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]. 
July & August: Busy Months for Global Development

Overseas development efforts for Optimist International accelerated over the last two
months with the formation of four new Clubs.

The Optimist Club of Pokhara, Nepal organized in late July. The Optimist Club of Lagos, Nigeria chartered with 19 Members on August 19 and two days later, the Serve People Optimist Club of Lumbini, Nepal became a reality with 15 Members. These Clubs were quickly followed by the Optimist Club of Biratnager, Nepal on August 28 with 15 Members.


Four new Optimist Clubs in Nepal that have been organized since the end of May. 

The Club located in Kathmandu recently co-organized a blood drive to help people devastated by mass flooding in parts of the county. Work continues on that side of the globe as Optimist International pursues creation of the Optimist Club of Beijing, while efforts have resumed to organize an Optimist Club in Mumbai, India.

Is the Financial House in Order?

September is the last month of the Optimist fiscal year. It is a perfect time to review your Club and determine whether you still owe dues or an affiliation fee to Optimist International. You are strongly encouraged to erase any outstanding balance on your Club's account before the fiscal year ends. 

Carrying a balance into the new fiscal year can create a lot of problems for a Club because it can lead to consideration of revoking the right to function as an Optimist Club. In addition, the amount of money in arrears will increase when the new fiscal year's invoice arrives calling for payment of the affiliation fee and dues for the 2017-18 Optimist year. 

Clubs with unpaid dues and fees should contact Jim Boyd at [email protected] as soon as possible to learn of ways to make payment.
Honor Club Status

Some of our overseas Clubs are striving to become an Honor Club during the "Year of the Honor Club."  The requirements can be found in the Members Section of the Optimist International website.  The Club Pride report and Club Officer Elect Report are among the forms needed to be completed to attain the status. Please contact Optimist International if there are any questions with regard to filling out the forms.
Spotlight on Two Clubs

The Global Spotlight was on summer hiatus in July, meaning this month we feature the work of  two Clubs and their efforts to improve the lives of children.

The Mobile Library Project is now in its second year in the Tema District of Ghana.

"The project was successful in the past year due to the kind donation of G - Manny Collections," said Tema District Secretary Treasurer Seth Kofi Amankwa.  "They have again donated ten pieces of white writing board for this year's project. Response from this project has been phenomenon and highly encourage and it's making an impact to the extent that people in our community are requesting for more from the Club."

The Optimist Club of Bangkok, Thailand is in its second year. President Piyathida Chaiyapan reports the Club most recently provided meals for under nourished children in a section of Bangkok. Chaiypan is also working to translate the Optimist International brochure into Thai so it can be used to help recruit new Members to the Club!