The Torch – March 2022

THE TORCH MARCH 2022

Hello Junior Optimists!

I am Maya Gluck, your International President for the 2021-2022 year. We have had such an eventful and successful year so far. With over 16 new clubs chartered as well as over 240 new members added we are continuing to reach new heights. My International Board of Directors and I have been working hard to make this year successful with outreach and ensuring clubs and districts are staying active in their communities. Moreover, we want to encourage all communities to stay creative, and encourage you to use my quarterly focuses. The quarterly focuses from Quarter 1 and 2 were “Food Insecurities” and “Kindness”. Coming up, for Quarter 3 and 4 we have “Environmental” and “Opportunity and Leadership”.

One form of outreach that has been successful is Mondays with Maya. Each meeting is hosted by the International JOI Board and myself, with zoom meetings occurring on the first Monday of each month. We have been preparing to make the International Convention a great time with amazing speakers and our annual service project. The International Convention is in Reno, Nevada and registration is now available on the Junior Optimist website. We can’t wait to see all of you there!

Something new launching soon is a legacy item for JOI which is an ABC book called “Zoe the Zowie”.

The book will feature Zoe doing community service and meeting her friends along the way. The book will be an excellent way to spread the word of Junior Optimist throughout various communities around the world. Along with this book, Junior Optimist merchandise will be coming soon, featuring my theme and logo.

Thank you to all who have contributed to reaching our membership goals and thank you everyone for contributing to your communities and “Healing the World With Optimism” each and everyday. What you do matters!

Maya Gluck 2021-2022 Junior Optimist International President

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Who May Propose Amendments to the JOI Policy for Governance and When?

Authenticated proposed amendments, which may be proposed only by Clubs that are in good standing at the time of submission and at the time the proposal is voted upon, or by the JOI Board of Directors shall be presented in writing to the JOI International Board of Directors, at least 60 days prior to the date fixed for the opening day of the convention. The JOI Clubs Department shall make available a copy of all proposed amendments on the official “JOI” website not later than 30 days prior to the starting date of convention.

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Some members of the team: Heather Lovely, Parker Davis, Lachlan Shute, Katie Holovaci and Isaac Holovaci

International Day of Living Together in Peace

Submitted by: Junior Optimist Club Advisor Katie Holovaci and Safe ‘N Sound Fundraising Coordinator Michelle Solaro A few courageous members of the Owen Sound and District Junior Optimist Club team for Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) spent the night outdoors on Friday February 18, to raise awareness and funds for those who are experiencing housing insecurity in our area. As the weather forecast called for high winds and blowing snow, 13 year old Isaac told his mother “There’s no way we are going to reschedule this for the weather, because people who actually sleep outside don’t get to choose”.

throughout the evening and even overnight. They realized that wool socks and hats were crucial to staying warm through this cold winter night. As stated by 13 year old Axton Ellis, “It gives you a better appreciation for what you have”. They experienced the challenges of staying outside from 5pm until 8am, but they persevered. One youth and his mother used an ice fishing hut, with a tarp on the ground, and had to anchor it down after it got caught in the wind. Two other youth were up at 5am putting their tent back together after the weight of the snow caused the tent poles to separate. None of this was easy but these four

Members had already raised enough funds to earn their CNOY toques and wore them proudly

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youth and their 3 adult chaperones have a new understanding of a few of the many challenges faced by those who don’t have stable housing.

All funds raised on Owen Sound’s CNOY page will go to our local Safe ‘N Sound Drop service.

Fundraising Coordinator Michelle Solaro indicates Safe ‘N Sound provides crisis intervention, emergency phone lines, transitional housing, harm reduction initiatives, onsite nursing on Tuesdays, laundry, showers, coffee, Grab n Go lunches (provided by O’Share), computers and referrals to other services. Safe ‘N Sound has also been the only warming centre open during this winter’s Covid restrictions.

Additional members of the Junior Optimist Club are going to do a walk for CNOY on February 26, and all of the club members want to encourage community members to give generously to CNOY to support this vulnerable population: https://cnoy.org/location/owensound The Club also wants to express their heartfelt appreciation for the numerous ongoing donations to the winter clothing drive set up at Mark’s, the YMCA and the Annan Post Office.

Items most needed are new or gently used hats, mitts, sleeping bags and warm blankets, new underwear and new warm socks.

The start of a new year always brings renewed Optimism. As Optimists, we need to share our Optimism with everyone we meet. When was the last time you shared Optimism and it resulted in a new Member?

Sometimes we get into a rut and need a purpose to remind us why and encourage us to share Optimism with new people.

In the spirit of purpose and sharing, we are launching: Optimist Who Do You Know?

CLICK TO FIND OUT MORE! THE

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California South Junior Optimist International District Meeting Set Sail!

by Jim Parrotte California South Optimist District Junior Optimist Clubs Committee Co-Chair with Co-Chairs Nancy Wickham and Erin Downey

The first California South JOI District Meeting of the 2021-2022 Optimist Year was held at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego on November 21, 2021.

In attendance were 26 Junior Optimists from eight San Diego area JOI Clubs. There were an additional eight adult Optimists attending including JOI Club Advisors, JOI Club Committee Co-Chairs, and the California South Optimist District Governor, Agatha Graney.

