| Type | Service organization |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Optimist International Headquarters 4494 Lindell Blvd St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri, U.S. 63108 |
Membership | 15,000+ |
Official language | English, French |
Key people | Sophie-Chanel Bourré (President) Julia Cooper (Past President) Cole Mullins (Past President) Mathew Nacev (Past President) |
| Website | https://www.joi.com |
Junior Optimist International (JOI) is an active youth service organization that was created in 1988[1] and is affiliated with Optimist International, its sponsor. The current Junior Optimist International President is Sophie-Chanel Bourré from Ottawa, Ontario in Canada, with the 2020-2021 JOI theme being "Shooting for the stars of Optimism". There are more than 18,500 members in over 675 communities around the world.[2]
There are two types of JOI clubs that are separated by age groups: Alpha Clubs (6–9 years), Junior Optimist Clubs (10–18), and previously Octagon Clubs (14-18).[3] Due to the various age groups, each type of JOI club serves their community in different ways. While different approaches are undertaken, the main goal of JOI members is "to promote positive change in their communities."[1]
Like Optimist International, JOI is "a community-based organization with a hierarchy that can take a member from a club to office at zone, district, national and international levels."[4] Typically, each club plans their own fundraisers and service projects. The money raised is then donated to (projects and organizations that will improve the well-being of others, such as the Childhood Cancer Campaign (CCC).
JOI’s motto is "Kids Serving Kids."[5] Since JOI keeps leadership local, it is able to "empower young people to make positive decisions to serve fellow youths and their community."[5]
In 1988, Optimist International recognized the rapid growth of Optimist Youth Clubs, which had grown to 30,000 members in 1,000 Junior Optimist and Octagon Clubs, and formed its own international organization - Junior Optimist Octagon International.[6] Since then, JOI members have engaged themselves in youth service activities, such as the Childhood Cancer Campaign (CCC), the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (OIJGC), and scholarship contests.
During the months of June and July, the JOI Convention takes place.[7]
The JOI International Convention is an annual international gathering of JOI members that takes place at the beginning of July. The International Convention is composed of several activities throughout its four-day span: workshops, business sessions, service projects, and recreational activities. Various workshops take place that teach members how to become great leaders in their communities and are led by guest speakers as well as members from the JOI Board of Directors.
Throughout the convention, JOI members are able to campaign in order to become a member of the JOI Board of Directors. During a certain time at the convention, members can "meet and greet the candidates (mingling)" and learn about their positions on certain issues within JOI. Later, candidates give their speeches, participate in a "Meet the Candidates Forum," and then the accredited delegates elect who will become the new JOI Board of Directors. Those elected are announced before the President's Dance on the final night.
Service projects vary from the location of the convention. Sometimes, service projects are on-site, off-site, or there are both. For instance, during the 2008 International Convention, the off-site service project consisted of building and restoring a local park whereas the on-site service project consisted of collecting books for the JOOI of Reading Program. The recreational activities that take place during this convention are the Talent Show, theme days, and The President's Dance.[citation needed]
Junior Optimist International Convention:
| Location | Year |
|---|---|
| Chicago, Illinois | 2020 |
| Louisville, Kentucky | 2019 |
| Ottawa, Canada | 2018 |
| Albuquerque, New Mexico | 2017 |
| Quebec, Canada | 2016 |
| New Orleans, Louisiana | 2015 |
| San Diego, California | 2014 |
The 2019-2020 Board of Directors:
| Position | Officer | State/Province |
|---|---|---|
| International President | Julia Cooper | Ontario |
| International Past President | Cole Mullins | California |
| International Director | Abby Proctor | Anguilla |
| International Director | Maya Gluck | Florida |
| International Director | Alice Potvin | Quebec |
| International Director | Sophie-Chanel Bourre | Ottawa |
| JOI Board Director | Amy Keller | Missouri |
The 2018-19 Board of Directors:
| Position | Officer | State/Province |
|---|---|---|
| International President | Cole Mullins | California |
| International Past President | Mathew Nacev | Ontario |
| International Director | Julia Cooper | Burlington |
| International Director | Maya Gluck | Florida |
| International Director | Miranda Stidham | Ohio |
| International Director | Mark King | Colorado |
| JOI Board Director | Amy Keller | Missouri |
The 2017-18 Board of Directors:
| Position | Officer | State/Province |
|---|---|---|
| International President | Mathew Nacev | Ontario |
| International Past President | O'Hara Wickahm | California |
| International Director | Cole Mullins | California |
| International Director | Tiandra Carty | Anguilla |
| International Director | Amanda Heinzmann | Florida |
| International Director | Nathan Hillman | California |
| JOI Board Director | Amy Keller | Missouri |
The 2015-16 Board of Directors:
| Position | Officer | State/Province |
|---|---|---|
| International President | Logan Clemente | Florida |
| International Past President | Javanni Waugh | Jamaica |
| International Director | Rion James | Ohio |
| International Director | Tamara Gluck | Florida |
| International Director | Brett Santacona | Ontario |
| International Director | O'hara Wickham | California |
| JOI Board Director | Amy Keller | Missouri |
The 2014-15 Board of Directors:
| Position | Officer | State/Province |
|---|---|---|
| International President | Javanni Waugh | Jamaica |
| International Past President | Stèphanie Thèriault | Quebec |
| International Director | Déryck Essak-Brunelle | Quebec |
| International President Elect | Logan Clemente | Florida |
| International Director | Jaden Darby | Ohio |
| International Director | Kyra Woodley | Michigan |
| JOI Board Director | Amy Keller | Missouri |
The Torch is the official newsletter of Junior Optimist International. The Torch is published several times each year. The October issue is mailed to Junior Optimist International Club Advisors, e-mailed through Optimist Mail and posted on the website. All other issues are distributed electronically through the website and Optimist Mail.
In 1922, the Optimist Creed was adopted as the official creed of the organization. Written by Christian Larson, the creed was originally published under the title "Promise Yourself" in 1912. Optimists in California found the Optimist spirit well-expressed in the 10-line statement and pushed to have it adopted organization-wide. The wife of Los Angeles Optimist James V. Westervelt saw the item in a newspaper and clipped it for her husband. After publishing it in his club's bulletin, Westervelt and other Los Angeles Optimists encouraged other California clubs to use the creed. Soon after, the creed's popularity grew.[6]
