St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103
TENTATIVE S C H E D U L E
SUNDAY, JUNE 29
• Vice President-Elect and Gover nor-Elect Training
• Vice President and Gover nor Training
• Registration
• House of Optimism (Expo)
• First T imers 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. Gover nor-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.
CORE VALUES
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.
Optimist
The Official Publication of Optimist International
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.
A look at what’s coming up for Optimist International JANUARY MARCH
• Q2 Jan/Feb/Mar
• MLK Day of Service
• International Quality of Life Month
• International Day of Education
FEBRUARY
• 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
• Optimist International Board of Director’s Meeting
• Regional Vice Presidents and Governors-Elect Conferences
• International Day of Happiness
• OIF & CCOF Club Grant deadline
• Leadership Development Webinar
CLICK HERE to see the calendar of upcoming events on the website
Leadership Webinars
Save the dates for our leadership webinars! Email leadership@optimist.org for more information.
Mon, Feb. 10, 7-8 p.m. CST
Leadership Traits of Effective Leaders
Click here to register
Monday, March 10, 7-8 p.m. CDT
Leadership Skills to Inspire & Motivate Teams
Click here to register
Monday, April 14, 7-8 p.m. CDT
Creating an Optimistic Mindset
Click here to register
Monday, June 9, 7-8 p.m. CDT
Everything You Need to Know About Convention
Click here to register
Monday, Sept. 8, 7-8 p.m. CDT
PDP (Personal Development Program) Revamped!
Click here to register
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 Optimist's Guide to the New Year: How small steps can have a big impact
by J. Ryne Danielson Communications Manager
As the New Year dawns, we are often filled with a sense of renewed hope and a desire for self-improvement. We make grand plans to transform our lives, to conquer bad habits, and to finally achieve those long-held dreams. Yet, all too often, these ambitious New Year's resolutions fizzle out before the end of January, leaving us feeling discouraged.
But what if there was a more sustainable, more optimistic way to approach personal growth? What if the secret to lasting change lies not in sweeping pronouncements, but in the power of small, consistent actions?
This year, try setting micro-resolutions – small, achievable goals that, when practiced consistently, can lead to significant positive change over time. Microresolutions are the embodiment of the Optimist spirit, a testament to the belief that a brighter future is built one small step at a time. And the best part? Science backs this approach.
The act of setting goals, even small ones, has a profound impact on our well-being. It ignites hope, fuels optimism, and strengthens our belief in our own ability to shape our lives.
Studies have shown that pursuing goals enhances our sense of purpose, boosts self-esteem, and even improves our resilience in the face of challenges. When we set a goal, we are essentially creating a roadmap for a better future, and that act alone can have a powerful effect on our mindset.
Furthermore, consistent action rewires our brains through a process called neuroplasticity. Each time we engage in a positive behavior, the neural pathways associated with that behavior become stronger, making it easier to repeat the behavior in the future.
Micro-resolutions help us build the mental muscle memory for positive change. And as we achieve these small goals, we build confidence and momentum. That initial success becomes a springboard, propelling us towards larger, more ambitious objectives.
So, how do we redefine our resolutions to make them more attainable?
Instead of aiming for radical transformations, focus on making small, manageable adjustments. For instance, you might choose to read a single page of a book each day, learn one new vocabulary word daily, or dedicate five minutes to writing in a gratitude journal.
To enhance health and wellness, consider drinking an extra glass of water daily, opting for the stairs instead of the elevator just once a day, or incorporating one serving of fruits or vegetables into each meal.
If your focus is on relationships, you could send a thoughtful text message to a friend or family member each day, make it a point to give one genuine compliment daily, or schedule a dedicated "quality time" activity with a loved one each week.
And for those looking to contribute more to their community, consider donating one item of clothing or
a household good each month or performing a single random act of kindness each week. These actions, seemingly small in isolation, create a substantial cumulative effect over time, shaping habits and fostering a sense of accomplishment. The key is consistency, not perfection.
As Optimists, when we commit to personal growth, we become beacons of hope, inspiring those around us to make positive changes in their own lives. Our actions, however small, create ripples that spread outward, touching our families, our communities, and the world beyond.
