Watch Notes from Nick! Notes from Nick is a weekly message from 2017-18 International President Nick Prillaman. Every Wednesday, a new Notes From Nick will be uploaded to our YouTube channel , social media accounts, and website .  In this week's video, President Nick wishes every Optimist a happy and prosperous 2018! What do you have planned for the year to bring out the best?

President Nick's 2nd Quarter Incentive The growth of our Clubs is the main priority for the health and success of Optimist International. The 2nd Quarter Incentive is targeted at our local Clubs to encourage them to add new adult Optimist Members. Additionally, new Junior Optimist Clubs are a key to future successes and an area of opportunity. Roll-up banners are a sought after item for Clubs and Optimist road signs are a valuable tool for local branding and marketing of our Clubs in their local communities. Recruit seven new Members into any adult Optimist Club OR charter a new Junior Optimist Club in the 2nd Quarter and receive your choice of: Roll-up Optimist Creed banner Roll-up Optimist Purposes banner Optimist road sign For questions, contact membership@optimist.org .

Optimist Leadership Academy Optimist International is in the process of selecting individuals to be invited to participate in its one-day Leadership Academy class held on Wednesday, July 11 immediately following the International Convention in Ottawa. As a member of the Leadership Academy, individuals are being recognized for their exceptional leadership skills and as future leaders of the Optimist International organization. Nominations are due by Thursday, February 1 and can be sent to the Leadership Development Committee at leadership@optimist.org .

$1,000 Scholarships Awarded Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic The 2018 Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic will be two special awards recognizing the academic and community service accomplishments of five junior golfers. Golfers can apply for one or both awards. Golfers selected receive an exemption into the 2018 Optimist Championship, tournament entry (includes golf, hotel accommodations and meals) and a $1,000.00 scholarship. Click here for deadline dates and how to apply. For more information about the Optimist Junior Golf program, click here .

2018 Ottawa Convention Online registration f or the 100th Annual Optimist International Convention in Ottawa is now open! Share Optimism with fellow Optimists from around the world July 7-10, 2018. The events will take place at the Shaw Centre (Ottawa Convention Center) and the main hotel is the Westin Ottawa. For all convention information, including housing travel and online registration, click here .

Scholarship Deadlines Essay The deadline for Clubs to submit their winning essay to the District Chair is February 28. The deadline for Districts to submit their winner’s information to Optimist International is April 15. Oratorical The District deadline to submit winners to Optimist International is May 15. Optimist International does not set Club/Zone/Regional deadlines. Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) The deadline for Clubs to submit their winner to the next level of competition is set by the District. District deadline to submit a winner to Optimist International is June 15. For more information about our scholarship contests, click here .

2018 Reel Optimism Video Contest Optimist International presents the 2018 Reel Optimism Video Contest. Your Club could win a $1500 Club Grant by creating a short video based on the topic: "Living the Creed." Click here for more information and follow the conversation with #ReelOptimism.

District Club Fitness Advisors District Club Fitness Advisors should be in contact with Lt. Governors regarding Clubs' Honor Club Tracking forms . Each Club should review the form to ensure they will meet their goals and decide if any revisions need to be made. Once the review and revisions have been made, the Lt. Governor needs to send a copy of the updated form to the District Club Fitness Advisor.

Upcoming Webinars How to Run a Club Oratorical Contest Thursday, January 4 at 7PM (CT) Since its start in 1928, the Oratorical Contest has become the longest-running program sponsored by Optimist International. This contest gives young people the chance to speak to the world while competing for college scholarships. During this information-filled session, the Club level contest will be introduced. We will take you step-by-step through the process of hosting a local contest and show you just how easy it is to be part of an Optimist tradition! To register, click here .  Just Ask Tuesday, January 9 at 7PM (CT) Your membership growth and retention strategy has just found a friend: Just Ask! The Just Ask program supports all of your Club’s existing activities, and is a great way to get more hands to serve more children. Whether it's through New Club Building or by adding new Members to your own Club, let's Just Ask! Join us as we share our thoughts to make this renewed Just Ask program the pivot to your District's growth. To register, click here . Catch a Rising Star Wednesday, February 21 at 7PM (CT) The Catch a Rising Star webinar is designed to help foster and develop skills, as well as present opportunities to the up and coming Optimist Leaders in our organization. Without new people willing to take on new responsibilities, we will be unable to grow and move forward as a successful organization. Developing leaders begins at home in our Clubs. This webinar will start there and move on through all the opportunities available to Optimists at each tier of our organization. There is also opportunity to identify and expand upon individual styles and abilities for all levels of leaders. To register, click here . For questions, contact the Leadership Development Department at leadership@optimist.org .

