Who are the Optimists?

Optimist International is an association of more than 2,900 Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to "Bringing Out the Best in Kids." Adult volunteers join Optimist Clubs to conduct positive service projects in their communities aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. With their upbeat attitude, Optimist Club members help empower young people to be the best that they can be. Each Optimist Club determines the needs of the young people in its community and conducts programs to meet those needs. Every year, Optimists conduct 65,000 service projects and serve well over six million young people.

Our Mission:

Our Mission: The purpose of the Optimist Club is to aid and encourage the development of youth by giving ourselves in service to others to advance the well-being of our community.

Brief History:

One hundred years ago, a young insurance man named E.L. Monser returned to Buffalo, New York, from a business trip. Somewhere in the West he had come across an idea and a name for a club and enough enthusiasm to get it going. He discussed the idea with his friend Charles Grein.

"I've picked up what I think is a great idea," Monser reportedly told Grein. "Why don't we organize a club of men from different businesses and professions and promote the old 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' system? A man just naturally wants to do business with his friends, and in such a club we would all be friends. I think it would be great for all of us."

There must have been more than a little enthusiasm and sincerity in the young insurance man's presentation, for Grein was quick to buy the idea. He agreed to host a meeting in his office with Monser and three other men on February 16, 1911. With Monser and Grein that day were O.L. Neal, a dealer in Victrolas and Indian motorcycles; Eugene Tanke, a jeweler; and J. Raymond Schwartz, a brewer.

As far as Optimist International is concerned, the beginning started with the organization of the Buffalo club. Monser and his four friends formed the nucleus of a membership committee and for the next six weeks devoted considerable effort and spare time talking about the club idea with other business and professional men. By the first of April, 1911, they had interested enough men to officially organize a club. Twenty-five were present at the first meeting, where they agreed upon fundamental purposes, decided the time, place and regularity of meetings, and elected as their president John G. Shuler.

Shortly after the Rochester club was organized, the three clubs incorporated together under the name of the Optimist Clubs of New York State. This was the first attempt toward any unification of clubs. In 1919, these clubs joined others from the Midwest and West in the formation of Optimist International. Fittingly, E.L. Monser was elected second vice president of the organization when officers were chosen at the first International Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.