This ripple effect is at the heart of Optimist International's mission to "bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves." By embodying the Optimist spirit in our daily lives, we not only improve ourselves but also strengthen the fabric of our communities. When we share our micro-resolution journeys with others, we create a culture of growth and positivity. We show, through our actions, that change is possible, and that a brighter future is within reach.
This, in turn, can attract new members to Optimist International, individuals who are drawn to our positive vision and our commitment to making a difference. Imagine the collective impact we could have if every Optimist adopted just one micro-resolution and shared their progress with their club and community!
Making the most of your micro-resolution journey requires a thoughtful approach. It's essential to be
specific when framing your resolutions, articulating them in clear, measurable terms.
For example, instead of a vague goal like "be more mindful," be specific and aim to "meditate for five minutes each morning." Start with the smallest possible version of your goal. This approach builds confidence and makes it easier to establish a consistent habit.
Keep track of your progress using a journal, app, or calendar. This allows you to monitor your achievements and celebrate your successes. Consider finding an accountability partner. Your Optimist Club can be a great source of support and accountability, so share your goals and progress with your fellow members.
Just remember to be kind to yourself. Setbacks are inevitable on any journey of self-improvement. If you miss a day or a week, don't give up. Simply recommit to your goal and keep moving forward. Self-compassion is crucial for long-term success.
As Optimists, we have the power to shape a brighter future, one small step at a time. Let this be the year we truly embody the Optimist spirit, inspiring positive change within ourselves and throughout the world. Let’s make this year a testament to the power of optimism, showing that even the smallest actions can create a wave of positive change.
What micro-resolution will you choose to start today? Share it with your Optimist Club and let's build a brighter future together!
Welcome New Members
Since the beginning of the Optimist year in October, Optimist International has welcomed 1,339 new Members and created 7 new Clubs around the world. If you’re one of those new Members, or part of a new Club, welcome! Each of you brings valuable skills and fresh ideas to our organization, and we’re grateful for your desire to bring out the best in youth, communities, and yourselves.
Welcome to Optimist International, a community-service nonprofit committed to creating a more optimistic future through our many innovative programs. You are joining a global network of more than 50,000 Optimists who share your passion for making a difference.
We hope you enjoy your Membership! And remember, you’re not alone in your journey. Our international staff is here to answer your questions, provide marketing and communications support, and help with any issues you encounter.
Thank you for being an Optimist!
• Scholarship Programs: Optimist International sponsors several scholarship contests for students, such as the Essay Contest, Oratorical Contest, and Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. These contests provide opportunities for young people to showcase their talents and win educational scholarships. You can help organize and promote these contests in your local community and support the winners as they advance in their academic and professional careers.
• Junior Optimist International: Junior Optimist International (JOI) is the youth branch of Optimist International, which empowers students to become leaders and volunteers in their communities. JOI Clubs are typically sponsored by Optimist Clubs but operate independently, with their own officers and projects. As an Optimist Member, you can mentor and guide JOI Members and help them develop their skills and potential.
• Optimist Junior Golf: Optimist Junior Golf is one of the largest and most prestigious junior golf events in the world, attracting thousands of participants from more than 40 countries. Optimist Clubs host
qualifying tournaments for junior golfers, who can advance to the annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championship in Miami, Florida. You can get involved in this program by volunteering at local tournaments, sponsoring golfers, or playing in our parent-child tournament.
• Leadership Development: Optimist International provides various resources and opportunities for personal and leadership development. Through the Optimist Institute, you can access online courses, webinars and workshops on topics such as communication, teamwork and project management. You can also take on leadership roles at the Club, District, or international level and gain valuable experience and recognition. These are just some of the programs that Optimist International offers. We hope you also participate in our other community activities, and we look forward to seeing you at our next International Convention, scheduled for June 29-July 3, 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri!
Clubs Continue Christmas Tree Lot Traditions
by Blythe Dorrian Communications Coordinator
Gregg Hilleren was sitting with a friend at Duffy’s Tavern, his local restaurant, when he was introduced to the Kirkwood, Missouri Optimist Club 31 years ago. Now serving as the chairman for the past 24 years, he has helped raise over $350,000 through fundraisers like the Christmas tree lot.
“I think I have only missed five meetings,” Hilleren said. “I was the President three different times, and I bonded with the group. They’ve been with me through thick and thin. I loved it so much.”
Hilleren, a former meat salesman, first discovered the club in the late fall.
