Personal Growth & Involvement
“Personal Growth and Involvement” (PGI) is a program to develop personal skills and to "Develop Optimism as a Philosophy of Life". The PGI program offers every Optimist Member the opportunity to grow personally and learn more about Optimism while advancing through 10 levels of involvement, personal growth and achievement.
How PGI works:
To begin your journey through PGI, download the PGI Requirements checklist from www.optimistleaders.org or request a Passport from your District Director of Personal Growth, your Governor or Optimist International.
Use your passport to record the completion of requirements for each level. All activities at each level must be attested to by your Club Director of Personal Growth, Secretary/Treasurer or President in the Passport for Levels I through VII and by your Lieutenant Governor or Governor for Levels VIII through X.
Each level of PGI contains the following elements: attendance, activity, knowledge of organization, self-development and communication.
As you complete each level, have your passport signed by the appropriate official, who should forward the PGI Recognition Form to the District Director of Personal Growth who serves as the administrator for the PGI program in your District.
PGI Resources:
- PGI Program Revised for 2010
- PGI Passport Requirements Revised for 2010
- PGI Recognition Form
The Award:
Round colored pin backings (which fit behind your Member pin) representing the level attained (Levels I through VII) will be distributed upon completion of each level. Pin backings are presented to the Club (at a District meeting) and to the individual at a Club meeting.
Ten Levels of PGI Recognition:
A colored pin backing can be worn behind your Member pin.
Level I-Bronze
Level II-Green
Level III- Burgundy
Level IV-Blue
Level V-Black
Level VI-Purple
Level VII-Gold
Level VIII
Level IX
Level X- Lapel pin
Skills Development Modules:
Along your PGI journey you will have the opportunity to take workshops from the District or Optimist International on a number of topics. These are generally two-hour workshops and include such topics as: Public Speaking, Effective Time Management, Creative Problem Solving, Choosing Optimism as a Philosophy of Life, Parliamentary Procedures, Orientation to Optimism for New Members, Team Building, Leadership Styles and Profiles, Mentoring and Managing Change.
Program Supplies
Support merchandise for this program can be ordered through the online Optimist Supplies operated by the Corall Group.
Jeff Barnhart
PGI Chair
Res: (406) 453-5375
How can you learn more?
Simple ... just filll out our online contact form and I will contact you to see how we can help.
Running an active PGI program at the club level helps to strengthen an active membership by enabling them to take ownership of their participation.
We sill continue to run PGI training modules at the District Quarterly Conferences. This is an excellent opportunity to train your next club PGI Chair.
Privacy Notice: Please be aware that using this online form does not give us permission to publish your contact information on our website. Your personal contact details are provided only to those individuals who need it to allow them to contact you directly.
Online Contact Form
You can use the following online form to contact me. Your information will be emailed to me and I will get back to you as soon as I can: