Junior Optimist Octagon International
Encyclopedia
Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI) is an active youth service organization that was created in 1988 and is affiliated with Optimist International
, its sponsor. There are more than 18,500 members in over 675 communities around the world.
There are three types of JOOI clubs that are separated by age groups: Alpha Clubs (6-9 years), Junior Optimist Clubs (10-13 years), and Octagon Clubs (14-18). Due to the various age groups, each type of JOOI club serves their community in different ways. While different approaches are undertaken, the main goal of JOOI members is "to promote positive change in their communities."
Like Optimist International, JOOI is "a community-based organization with a hierarchy that can take a member from a club to office at zone, district, national and international levels." Typically, each club plans their own fund raisers and service projects. The money raised is then donated to (projects and organizations that will improve the well-being of others, such as the Childhood Cancer Campaign (CCC).
JOOI's motto is "Kids Serving Kids." Since JOOI keeps leadership local, it is able to "empower young people to make positive decisions to serve fellow youths and their community."
During the months of June and July, the JOOI Convention takes place and members across the globe gather together. At this convention, members learn how to become great leaders in their Clubs and schools, exchange project ideas, and meet representatives from Clubs all over the world.
Throughout the convention, JOOI members are able to campaign in order to become a member of the JOOI Board of Directors. During a certain time at the convention, members can "meet and greet the candidates (mingling)" and learn about their positions on certain issues within JOOI. Later, candidates give their speeches, participate in a "Meet the Candidates Forum," and then the accredited delegates elect who will become the new JOOI Board of Directors. Those elected are announced before the President's Dance on the final night.
Service projects vary from the location of the convention. Sometimes, service projects are on-site, off-site, or there are both. For instance, during the 2008 International Convention, the off-site service project consisted of building and restoring a local park whereas the on-site service project consisted of collecting books for the JOOI of Reading Program. The recreational activities that take place during this convention are the Talent Show, theme days, and President's Dance.
2010-11 International Youth Club Committee:
Creed
was adopted as the official creed of the organization. Written by Christian Larson
, the creed was originally published under the title "Promise Yourself" in 1912. Optimists in California
found the Optimist spirit well-expressed in the 10-line statement and pushed to have it adopted organization-wide. The wife of Los Angeles
Optimist James V. Westervelt saw the item in a newspaper
and clipped it for her husband. After publishing it in his club's bulletin
, Westervelt and other Los Angeles Optimists encouraged other California clubs to use the creed. Soon after, the creed's popularity grew.
The creed reads as follows:
Promise Yourself:-
Optimist International
Optimist International is an international service club organization with 3,200 clubs and almost 100,000 members in more than 35 nations throughout the world. The international headquarters is located in St...
, its sponsor. There are more than 18,500 members in over 675 communities around the world.
There are three types of JOOI clubs that are separated by age groups: Alpha Clubs (6-9 years), Junior Optimist Clubs (10-13 years), and Octagon Clubs (14-18). Due to the various age groups, each type of JOOI club serves their community in different ways. While different approaches are undertaken, the main goal of JOOI members is "to promote positive change in their communities."
Like Optimist International, JOOI is "a community-based organization with a hierarchy that can take a member from a club to office at zone, district, national and international levels." Typically, each club plans their own fund raisers and service projects. The money raised is then donated to (projects and organizations that will improve the well-being of others, such as the Childhood Cancer Campaign (CCC).
JOOI's motto is "Kids Serving Kids." Since JOOI keeps leadership local, it is able to "empower young people to make positive decisions to serve fellow youths and their community."
Overview
In 1988, Optimist International recognized the rapid growth of Optimist Youth Clubs, which had grown to 30,000 members in 1,000 Junior Optimist and Octagon Clubs, and formed its own international organization - Junior Optimist Octagon International. Since then, JOOI members have engaged themselves in youth service activities, such as the Childhood Cancer Campaign (CCC), the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (OIJGC), and scholarship contests. Through their positive attitudes and unwavering commitment, JOOI members continue to play a significant role in the change for the greater good.During the months of June and July, the JOOI Convention takes place and members across the globe gather together. At this convention, members learn how to become great leaders in their Clubs and schools, exchange project ideas, and meet representatives from Clubs all over the world.
