Optimists Make A Difference
The Optimist Club of Oakville is a Community Service Organization dedicated to our Optimist International Mission: "Through hope and a positive vision, we bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves." We have been supporting children and youth in Oakville since 1948 and recently celebrated our 75th Anniversary. New members are always welcome. You will be asked to fill in an Optimist Membership Application Form and then you will be invited to attend our next Optimist Dinner Meeting as our guest. You matter and you will make a difference!
100 Years of Optimism in Canada
In October of 2023, our Optimist Club of Oakville celebrated our 75th Anniversary and you can view great pictures that are posted in the Gallery available in the menu at the top of all pages. This year we will be celebrating 100 years of Optimist Clubs in Canada. In honour of this great milestone, the annual Optimist International Conference will take place in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Optimists Help Children and Youth Thrive!
Optimist Clubs conduct community service programs on a local level with an emphasis on projects that help children and youth reach their full potential. The purposes of Optimist International, and thereby its clubs, are:
- To develop optimism as a philosophy of life, utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed;
- To promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs;
- To inspire respect for the law;
- To promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people;
- To aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world.
News, Current Contests and Upcoming Events
The 8th Annual Optimist Club of Oakville Art Contest
Registration to the contest for 2026 is now closed April11 12:01 am
All entries must be an original drawing (black and white or colour) or painting. Digital artwork is NOT accepted in this competition.
We are please to announce that the monetary prizes have been increased this year.
The winners are presented with certificates and cash prizes. 1st place $150, 2nd place $100, 3rd place $70 and honourable mention $50.
An art show/awards night is planned for a date in May (TBA).
In order to enter the contest, please click the link below to fill in the required registration inform and attach a copy of your art work.
We are pleased to announce the launch of this year's art contest open to all Oakville youth JK through grade 12.
Applicants to this competition must reside in Oakville or attend schooling in Oakville. The only exceptions to this are listed below.
- Active JOI Members: Current & active members of Oakville Junior Optimist (JOI) , regardless of their home address.
- Adult Optimist Family Members:Children of active members in good standing within our club, regardless of their home address
Deadline: Online submissions based on age group themes must be in by Friday, April 10th 2026.
All entries must be an original drawing (black and white or colour) or painting. Digital artwork is NOT accepted in this competition.
We are please to announce that the monetary prizes have been increased this year.
The winners are presented with certificates and cash prizes. 1st place $150, 2nd place $100, 3rd place $70 and honourable mention $50.
An art show/awards night is planned for a date in May (TBA).
In order to enter the contest, please click the link below to fill in the required registration inform and attach a copy of your art work.
2026 Don MacDonald Optimist Student Bursary
Registration for the Bursaries is now closed.
The Optimist Club of Oakville is pleased to announce that again this year we will award ten student bursaries of $2,500 to graduating students in Oakville public and Catholic high schools. Students are to apply through the Community Education Awards Hub, run by the Oakville Community Foundation.(Please click the button below to access this link) Students can also discuss this award with their school’s guidance counselor.
The Hub begins accepting applications on February 9, 2026. The deadline for applications is April 23, 2026.
Oratorical Contest
Oratorical Contest is complete for 2026. To see pictures of this event click on the link below.
This year's topic is:
“The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community”
Deadline for entries is February 25, 2026.
Applicants to this competition must be Oakville student residents only, with two specific exceptions:
- Active JOI Members: Current & active members of Oakville Junior Optimist (JOI) , regardless of their home address.
- Adult Optimist Family Members: Children of active members in good standing within our club, regardless of their home address
Competition Date:Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6:30 pm
Location: Film.ca theater, 171 Speers Road, Oakville
Required Documents: Completed application form and copy of speech.
Entry Age: Contestants must be under 19 years of age as of October 1, 2025 and not have graduated from high school.
Prizes: 1st place $500, 2nd place $350, 3rd Place $150
Required Documents: Completed application form and copy of speech.
Entry Age: Contestants must be under 19 years of age as of October 1, 2025 and not have graduated from high school.
Prizes: 1st place $500, 2nd place $350, 3rd Place $150
Nomination process is complete. To see pictures of this event please click on the link below.
News, Current Contests and Upcoming Events JOI
The Oakville Junior Optimist Club (JOI) will be running their Annual Easter Event for Children on Sunday March 29th from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Halton Safety Village (outside if the weather is suitable) or inside the Safety Village building downstairs at the Oakville Optimist Club if the weather is not pleasant. Please dress warmly.
Please note registration is required, and all children must be between the ages of 4-11 and must be accompanied by at least one adult.There will be lots of fun activities, games and prizes.
Please click on the link below to navigate to the JOI page where you can register for this event.
10:00am - 10:30am Time Slot is now Full
10:30 - 11:00 Time Slot is now Full
11:00 - 11:30 Time Slot is now Full
11:30 - 12:00 Time Slot is now Full
11:00 - 11:30 Time Slot is now Full
11:30 - 12:00 Time Slot is now Full
01:00 - 01:30 Time Slot is now Full
2:00 - 2:30 Time Slot is now Full
2:30 - 3:00 Time Slot is now Full
2:30 - 3:00 Time Slot is now Full
The Junior Optimist will be holding their
Haloween Event for Children on Sunday.October 26, 2025 at the Halton Safety Village (outside if the weather is suitable) or inside the Safety Village building downstairs at the Oakville Optimist Club if the weather is not pleasant. Please dress warmly. Please note registration is required, and all children must be accompanied by at least one adult. There will be lots of fun activities, games and prizes. See you there and Happy Halloween.
Registration for this event is now closed as we have reached capacity. Please click on the link below to navigate to the JOI site for more information.
Enjoy Our Website!
If you are looking for events and competitions, you can find them under Programs menu item above. All our Programs and Events are linked from the main Programs page. All current News, Events and Announcements are just above this welcome.