Join Our Club
What Optimists Do
Optimist Clubs participate in community service programs that are dedicated to bringing out the best in youth. Since each Club is autonomous and run by members in their community, Optimists have the unique flexibility to serve the youth of their area in any way they see fit. To learn more, read about our activities here.
By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves. We at The Optimist Club of St. Paul take this mission to heart.
Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Natalie Hudson (center) spoke at one of the Club's regular meetings.
Happy hour gatherings are great fun! The club gets together at local establishments once a month -- on a patio if possible in the summer!
Meetings
The St. Paul Optimists meet twice a month to network and hear interesting speakers at Joseph’s Grill, 140 South Wabasha, St. Paul, MN. We typically meet on the first and third Thursdays of the month for breakfast (7:45-9:15am) and luncheons January, February, March (11:45am-1:00pm) or evening meetings (5:30-8:00pm) throughout the year.
The schedule is published under the Events tab as well as via social media email and newsletters. Club ambassadors remind members of upcoming meals and events that regularly feature speakers from interesting organizations and governmental entities around the Twin Cities area.
Happy Hours
The Club also hosts monthly Happy Hours in rotating locations to provide members a chance to just sit back and enjoy the fellowship! Check the calendar for the date and location of the next Happy Hour.
Service Opportunities
Youth Appreciation Dinner
Funded by the Friend of Youth Foundation, is our annual Youth Appreciation program that honors and awards scholarships to 15 students from Schools in St. Paul. More than $600,000 has been awarded since The Optimist Club of St. Paul established this legally separate entity in 1996. www.stpaulfriend.dollarsforscholars.org
Scholarship Competitions
Essay Contest
Oratorical Contest
Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Jeremiah Program
The goal of the Jeremiah Program is to successfully transform single-parent families from poverty to prosperity two generations at a time. St. Paul Optimists prepare and serve meals for families monthly at Jeremiah’s St. Paul campus. Learn more about Jeremiah Program
Minnesota Sings
SafeZone at Face to Face
SafeZone aims to assist at-risk youth in St. Paul with access to food, clothing, shelter, health care and counseling. The St. Paul Optimists regularly volunteer and sponsor clothing drives and food to support this outreach.
Optimist Golf Tournaments
The St. Paul Club sponsors youth golf participants in local and regional Optimist contests. Learn More about Golfing with Us
Optimist International and Dakotas and Minnesota local and regional contests
Contact Greg Honl, DMM Jr. Optimist Golf Chair, HAOCjrgolf@gmail.com, 605-413-7410
Childhood Health and Wellness
Optimist members are building awareness and programs to assist youth with Health and Wellness education. Our club has also chosen to continue its childhood cancer program. Members provide support for children with cancer and their families and collect funds to support research to find a cure.
Events
The Cadillac FUNdraiser, our signature event, is set for May 9, 2024. Each member is expected to purchase two tickets and is asked to sell at least two additional tickets. The evening includes dinner, a silent auction, prize drawings, games, and fellowship.
Fellowship
Sprinkled throughout the year are events designed to promote fellowship among our members, friends, and the community. Beyond our Optimist Club of St. Paul, Optimist International is one of the largest and the most active community service club organizations in North America with more than 80,000 members in 2,900 clubs. Optimist International is recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential. Optimists conduct positive community service programs, dedicated to Bringing Out the Best in Youth, Our Communities and Ourselves, reaching more than 6 million young people each year.
Dues
Dues are billed quarterly at $75 per person, which covers the cost of most of your meals.
Spousal-partner membership quarterly dues are $120 per couple.
The Silent Auction at the Cadillac FUNdraiser always has fun items to bid on! Many items are made by members, like the gorgeous birdhouse pictured here with Dave Eggenberger.
Join Us
Join us for the speakers at meetings, the community service projects, the fellowship and the events. To obtain a membership application, contact us. We’d love to have you join us!