Riverside Optimist Club

KVCR, the public radio station for the Inland Empire, California, recently featured the Riverside Optimist Club as the topic for the I.E. Scene. Connecting the Optimist Club with their audience extends the vision of KVCR to bring communities together. For the Optimist Club, it gets them a little publicity for the scholarship programs they provide to the deserving youths in the community.

Watch it online here: Riverside Optimist Club.

The banners tell a story

On December 11, 2012, the Optimist Club of Hillsboro, Oregon honored police officers for their service during the annual Respect for Law Day. The event began as a way for Optimist International and its clubs to bring children together with first responders so they might build positive relationships rather than one of fear or as consequences of bad behavior. It has grown into an activity that clubs celebrate in their own manner, and a great number of Optimist Club do as the Hillsboro members have done; they recognize officers for their commitment and say thank you for their service.

I especially like this picture because of the backdrop. The Optimist Club banners are a brand that shows this club is active in their community. One can tell by the badges and awards that have been sewn onto the banners that the Hillsboro Optimist Club has a strong history of engagement and success that will lead it well in the future.

The backdrop tells a story as broad as the people who are in the picture. I hope you take notice of the  backdrops you use in your photos so that you might share your Optimist Club story with pictures, feelings and words.


Photo courtesy of Sarah Newton. 

Finding strength in purpose

I've been thinking about this post for several days and haven't had the heart to write it until now. It's about transparency and how blogging can make a difference in our lives.

It's pretty simple to be a promoter and to push the information that holds an organization in the best light. Some optimists would say that is the the only way to act - to tell only the positive side of the story. As much as I agree with finding the positive, I also understand there must be balance. We don't live in an enchanted world and we have to deal with reality every once and while.

As readers of my blog know, I write frequently about the great activities performed by Optimist Clubs in communities around the world. It's not always an easy job because the stories can be hard to find. Our clubs aren't always successful in getting their projects noticed and when my alert system goes dry and direct mail is slow, the Experience Optimism blog suffers. But the blog can also suffer when my approach is overly-criticized as well. Notice the word "overly;" I can take criticism, but I lose motivation when others think their agenda should come first. Today, I offer a solution: if you have your own agenda, well then, start your own blog.

Now the back story. I am the principal blogger for the PNW District - Optimist International. I have been sharing Optimist Club stories there since 2007, but the blog also serves as the website for the district so it must also incorporate news about the administration. That means that I have to discuss the business of the district. The district held its first business meeting for the 2012-2013 administration on October 20, 2012. At that meeting, we learned that the 2011-2012 administration spent $13,000 of its cash reserves and it did so without anyone in attendance speaking up to say, "Where did it go?"

I served as the leader of that district a mere three years ago. I turned over a nice sum of $29,000 to the next administration and earned the highest honors that Optimist International can give to a district and its governor. The next administration followed suit. We lived within our budgets and given that record, I think it would have been reasonable to request that the district dues be decreased. Decreasing dues would keep more money at home, with the local clubs.

However, last year, the district spent more money and achieved less. In fact, in addition to losing money, the district ended the year with over 300 fewer members than it had when it began.  I wouldn't be so anxious to point this out if the past administration wasn't bent on pushing their ways forward into this year's budget. The current governor, in an effort to be positive, is thinking like a cheerleader when he needs to put on his business hat instead.

Now the reason for my post. The last two governors, one successful and one not, have contacted me independently to say that my exposing this information on the district blog was inappropriate. When I asked them to please point to anything that was untrue so that I could make a correction, they couldn't. Oddly, neither cared to post a rebuttal in the comment section either. They just wanted to control what I wrote about the district to tell only the positive.

That's not the way I do it, boys. Spin sucks. Reality may hurt, but it's the only way to make corrections so that we can move forward.

The number of negative posts on that blog, by the way, is zero. There is something positive in every one. Even the one exposing something tough to talk about - loss - does so with optimism. Why? Because that's the way I try to live and the reason that I share these stories in the first place. I plan to continue to write in the same manner, for the same purpose, in the future. Thanks for reading.

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. 

Rural Optimist Clubs get more print

Optimist Clubs serve communities of different sizes and because of that, some clubs have closer relationships with their local newspapers. Particularly small communities, like Marshall, Missouri, population 13,000, where the local paper allows the Optimist Club, among other organizations, to publish the actions of their weekly meetings.

