Start a JOI Club Today: Empower Youth. Build Leaders.

As we enter the final stretch of our Optimist year, we have an incredible opportunity to invest in the next generation of leaders while bringing new energy and service to our communities.

I am asking every Lieutenant Governor, Club President, and Club Officer to help make this initiative a success.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Optimist Club of St. Louis, we are removing the financial barriers to starting a JOI Club while providing meaningful resources that empower youth to make a real difference.

New JOI Clubs chartered by the first week of September will receive:

✅ Optimist International JOI dues paid for the first two years (sponsored by the Optimist Club of St. Louis)

✅ A $1,000 Youth Community Impact Grant for JOI members to design and complete a leadership, personal development, or community improvement project of their choosing

✅ Dedicated leadership, chartering, service project, and ongoing club support from the East Missouri District JOI Team

• Be a brand-new JOI Club
• Enroll 8–16 youth members
  • (If membership exceeds 16, additional Optimist International JOI dues are the responsibility of the sponsoring Optimist Club.)
• Appoint two active Optimist Club members to serve as JOI Advisors
• Complete the charter process by the first week of September (sooner the better)

• Be an East Missouri District Optimist Club
• Achieve Net + Membership Growth by maintaining or exceeding its October 1 membership count
• Be current on all Optimist International and East Missouri District dues and fees
• Be a club in good standing

The best part? The youth decide how to use their $1,000 Youth Community Impact Grant.

Whether they want to develop leadership skills, improve their school, or serve their community, the project belongs to them. Optimists simply provide the encouragement, mentorship, and support to help them succeed.

Examples include:

• Attend leadership conferences or camps
• Visit historical landmarks such as Washington, D.C. or civil rights sites
• Explore career opportunities
• Develop leadership and public speaking skills
• Learn financial literacy or entrepreneurship
• Build confidence through teamwork and service

Projects might include:

• Community clean-up events
• Food, clothing, or hygiene drives
• Senior citizen outreach
• School beautification projects
• Community or pollinator gardens
• Care packages for veterans or first responders
• Literacy, tutoring, or mentoring initiatives

Bring it!

If it helps young people grow, build leadership skills, or improves your community, we want to help make it happen with your $1,000 Youth Community Impact Grant.

Whether you're interested in starting a JOI Club, learning more about the incentive program, or identifying potential youth partners in your community, we're here to help.

Katie Huck
East Missouri District JOI Chair
📧 khuckmo2@charter.net

Together, we can empower young people to become leaders, serve their communities, and live the Optimist mission.