Optimist Magazine – December 2024 by optimistintl

2025

107th Optimist International Convention

St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103

TENTATIVE SC HED UL E

SUNDAY, JUNE 29

•Vice President-Elect and Governor-Elect Training

•Vice President and Governor Training

•Registration

•House of Optimism (Expo)

•First Timers Program

•Taste of St. Louis Reception

•Opening Ceremony

MONDAY, JUNE 30

Bringing Out the Best in Youth

•House of Optimism (EXPO)

•General Session

•Heritage of Optimism Brunch

•Organization and Life Skills Training

•Trivia Night

TUESDAY, JULY 1

Bringing Out the Best in Community

•House of Optimism (EXPO)

•General Session

•Organization and Life Skills Training

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2

Bringing Out the Best in Ourselves

•House of Optimism (EXPO)

•General Session

•Annual Business Meeting & Closing

•Presidents Gala & Dance

THURSDAY, JULY 3

•Club President-Elect & Lt. Governor-Elect Breakfast

•Local Attraction Tour

MISSION STATEMENT

By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves.

VISION STATEMENT

Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the first volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential.

VALUES STATEMENT

Optimism

Optimism is at the heart of everything we do. We foster a shared sense of hope and resilience. We encourage positive action within ourselves and our communities and persist through difficulties with the belief we can create meaningful change, ensuring that we and those we serve can reach our fullest potential.

Respect

Through respectful interactions we value the unique contributions and inherent worth of every individual. We honor all people with dignity, compassion and care by embracing diversity and fostering a culture of inclusion.

Integrity

We uphold the highest standards of honesty, ethics and transparency in everything we do. We are accountable for our actions and follow through on our commitments. We conduct ourselves in all actions by doing what is right, even when it is difficult. We set a positive example and inspire others to follow.

Global Community

We embrace diversity, interconnectedness and shared humanity across all cultures, beliefs and borders. Our commitment to the global community encourages us to think beyond local solutions and consider the broader impact of our actions. By nurturing a spirit of cooperation and empathy, we work towards a better world together.

PURPOSES OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed; to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for the law; to promote patriotism and work for international agreement 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 humankind, community life, and the world.

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.

Managing Editor Cheryl Brenn

Editor J. Ryne Danielson

Designer Jason Cook Editorial Office 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 Office (314) 371-6000 Fax (314) 371-6006

Email magazine@optimist.org

Generous support from the Optimist International Foundation made this publication possible.

Optimist (ISSN 1085-5017) (CPN 40032242) (USPS 808-320) is published quarterly in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer by Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108, a non-profit and incorporated association of Optimist Clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Periodicals posted at St. Louis, MO, and at additional mailing offices. Digital periodicals posted online at Optimist.org.

POSTMASTER:

Send address changes to The Optimist, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.

Words of Wisdom

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey

Why I like this quote: I love this quote from Oprah. It reminds me of the eld of study called Positive Psychology, which is based on the idea of how people describe good and bad events to themselves. “I’m a failure, can’t do it!” or “I can change my approach and hope to achieve my goal.” An individual’s approach, optimistic or pessimistic, becomes a strong predictor of their health, happiness and success in life. An Optimistic explanatory style produces hope, knowing that even if you don’t achieve your goal, you can try a different strategy to get there. Certainly, looking at the new year as another chance to change your strategy to get it right is Optimistic thinking! - Jan Oord Graves

“The holiday season is a perfect time to reﬂect on our blessings and seek out ways to make life better for those around us.” - Anonymous

Why I like this quote: I love this time of year. It allows us to share our gratitude, encourage each other and just enjoy the merriment all around us. The lights, the music, and the generosity you see during this season are always so inspiring for me, it reminds me to let go of some of the burdens I nd myself carrying and just enjoy the moment, and that’s the magic of the Holidays. What would happen if we all could live with the joy, caring, and kindness every day that we experience during the Holidays, what a world it could be. Let’s give that a try in 2025! - Cheryl Brenn

Calendar of Events

A look at what’s coming up for Optimist International DECEMBER FEBRUARY

• Optimist Junior Golf: Hugh Cranford All Scholastic Scholarship Application opens

• Club of the Year submissions due

JANUARY

• Q2 Jan/Feb/Mar

• MLK Day of Service

• International Quality of Life Month

• International Day of Education

• Optimist Day

• Random Acts of Kindness Day

• Leadership Development Webinar

• IRS Annual Filing due for all U.S. Optimist Clubs, the IRS annual 990 series returns are due

• Junior Optimist Reading Month

• Registration open for the 2025 International Convention

CLUB OF THE YEAR DEADLINE

Don't forget to submit your Club of the Year form by Dec. 30 ! The winning Club will receive one round-trip airline ticket to the 2025 International Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, an award and a special story in an upcoming edition of Optimist magazine.

Optimist Day is Coming

Optimist Day 2025 is Thursday, Feb. 6. This is a great chance to celebrate your Club’s impact in your community and to showcase the power of optimism to a broad audience.

