Make the Optimist Difference part of your community

Let me share a PowerPoint presentation with you that I created for starting new Optimist Clubs.  It describes some of the excellent and exciting programs performed by Optimist Clubs in Idaho.  Please let me know how I can help you get started on an Optimist Club in your community.  You owe it to yourself and your community to experience the Optimist Difference.

The optimist difference

View more presentations from Linda Jackson.

Sharing optimism as a philosophy of life

Shout outs and "atta boys" are such simple ways to recognize people for their actions.  I really enjoyed reading some of those notes of encouragement in the Alabama - Louisiana - Mississippi District Bulletin for October 2009.  (please scroll to page 2)

Listed as some examples of how clubs in the district were sharing Optimism as a philosophy of life were:

• ALEXANDRIA participated in the National Hunting and fishing Day by cooking Hot Dogs for lunch.
• ATHENS had their 28th annual Optimist Volley Ball Classic with teams from 12 schools.
• BIRMINGHAM palticipated with Our Lady of Lourdes Labor Day Festival and they will receive some funds for their Cards for Kids project.
• BIRMINGHAM WEST END had a NOW program and got five new members and were able to end the year increasing membership by five.
• BOSSIER CITY presented their Respect For Law Award to City Marshall Johnny Wyatt for his outstanding job with internet safety.
• HUNTSVILLE reported that Jim Roe and his committee completed the HEALS Clinic painting project.
• JENNINGS members volunteered to answer telephones for the annual MDA Labor Day Telethon. MOBILE held their annual Youth of the Year banquet
• MOBILE MID TOWN had a Officer of the Month program recognizing a local hero of the community.
• PERDIDO BAY had avery successful 23rd annual Mullet Festival during the Labor Day Holiday. This is their biggest fundraising event.
• TALLADEGA completed the 2008-09 Optimist year being Distinguished, a'first in the life of the club.

Kudos to District Bulletin editor and District S/T Harold Stratz for sharing the accomplishments of clubs in your district.

More on the Optimist Difference

Yes!  Remembering the great tagline, "The Optimist difference...it's all in our name," allowed me to find others that are promoting that great message. 

One is the Optimist Club of Richardson, Texas.  The Richardson Optimist Club explains that the Optimist Club mission is threefold:

1. An Optimistic Attitude - Optimists believe that a positive approach can make all the difference in the world. Through hands-on community and youth programs, Optimists brighten spirits and create hope and confidence in the future. The Optimist Creed provides proof of the Optimists' philosophy.

2. Youth & Community Service - Along with the Optimists' motto, "Friend of Youth," comes the commitment to help, educate, inspire, and believe in tomorrow's future--our young people. Optimists believe that by investing in youth, we can ensure a better tomorrow.

3. Personal Development - Optimist Club members receive as much as they give. Optimists have endless opportunities to gain leadership experience and to grow personally and professionally. Optimists value the social and business relationships they develop with individuals from a cross section of their community.

Another is the Indiana South District of Optimist International.  In addition to learning that the positive attitude is what differentiates Optimist Clubs from all others, they also tell you that the Optimist Clubs of the Indiana South District have served 104,203 children from October 1, 2007 to Sept 7,2009 at 04:11 pm. Kind of a fun, interactive tool to encourage you to find out how.  When you click here you will not only learn how they do it, but how many children benefit from each activity.  What a great touch. 

Does your Optimist Club or District promote the Optimist Difference?  Be sure to let me know so we can tell others.  Thanks!

Great website: Piper Creek Optimist Club of Red Deer, Alberta

Sometimes I run into websites that tell the Optimist Club story in an unique way.  Today I found one of those and I invite you to take a look at the Piper Creek Optimist Club of Red Deer, Alberta, CA with me. 

Beginning at the home page, you will know that you want to be an Optimist Club member if you want to take a positive approach to life.  They have kept an older tagline for Optimist International as their centerpiece: the Optimist difference...it's all in our name.  I like it!

Next, they have organized their site very well:

Events = fundraising activities that you will want to attend.  Click on the more buttons to find out why.

Projects = the activities the Piper Creek Optimist Club conducts or supports in their community.  Again, the more button will let you find out all about them individually.

About = shares the purposes of an Optimist Club and links you to more information about Optimist International, the formation of the Piper Creek Optimist Club and the Alberta, Montana, Saskatchewan , and N. Wyoming District and the Optimist Creed.  Again, click the more button to learn more about each topic.

Members = You guessed it!  Information for members, but such information is relevant to the community at large.  Kudos to the web designer for not password protecting it and allowing everyone who cares to know what the Optimist Club of Piper Creeek is doing.
Contact = Yes, contact information seems pretty simple, but they have even included instructions for how to request funds as well as how to join. 

Yes, this is an approachable club. If you live near Red Deer, Alberta, please join, for the Piper Creek Optimist Club looks like an engaged, well-organized, professional asset to the community.