I recently came across this posting from The Marshall Democrat-News that explained what happened at the Optimist Club on October 13, 2012. According to the article, the club is planning popcorn sales and Breakfast with Santa, and some club members will soon attend the district meeting. That morning, they heard a presentation from the Soil Conservation District and at the end of the meeting, Paul Collier won the morning drawing.

Charming. Really, it is. It may sound mundane to urbanites out there, but what we do at Optimist Club meetings create bonds and establish a community. That doesn't happen as easily in metropolitan areas where people are often too busy to get to know their neighbors and newspapers are too busy looking for controversy to facilitate relationships.

Optimist Clubs, and other service clubs, are all about relationships. Without help from our newspapers, we have to create our own relationship-building efforts. To do this, I recommend a blog. Blogs are easy to update and easy to share. A consistently updated blog can easily take the place of a newspaper and soon, I predict, most people will go online first, before looking elsewhere for information about their community and the world.

It's up to you to start your Optimist Club blog now so when the visitors arrive, there is a lot to read about and plenty of reasons to get involved. Obviously, I like Blogger, but WordPress works too and both are free resources that let you tell the Optimist Club story in your own words. I can't wait to read what's happening in your Optimist Club. Blog about it and tell the world.

Professional optimism

Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados clean-up day.

I'm watching them from afar, but my new favorite Optimist Clubs are the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown and the Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados.

I've long thought it would be fun to live in the Caribbean and perform volunteer work, but it's easy to think that when one lives in Idaho.

It looks like fun and sun and service, but those who live in a resort setting year-round know the difficulties associated with keeping their communities safe and vibrant for the residents are the same, if not amplified, as the cities from where the tourists that visit their island hail.

They still have cyber crime and challenges with education, children's services, social welfare efforts, politics, the environment and the economy. Residents are raising families, succeeding at careers, and celebrating life's many ups and downs all at the same time as being good hosts.

I learned from Adrian Elcock, Optimist International Vice President 2010-2011, that in Barbados "it costs to care" meaning Optimist Club members know that they have to consistently invest in their community to make it a better place to live. Through Optimist Club membership, such caring individuals share their ideas and strengths and even have a little fun. For instance, the Progressive Optimist Club held a beach clean-up today at Martin's Bay and hauled away 161 bags of seaweed. That's work and fun.

But what really drew me in today to proclaim these clubs to be my favorites were the following advertisements:

• On April 18, the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetownheld a cyber safety forum. 
• On March 10,  Harrison College JOOI Club joined the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown for a "Car Boot Sale."
• Coming up on May 5 is the Annual Charity Fundraising Golf Tournament.

Such professionally produced advertisements signify that young professionals are engaged in their community through the Optimist Club and that is a goal of Optimist Clubs around the world - to connect with those who embrace technology and welcome change; those who will help take our organization's mission forward tomorrow and beyond. 

If perception is reality, the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown is leading the way in professionalism. I applaud and admire their efforts. 

Our own network of optimism

The beauty of social media is that you can be your own publisher, public relations director and marketing manager all in one. The challenge, of course, is to produce an abundance of content that people want to read or learn more about. It's a daunting task and I accept that some days I do it better than I do on other days.

However, infographics like the one I'm sharing here today tell me that creating and publishing your own content is more important than ever before.  According to Frugal Dad , six media giants control 90% of all content that is available for consumption. Whether you read, listen or watch, chances are your media is being filtered by "The Big Six:" General Electric, News Corporation, Disney, Viacom, Time Warner or CBS. All told, 232 media executives determine the media made available to 277 million Americans.

This post isn't to ask how did we as an American public let this happen.

This post isn't to teach you how to get the big guys to notice you.

This post is to encourage you not be discouraged when your local media representatives seem uninterested in what you, a small service club made of of community volunteers, are doing. Chances are, your small concern does not have the wherewithal to feed the money-driven industry that dominates them.

This post is to encourage you to keep writing. Post articles on your blog and website and post stories on Facebook. Post your videos on YouTube. Tweet about them. Talk about them. And please, send me a message about your project and a link to your post and I will highlight them here.


Let's create our own network of optimism. Together, we can do it!

Source: Frugal dad