Chartered on September 29, 1988.

Sponsored by the Kalamazoo Downtown Club, which no longer exists.

Key person in BOCK's formation: Dave McKee.

BOCK's first club president, Janet Gillette (still a member, 2023).

January 2023, about 90 members.

Current members who joined on or before January 1, 1990 (name, date joined, and member number): 

Janet Gillette, September 29, 1988, 0001, 

Gina Cifolelli, September 29, 1988, 0007, 

Pat Weber, September 29, 1988, 0015, 

Dave McKee, October 1, 1988, 0040, 

Bob Balik, September 1, 1989, 0059, 

Linda Ingersoll, September 1, 1989, 0062, and 

Chris Shults, January 1, 1990, 0091.

Clubs BOCK sponsored:

Metro S.T.A.N.D. - Detroit, MI, no longer in existence,
Holland, MI, charted September 22, 2014,
Movers and Shakers Optimist Club of Greater Grand Rapids, chartered September 17, 2020,
Octagon Club of the Zoo, no longer in existence,
Portage Central High School Rise and Shine Junior Optimist Club, chartered November 27, 2019.

Name	Position, 2022 - 2023
Diane Marquess	President
Carmen Jonaitis	President Elect
Chris Shults	Secretary - Treasurer
Theresa Mills	Immediate Past President
Kimberley Phillips	Communications Director
Danni Smith	Community Service Director
Theresa Mills	Fellowship Director
Bob Klose	Fundraising Director
Cathy Balik	Membership Director
Carmen Jonaitis	Programs Director
Kathy Praedel	Youth Activities Director
Lyn Lenox	OI Foundation Representative

The club has three fundraisers that are not dedicated to a specific youth activity.

Kalamazoo Growlers: The Growlers are a baseball team in the Northwoods League. Incidentally, they were the league champs in 2022. At 16 home games in 2022, we welcomed and assisted fans as they entered the stadium. The 2022 season was the first time BOCK volunteered at Growlers home games. The club earned $1,800.

Western Michigan University sporting events: BOCK members were ushers at all home football games, all home hockey games, and one home basketball game. From September 2022 through 2023 was the first time BOCK ushered at Western sports events. The club earned $3,408.

Daisy Dollars: The club partners with Schuring’s Retail Greenhouse, 610 Schuring Road, Portage, MI 49024, To sell Daisy Dollars. The Daisy Dollars can be 

Michigan District of Optimist International has 90 clubs (as of December 2020).

This District covers Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

Optimist International is an international service club organization with almost 3,000 clubs and over 80,000 members in more than 20 countries. 

Founded: 1919
Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri.
Motto: "Friend of Youth"

Optimist International Foundation  was established in 1971 exclusively for the charitable, literary and educational purposes of Optimist International. The Optimist International Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. Within 501(c)(3), the Foundation is a 509(a)(3) public charity.

Links:

Optimist International:

Optimist International Foundation: https://www.oifoundation.org