Click on the green oval to open a link to more information.
Special Programs
SCHOLARSHIP CONTESTS
Through Optimist International, we have over $20,000 worth of scholarships available for young people EACH YEAR. Check 'em out! Click on the Scholarship Contests button to read more!
CLUB BUILDING
"Club Building" refers to both building new clubs and increasing the membership of existing clubs to better meet the needs of our communities.
NEW Club -
Leaders Optimist Club
The Leaders Optimist Club of New Mexico (LOC-NM) is a new statewide club being sponsored by the Coronado Optimist Club of Bernalillo and the Sunport Optimist Club of Albuquerque. The LOC-NM is new in several ways:
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Age Restrictions - This club is for young adults, aged 17-29.
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Meeting Format - Club meetings will be held "electronically" via internet and telephonic communications.
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Staying In Touch - The Club will use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram . . . to stay in touch.
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Come Together - Club members will physically meet up for service projects, fundraisers, and social events.
Our current members range in age from 17 to mid-twenties, with several 16 year olds eagerly awaiting their birthdays and joining in activities as they can. Get more details by Click on the LOC-NM button.
Building Existing Clubs - NOW Events
One strategy for building existing clubs is to provide a NOW Event. NOW stands for New Optimists Welcome and is a program designed to capture the interest of prospective Optimist Members. The program is for Optimist Clubs committed to achieving a net gain of 10 Members during the administrative year.
A NOW event, generally, is a dinner or series of dinners to which potential members are extended invitations. During the event, the Optimist Club takes advantage of its captive audience and shows the service it provides to the local community. While the NOW event usually includes a meal, some speeches or presentations and an invitation to join the organization, many Clubs modify the idea to fit their needs. Most importantly, the event should create an atmosphere in which new Optimists feel “welcome.”
For more information, please go to our NOW Events page.
OPTIMIST SUMMER CAMP
The Evening Club of Albuquerque (EOC) has taken the lead in a program supported by all of our Optimist Clubs and the community. Phil Beam of the EOC came up with the idea, which is a great one.
Camp Shaver up in the Jemez mountains is cool all summer, but traditionally takes the July 4th week off. Phil suggested we pick up that week and create a program built on community service and the Optimist Creed for youngsters. Fellow EOC members former middle school principals Ed Briggs and Kris Pillings suggested the campers be 6th graders, which is a critical turning point time for youngsters.
They had their first camp in 2015 and it was a tremendous success. Read more on the EOC website, and ours.
OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL Comes to ABQ!
Much to our delight and astonishment, WE are hosting the 2017 OI Convention, July 5-9. Jump in, this is very exciting.