Greetings Fellow Optimists, 

It’s hard to believe that we have completed the first quarter of the 2016-17 Optimist Year. I would like to thank each of you for your efforts, and for your commitment to Optimist International, youth and communities. We are off to one of the best starts in the last dozen years. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

Reminder: 2016-17 is the “Year of the Honor Club." We are returning to the basics that helped us grow for decades. We do not grow for the sake of growth, but rather to enhance our ability to serve more youth, provide Optimism to more communities, and develop personally as we serve others!  I would ask every Optimist to continue work toward Honor Club status. This is a tried and true way to help your Club stay strong and continue to serve our youth and our communities. 

We have two President’s Midyear Planning Conferences coming in February. This will be an opportunity for our Vice Presidents, Governors, and Members of the District Growth Teams to join together and look at the second half of our year. We want to ensure we are all on the same page as we head into the second half of the 2016-17 Year. It will be a great opportunity for the whole leadership team to meet, exchange ides, and learn from each other! I look forward to seeing you there. 

We are still in the “Season of Giving” through January 31.  This is a great way to share your Optimism with a friend, neighbor or co-worker. Invite someone so they too can share in the spirit of Optimism. We also have started the “Social, Service and Young Professionals Group” initiative. This is a great way for existing Clubs to add new Members to your Club. If you have any questions, contact either your Vice President or the Optimist International office. Congratulations to Governor Tracy Huxley of the Southwestern Ontario District on building the first “Social, Service and Young Professionals Group” of the year! 

While attending a meeting with the presidents of the Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions organizations, I had the pleasure of visiting a number of our California Districts. I’d like to personally thank them for their hospitality and friendship. What a great group of dedicated and hardworking Optimists! 

Lastly, I hope you all had a great holiday season and a happy New Year.  

Together We Can!

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. (CST) Friday, April 7. 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. (CST) Sunday, May 7 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 Saturday, April 1

The following requirements must be met:

International Vice President nominees:

• Must be nominated by two Club 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.
  

• 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.
  

Register for Convention Online

Season of Giving

Your Club still has time to participate in the “Season of Giving!” During the “Season Of Giving,” the New Member Fee for all new Members added between December 1, 2016 and January 31, 2017 will be waived.

For more information, click here.

Optimist Junior Golf

Benchmark Club Projects

Every month, Optimist International will feature a Club project in the Leadership Hotline and on the Optimist International website. The Benchmark Club Projects will highlight a successful project, along with information about the host Optimist Club. 

The Twin City Area Optimist Club loves giving back during the holidays. They participate in a project called Headstart Christmas Parties providing items such as toys, mittens, books, shoes, and socks for less fortunate children in the Jefferson County area. The children have the opportunity to tell their Christmas wishes to Santa and Mrs. Claus. The gifts and time spent with these children between the ages of 3-5 are more than appreciated. Additionally, the Junior Optimist International Club, Junior Optimist Society, partnered with the Twin City Area Optimist Club to sing Christmas carols to the residents of Crystal Oaks Nursing center. Read more.

Optimist International Foundation

Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation