The Optimist Club of Traverse City

Creating an Optimist Future for Our Kids

TRAVERSE CITY MICHIGANOPTIMIST CLUB

What does it mean to be an Optimist?

Develop Optimism as a philosophy of life

Promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs

Inspire respect for law and order

Promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship

Aid and encourage development of youth

Why be an Optimist?

Fellowship - join a group of men and women who truly enjoy working together to get things done for local youth

Be Informed - Stay in touch with the community through informative presentations from business and civic leaders

Serve Youth - We are dedicated to responding to the special needs of youth in our community

Organization

The Optimist Club Board of Directors Executive Leadership Various Committees Over 65 active members

The Optimist Youth Foundation Non-profit 501C3 Supports grants and

donations to local youth programs

Board of Directors and Executive Leadership

Planning for Growth

Three-year goals Membership of 80, with

average of 50 members attending weekly meetings

Attracting people with the time, desire, and resources to be active members

Becoming one of the top 3 community service groups in TC as measured by membership and impact on the community

Strategic planning process

Programs that make a difference

Our Community Venues, Programs and Activities We Support Annually

Traverse City Optimist Club Boardman River Duck Race

Christmas Shopping at Target – with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Child and Family Services – Boys and Girls Club, and More!

Saturday Outings, Pairing Mentors with underprivileged kids for a fun day, bowling, baseball, laser tag…

Traverse City Optimist Club Annual Youth Oratorical Contest

Traverse City Optimist Club Annual Youth Appreciation

Optimist Cabin Property - Picnic Pavilion and Nature Trails for Youth Environmental Education

NMC College Barbecue, Serving up food for a great cause

Adopt-A-Road. Keeping our area clean and beautiful for all to see

Salvation Army Bell Ringing Traverse City Optimist Youth

Foundation Optimist International Foundation Traverse Area Community Sailing

- Boats and Sailing Programs

Traverse Area Community Sailing

Kids have the opportunity to learn Sailing basics Teamwork Safety Rules

Optimists helped raise money for twenty Prams

Ongoing support for TACS

Target Store Christmas Shopping

Optimist Members and Target help underprivileged kids selected by Big Brothers / Big Sisters, and Child and Family Services, shop for their siblings and parents on the Optimist budget.

Teaching Kids to Give!

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

Volunteers collect donations during holiday season

Youth Appreciation Day

Annual recognition of elementary school children from over 14 area schools

Recommended by teachers and/or peers as leaders and excellent students

The Cabin Property - A unique opportunity

44 Acre nature retreat “Discovery Trail” - a self

guided environmental trail Unique outdoor classroom for

students and teachers of Northwest Michigan

Property is available for class outings at no charge

Cabin Property Dedication

Property and trail system was officially dedicated in Fall of 2000

Available to various youth organizations for education and recreation

Oratorical Contest

Students write and recite a speech about a visionary topic

One boy and one girl are sponsored to compete at regional and national levels for scholarships

Fundraising, Supporting Local Youth Organizations and Their Causes

Optimist Boardman River Duck Race Major Optimist event of the year 100’s of participants and rubber

ducks swarm the Boardman River Many corporate sponsors join the

support with corporate duck purchases and competition

Christmas Shopping Event Members from the Traverse City

Optimist Club and the community pledge support for underprivileged kids to shop for family members

Target Hosts the event and brings in Santa Claus for all to see

Community Service and Leadership

Interaction with community leaders

Opportunity to hone public speaking, leadership skills

Fellowship

Need we say more?

When do we meet?

Every Monday from Noon to 1:00 P.M.

Luncheon at Elks Club Lodge, 635 Bayview

The club is open to all adults who live or work in the Grand Traverse Area

Prospective members are welcome to attend

How do you become a member?

Sponsorship by an active member

Complete an application Application reviewed and

approved by the Board Make a commitment to attend

lunch meetings as regularly as possible

Participate in one youth service project and on one committee

Join the Optimist Club of Traverse City, and help us...

Create an Optimistic

Future for Our Kids