2nd St. Albert Scouts NEWS

Being Optimistic

Bring on the adventure

Introducing our new Group Sponsor

Feb 26, 2007 - Gord Welling

... the reason we sought out the Optimists to co-sponsor our Group was that their mission and commitment to youth so closely matched our mission and promise - Edith Hesson at B-P Dinner 2007.

Who are the Optimists

The St. Albert Breakfast Optimist Club is a local service club and one of the best kept secrets in our city. Club members gather twice a month to share breakfast and figure out how we can best support the youth in our community. We are part of Optimist International which is fourth largest service organization in the world, with 120,000 members in over 3,000 clubs.

What makes Optimists unique as a service organization is that each club is free to choose exactly how to raise and spend funds to meet the needs of their community. This allows for great flexibilty and an opportunity for them to partner with other organizations that are youth focused.

Optimists have been around in St. Albert for the past 25 years and have:

supported the introduction and continued operation of the DARE program in St. Albert Schools
supported a lunch program for elementary schools in Parkland Schools District
operated the "Blue Flame" pancake breakfast with the Optimist Club of St. Albert and ATCO Gas
sponsored the 2006 St. Albert Kub Kar Rally

Bring on the adventure

Why Sponsor Scouting

That's an excellent question! We were first introduced to Scouting with our sponsorship of the 2006 Kub Kar Rally. We provided a small donation of funds that enabled the organizers to waive participant registration fees that year. We also provided a couple of club members who ran the refreshment stand and that allowed us to see the impact that Scouting had with the 40 kids that attended the event.

When Edith Hesson asked us to consider sponsorship, we saw an opportunity to get more closely involved with a very positive and vibrant youth organization. To say that we jumped at the chance is an understatement.

So we contacted the Optimist national office in Montreal and we were pleased to learn that Optimist International officially endorses Scouting worldwide. With a green light we submited an application.

2nd St. Albert Scout Group has been parent sponsored since it's inception in 1960. So we will be joining your team as a co-sponsor for the forseeable future.

Bring on the adventure

How can the Optimists contribute

Another excellent question. Optimist International has been around for over 90 years and we recognize the importance of holding onto tradition while fostering new ideas as we move forward into the 21st century. That is why we will spend the next few months meeting with the Group Committee and talking with leaders and youth on how we can best contribute the the Group.

In the meantime we ask that you wear your new sponsor badge with the understanding that the "OI" symbol represents a team of volunteers dedicated to you.

About the author

Bring on the adventure

Gord Welling is our Group Administrator and an active Scouter with Wednesday Night Beavers. Gord has also been an active member with Optimists in St. Albert for the last decade. He has served as a club president and recently completed a term as Lieutenant Governor representing all Optimist clubs in the Alberta Capital Region. Gord extends an invitation to breakfast to anyone who would like to learn more about what Optimists can do for youth organizations in St. Albert.