“I heard about them having a tree lot, but I hadn’t joined yet. The next thing I know, I’m out there selling trees and playing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” on my harmonica between the rows for families.”
The Christmas tree lot is the club’s biggest fundraiser, and it serves as an opportunity for new members to get involved and recruit others.
“At that time [when Hilleren joined], we were 50 strong,” Hilleren said. Now we’re down to 35, but we’ve already gained five members in the last month. I think we are on a growth pattern
again, which is something unique. Without growth, you eventually just fold as a club. I’ve seen that with other clubs in our area.”
The lot was held at Kirkwood North Middle School, the same location used for the past eight years.
“After expenses, our profit this year was $10,500,” Hilleren said. “We will do two $2,500 scholarships. We get with the counselors at Kirkwood High School who will figure out which families are in the most need.”
In order to receive the scholarship, the student must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA. The selected students are presented with a check for the school they are attending.
“After their first semester, they will come to one of our Optimist meetings,” Hilleren said. “That’s when they really thank you and tell you what program they are enrolled in. It’s a really neat thing.
The Christmas lot opened on November 23. The club noticed that families like having Christmas trees in their house when their children and relatives come back, and opening earlier is beneficial for sales.
Hilleren said the club tries to get not just the members, but their families involved in the events whenever possible.
“We’re helping the community,” Hilleren said. “All of the kids get candy canes, and we always have Christmas music playing. Kirkwood has that old hometown feel.”
Across the country, Monaco South (CO) Optimist Club was setting up their Christmas tree lot. Former Governor of the Colorado/ Wyoming district and current Lieutenant Governor, George Buzick, has been involved with the club for over 40 years.
“I’m retired now, but I worked for a utility here in Colorado called Xcel Energy,” Buzick said. “They were pretty community-minded where most of their executives joined various clubs. I happened to do this back in 1982 when I first joined,
and I’ve been participating on some level ever since.”
Monaco South recently completed its 42nd year. It is one of the biggest clubs in the district, comprising around 130 members.
“In the beginning years, it was a little bit disorganized,” Buzick said. “We were working really slowly and not publicizing. We were selling a few trees mostly just for interaction with the community. Now, we’ve gotten much more organized.”
This year, the club sold over 1,400 trees with help from firemen and volunteers. A total of 1,5001,800 volunteer hours were completed, and the total profit was approximately $50,000.
“The best-selling tree is the Noble Fir,” Buzick said. “They spread out, so they can hold more ornaments. This year, we had four varieties of trees from Oregon. The Nordmann Fir is another high seller because it lasts a long time. The longer needle trees, like the White Pines, look nice, but they tend to dry out faster in your house.”
The Christmas lot opened the Friday after Thanksgiving, and it ran until Christmas Eve. However, the club sold out of trees on December 21.
Volunteers stand in front of the Christmas tree lot in Colorado. “Our work is all volunteer,” Buzick said. “We have two firehouses that are close to our tree lot. Every Christmas, the firefighters help us unload the trees from the trucks. We get a lot of comments on Facebook saying this is the best tree lot in Denver.”
“We have a trailer that was donated by a construction company,” Buzick said. “We also have a generator to run our lights that was donated. We built a portable Santa cottage where we have Santa there on Saturday and Sundays.”
1. The Monaco South Optimist Club tree lot has several different varieties of trees to pick from. The tallest tree we had was 12 feet,” Buzick said. “We usually get a bunch of trees from Wisconsin, but we didn’t this year because of the weather. They haven’t gotten a lot of rain, which means the needles tend to dry out in shipment.”
2. Volunteers help run the lots for people to purchase trees. “The community loves our group,” Hilleren said. “It’s the traditions that we do up there. We always barbecue. Almost every night we do a big bonfire. This year, we went through three and a half cords of wood because it was so cold. We have a refrigerator full of hotdogs and bratwursts, and our wives bring chili or Italian dishes.”
3. The Kirkwood tree lot took place during the holiday season. “We get our trees from a huge farm in Manton, Michigan,” Hilleren said. “It’s north of Grand Rapids and south of Traverse City. They have at least 10,000 acres of Christmas trees.”
“We do a drive through service,” Buzick said. “You come to the lot and pick the tree you want. We will carry it to your car, load it up, and all you have to do is watch us do our thing.”
The club also caters to people who might not be able to physically go to the tree lots.
