Watch Notes from Nick!

Notes from Nick are weekly video messages 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 . 
Optimists in Action Month

It's Optimists in Action Month! This month, Optimist Clubs will create a widespread spirit of unity bringing together Optimist Members and other community volunteers for a variety of local-based activities, fundraisers and special events. Optimist Clubs can conduct any program or special event that meets the needs of their community and should contact local media outlets in hopes of receiving publicity. Take photos and videos and share your Club’s event on social media by including the hashtag #OptimistsInAction. Learn more here . 
Register for Ottawa Now!

Thank you to all members that have registered! The early bird registration deadline has passed, but you can still register and learn more about the convention by clicking here . Officers-elect are still eligible for the early bird rate and can download a copy of the paper form to get the discounted rate. Find all convention information including travel tips at www.optimist.org/convention .
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 April Global Spotlight, click   here .
Top Growth Clubs

Congratulations to the top ten growth Clubs to date for the 2017-18 Optimist year. Thank you for recruiting more Optimists to positively impact more youth and communities. 

Naples, Florida
Garden Grove-Orange Coast, California
Roseville Area, Minnesota
University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Wisconsin
York Castle, Jamaica
Centerville-Noon, Ohio
Bettendorf, Iowa
Old Harbour, Jamaica
Media-Rose Tree, Pennsylvania
Truckee, California
2018-19 Proposed Bylaws Amendments

Optimist Clubs and Members will have the opportunity to cast their vote for several proposed amendments to the International Bylaws at the upcoming International Convention in Ottawa. To read the 2018-19 Proposed Bylaws Amendments, click here .
Vote, Vote, Vote!

The polls are open until the end of the business day on May 30 to vote for two of the International Board of Directors positions. Review the election page with your Club and vote for two Directors at Large. Each vote counts!

Your Club’s vote will be counted as one vote for each of 10 Members as mandated by the International Bylaws and must be current in all dues payments. If you have any questions, contact accounting@optimist.org .

On May 30, the following individuals will be considered as elected as they are non-contested positions.   

Congratulations to:
Adrian Elcock, 2019-20 International President

2019-2020 International Vice Presidents:
Region 1 Northeast & Great Lakes – Teri Davis, NYNE
Region 2 Southeast – Russell Thomas, GATE
Region 3 Mid-Atlantic – David Bowman, MDSD
Region 4 Middle America – Dwight Pollard, EMO
Region 5 Great Plains – Lyle Merriam, AMS&NW
Region 6 Southwest – Don Crall, OK
Region 7 West Coast – Mike Padilla, PSE
Region 8 St. Lawrence – Nathalie Boulet, QW
Club Officer-Elect Form

The deadline to submit Club Officer-Elect Reports is May 20 for 2018-19 officers. The form can be accessed here . If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Charlotte Baker in the Member Services Department at bakerc@optimist.org . 
Junior Optimist International

The deadline for early registration is May 31, 2018. Visit www.junioroptimist.org and click on joiCON for Convention schedule and housing information.  
Upcoming Webinars

Using the Personal Growth & Involvement (PGI) and Professional Development Programs in Your Club
Tuesday, May 15 at 7PM (CT)
When we take ownership of our own progression/development, the steps are simple - we learn, we commit, and we do. The professional development programs offered by Optimist International were designed to propel us along this path of advancement with a greater sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction. The Leadership Development Committee believes this webinar is beneficial for all Members - those new to the Professional Development Program, to those already in the Personal Growth & Involvement Program, and for those who are ready to grow beyond their Personal Growth & Involvement Level 10. To register, click here .

Finishing Strong
Tuesday, June 19 at 7PM (CT)
Finish Strong – join this webinar for tips on how to finish your year strong, and be the best that you can be. Learn the importance of tracking your goals whether you are a Governor, Lt. Governor or Club President. Finish Strong and transition to the new leadership with strong momentum. There is still time to be successful! To register, click here . 

For questions, contact the Leadership Development Department at leadership@optimist.org .  
Oratorical Deadline

The District deadline to submit winners to Optimist International is May 15, 2018. Congratulation letters and scholarship information will be sent to winners the end of May and the District Chair will receive a copy of the letter. If your District winner is going to the Oratorical World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, please visit www.optimist.org/oratorical for up-to-date information.
2018 Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Team

Optimist Junior Golf received a record number of impressive applicants, the Hugh Cranford Committee has selected the following exceptional student athletes for the 2018 Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Team:

Academic Award
Jackson Franchville (Coatesville, Indiana)
Christopher McDonald (The Woodlands, Texas)
Marlene Tartaro (Warren, New Jersey)
Hailey Freedman (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)

Community Service Award
Gerry Jones, Jr. (Suffolk, Virginia)

This team exemplified an impressive balance of academics, golf and community service and will receive an automatic exemption into the championship, complimentary registration which includes tournament entry, hotel accommodations and meals plus $1,000.00 scholarship.

The All-Scholastic Team is named for Hugh Cranford, who served as executive director of Optimist International from 1967 to 1986. He was instrumental in starting the Optimist Junior Golf program and in 1978 led the efforts to co-sponsor the Optimist Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego, the forerunner to today's Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Cranford passed away in August 2014.
Official Optimist International Suppliers

United States and the Caribbean:
Shumsky
Canada:
Ansell's Awards and Specialties
Contact the International Board of Directors 

If you have comments, concerns or suggestions for the International Board of Directors, please send to   board@optimist.org
View, Share & Vote!

Voting for Reel Optimism begins May 11! Please encourage all Members and Clubs in your District to visit www.optimist.org/ReelOptimism from May 11-31 to submit their votes. Adult and Junior Optimist Members will be able to cast a vote for their favorite video in each category. Winning videos will be shown at the International Convention in Ottawa and will receive a Club grant courtesy of Optimist International, the Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation.
Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation

Did your Club earn a chance at a free basic registration to attend the 100th Optimist International Convention? Visit our website to watch Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation President Raymonde Michaud draw two lucky Canadian Clubs winning a free basic registration reimbursement and announce the 23 Clubs that have reached the second quarter incentives and have automatically earned themselves a free registration. Congratulations!