OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

OVERVIEW

• WHO WE ARE• CLUB OPERATIONS• CLUB PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS• ADDITIONAL BENEFITS • OPTIMIST CREED• GETTING STARTED• QUESTIONS?…CONTACT US

WHO WE ARE• Optimist International is an international

service organization that has focused on “Bringing Out the Best in Kids” since 1919.

• Mission Statement– By providing hope and a positive vision,

Optimists bring out the best in kids.

• Vision Statement– Optimist International will be recognized

worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential.

FUN FACTS ABOUT US…• There are over 2,900 autonomous Optimist

Clubs worldwide. This includes Optimist Clubs in:– England, France, Mexico, Canada, the

Caribbean and many other countries!

• There are over 90,000 Optimist Members worldwide.

• Optimists conduct 65,000 service projects per year, serving over 6 million children.

• Optimists spend $78 million on their communities annually.

HOW EACH CLUB OPERATES

• Each Optimist Club is autonomous, and operates independently.

• Each Club elects their own Officers and Board of Directors to oversee Club Activities.

• Each Club also picks and chooses the programs and activities that most benefit the children in the community.– Ask yourself what are the needs of the children

in the community? What are the youth issues facing your city/town?

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH OPTIMIST CLUBS

• 501(c)(4)– Every Optimist Club is considered a 501(c)(4)

charitable organization; therefore, Clubs are exempt from certain taxation.

• Liability Insurance– Each Optimist Club is covered under an 11 million

dollar umbrella liability insurance policy; therefore, members of your Club are covered in the unlikely event of litigations while you are conducting community service projects and sponsored activities.

– This policy covers all active Optimist Members as well as their spouses at Optimist activities.

THE OPTIMIST CREEDPromise Yourself- To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you

meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your

optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to

expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you

are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater

achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every

living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you

have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for

fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

STILL INTERESTED?…WELL LET’S GET STARTED!

• You will need a minimum of 25* Charter Members in order to establish an Optimist Club in your community.

• Optimist International has a full-time staff to assist you in getting your Club off the ground. We can help you assess opportunities in your area, market your Club activities, and recruit new members.

• We can also pair you up with members of an existing Optimist Club in your area. They will work hand-in-hand with you throughout the process.

• Remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! *A Pilot Club requires only 15 Members, but is not recognized as a Full Adult Club

TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED

• 1. Needs Assessment– Identify a purpose and focus for establishing an

Optimist Club. – Start by researching the Internet or talking to

other members of the community and identify youth-related opportunities.

– Determine what your Optimist Club can do to help meet these community needs.

• 2. Recruitment– Develop a “hit list” of key people you think

would make great Optimists. – Approach these people and talk to them about

who we are and what we do. Be ready to answer the question “What is an Optimist Club?”

TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED

• 3. Meetings– Once you have a handful of people interested,

invite them to attend a meeting. • These meetings should be informational but fun!• Set a constant location, date, and time. Routine is

good! • Have an agenda prepared and always set goals for

the next meeting.

• 4. Advertise, Advertise, Advertise!– Talk to your local newspaper and see if they will

feature your Club in an article, or advertise your meeting in the newspaper’s calendar of events.

– Prepare a Press Release.– Hang up flyers, hand out brochures, etc…

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!

• PLEASE CONTACT OI STAFF AND MEMBERS FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS REGARDING STARTING AN OPTIMIST CLUB IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

• YOU CAN ALSO REQUEST THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL THROUGH THE OI NEW COMMUNITY GROWTH DEPARTMENT:– BROCHURES/MEMBER APPLICATIONS– PRESS RELEASES– FLYER TEMPLATES– COLLEGE CLUB POSTCARDS– PROJECT PROFILES

800.500.8130www.optimist.org