Chandler Fleming is getting ready to become the 32 nd President of the Clarkston Area Optimist Club

Fleming joined the Optimists when he was changing careers and looking at community organizations that he could contribute to. He had traditionally been a Rotarian but he was looking for an organization that met in the a.m.

So Fleming showed up on a Wednesday morning and didn’t know it was the meeting after the yearly fundraiser. His first thoughts were of a tired but dynamic group. He was impressed with the Optimists in action.

Fleming has participated in many activities in the club and often brings his son to help out. But one of the Optimist activities that is closest to his heart is the JOI clubs. JOI is the Junior Optimists Clubs that are in the elementary schools, middle school, junior high school and high school. Fleming has facilitated the Andersonville Elementary JOI Club for three years.

He says, “There are a lot of laughs from the kids and I see so much enthusiasm.”

Professionally, Fleming is a Licensed Therapist working with adults and children at Clarkston Lighthouse Counseling, which he founded four years ago. He is married and has two children who attend Clarkston Schools.

As he begins to think about his year as President, which begins in October, he says he’s sure it is a huge job. His passion as President will be to strengthen the JOI Clubs in the district.

“My philosophy is when you start out giving, it is sometimes a sacrifice, but you soon discover that the blessings of giving outweighs any sacrifice,” said Fleming.