Why Start
an Optimist Club?
Optimists can extend their commitment to young people by starting New Clubs.
Through a New Club, they bring together a new group of volunteers who focus
on youth development and thereby help improve an entire community. Optimists
also benefit from the New Club process, which sharpens leadership skills,
increases fellowship and strengthens personal development.
Optimist International understands that people join Optimist Clubs for different
reasons, most often for "intangible benefits." People join for
the good feeling they receive from helping a young person succeed. Optimist
International also recognizes the diversity and time limitations of today's
volunteers. Different Optimist Club models are in place throughout the organization,
and we're optimistic that one might be a Club concept that fits the goals
of potential volunteers in your target community.
Traditional Club – A traditional Optimist
Club conducts a number of exciting, youth-oriented events and promotions
each year. The Club meets on a regular basis at a fixed location.
Sports Club – A Sports Club is built
with the primary goal to serve youth through athletics, be it baseball,
football, golf, tennis, basketball, soccer or hockey.
Non-Traditional Club – The Non-Traditional
Club is built around a single focus or a single event during the year.
This Club has officers and they meet via electronic newsletters and e-mails.
Members may not all be located in the same community.
Pilot Club Program – A Club in targeted
Districted areas, upon approval by the International Board of Directors,
may charter with a minimum of 15 Members. In order to qualify for this
program, the proposed Club must be approved by the New Community Growth
Department at the International Headquarters. Please note, in order for
a Pilot Club to be eligible for one (1) New Club credit, two (2) Pilot
Clubs must be chartered by September 30, 2010. If the Pilot Club obtains
a total of 25 Members by September 30, 2010, 1 New Club credit will be
awarded.
FAQ for
15-Member Pilot Club Program
Optimist International encourages Club Members to recruit new Optimists
to grow their Clubs – also known as the "member-get-a-member"
concept. But the organization takes this idea a step further, encouraging
local Clubs to sponsor New Clubs as a supplement to their general membership
recruitment efforts.
Sponsors of New Clubs can access all of the New Club Building Kit materials
on the website. Why wait for a kit to be shipped to you? Open the PDF below
and start now.
New
Club Building Kit
Do you want to bring out the best in kids by starting a New Club? Follow
the step-by-step process to learn what is involved.
Starting a New Club, Step-by-Step
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