We encourage you to wear Optimist T-shirts and hats on Optimist Day. Wearing optimist apparel will help you stand out and invite questions from potential new members.

But our Optimist Day efforts should go well beyond merchandise! We also urge you to plan a high-profile public service project for Optimist Day and let people know about it. Whether planting trees, cleaning parks, tutoring children, or donating blood, your actions will make a difference and inspire others to join our cause. And by sending a news release to your local media outlets and posting photos of your project to social media with the hashtags #OptimistDay and #OptimistDay2025, you will generate good publicity for your Club and attract new members and supporters.

Remember: The bigger the project, the more likely it is the media will come.

Finally, reach out to your local officials and ask them to issue a proclamation declaring the first Thursday in February Optimist Day. This will raise awareness and recognition of our organization and our mission. You can download a sample proclamation here.

We hope you are as excited as we are for Optimist Day 2025. Let’s make it a memorable and meaningful one for ourselves and our communities!

The Gift of Optimism

by J. Ryne Danielson Communications Manager

The holiday season is here, and it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. Filled with shopping, decorating, and parties, the holidays can be stressful. For some, this is a season of great joy and connection, but for others, it can bring feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Optimist Clubs are wonderful places to combat those feelings through a supportive and caring community. They provide a space to connect with others who share a passion for service and optimism. And through club meetings, volunteer activities, and social events, members forge meaningful friendships and build a sense of belonging, which can be especially valuable during the holidays.

So, reach out to those who may be feeling lonely, invite them to a Club meeting, or share with them some ways they can stay optimistic and connected during the holidays. By practicing gratitude, putting our optimism into action, and cultivating a positive outlook on life, we can all navigate the season with grace and joy.

The Power of Gratitude

Gratitude and optimism go hand in hand. When we're grateful for what we have, we're more likely to see the world through a positive lens. Research has shown that gratitude can have a significant positive impact on our well-being by improving our mental and even physical health.

During the holidays, it's easy to focus on the things that we don't have or the things that aren't going our way. However, it's important to remember all the good things in our lives. Take some time to reflect on the things you're grateful for: your health, your family, your friends, or even a roof over your head. By focusing on the good in your life, you'll be able to approach the holiday season with a more optimistic outlook.

One way to cultivate gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. Each day, write down a few things that you're grateful for. This could be anything from a beautiful sunset to a kind gesture from a friend. Taking just a few minutes each day to focus on the good in your life can make a big difference.

Another way to practice gratitude is to express your appreciation for others. Take the time to tell your loved ones how much you are thankful for them. You can also show your gratitude by volunteering your time or donating to a worthy cause, such as the Optimist International Foundation.

By making gratitude a regular part of your life, you'll be able to develop a more optimistic outlook on life. This will not only help you to enjoy the holidays more but will benefit you in all aspects of your life.

Spreading Holiday Cheer: Optimism in Action

The holidays are a great time to give back to our communities, and as Optimists, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Here are a few ideas to spread holiday cheer and inspire optimism, either working with your Club or on your own:

• Organize a toy drive or food drive for families in need. The holidays can be a difficult time for families who are struggling financially. By organizing a toy drive or food drive, you can help to make the holidays a little brighter for those in need.

• Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Many people are less fortunate and rely on soup kitchens and homeless shelters for their basic needs. By volunteering your time, you can help to provide them with a warm meal and a place to stay during the holidays.

• Visit a nursing home or hospital and spread some holiday cheer. The holidays can be a lonely time for people who are in nursing homes or hospitals. By visiting them and spreading some holiday cheer, you can help to brighten their day and make them feel more connected.

• Donate blood. Blood donations save lives and are always needed, especially during the holidays.

• Offer to help an elderly neighbor with their holiday shopping or errands. Many elderly people have difficulty getting around, especially during the winter months. By offering to help them with their holiday shopping or errands, you can make their lives a little easier.

• Shovel snow for a neighbor who is unable to do so. Shoveling snow can be a strenuous task, especially for elderly people or people with disabilities. By shoveling snow for a neighbor who is unable to do so, you can help them to stay safe and warm during the winter months.

• Donate to a local charity. Many charities rely on donations to provide essential services to the community. By donating to a local charity, you can help make a difference in the lives of others.

• Offer your time to help with holiday events in your community. Many communities host holiday events, such as tree-lighting ceremonies and holiday parades. By offering your time to help with these events, you can help to make the holidays more enjoyable for everyone in your community.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. By putting our optimism into action, we can make a real difference in the lives of others and help create a more optimistic holiday season for everyone.

Cultivating Optimism for the New Year

Take a chance this holiday season to reflect on the year we’re leaving behind and to plan for the one that lies ahead. The new year is a great opportunity to cultivate optimism by setting goals, both personally and for our Optimist Clubs.

One powerful tool to help us achieve our goals and develop a more optimistic outlook is positive selftalk. When we talk to ourselves in a positive way, we're more likely to believe in ourselves and our ability to succeed.

One way to practice positive self-talk is to use affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that you can repeat to yourself to help you focus on your goals and believe in your ability to achieve them. Perhaps the example best known to Optimists is 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.