9-11-2024 4:51am

Optimist Club of Boyertown Seeks JOI Club Members

Lesley Misko Editor

photo by Atlantic Central District chair and York County JOI club Connie Sohnleitner

by Optimist Club of Boyertown

The Optimist Club of Boyertown is looking for school age students ages 8-18 who reside in the Boyertown Area School District to start a JOI Club (Junior Optimist International Club). This group of students would be under the guidance of the Optimist Club of Boyertown, but the group would have their own officers and board members. The students would create their own programs, community service projects, and fundraising ideas. The JOI Club would meet once or twice a month starting in September or October 2024.

Participation in Junior Optimist International gives young people the opportunity to serve their communities. Students who are involved in Junior Optimist International Clubs learn about and practice good citizenship, teamwork, communication and money management. They feel good about themselves and have high self-esteem. Membership in Junior Optimist Clubs helps to develop friendships with others who share the same interests.

There are opportunities for personal growth and leadership positions at Club, District, and International levels. Junior Optimist International exposes Members to Optimism as a philosophy of life, provides Members with an improved sense of kindness, increased awareness for those in need, and a better sense of coping with cultural diversity. It also provides members the opportunity to complete community service hours required for graduation.

Junior Optimist International Benefits the Community
Junior Optimist International Clubs create an increased number of young volunteers within the community –volunteers who will help to improve the quality of life. They can provide an interesting forum in which to address youth-related issues. Junior Optimist International serves as an excellent training ground for future community leaders.

Community Service
The primary purpose of Junior Optimist International Clubs is Community Service. Each Club is free to choose service projects that fit the needs of the community. Some examples of projects are: environmental clean-up, Christmas caroling, peer tutoring, visiting nursing homes, helping with Special Olympics, cleaning up parks or school grounds, Toys for Tots, sponsoring a book drive, and collecting food and school supplies to donate to area shelters or food banks.

“Youth members enjoy seeing the impact of their service to others," says Atlantic Central District chair and Governor elect Connie Sohnleitner. “They enjoy seeing the smiles, the warm thank you's, the thank you notes the club receives, and being in pictures with the people they are serving. Our youth clubs bring out the best in youth as they talk and plan and implement the various projects/activities they want to accomplish for the year.

“Some members of youth clubs may compete in essay, oratorical, and photography contests. Younger members may compete in Spelling Bee, Kids Speak Out, Photography and Art.”

If you are interested in having your child join the JOI club, please contact the Optimist Club of Boyertown at Boyertownoptimistclub@gmail.com