Junior Optimist International (JOI) is an active youth service organization that was created in 1988[1] and is affiliated with Optimist International, its sponsor. The current Junior Optimist International President is Sydney Mafong from San Diego, California, with the 2025-2026 JOI theme being "Beyond Borders with Optimism." There are more than 18,500 members in over 675 communities around the world.[2]
There are two types of JOI clubs that are separated by age groups: Alpha Clubs (6–9 years), Junior Optimist Clubs (10–18), and previously Octagon Clubs (14-18).[3] Due to the various age groups, each type of JOI club serves their community in different ways. While different approaches are undertaken, the main goal of JOI members is "to promote positive change in their communities."[1]
Like Optimist International, JOI is "a community-based organization with a hierarchy that can take a member from a club to office at zone, district, national and international levels."[4] Typically, each club plans their own fundraisers and service projects. The money raised is then donated to (projects and organizations that will improve the well-being of others, such as the Childhood Cancer Campaign (CCC).
JOI’s motto is "Kids Serving Kids."[5] Since JOI keeps leadership local, it is able to "empower young people to make positive decisions to serve fellow youths and their community."[5]
Overview
Octagon Club members fundraising for the CCC
In 1988, Optimist International recognized the rapid growth of Optimist Youth Clubs, which had grown to 30,000 members in 1,000 Junior Optimist and Octagon Clubs, and formed its own international organization - Junior Optimist Octagon International.[6] Since then, JOI members have engaged themselves in youth service activities, such as the Childhood Cancer Campaign (CCC), the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (OIJGC), and scholarship contests.
During the months of June and July, the JOI Convention takes place.[7]
International Convention
The JOI International Convention is an annual international gathering of JOI members that takes place at the beginning of July. The International Convention is composed of several activities throughout its four-day span: workshops, business sessions, service projects, and recreational activities. Various workshops take place that teach members how to become great leaders in their communities and are led by guest speakers as well as members from the JOI Board of Directors.
Throughout the convention, JOI members are able to campaign in order to become a member of the JOI Board of Directors. During a certain time at the convention, members can "meet and greet the candidates (mingling)" and learn about their positions on certain issues within JOI. Later, candidates give their speeches, participate in a "Meet the Candidates Forum," and then the accredited delegates elect who will become the new JOI Board of Directors. Those elected are announced before the President's Dance on the final night.
Service projects vary from the location of the convention. Sometimes, service projects are on-site, off-site, or there are both. For instance, during the 2008 International Convention, the off-site service project consisted of building and restoring a local park whereas the on-site service project consisted of collecting books for the JOOI of Reading Program. The recreational activities that take place during this convention are the Talent Show, theme days, and The President's Dance.[citation needed]
Junior Optimist International Convention:
Location
Year
St Louis, Missouri
2025
St Louis, Missouri
2024
Washington, DC
2023
Junior Optimist International Board of Directors
The 2025-2026 Board of Directors:
Position
Officer
State/Province
International President
Sydney Mafong
California
International Past President
Carter Sinclair
Iowa
International Director
Aliyah Delgado
Ontario, Canada
International Director
Chloe Reagan
Texas
International Director
Abigail Stidham
Ohio
International Director
Zachary Stidham
Ohio
JOI Board Director
Amy Keller
Missouri
The 2024-25 Board of Directors:
Position
Officer
State/Province
International President
Carter Sinclair
Iowa
International Past President
Mason McSwegin
Ohio
International Director
Sri Balaji
Michigan
International Director
Shelby Laracy
Ontario, Canada
International Director
Sydney Mafong
California
International Director
Micaela Rich
Florida
JOI Board Director
Amy Keller
Missouri
The 2023-24 Board of Directors:
Position
Officer
State/Province
International President
Mason McSwegin
Ohio
International Past President
Fatima Zaidi
Ontario, Canada
International Director
Hannah Hyslope
Ohio
International Director
Sydney Mafong
California
International Director
Micaela Rich
Florida
International Director
Carter Sinclair
Iowa
JOI Board Director
Amy Keller
Missouri
The Torch
The Torch is the official newsletter of Junior Optimist International. The Torch is published several times each year. The October issue is mailed to Junior Optimist International Club Advisors, e-mailed through Optimist Mail and posted on the website. All other issues are distributed electronically through the website and Optimist Mail.
The Optimist Creed
In 1922, the Optimist Creed was adopted as the official creed of the organization. Written by Christian Larson, the creed was originally published under the title "Promise Yourself" in 1912. Optimists in California found the Optimist spirit well-expressed in the 10-line statement and pushed to have it adopted organization-wide. The wife of Los Angeles Optimist James V. Westervelt saw the item in a newspaper and clipped it for her husband. After publishing it in his club's bulletin, Westervelt and other Los Angeles Optimists encouraged other California clubs to use the creed. Soon after, the creed's popularity grew.[6]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
