Optimist Outlook

9/4/08

Marianna Optimist Club Activities
The readers of the Jackson County Times will now have the opportunity our club activities the, "Optimist Outlook." Although the content of this column in no way reflects the opinions of the host publication, it is mutually desirable that the readership find the articles informative, and, at times even entertaining.
As the title indicates, the articles posted in this column are written by an optimist and, therefore, in the words of a, once famous, columnist, Walter Winchell; "An optimist is someone who gets treed by a lion but enjoys the scenery, and conversely, "A pessimist is one who builds dungeons in the air. This definition is, in no way, meant to demean either view, but simply meant to properly orientate the reader.
Perhaps the following items will give the reader a little background on the Marianna Optimist Club and better familiarize the reader with its mission and purpose:
• About Optimist International-Meeting the needs of young people in communities worldwide, Optimist Clubs have been "Bringing Out the Best in Kids" since 1919. Optimist Clubs conduct positive service projects aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. Club Members are best known in their communities for their upbeat attitudes. By believing in young people and empowering them to be the best they can, Optimist volunteers continually make this world a better place to live. There are 101,000 individual Members who belong to more than 3,200 autonomous Clubs. Optimists conduct 65,000 service projects each year, serving six million young people. Optimists also spend $78 million on their communities annually.
• Mission Statement-By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids.
• Vision Statement-Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential.
• Purposes- 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 accord 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.
www.mariannaoptimistclub.org