The Optimist Club
of Traverse City
Creating an
Optimist Future
for Our Kids
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
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
Organization
 The Optimist Club
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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
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
Programs that make a difference
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
 Boy’s and Girl’s Club
 Respect for Law Day
 Salvation Army Bell Ringing
 Baseball Boosters
 Traverse City Youth Ballet Sponsor
 Traverse City Optimist Youth
Foundation
 Optimist International Foundation
Traverse Area Community Sailing
 Kids have the opportunity
to learn
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Sailing basics
Teamwork
Safety
Rules
 Optimists helped raise
money for twenty Prams
 Ongoing support for TACS
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
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
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
 Volunteers collect
donations during holiday
season
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
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
Cabin Property Dedication
 Property and trail
system was officially
dedicated in Fall of
2000
 Available to various
youth organizations for
education and
recreation
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
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
Community Service and Leadership
 Interaction with community
leaders
 Opportunity to hone public
speaking, leadership skills
Fellowship
 Need we say more?
When do we meet?
 Every Monday from Noon to 1:00
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
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
Join the Optimist Club of Traverse City,
and help us...
Create an
Optimistic
Future for Our
Kids