The attendees received guided tours of the Museum’s flight deck, hangar deck, bridge area, ready room, and vintage aircraft located onboard the Museum.

Aircraft carrier USS Midway, formerly of the United States Navy.

Commissioned 8 days after the end of World War II, Midway was the largest ship in the world until 1955, as well as the first U.S. aircraft carrier too big to transit the Panama Canal.

Decommissioned in 1992, she is now a museum ship at the USS Midway Museum, in San Diego, California.

Adult JOI Club Advisors, JOI Club Committee Co-Chairs, and the California South Optimist District Governor worked diligently to ensure the JOI Club attendees were able to have a meaningful and entertaining time on the USS Midway Museum.

Following the tour, the attendees departed the Museum and reassembled at the grassy park located next to the Museum for JOI District Meeting Activities.

Key Meeting Activities: • JOI District Club-to-Club Exchanges, “Icebreakers” • Museum Docent Presentations, Community Service Focus • Fun, Food, Museum Touring, Photo Ops, and more!

• Met and exchanged ideas with attending San Diego area JOI Clubs The Business Meeting discussions led to the commitment to perform a JOI District wide community service project developing “We Care” packages to be provided to seniors and disabled veterans participating in the San Diego County ‘Meals On Wheels’ project.

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JOI members inside a helicopter on the Flight Deck.

California South JOI District Governor, Sydney Mafong opened the JOI District Business Meeting and Activities.

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Hampers from JOIful students The Barbados branch of JOI Around the World Junior Optimist Club conducted a successful service project during the holiday season. A “JOIful” Christmas Toy & Hamper Drive was organized to create hampers (boxes) filled with donated items for those in need. This project was brought to the attention of VP Sanaa Elcock during one of the routine weekly meetings. With the support of Mr. Adrian Elcock and the Barbados Optimist Club the project was accepted with open arms by the 10 Junior Optimist Club Members who represent the country.

Within the first seven days of the initial meeting on the 12th of November, the project was set in motion. Over the next few weeks emails and phone calls were made for needed supplies and items for the hampers. Social media and word of mouth not only created excitement but helped to raise the funds and donations needed for this project. As the excitement increased so did the involvement of other students which resulted in the addition of 10 new members for JOI Around the World!

JOI Members reached out to their schools as well as those who had graduated for assistance. Within a week’s time they had two barrels of donated items and contributions of over $400 USD. Many

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local teachers and principals were impressed with this project and assisted with advertising and helped to spread the word about the project. On December 16th, members of JOI Around the World gathered to spend six hours packing the hampers.

After a full day of packing, the members showed up the very next day where they were met with local media who interviewed them for the project.

December 17th was an amazing day for the Barbados Branch of JOI Around the World. Local media and parents watched as the club members handed over the full hampers for distribution.

Despite the pandemic and declining donations, they raised over $4000 BBD, approximately $2000 USD. Through the generosity of 12 companies and organizations and the steadfastness of our JOI Members, over 32 hampers were provided to those in need. Many other items were donated to the Salvation Army, local churches and to a child helping organization. This amazing service project was highlighted on the local news, CBC, and included in the Nation Newspaper. This project generated the spread of information about Junior Optimist and paved the way for more members and the desire for new JOI clubs to be chartered.

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Qualifications for International Director and International President • No more than two candidates per District will be eligible to run for the International JOI Board of Directors.

• Those eligible for the office of Director shall be a member in good standing belonging to a Club in good standing, shall have served a term as Club president or a District officer and shall be the age of 14 by October 1.

• Those eligible for the office of President must have served as an International Director or District Governor, must be 16

by October 1, and meet the requirements for an International Director.

• In order to be listed on the ballot, potential candidates for the International JOI Board of Directors must submit an official application and a signed letter from their school principal or equivalent, for those applicants who are still in high school or its equivalent, to the International Office by June 1 prior to convention.

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Mondays with Maya The first Monday of each month will be a virtual meeting talking all about Junior Optimist. Whether we will be talking about how to start a JOI Club, or community service tips, or just having fun, each meeting will be full of information for you to use with your clubs. My International Board and I would love to invite you to this event.

Everyone is welcome to attend. All members, club and district officers are encouraged to attend. This includes Junior and Optimist Members. The information will be vital to both JOI and OI. These meetings are for you to share your ideas, questions and club accomplishments. This unique forum will allow JOI Members all over the world to come together on a monthly basis to share their thoughts.

Zoom Link https://optimist-org.zoom.us/j/82929665566

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SAVE THE DATE!

2021 JUNIOR OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

CONVENTION June 30-July 2, 2022 • Reno, Nevada REGISTRATION IS $225 USD

will include most meals, including the JOI President’s Banquet on Saturday, July 2, 2022

Book your hotel room now for a special rate with the Circus Circus Reno Hotel!

Hotel Reservation

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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.

Rebecca Butler-Mona, Chair Julia Cooper Vicki Mains-Hill Jim Parrotte Kim Priebe Robin Rich Please email junioroptimist@optimist.org for contact information

Connect with Junior Optimist International! junioroptimist@optimist.org junioroptimist.org Facebook: Junior Optimist International Twitter: @Junior_Optimist Instagram: @junioroptimist Snapchat: junioroptimist