Dear Club President,
In difficult times, we learn the true value of optimism. Optimism is the wellspring of hope - with hope, we know we can overcome any challenge we face. In good times, it is easy to view the world with optimism. When things get tough, a special kind of resilience is required.
In the 100+ years of our organization, we have never faced bigger challenges than we face today. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everything in our communities and in our Clubs. The staff and leadership of Optimist International understand the difficulties facing our Clubs, as we are having the same experience in our own Clubs.
Some Clubs have continued to flourish and others find themselves in a struggle for survival. In recognition of this, we are devoting our Fall Opti-Forum to focus on Resilience for Optimist Clubs: A Field Guide to Flourish During the Pandemic. We are gathering some of the best minds in our organization to discuss best practices and success stories to share with each other as we Choose Optimism over despair in these difficult times.
Topics to be covered will include:
- How to meet virtually and safely, including options for Clubs struggling with technology
- Financial resources for struggling Clubs
- Staying connected and strengthening relationships with other Club members
- Safe ways to continue “bringing out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves”
- Reaching out to share optimism with people outside the organization who find themselves isolated and in need of positive interactions
We invite you to join us for this event whether your Club is struggling or flourishing. The OptiForum will be live at 10:00 a.m. Central Time on December 14th, 2020. You will be able to join by registering on Zoom or watching live on YouTube or Facebook. A recorded version will be available after the conclusion of the live event.
We believe this OptiForum will help your Club be the positive force your community needs right now. The easy choice when faced with challenges in life is to say there is nothing we can do. That is not the optimistic choice. The optimistic choice, the more difficult choice, is to believe we have the power to overcome the obstacles we face and show the way forward. Working together, we can find new ways for our Clubs to be the beacon of hope we should be in difficult times.
Join us live December 14th at 10:00 a.m. Central Time or watch the recorded version later. Let us Choose Optimism to create positive change even in difficult times.
Sincerely,
Mark Weinsoff
2020-2021 President
Optimist International
