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Oratorical
JOOI

JOOI


WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOUR SCHOOL



WHAT IS JOOI (say, “joy”)


JOOI stands for Junior Optimist Octagon International and is a service-learning organization that connects all of the Optimist JOOI Clubs throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and France.  Much like Optimist International, JOOI is governed by an international Board of Directors as well as by District officers.  Each year, Optimist JOOI Club members attend District and International Conventions to elect their peers to fill these important offices.  Administrative support for JOOI comes from the JOOI Clubs Department at Optimist International.



JOOI’s MISSION


Junior Optimist Octagon International is an all-inclusive youth organization that embraces the positive values of optimism, respect for self and others, and independence of mind through the unlimited opportunities of community service and sponsorship by Optimist International.



THE BEGINNING OF JOOI


Junior Optimist Octagon International was created to enable kids to do community service.  JOOI reached the international level in 1989.  Since that time, JOOI has grow to 17,600 members in 690 Clubs throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and France.  And guess what?  The numbers are rising all the time thanks in part to visionary educators who recognize the desire so many kids have to help other kids in their community.



JOOI INTO THE FUTURE


JOOI’s vision is to become a prominent youth service organization in the world.



WHY SHOULD STUDENTS JOIN?


Students can learn about teamwork, communication, self-esteem, money management and citizenship in non-traditional, fun ways.


When kids help other kids, everyone wins.


JOOI looks great on college applications.


It can fulfill high school graduation requirements for community service.


JOOI is fun.


“JOOI is the best school of life and everybody can be a part of it!  We choose optimism as a way of life, and it is a choice that can only bring positive things in your life and to those around you.” 


- a former JOOI International President



NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals)


JOOI has been given the NASSP seal of approval.  The National Association of Secondary School Principals has added JOOI to its National Advisory List of contests and Activities, putting JOOI in the same ranks as National Honor Society and Student Councils.


“Wow!  Why do I like JOOI?  I think that JOOI has helped me to really care, really be someone, a giving and emotional human being.  I can honestly say it has really impacted my life – for the better.” 


-a Member and former JOOI Director



JUST WHAT DO JOOI CLUBS DO?


The beauty of JOOI Clubs is that Members of each individual Club can decide the projects they want to do.  But JOOI is always ready with suggestions for those who need some ideas to get started. 


Here are just a few:


SERVICE PROJECTS

  • Clean up school grounds
  • Make food baskets for the underprivileged
  • Toys for Tots
  • Conduct a recycling project
  • Plant trees
  • Sponsor a book drive
  • Start a pen pal program
  • Collect supplies for a local animal shelter

FUNDRAISERS

  • Have a car wash
  • Organize a bake sale
  • Have an ice cream social
  • Baby sit
  • Penny Wars between grades/homerooms
  • Sell school spirit items



OVERSEEING THE LOCAL JOOI CLUB


Each JOOI Club has an adult who is involved in the day-to-day operations of the Club.  This adviser attends all meetings and projects the Club does and oversees all aspects of the Club.  The Club Adviser does not have to be an Optimist member and in many cases is a faculty member of the school where the JOOI Club exists.  Strong, helpful advisers are essential to the success of a JOOI Club.




THREE STEPS TO TOTAL JOOI INVOLVEMENT


There are different levels of JOOI Clubs for different age groups,

so kids never outgrow JOOI:


Alpha Clubs – for ages 6 to 9, Alpha Clubs focus on learning and teamwork and work on simple service projects and fundraisers with a lot of help from their Club adviser.


Junior Optimist Clubs – for ages 10 to 13, these Clubs focus on leadership skills and serving others, enjoy some social events and rely on quite a bit of help from their adviser.


Octagon Clubs – for ages 14 to 18, Octagon Clubs are driven by the students with minimal guidance from the adviser.  Members strengthen their leadership, look at the needs of their local communities and then follow through with projects and fundraisers that help meet those needs.  Members work hard but also take time to play hard!

And when they graduate from high school, more opportunities await JOOI Members in Optimist International.




HOW YOUR SCHOOL CAN START A JOOI CLUB


The Grand Blanc Optimist Club is talking to Dr. Newton, Superintendent of Grand Blanc Public Schools and the teachers and principals and PTOs and Board of Education to create and be a sponsor for your school’s JOOI Club.  Having Optimists as adult mentors can certainly benefit the kids involved in JOOI.


For more information, contact Tom Toohey at 695-0517 or by email at GrandBlancOptimistClub@gmail.com


Tom is also the President of the Board of Directors of the Grand Blanc Arts Council and is an instructor with the Grand Blanc Community Education Program as well as he is the Marketing Director of the Grand Blanc Living Historian Society. 


He is happy and willing to assist you in creating your very own JOOI Club in your Grand Blanc School.