What does it mean to be an Optimist?

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The Optimist Club of Traverse City
Creating an Optimist Future for Our Kids
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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

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Why be an Optimist?

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

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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

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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

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Programs that make a difference
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Community service programs and grants

• Traverse Area Community Sailing - Boats and
  Sailing Programs
• Koins for Kids Fundraising - Child and Family
  Services
• Bicycle/Roller Blade Safety Classes
• Christmas Shopping at Target - Big Brothers/Big
  Sisters
• Optimist Cabin Property - Picnic Pavilion and
  Nature Trails
• Michigan Special Olympics for Challenged Youths
• Adopt-A-Road

• NMC Barbecue
• Lyle DeYoung Scholarship - Northwestern Michigan
  College
• Boys and Girls Club
• Respect for Law Day
• Salvation Army Bell Ringing
• Baseball Boosters
• Traverse City Youth Ballet Sponsor
• Traverse City Optimist Youth Foundation
• Optimist International Foundation

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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

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Koins for Kids

• Raise money for Child and Family Services program
• Collect nickels and dimes
• Saturday Front Street program
• Optimist Pink Pig
• Program has enjoyed tremendous growth

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Target Christmas Shopping

• Optimists and Target help kids, selected by Big
  Brothers/Big Sisters, shop for their siblings and
  parents
• Target donated 1,500 for 25 children

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Salvation Army Bell Ringing

• Volunteers collect donations during holiday season

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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

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The Cabin Property - A unique opportunity

• 27 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

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Cabin Property Dedication

• Property and trail system was officially
  dedicated in Fall of 2000
• Available to various youth organizations for
  education and recreation

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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

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Fundraising

• Annual Bowl-a-Thon
• Major Optimist event of the year
• Over 75 bowlers participated
• 16 corporate sponsors
• Koeze nut sale
• Sales at Golden shoes during the holiday season

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Community Service and Leadership

• Interaction with community leaders
• Opportunity to hone public speaking, leadership
  skills

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Fellowship

• Need we say more?

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When do we meet?

• Every Monday from Noon to 100 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

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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

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Join the Optimist Club of Traverse City, and help
us...
Create an Optimistic Future for Our Kids