The CPA
Rules, Project
Story and Judging
Sheet have been revised for the 2009-2010 year to better meet the goals
of the program. Please make sure that your Club uses the new forms when
completing an entry. Don't forget that participation in the CPA program
at the District level is a requirement of the Honor Club Award!
The Community Projects Awards (CPA) Program is an annual competition that
recognizes Clubs for their community service, youth and fund-raising activities.
Participation in the CPA program at the District level is a requirement
of the Honor Club Award. First-place winners of District competitions that
are submitted for the International judging will receive International Entry
patches.
Click
here for the 2007-2008 international winners and for a list of potential
project ideas.
Click
here for profiles of successful programs that various Optimist Clubs
have developed. Program ideas can also be found on the Online Resource Library
by clicking
here.
The Community Projects Awards program is intended to:
Encourage significant community-serving activities, which enhance
the image of the Club and Optimist International.
Aid Optimist International in acquiring information on outstanding
Club projects for the guidance of other Clubs seeking similar community-serving
opportunities.
Give the Club a reference book that can be used in the future as a
guide for the organization of a similar activity.
Stimulate membership involvement in meaningful Club activities, thereby
providing maximum opportunity for individual participation and enhancing
the desirability of membership.
Provide recognition to Clubs for outstanding projects that fulfill
the objectives of Optimist International.
The following 2009-2010 CPA categories are endorsed by the Activities Committee
in order to sufficiently acknowledge the wide array of youth and community
projects completed by Clubs each year. Refer to the CPA
Rules and Regulations for assistance. You may request guidance from
the Programs Manager at the International Office by calling (800) 500-8130,
ext. 235, or e-mailing programs@optimist.org.
Community Service - Creative projects
organized to serve and support youth and the community. For example, blood
drives, Respect for Law awards, tree planting, mentoring, adopting a family
stricken with cancer, safety demonstrations, Youth Appreciation banquets
and baseball leagues would be included in this category. Be creative and
find out what best fits the needs of your community!
Fundraising - Innovative, fun activities
that are planned and completed for the primary purpose of fundraising should
be entered in this category. While the funds raised may be used for a Club
program or donated to another organization, any project conducted for the
purpose of raising funds should be submitted in the Fundraising category.
Enter your Club’s bowl-a-thon, boat regatta, chili cookout or carnival.
Creativity is key!
Clubs may submit entries in a plain 3-ring binder or in an entry book available
from Shumsky Enterprises at www.optimiststuff.com
or by calling toll-free (877) 678-2582.
The official rules and format of the CPA book can be downloaded by clicking
here.
The official setup of a CPA book can be found by clicking
here.
The Project Story is available by clicking
here. The information on the first page should be completed using the
form provided. The second page of questions can be completed on separate
pages and should include as much detail as possible. The budget on the third
page of the Project Story should be completed and tailored to meet the Club’s
project.
For a list of CPA deadlines for 2009-2010, please click
here.
For the judging sheet that will be used in the District and International-level
judging, please click
here.
Publicize Your Club’s CPA Win at the District
or International Level
Optimist International has developed a basic news release that Clubs can
use to announce their project as a CPA winner at the District or International
level. Below are sample news releases that Clubs can use to promote this
honor. Please note that the .doc version enables users to type their information
into fields*, while the .pdf files are for viewing only.
*If your
Optimist Club or District wishes to use its own letterhead, you can remove
the Optimist International logo in the document by opening up the Word document,
going to “View,” then “Toolbars” and selecting “Forms.”
When the “Forms” toolbar appears, click on the padlock, then
click on the Optimist logo and delete it. For those using Microsoft Office
2007, click on the Microsoft Office button in the upper left corner, go
to “Word options” and then select the box next to “Show
the Developer tab in the Ribbon” and click “OK.” Above
the document, click the “Developer” tab and then click on the
“Protect Document” drop-down menu. Click on “Restrict
Formatting and Editing.” At the bottom of the new window to the right,
click the “Stop Protection” button.
