• 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 of Optimist International:
  
• 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.
  
• The Optimist Creed:
  

Promise Yourself-

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity 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 noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

 

The 2011 OI Convention will be held in Baltimore July 3-5.  Click here to view description of the 2010 convention in Denver.

Click here to visit the Optimist International Website

Click here to visit the Optimist Capital Virginia District Website

Social Networking for Optimists:

Check out the official Optimist International page on Facebook and become a fan today! Upload photos or videos of Club projects to share with Optimists throughout the world.

Optimist International is now on Twitter. Follow us.

On the Optimist Channel on YouTube, you can check out "I Am an Optimist," the Optimist TV public service announcements and the new Internet Safety video. Plus, find links to other Optimist videos.

LinkedIn is a network of professionals around the globe. On the Optimist International Members group, Optimist volunteers can connect with other Members and keep up to date about what's going on in other Optimist Clubs. If you're already on LinkedIn, sign in and join the group. If you aren't a member yet, it's free to join!

Hundreds of Optimists are discussing Optimist issues on OptiLink, a popular Yahoo Group for Optimists. Just go to Yahoo Groups and search for "OptiLink." If you do not already have a Yahoo account, you will need to set one up. It is free to join and just requires a user name and password.