The Outlook

Today, OCCL strives to educate mothers on all aspects of parenthood. Members consider their OCCL league a “mother’s support group.” In some ways, it offers the support of an extended family that parents could depend on in years past.

There are almost 300 Ohio Child Conservation Leagues (OCCLs) throughout Ohio in 9 districts, with a membership of approximately 3,000 women. Membership is not necessarily limited to mothers. Any woman who has an active interest in the purpose of OCCL is eligible to join a league.
Monthly league meetings are held in members’ homes, so membership in each league is limited. The league members decide as a group on a name for their league; the time, place, and date of league meetings; and the programs for their league meetings, depending on needs and interests of their members.

In the spring, each of the nine districts holds its own spring conference. These one-day or one-evening conferences feature noted speakers, workshops, displays, a business meeting, entertainment, activities, and a meal or refreshments. At these meetings, districts elect a district president and members of district and state nominating committees. Any other OCCL business is conducted and reports of district and state officers are presented. Student Loan Fund recipients are recognized.

Each fall, a two-day statewide convention is held for all 9 districts. Nationally-known speakers are featured. In addition to a business meeting, there are workshops, entertainment, tours, activities, and banquets planned. All State OCCL business is conducted, with a representative from each league comprising the voting body. This year???s State Convention will be held in Canton on October 15 and 16.

OCCL offers programming for many parenting stages:

1.  Achievement 10 Programming is for mothers of younger children. It helps parents train their children to be stable, thinking citizens of tomorrow. At the same time, the need for family solidarity in the community is promoted. Programming includes:
• A program on spiritual development.
• A program on mental development.
• A program on physical development.
• A program on moral development.
• Cooperation in local civic or philanthropic work.
• One meeting to sustain husbands’ interest in OCCL.
• One meeting to entertain children.
• One meeting to promote fellowship among members and friends.

2. Foundation League Programming is for mothers whose interests and needs have changed as their children have reached high school or college age or have started families of their own. Programming includes:
• Promotion of good parent/child relationships.
• Promotion of awareness of good mental and physical health.
• Promotion of moral and spiritual values.
• Promotion of awareness of educational opportunities.
• Promotion of patriotism and American government.
• Fellowship among family, friends, and fellow OCCL members.
• Promotion and encouragement of the development of members’ talents.
• Cooperation in civic and philanthropic activities.

3. Service League Programming is offered to leagues that have been organized 10 years or more. Programming includes:
• Promoting spiritual and moral values.
• Promoting patriotism and emphasizing our American heritage.
• Promoting physical and mental health programs.
• Promoting education and cultural growth.
• Promoting the welfare of children.
• Providing mental stimulation and encouraging the development of talents of members.
• Engaging in civic and philanthropic work.
• Promoting fellowship among members and friends and stimulating interest in OCCL.

4. Support League Programming is for longtime leagues who no longer want to do monthly programs but want to continue getting together a few times a year for programs, projects, or to attend OCCL spring conferences or state conventions.

5. Philanthropic Projects are conducted by the leagues. These projects are just a few of the many that are done throughout the state.
• Collecting Food Baskets for the Needy
• Donating Personal Items to the Nursing Home
• Collecting tabs for our local Ronald McDonald House
• Donating movie tapes, games, and toys to the children’s ward at a local hospital
• Donate to Adopt-A-Book Program
• Donate food and time to Safetytown
• Donate to the Scholarship Loan Fund
• Donate to the Sheriff’s Department to support the “D. A. R. E. Program”
• Provide a Christmas food basket to the needy  by ways of donation to the Lion’s Club Basket Drive
• Provide Christmas gifts for needy children i
• Christmas caroling for retirement home residents
• Donate books to girl scouts and library
• Dinner to club members who have had children in the past year
• Donate trophy to local fair
• Donate trophy or certificate to local school for spelling bee
• Meeting Topics

Variety of topics to choose from at the www.occl.org  

Student Loan Available to OCCL members and their spouses, children, and grandchildren, the Student Loan Fund offers low-interest, renewable loans for education beyond high school. Students should have a good scholastic standing, but high grades alone are not the sole determining factor. Students should show an aptitude for the course of study chosen, ability, resourcefulness, and good moral character. A student who receives successive loans during his or her college years would repay the first loan one year after graduation, the second loan the following year, etc. and show progress in the degree program in which they are enrolled.