The summer issue of The Optimist Magazine is now available online! Find out about how our organization has re-iMagined our 2020 year.
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First Responders Membership Incentive
Police, Firemen, Emergency Medical, nurses and EMT’s play an important and essential civic duty and service in every community. To Honor and Recognize the valiant and heroic service that First Responders provide to our communities during this pandemic, Optimist International is proud to offer an incentive for our local Clubs to recruit into our membership these public heroes!
$30 annual membership fee for the first year to any First Responder that joins an Optimist Club! Incentive to recruit First Responders is open to December 31, 2020.
All Districts are required to waive district dues for the first year.
First Responders would include any Police, Fire, Medical, ETM’s, 911 Operators or other civic service providers that provide immediate aid and assistance.
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It’s not too early to get ready for Atlanta
Did you love Virtual Convention? Do you miss your Optimist friends? Join us in Atlanta for the 103rd Optimist International Convention, June 30-July 3, 2021. Registration will open in October, however, get a head start by reserving your hotel room now. The group code is G-OPTI.
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Fly Your Optimist Flag
Optimist International is introducing a new way to celebrate the start of the Optimist Year. On October 1, Optimist Clubs around the world are encouraged to work with a local government organization to fly the Optimist Flag at a municipal building or similar facility.
If you don't have a flag, use one of our official suppliers to order.
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iMagine New Presidential Incentives Deadlines Approaching
We unveiled new Presidential Incentives in June. These 9 new programs include recognition for being a foundation influencer, participating in new service activities, and the re-iMagining Support incentive for Clubs that have developed projects related to COVID-19, or adapted existing projects to address COVID-19.
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September Webinar Updates:
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
"What We Can Learn from Optimists on the Other Side of the World."
When: Sep 15, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
The COVID-19 Pandemic turned our world upside down. Masks, social distancing and group meeting prohibitions have made it very difficult for Optimists to conduct business. Comparable service organizations are reporting the same challenges. Yet, growth related activity has been astonishing for Optimist International these past few months in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
"What We Can Learn from Optimists on the Other Side of the World" is a seminar that explores the reasons behind this growth from the perspectives of several overseas Optimists and how their energy, enthusiasm, and strategies enabled them to rise up in spite of the pandemic. It also provides guidance for using these successful techniques for growth related activities in the US, Canada and the Caribbean.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Notice of cancellation:
Webinar for September 21, 2020, "Making Sure the Club Paperwork is Done" has been cancelled.
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Officers-Elect can get a headstart on Training
Our new Learning Management System offers training for Club Presidents Elect, Secretaries and Treasurers Elect and Lieutenant Governors. In addition, non-officer Members can enroll in training for $6 per year.
New courses coming soon:
-Bylaws and Policies
-How to Use Optimist Leaders
-Guide to Using Dropbox
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Global Spotlight for Sept 2020 |
What are our international clubs doing to make a difference in their community and what new clubs have formed? Click below to find out. |
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Honor Clubs are stronger Clubs
Believe it or not, the end of the Optimist year is almost here. This is a good time for all Clubs to set their sights on the end-of-year goal of becoming an Honor Club. Becoming an Honor Club helps your Club to remain strong, which will allow you to offer more services to children in your community. This distinction shows that you, as Club Officers, left your Club in a better place than when you took it over.
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Board Nominations for Optimist International Foundation:
Nominations to the OIF Board of Directors is open for consideration. Qualifications to seek the open Board position is;
- Have served a full term as a District Foundation Representative
- Be committed to respectfully supporting the Foundation with your time and donations.
- Ability to commit to four years of service as a member of the Board.
o Term begins October 1, 2021
o Serve as OIF President during the 4th year on the Board
Nominations close on December 1, 2020. The Election will be held February 2021.
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Do you want to commemorate the iMagine 2020 Virtual Convention forever? Good news, you can do that and support the Optimist International Foundation's mission with a commemorative pin. Use the form below to donate $20 to the OI Foundation, and you can wear Jake and Elwood Blues on your lapel forever--fedora and sunglasses are recommended, but not included.
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Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation (CCOF) President’s Incentive Grant
It’s time to vote!!!
“iMagine” by “Going the Extra Mile” how many children could benefit from 14 innovative projects.
Following the call for projects launched by the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation President, Rod McKendrick, 14 Canadian Optimist Clubs submitted their innovative ideas to support youth. Now, it is time to vote for one of these 14 innovative Club projects. The three finalists will receive one of three grants of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 based on their ranking.
To vote for your favourite project, you must have subscribed at least to the "Dime a Day" campaign between October 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. Optimist Club Presidents are also eligible to vote if their Club has made a minimum unrestricted donation of $50.
You will receive an email with voting instructions on September 1, 2020. You have until 23:59 on September 14, 2020 to vote.
Going the extra mile for youth - but 2 metres away.
With Optimism,
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Deadline Extended
The Junior Optimist International Board of Directors have extended the deadline for the Ruby Blair, Member of Excellence and Advisor of Excellence awards to September 15, 2020. For forms and other awards please visit www.junioroptimist.org!
The COVID-19 coronavirus has certainly altered our world and affected numerous Junior Optimist projects. We know a number of Clubs have shifted some of their emphasis to assisting their communities with COVID-19 response, mitigation and recovery. We are aware of food drives and food bank donations, increased donations to children’s residential facilities, homework and remote learning assistance and sewing masks. We know that Clubs throughout the world have been doing their part! Other Clubs have adopted their programs for the new world of social distancing.
Please email junioroptimist@optimist.org if your Club has participated in any projects as we would like to share in the next issue of The Torch!
Thank you for all that you do!
2019-2020 Junior Optimist International Board of Directors
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2021 Optimist International Junior Golf Championship dates
July 14-19, 2021 - Boys 10-11, 12-13 and Girls 10-12
July 19-24, 2021 - Boys 14-15 and Girls 13-14
July 24-29, 2021 - Boys 16-18 and Girls 15-18
Held at Trump National Doral Miami -- Miami, FL
Attached are suggested player and spectator social distance guidelines in place for Optimist Junior Golf Tournaments
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Recruit a Teacher Incentive
Ends Sept 30, 2020
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Optimist Clubs are encouraged to recruit teachers from their local schools. Optimist International is waiving the $15.00 membership fee and offering a year’s dues for only $30!
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Online Officer Registration
Optimist Clubs can register their 2020-21 officers online. A current officer must login to optimist.org and click on “Reports”. Scroll down, and on the right side of the screen, you will see “Club Officer Elect Report,” and click on “Report”. You will be able to select the names of the Club Members who will be filling the leadership roles during the Optimist 2020-21 year. If you have questions or need assistance, contact Charlotte Baker at Member Services at bakerc@optimist.org .
Reminder to make sure to send in the Club Pride Report, which can be accessed on Optimist Leaders.
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Official Optimist International Suppliers
United States and the Caribbean:
Shumsky
Canada:
Ansell's Awards and Specialties
Members outside of the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean may order from either vendor.
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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
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See what's happening on our social sites |
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