International Convention
The 16th Annual International Convention took place at Orlando, Florida from June 25, 2008 to June 28, 2008. The International Convention is composed of several activities throughout its four-day span: workshops, business sessions, electing the new JOOI Board of Directors for the upcoming year, service projects, and recreational activities. Various workshops take place that teach members how to become great leaders in their communities and are led by guest speakers as well as members from the JOOI Board of Directors. While topics range from communication skills to life lessons, all of these workshops allow members to learn more about themselves and motivate them to be the best that they can. The business sessions that take place are where members learn about the current issues within the organization. During specific sessions, accredited delegates representing their schools vote for any changes within the Policy for Governance of JOOI.Throughout the convention, JOOI members are able to campaign in order to become a member of the JOOI Board of Directors. During a certain time at the convention, members can "meet and greet the candidates (mingling)" and learn about their positions on certain issues within JOOI. Later, candidates give their speeches, participate in a "Meet the Candidates Forum," and then the accredited delegates elect who will become the new JOOI Board of Directors. Those elected are announced before the President's Dance on the final night.
Service projects vary from the location of the convention. Sometimes, service projects are on-site, off-site, or there are both. For instance, during the 2008 International Convention, the off-site service project consisted of building and restoring a local park whereas the on-site service project consisted of collecting books for the JOOI of Reading Program. The recreational activities that take place during this convention are the Talent Show, theme days, and President's Dance.
JOOI Board of Directors
The 2010-11 Board of Directors:| Position | Officer | State |
|---|---|---|
| International President | Kayleigh White | Ohio |
| International Past President | Marie-Pier Tremblay | Québec |
| International Director | Marie-Claude Bourgeois | Québec |
| International Director | Peter Choi | California |
| International Director | Danny Walsh | Ohio |
| International Director | Samitha Ilango | California |
| JOOI Board Director | Amy Keller | Missouri |
2010-11 International Youth Club Committee:
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Committee Chair | Luke Hearn |
| Committee Member | Jann M. Van Dreser |
| Committee Member | Barbara J. Robertson |
The Optimist Creed
In 1922, the OptimistOptimist
An optimist is a person with a positive outlook on life.Optimist may also refer to:* A member of Optimist International* The Optimist, a small sailing dinghy sailed by children...
Creed
Creed
A creed is a statement of belief—usually a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community—and is often recited as part of a religious service. When the statement of faith is longer and polemical, as well as didactic, it is not called a creed but a Confession of faith...
was adopted as the official creed of the organization. Written by Christian Larson
Christian D. Larson
Christian D. Larson was a New Thought leader and teacher, as well as a prolific author of metaphysical and New Thought books. He is credited by Horatio Dresser as being a founder in the New Thought movement...
, the creed was originally published under the title "Promise Yourself" in 1912. Optimists in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
found the Optimist spirit well-expressed in the 10-line statement and pushed to have it adopted organization-wide. The wife of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
Optimist James V. Westervelt saw the item in a newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
and clipped it for her husband. After publishing it in his club's bulletin
Bulletin
Bulletin can refer to:Periodicals * The Bulletin, a now defunct Australian magazine* The Bulletin , an alternative weekly published in Montgomery County, Texas, United States...
, Westervelt and other Los Angeles Optimists encouraged other California clubs to use the creed. Soon after, the creed's popularity grew.
The creed reads as follows:
Promise Yourself:-
- To be so strongStrong-People:*Strong *Strong Vincent , Union Army officer who played a major role in the Battle of Gettsyburg-Fictional characters :* Tom Strong, in comic book series* Captain Strong, in Superman comics series* Mr. Strong, in Mr...
that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. - To talk healthHealthHealth is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
, happinessHappinessHappiness is a mental state of well-being characterized by positive emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. A variety of biological, psychological, religious, and philosophical approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources....
and prosperityProsperityProsperity is the state of flourishing, thriving, good fortune and/or successful social status. Prosperity often encompasses wealth but also includes others factors which are independent of wealth to varying degrees, such as happiness and health....
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 nobleNobleNoble may refer to:* Nobility, a hereditary caste* Noble gas, chemical elements in group 18 of the periodic table* Noble metal, metals that are resistant to corrosion or oxidation...
for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.