Bob Franz, of Dowagiac, is a retired elementary school principal and a longtime member of the Dowagiac Optimist Club, a local chapter of Optimist International that sponsors events and raises money to benefit Dowagiac Union Schools students.

How long have been a part of the club?

I think I have been part of the club for 15 years. Maybe 20.

How did you get involved?

Through [former club president] Dave Strlekar, actually. He invited me to come one of the organization’s meetings. He knew it would be something I was interested in. I enjoyed the comradery and the people.

Why did you decide to join?

I thought it was a worthwhile organization. It gave me a chance, now that I’m retired, to do some things with the kids and stay involved. I get to do something good for the community. It’s my little piece of the Earth where I can help out.

What are some of things you do with the club?

I cook the pancakes at the breakfast [fundraiser, hosted every April]. I help with sales, talking with people in the community and businesses to work on a placemat. I help with the scholarship, picking out students who will receive it. Being a retired educator, it’s always nice to give kids some money for their education.

What is it that you get out of volunteering with the Optimist Club?

I feel like I’m doing something worthwhile for the community. I’ve been a longtime educator, so now that I’m retired, it gives me an opportunity to do something that helps benefit the next generation.

How often does the club meet?

We don’t meet much during the winter. We basically meet sometime in the fall for the Halloween parade the Optimists sponsor. We meet in the early spring when we do our breakfast. We also meet when we choose the recipient of our scholarship. We also have a lunch for the recipient. It’s not an overwhelming number of times we meet.

How easy is it to join?

Pretty easy. If you want to have a lunch, go to a few meetings and get involved with helping the youth in our community, talk to one of our members.

Is there anything you want to say to encourage people to get involved with the club?

We would certainly like to get some younger people involved the Optimist Club. It’s nice to have that youthful enthusiasm, and maybe have some new ideas. It’s nice to have new ideas and mix in them with some of the established things we do.