By By SPIROS GALLOS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - One could say Dr. Michael Listenberger is optimistic about his new position as president of Optimist International.
The Niles-based optometrist was elected to the position in July at the Optimist International Convention held in St. Louis, Mo.
Listenberger, a member of the Niles Optimist Club for over 30 years, will use his experience and knowledge to guide the international service organization, with approximately 3,500 clubs in 32 countries, in its goal of "bringing out the best in kids."
This weekend, Listenberger will travel to Montreal, Canada to attend an Optimist regional leadership conference.
The entire conference is in French, which Listenberger feels may make it difficult, but he's confident the conference will run smoothly.
Later in November, Listenberger will travel to Geneva, Switzerland for the International Service Club Leaders Conference.
The conference will provide an opportunity for leaders from international services organization like the Optimist, Kiwanis and Rotary to come together a discuss their work.
Listenberger joined the Niles Optimist Club in 1972 when a friend urged him to check it out after he had just moved to the area. After liking what he saw and with a desire to be part of the community, Listenberger signed up with the group and hasn't looked back.
Shortly after joining the club, Listenberger met Phil VanDenBerg, the man who guided Listenberger through much of his career with the club.
The two developed new chapters and worked at the state and international levels together.
Listenberger has participated at the state level for five years, serving as both Lt. Governor and Governor of the Michigan district.
He has served in various positions in his 10 years at the international level, having been on numerous committees and chairing the Junior Optimist Octagon International and International Leadership Development committees most recently.
With his new position, Listenberger will not slouch in his involvement at the local level, but feels the club is in good hands for the future.
Listenberger said John Willis, who directs the Optimist soccer program and Tom Majerek, who has worked heavily with the Niles Young Optimist program, are the future of the organization.
In his new position as president of Optimist International, Listenberger's main focus will be to provide the resources necessary for clubs to succeed.
He would also like to put more focus on the youth portion of the organization.
The Niles club operates a youth soccer program and the Junior Optimist Club for kids in the area.
The soccer program doesn't focus on winning and losing, but on kids' development as individuals and members of the community.
The Niles club also offers scholarship programs for local youths as a way to recognize them for their positive work in the community.
International expansion of Optimist International is also high on Listenberger's priorities.
He said he would like to see the organization start more local clubs in Mexico and Europe, where the organization is lacking a strong number of clubs.
The organization currently has six chapters in Mexico and 30 in Europe.