Choose Optimism

Join us as our guest Marc Katz tells his optimist story of community service with the Royal Oak Optimist Club. He tells about his experience as the Optimist International Foundation President and gives us advice about governance within clubs. Marc has been a member since 2001 and served on various club, district and international committees.

Join us today as we discuss the 2023-2024 Essay Contest with Sherry Reginai, Michigan District Chairperson. Sherry has been an Optimist for more than 25 years and has been involved an Essay Contest Liaison with Optimist International for the past eight years. She gives us an update on how to run a successful Essay Contest.

Join us this week with 2023-2024 Optimist International President, Tracy Huxley as she shares her story and tells us about the upcoming year.

Join us with a returning guest Dave Bruns, Past International President as he discusses where the Oratorical began, how it became a World Oratorical and where we are today.

Join us as we have a conversation with Optimist International Executive Director Cheryl Brenn as she tells her optimist story along with her goals and expectations for the organization.

Join us for an overview of the scholarship programs from Amy Keller, Senior Director of International Programs at Optimist International. She walks us through the Oratorical Contest, Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Essay Contest. Also, information for the Kids Speak Out program.

Russ Thomas & Janice Norman tell us about the single largest Oratorical Contest in Optimist International, in Forsyth County, Georgia. This oratorical contest gives over 5,000 students the opportunity to complete in public speaking. Learn how they started it, how they are able to create relationships with approximately 50 schools and coordinate it between two optimist clubs.

Join us in learning more about building new clubs. Jim Boyd, Senior Director of New Club Building at Optimist International, is our guest to tell his optimist story and give us insight into building new clubs not only in North America but around the World.

Join us as our guest Sandra Doyle share's her Optimist story through difficult times, and how she used the Optimist Creed and being grateful for all the blessings she has today. Sandra is from Gaston, Indiana a member of the West Jay Optimist Club, Past Governor of Indiana North. She is also a published author with her book " My life at the cemetery. It's not as dead as you think. "

Join us as we travel with Optimist International President Bob McFadyen as he tells us of his journey this year. He tells us how he became an optimist member and his experiences as a leader. He also shares experiences visiting clubs throughout the organization. 

Join us as we chat with Optimist International Foundation Executive Director Craig Boring, talking about the Scholarship Programs, Junior Optimist International, Grants and much more.

Join us as we chat with Past Governor Nova Sipe from Arizona about the tenet of the Creed "To look at the Sunny Side of Everything and make your Optimism come true." Optimism literally saved her life and has helped her look at the sunny side of life even during her darkest times.

Optimism starts in our youth. Listen as our Junior Optimist International President Maya and her board discuss how Optimism impacts the lives of youth in a more direct way.

Join us as our guest, Optimist International Programs and Projects Chair, Gerri Barnet describes some of the great programs that Optimists run in their communities and around the world.

Listen as we discuss how Optimism helped President Patsy and First Gent Ken meet and how it continues to influence their lives.

This episode we welcome Tina, Crystal and Melissa, three friends who reconnected through Optimism. Optimists believe anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you. Learn how Optimism can make anything possible.

In this episode we explore how the Kids Mental Health Optimist Club and M.I. Understanding are working with families to start conversations about Mental Health. Their website miunderstanding.ca has resources to help parents, teacher and families. Take time to explore.

During this episode we start to explore the Optimist Creed, which we try to live by everyday. Our special guests are Optimist International President Mark Weinsoff and Shayne Lindsey, President of the Blackfoot Valley Optimist Club in Montana. We are discussing " Promise Yourself to be so Strong that Nothing Will Disturb Your Peace of Mind ".

Welcome to Choose Optimism's first episode with Host Shane Neuman, along with our first guests, Past President Nick Prillaman and Optimist Russ Thomas. We will explore the history of Optimist International with Past President Dave Bruns, the author of " Bringing out the Best - The First Century of Optimist International. " From its beginning in Buffalo New York to its growth as one of the largest...