Global Spotlight The Optimist International Global Spotlight was created to provide another means of communication between Optimist International and the Optimist Club Presidents outside of the United States and Canada. The newsletter is sent monthly.  To view the December Global Spotlight, click   here .

Official Optimist International Suppliers United States and the Caribbean: Shumsky www.OptimistStuff.com Canada: Ansell's Awards and Specialties www.optimistsupply.ca

Make Valuable Changes Organization-wide Please take time to evaluate the Optimist International bylaws to ensure they continue to effectively serve the organization. This process allows you and your Club to help shape and improve all of Optimist International. To recommend a revision, your Club must submit a proposed amendment citing the article(s) and section(s) and exact proposed wording change to the articles and sections cited, along with a written rationale in 200 words or less for the change. The Club must submit the proposal on Club letterhead signed by the Club President. The proposal may be emailed and/or faxed to the International Office, but the original Club letter must be received by the International Office in order for the proposal to be considered. All submitted changes will be brought before the International Convention delegates for vote and possible endorsement. All proposed change submissions to the bylaws must be received at the International Office by 5:00 p.m. (CT) Monday, April 9. Please mail them to: Dana Thomas, Executive Assistant, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.

Make Your Club Heard The Convention resolutions process can be used for any aspect of the organization not covered in the bylaws. Clubs must submit resolutions by 5:00 p.m. (CT) Tuesday, May 15 to the Resolutions Committee. The committee will choose the strongest resolutions and report them to Convention delegates for debate and vote. Resolutions endorsed by Convention delegates are non-binding and are sent to the International Board of Directors for further consideration and study. Please type resolutions on Club stationery and include your Club name, Club number and Club President's signature. All resolutions should be written in standard resolution format: "Whereas... , Whereas... , Whereas... , Be it resolved that the Board of Directors of Optimist International is asked to consider...." Resolutions should be mailed to: Resolutions Committee, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.

Call for Nominations for International Officers The deadline for self-nominations for the positions of International President, International Board Member and International Vice President is Sunday, April 1. The following requirements must be met: International Vice President nominees: Must be nominated by two Clubs within the Region in which the individual resides Send to the Candidate Qualifications Committee at dana.thomas@optimist.org or mail to the International Headquarters. Mail must be post marked no later than April 1. International Board Member nominees: File an intent to run to the Candidate Qualifications Committee at dana.thomas@optimist.org or mail to the International Headquarters. Mail must be post marked no later than April 1. International President nominees: Must be nominated by two Clubs from two different Regions.  Send to the Candidate Qualifications Committee at dana.thomas@optimist.org or mail to the International Headquarters. Mail must be post marked no later than April 1. Clubs must submit a letter on Club letterhead signed by the Club President. Please contact the International Office or send a letter to: International Officer Nomination, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108

Centennial Book A special Centennial Book in honor of our 100 years of Optimism is in the works and we would sincerely appreciate your help in gathering information! Do you have an interesting  Optimist  story? Share your story with centennialbook@optimist.org !

Junior Optimist International As of January 1, there are 15 new charter Clubs and 422 new charter Members! Thank you for all of the Clubs that sponsor a Junior Optimist International Club! “Like” the Junior Optimist International Facebook page and check out current stories, updates and projects.

Optimist International Foundation Optimist International Foundation is accepting applications for the 2018 Club Grant Program. Any Adult Club served by Optimist International Foundation is eligible to apply for a $500 grant to be used for a NEW project of the Club. Applications must be received in the St. Louis office by March 10. Applications and more information are available   here .

Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation Each Club where 10% of Members have all given a minimum of 10 cents a day will receive a ticket for a drawing for a basic registration to the Ottawa International Convention. In addition, each Club that has contributed a minimum of $100 will receive a ticket for another basic registration. The Club which has reached these two goals and whose total donations reaches $1,000 by March 31 will automatically receive a reimbursement of one basic registration to the Ottawa International Convention. Have you made a donation yet? Visit www.ccof-foec.org for more information.

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