The Optimist Club of Calgary is a voluntary, non-profit organization focused on "Bringing Out the Best in Calgary’s Youth, Community, and Ourselves."
Members fulfill their role by participating or volunteering in service projects, serving on club committees or boards, and inviting others to join in the club’s pursuit of its mission and purposes.
There are numerous reasons why individuals decide to join an Optimist Club. Here are a few:
Community Service - Giving of oneself to benefit others is a rewarding experience that enriches the lives of those being served through Optimist projects. Each Optimist Club is autonomous, giving members an opportunity to learn, plan, and execute community projects that benefit you, your neighbors and your community
Personal Development - Membership creates opportunities to learn different skill sets that will enhance a member’s life both domestically and professionally. Optimists can take on responsibilities at the Club level and beyond to make themselves a better person.
Choosing Optimism as a Way of Life. Membership provides opportunities to look at life in a positive way and to learn the means for doing so on a day-to-day basis. Being an optimist doesn’t mean you are not realistic to the inevitable problems of this world but you choose to work toward a better society. Being a member allows you to be associated with people (locally, regional and internationally) with the same Optimist core belief system and attitude.
Networking - Membership in an Optimist Club allows for interaction with others in the community from various backgrounds that can lead to personal and professional relationships.
Membership - Membership can bring with it new friends who think a lot like you do and some with different perspectives, backgrounds and walks of life. The club allows the entire community to unite under the single banner of bringing out the best in every young person. Membership also creates a framework for associating with people who enjoy new experiences, and just a laugh. We have fun getting so much done for so many!
There is no minimum amount of time members are required to participate. However, subject to their own personal schedule, they are encouraged to participate as much as they would like by helping out with club projects and attending monthly meetings. Members can take a more active role if they wish by taking on a leadership role on the board and various committees.
The club charges a nominal annual fee to be a member. For more information on current fees, please see the Annual Dues section on this page.
Optimist members have a great opportunity to get involved in a variety of ways including the following:
helping to organize and volunteering at a variety of club sponsored youth and community programs
assisting other Optimist clubs with their projects in southern Alberta
attending monthly club meetings
For members who are interested in taking on even greater responsibilities, they can chair a committee, serve on the club executive team, or take on a volunteer leadership role within the Zone, District, or at Optimist International.
No, but it is encouraged. It is the best way to stay abreast of what is happening in the club ... and club meetings can be really fun!
Not required, but encouraged to keep a continued flow of new ideas into the organization. Hopefully, others will become interested in joining as you share with them your positive experiences in your club.
Each Optimist club is self-sustaining and requires an earnest effort to raise funds to support community service projects and Optimist youth programs that are delivered by the club. Each member is asked to help with fundraising activities which include an annual Festive Showcase in November, and a casino every 18 to 24 months.
If interested, members can organize and/or chair a club project; or hold an executive position as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Board member. After a member has served as a Club President, they have the opportunity to pursue a position as Lieutenant Governor within Zone 6 (southern Alberta) or Governor within our District (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, and NW Wyoming). It is also possible to become a Vice President for the Great Plains Region of Optimist International. It is also possible to serve on the CCOF and/or OI Board of Directors or to become President of these organizations.
Your desire to help the youth in your community! If you tell us what your skills and strengths are, we will do our best to make use of your abilities.
New and existing members are strongly encouraged to take advantage of free educational programs that are available, including the Personal Growth Initiative (PGI), and Professional Development Program (PDP). Optimist International also has the Leadership Institute, which is an online learning management system packed with tons of courses, webinars, and other cool resources. In addition, anyone taking on a leadership role within a club like President, Secretary, or Treasurer, specific training is provided.
Optimist International is recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all youth and helps them develop to their full potential.