...an association of more than 3,000 Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to "Bringing Out the Best in Kids." Optimist Clubs conduct positive service projects in their communities aimed at providing a helping hand to youth.


With their upbeat attitude, Optimist Club members help empower young people to be the best they can be. Each Optimist Club determines the needs of the young people in its community and conducts programs to meet those needs. Every year, Optimists conduct 65,000 service projects and serve well over six million young people.


If you think a civic club that supports the youth in your community is of interest to you, send an email to membership@al-la-ms.org for more information

Governor's Corner . . .

Promise Yourself... for the kids.


As Governor you never quite know what opportunities for service are lying in wait. Probably the most surprising has been the 40+ emails I have received from students in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi wanting to know how to enter the Essay Contest. Kids are discovering the Essay Contest by going on-line hunting for scholarships. I have connected each child with a club that has agreed to accept their essay for competition, and this includes several clubs that do not normally participate in the program.


Just think, these kids on their own are reaching out to us. How many more are out there that need our help? Most of these young people live in close proximity to an Optimist Club and were not aware that one existed in their community. Could it be that we are not doing a good job at "tooting our own horn"? Most newspapers run a Community Calendar or Local Activities Column. Get your activities out to the public; there are multiple benefits.


First the youth in your community will become aware of the opportunities available (and the Governor does not have to make long distance arrangements). Name recognition also is a great assist in fund raising, because the community has seen your publicity and knows that you are truly raising funds for youth activities. It could even be an asset in membership recruitment. When perspective members are invited to a NOW Banquet, perhaps the concept of Optimism will not be totally foreign. Consideration needs to be given to publicity before and/or after every community activity. The benefits are too great to ignore.


Jim