Optimist International
Optimist International is an international service club organization with almost 3,000 clubs and over 80,000 members in more than 20 countries. The international headquarters is located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Optimist International is also the sponsor of Junior Optimist International, designed for elementary school through high school aged youth. Optimist International's motto is "Friend of Youth" and the organization also uses the branding statement "Bringing Out the Best in Youth, in our Communities, and in Ourselves." Organization. Optimist International is made up of autonomous Optimist Clubs that do work in their communities. Each club raises  its own funds and chooses its own service projects to improve the lives of children. Examples of typical projects include sponsoring youth athletic leagues, holding essay and oratorical contests for scholarships, and as supporting local schools. History. The international organization was founded at a convention in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1919, uniting various local and regional clubs, the first of which was founded in Buffalo, New York, in 1911. At the convention, the "first official charter" of the international organization was awarded to the club in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana which was founded in 1916. Several Optimist clubs participated in the June  1917 organization meeting of Lions Clubs International held in Chicago, Illinois. However, the delegates sent by the clubs opted not to join the new organization and withdrew from the meeting. Organizational philosophy. Optimist International sets out statements of mission, vision and purpose. These summarise its goals to aid and encourage youth development. In 1922, the Optimist Creed was adopted as the official creed of the organization. The Optimist Creed was developed by Christian D. Larson. It details a number of pledges to which members attempt to adhere.