The Friend of Optimists Membership category was created to accommodate people who believe in what Optimist International stands for and what Optimist Clubs do in their communities. However, not everyone has the time to fully commit as a regular Member of an Optimist Club or perhaps they live in an area that does not have an Optimist Club. Joining as a Friend of Optimists allows people to Bring Out the Best in Kids apart from Club affiliation.

Absolutely! A Friend of Optimists may choose to participate in service projects and fundraisers with a local Club or District or they may choose to support the Optimist cause with their Membership fee only.

Only when participating in an Optimist Club or District activity.

A one-year Friend of Optimists membership is $100. Of this amount, $40 will go back to the local Optimist Club if the Club is mentioned on the application. If no Club is mentioned, the $40 will go back to the District in which the Friend of Optimists resides. The Club or District will receive a $40 rebate per Friend of Optimists the month after the application is processed.

A Friend of Optimists receives a one-year subscription to The Optimist magazine, a membership card, a copy of The Optimist Creed, a cling-on Friend of Optimist decal, and Friend of Optimist Certificate.

No, Friends of Optimists do not have voting rights at District and International Conventions.

Yes, Friends of Optimists will be counted for Awards purposes.

Yes, you can sponsor a Friend of Optimists and receive sponsorship credit for recruiting your Friend.

Yes! The Friend of Optimists membership is a great way to get people hooked on Optimism. If someone cannot fully commit to an Optimist Club, just ask them to join as a Friend of Optimists. It is a great way to get a taste of the organization and after a year of showing support and participating in a few projects, joining an Optimist Club may be their next step.

Yes! If someone lives in an area without an Optimist Club, joining as a Friend of Optimists allows them to support the organization’s mission. It could even inspire them to help us build a new Optimist Club in their community.

Sure! An Optimist Club can present a loyal supporter with a Friend of Optimists membership as a way of saying thank you for the support they have received. This would be for someone outside of their Club, perhaps someone who often serves as a sponsor or gives them items at a reduced cost for the Club’s projects.

There are countless opportunities that surround the Friend of Optimists membership, and it is just one more way to make sure Optimist International is “Bringing Out the Best in Kids.”

For additional information about Friend of Optimists:
Check out the website at www.optimist.org
call (800) 500-8130
e-mail membership@optimist.org