Meeting the needs of young people in communities worldwide, Optimist Clubs have been "Bringing Out the Best in Kids" since 1919. Optimist Clubs conduct positive service projects aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. By believing in young people and empowering them to be the best they can, Optimist volunteers continually make this world a better place to live. There are 114,000 individual members who belong to 3,500 autonomous Clubs. Optimists conduct 65,000 service projects each year, serving six million young people. Optimists also spend $78 million on their communities annually. Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI) consists of youth service clubs by local Optimist Clubs. JOOI members represent the times well, by making their communities better - one service project at a time. With more than 16,000 members in over 650 communities, JOOI members are constantly working to promote positive change in their communities. Their motto is "Kids Serving Kids." International expansion is the focus of Optimist International for years to come. The organization receives requests almost daily to build clubs throughout the world. The organization should see rapid growth and outreach as a result of the international expansion efforts. From the beginnings of its youth service, this organization has held onto its Optimistic philosophy - to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.