In November our club was very proud to be the first club in the Great Ohio District to launch our first “club within a club” – we call it Optimist 2.0 – based on the concept presented by Optimist International last year. As we considered the idea, we wondered how we could grow membership by reaching folks who might not be able to attend a traditional meeting at Noon on Tuesdays and the idea for Optimist 2.0 was born.
Our Optimist 2.0 Group meets the Third Thursday of each month at a variety of local venues from 5:30PM until approximately 7PM. The atmosphere is a casual meeting divided into three parts: First, is a time of networking where attendees can socialize and meet others with similar interests both professionally and for helping kids. Next, we tell all attendees briefly about the Centerville Noon Optimist Club and what it means to be a “Friend of Youth” and invite interested folks to consider joining us as we Bring out the Best In Kids. Then, typically, we present one of our fundraisers and or free youth events so all attendees get a flavor for what it is like to participate in our club. Last, we present a speaker, typically a local businessperson who shares his or her secrets to success. After that, attendees are invited to remain and socialize and network until the meeting conclusion.
Since Optimist 2.0’s inception, we have added nearly 20 new members to our club! Another side benefit which we did not anticipate, is that current members who are unable to make regular noon meetings are now attending 2.0 meetings which deepens the bond with those members who otherwise might drift away from the club over time.
We encourage other clubs to shamelessly steal our idea and consider creating a club within a club as a way to expand the opportunity for new members as well as deepening the engagement of current members