“We also have a delivery service,” Buzick said. “We have a couple of pickup trucks that we keep at the lot. We don’t decorate them, but we will go to the people’s homes and set the trees up on the stands.”
The profits go directly to youth programs in the area. Eight to 10 $1,000 scholarships are awarded to local high school students. They also serve Thanksgiving Dinner to the children and parents of the Boys and Girls Club in Denver.
One of Monaco South’s most well-known programs is called Super Citizen, which involves around 8001,000 students across 10 different schools.
“We have a recognition assembly for the schools involved,” Buzick said. “The teachers present why
they chose the students. Each student gets a t-shirt and a certificate that is signed by the mayor and the police chief.”
Alongside the Optimist International Oratorical and Essay competition, the club is also involved in an outside project they call Rainbow. It is similar to Jeopardy where around 800-1,000 junior high school students in Wyoming and Colorado are invited to play the set of general knowledge questions.
“A lot of people who come to our tree lot say they know us because of the Super Citizen program because their kid was one, or they were one 30 years ago,” Buzick said.
The club estimates that around 50 percent of the customers will come back each year to pick out another tree.
“It’s a total community effort,” Buzick said. “You’ll see two old guys carrying one tree and then the firemen are carrying two trees a piece.”
SS Optimism 2024–2025 Cruise Special
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey aboard the S.S. Optimism! This 365-day (metaphorical) cruise, captained by President Jan, promises a year of fun, growth, and rewards. As we “travel” to various ports, all Clubs will have the chance to win big – every new member a Club gains will earn them an entry into a $250 quarterly drawing!
Terms and Conditions
• Clubs must “Opt-in” to participate. Clubs remain enrolled in the incentive for the full Optimist year once they have opted in. The Club can opt in to join the incentive cruise at any time.
• There will be a drawing at the end of each quarter.
• Club’s name is entered into drawing for every member past their NET Oct. 1, 2024, roster. Example: Club starts Oct. 1 with 50 members. On December 31, the Club has 57 members. Club will have seven entries into the drawing for this quarter.
• Clubs’ names can be drawn more than once. If Clubs are working hard to retain members and bring in new members, they should have more chances to win.
• Each Quarter starts new. The Club baseline remains at their Oct. 1, 2024, roster. This should encourage Clubs to retain members.
• The following, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter ports of call will be at the end of each quarter. Example: Same Club Oct. 1 Roster was 50, March 31 roster is 53. Three entries into drawing.
• 1st Quarter: One drawing for $250.00
• 2nd Quarter: Two drawings for $250.00 each
• 3rd Quarter: Three drawings for $250.00 each
• 4th Quarter: Four drawings for $250.00 each
CLICK HERE for terms and conditions and to opt-in to the “cruise.”
Don't Miss Out!
The S.S. Optimism sets sail in October. Have fun filling out the word search below to help you prepare!
OIF FOUNDATION DONORS
811 Linda K. Burse
812 Edithe Lemieux (In Memory)
813 Annette Smith
814 Ed Bruns, Jr.
815 Donald Hilgedick
816 James D. Tribble
817 Benjamin DeRemer
818 Dave Gover
819 Thomas H. Kennedy
820 Kurt Gassen
821 Roland Rapp
822 Jean Pummill
823 Gary Hansen
824 William S. Glover
825 Sandi Cox
826 Lisa Berry
827 Deanna Morrow
828 Scott D. Kaplan
829 Michael R. Novak
830 Jacqueline Shields Sullivan
831 Michael (Mike) Ballard
832 Tim Bell
833 Creig Kinch
834 Johny Prior
835 De Matthews
836 Dr. Jodi M. Arriola
837 Patricka Wiggan Chambers
838 Krystal Corbett
839 Lorna Moseley-Grant
840 Joel T. Mousaw
841 John A. Wyttenbach
842 Bill Macriss
843 Greg Griffin
844 Paul Stull
845 Mike Brubaker
846 Kit Kelley
847 Jim Cox
848 Todd Farnham
849 Bill Deter
850 Susan Robbennolt
OIF FOUNDATION DONORS
OIF DONOR LISTINGS
This is a record of lifetime accumulation levels achieved from February 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024, for individuals and Clubs. This listing is for gifts recorded up to the deadline date for the printing of Optimist
