CAPITAL-VIRGINIA DISTRICT

• What is an Optimist Club?
• What is the Optimist Creed?
• What is our Vision?
• What is our Mission?
• How do I join an Optimist Club?
• An Invitation to Join
• How do I Find a club?

What is an Optimist Club?

An Optimist Club is a voluntary organization of civic-minded men and women banded together for progressive thought and action in community service. Membership, which is by invitation only, is composed of citizens drawn from business, industry, agriculture and the professions. Members are motivated by the desire to contribute to the community from which they and their families draw daily benefits. The purposes of the Optimist Clubs are to develop Optimism as a philosophy of life; to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for the law; to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people; to aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one's self in service to others will advance the well-being of man, his community and world. Junior Optimist student clubs are also active in high schools and lower levels and referred to as JOOI clubs. Meeting the needs of young people in communities worldwide, Optimist Clubs have been "Bringing Out the Best in Kids" since 1919. Optimist Clubs conduct positive service projects aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. Club Members are best known in their communities for their upbeat attitudes. By believing in young people and empowering them to be the best they can, Optimist volunteers continually make this world a better place to live. There are 105,000 individual Members who belong to more than 3,200 autonomous

Clubs. Optimists conduct 65,000 service projects each year, serving six million young people. Optimists also spend $78 million on their communities annually.
 

 

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What is the Optimist Creed?

The Optimist Creed

Promise 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.

 

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What is our Vision?

Vision Statement

Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as an organization of people committed to optimism and self-development for the improvement of youth and community.

 

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What is our Mission?

Mission Statement

Optimist International's mission is to foster an optimistic way of life, through a network of optimists, dedicated to the full development of their potential in order to provide ever-expanding service to youth, the community and the world.

 

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How do I Join an Optimist Club?

How to Join an Optimist Club

Want to start "Bringing Out the Best in Kids?" If you like what you are seeing and would like to join the most dynamic youth-serving organization in the world, please join an Optimist Club today! Click here, we'll put you in contact with someone who can help you become a "Friend of Youth."

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An Invitation to Join

Membership Magic

We’d like to invite you to become a member of Optimist International, one of the largest service organizations in the world – where "Bringing Out the Best in Kids" has been our mission for more than 80 years! Whether you are a Member of a Club or a Club officer who enjoys the fellowship/friendship of others with a common greater good, Optimist International needs and wants YOU as a Member. Optimists value Learning, Leadership, Excellence and a sense of community. Besides, being an Optimist is something that anyone can do. As Walt Disney said: “You can dream, create the most beautiful place in the universe...but it takes people to make that dream a reality.”

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