The Optimist International Global Spotlight was created to provide another means of communication between Optimist International and the Optimist Clubs outside of the United States and Canada.  The newsletter will be sent monthly. If you have suggestions for improvements, Club projects, articles for inclusion and/or other information about your Club, contact [email protected]. 
Optimists in Nepal

It was a first for Optimist International outside of North America and the Caribbean.  Optimists in Nepal convened a one-day conference in Kathmandu for the five Clubs located in the country, including Members from Pokhara, Lumbini, Biratnagar, and Jhapa. The day was filled with seminars, project development
meetings, and talk of expanding the Optimist presence in Nepal and elsewhere in Asia, including India and Myanmar. The Members also established an executive committee and a 10-point action plan to help solidify and accelerate the Optimist movement in the country. The group is planning for a second conference in the fall hosted by the Optimist Club of Pokhara!

Monthly Conference Calls

To further communications with our Clubs overseas, monthly Zoom conference calls are held with the Optimists Clubs in Asia and the Optimist Clubs in Africa. These half hour calls allow Optimist International to relay timely information to the Clubs, and it also allows the Club leadership to ask questions to better understand the mission and goals of Optimists International. For more information, contact Director of Strategic Growth, Jim Boyd, at [email protected]
Mothers of Tomorrow Optimist Club

The Optimist movement is alive and well in Uganda, where one of the newest Clubs is providing guidance to children. The Mothers of Tomorrow Optimist Club in Jinja is working with young people to teach basic skills. Recently, there was a gathering to teach children how to make rugs. The children can then sell them to raise money for their school expenses.


Adoption Program

Optimist International asked Clubs in the United States and Canada if any are willing to "adopt" a Club from overseas. Several stepped forward to embark on a sort of "pen-pal" relationship with a Club. This partnership involves sharing project ideas and photographs, developing relationships, and can involve a small financial commitment on the part of the Club in the United States and Canada. Three Clubs were adopted and more relationships with others are under development. If you would like more information about the adoption program, contact Director of Strategic Growth, Jim Boyd, at [email protected]
Caribbean District of Optimist International


The Caribbean District of Optimist International made a big impact since the last Global Spotlight issue. The District donated $100,000 and clothing to Walker's Place of Safety, a facility that caters to wards of the state who were displaced by a fire at a facility on January 15 and claimed the lives of two children.

"We cannot remove the pain caused by the flames," said Caribbean District Governor, Calvin Hunter, during a check presentation ceremony. "But we can help ease the present suffering."

Read more here.


Club Check-Up

The mid-year point of the Optimist year is nearly upon us - now is the time to conduct a Club check-up. This entails examining the membership roster to make certain all the people listed are active Members. It can also be a time to conduct a membership event to recruit new people into the Optimist Club, not only to add to the roster, but to replace anyone who has decided to discontinue membership. Optimist International also suggests Club leaders review their obligations to ensure their financial house is in good shape.
Eastern Region Optimist Club of Ghana

The Global Spotlight this month is on the Eastern Region Optimist Club of Ghana. The Club developed a program to provide a free meal to children at the local school once a week. Many of the children suffer from food insecurity and gladly accept the nutritious offering.

"Our aim is to bring the best out of these kids by feeding them with nutritious foods every Wednesday of the week," said Club President, Foster Oteng. "Many students rush home for food and most of them do not return after the lunch hour. This seriously affects their academic performance and the school enrollment."

The feeding program is currently operating once a week and is seeking financial support to expand to more days of the week.