December 2014
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Optimist International Leadership Publication

President's Message
Ken Garner's Holiday Message
Optimist International President Ken Garner wishes Optimist Clubs and Members a Happy Holidays and encourages everyone to continue to Bring Out the Best in Kids, the best in their communities, and the best in themselves.

May is Optimists in Action Month

Optimists have always believed in making a difference -- a difference to children, to citizens in need, to fellow Optimists, to themselves.  Optimists also believe that the best way to make a difference is through action-positive action.  As a result, the month of May has been declared Optimists in Action Month.  During the month of May, 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.  For more information and updates about Optimists in Action Month, check out the Action page on the Optimist International website.

International Community Projects Awards

This will be the last year for the International Community Projects Awards.  The deadline for CPA submissions is December 15, 2014. For more information regarding CPA, click here or email programs@optimist.org. Please contact your District administration to see if your District plans to hold a Community Projects Award in the future.

100 by 100

Optimist International's Board of Directors has set a goal of 100,000 Members by the organization's 100th year in 2019.  Your Club is urged to do its part in setting its own goal of increasing its membership between now and our 100 year anniversary.  Help assure that your Club will be "Bringing Out the Best in Kids" well into the future.

Win a Club Grant in the Reel Optimism Video Contest

Optimist International, the Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation present the 2015 Reel Optimism Video Contest.  Clubs are encouraged to create a short video, upload it via the contest website and win a Club grant.  Be creative, collaborate and make it fun.  You can submit a commercial-type video in the "30 Second Challenge" category or a longer (3 minutes or less) video in the "Club Showcase" category.  Finish the sentence "Optimists bring out the best..." and put your Optimism on display!  The contest is open to adult and youth Clubs with separate categories and Club grant prizes awarded for each.

PLEASE NOTE: Effective September 30, 2014, the Community Projects Awards (CPA) program has been discontinued at the International level. Clubs are instead encouraged to submit their projects into the Club Showcase category of Reel Optimism.

Social Media 101 - Social Media Quick Starter

According to this video, "social media is really nothing more than people talking to other people."  Our friends at Constant Contact created a social media quick starter guide.  If your Club is not using social media yet, check it out for step-by-step instructions.  If your Club is already using social media, you might consider reviewing the guide for new ideas and ways to connect with current or future Members. 

Club Fitness Advisors

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Club Fitness is equally important to a new Club as it is to a seasoned and experienced Club.  District Club Fitness Advisors are available to serve as Club coaches, advisors, helpers, etc. If your Club is brand new or has been established for a long period of time and would like suggestions about becoming a stronger, more active Club, your Club Fitness Advisor is ready to help as you provide positive influence within your community. Your Optimist International Club Fitness Advisory Committee has created various materials to assist your District Club Fitness Advisor, your Club, your Lt. Governor and your District Team!  Materials can be accessed at Optimist Leaders for easy reference and availability. 

Plan to Attend a Leadership Summit Near You


Leadership Summits will be conducted February through May in 2015. International President Ken Garner will be in attendance at each session. The full schedule, agenda and additional information regarding the Leadership Summits can be found here

Optimist Leadership Academy Nominations

Optimist International is in the process of selecting individuals to be invited to participate in its third Leadership Academy class.  Candidates selected will be invited to attend a one-day training program to share their leadership knowledge and participate in an advanced leadership program held on Sunday, July 12, 2015 immediately following the International Convention in New Orleans. As a member of the Leadership Academy, individuals are being recognized for their exceptional leadership skills and as future leaders of the Optimist International organization. There are no other commitments or obligations. If you are one of "the best of the best," or know someone who is, please make a recommendation. Nominations are due by January 15, 2015 and can be sent to the Leadership Development Committee at leadership@optimist.org.

 

New Club Building

Congratulations to all of the new Clubs that have been built during the 2014-2015 Optimist year:

Club #78582 - Dynamic Optimist Club of Spalding, Jamaica

Club #14028 - Optimist Club of Playa Vista, California

Club #06354 - Gateway Optimist Club of Laredo, Texas

Club #29321 - Optimist Club of Crowley, Louisiana

Club #31204 - Yuma Legends Optimist Club, Arizona

Club #35227 - Saint Paul East Side Optimist Club, Minnesota

For more information about New Club Building, visit the New Club Building section of the Optimist International website.

New Club Building with Aged-out Jaycees

Optimist International has been in collaboration with Junior Chamber International (Jaycees) to increase opportunities for growth. As you may know, JCI Members "age-out" when they reach the age of 40. These are often the exact type of community-minded individuals we want as Optimists.


 

The South Texas Region has been working with aged-out Jaycees and has started two new Optimist Clubs in the last two years. The East Fort Bend County Optimist Club was built with former Jaycees. The success of the Club led to building the Gateway Optimist Club of Laredo.


 

By reaching out to local Jaycees, Optimists can not only develop new ways to help their communities, but can also establish a new pool of potential future Optimist Members.

2014 Optimist Tournament of Champions

Optimist Junior Golf celebrated its 10th Anniversary of the Optimist Tournament of Champions November 8-9, 2014 at PGA National Resort and Spa. This is an invitational junior golf championship for previous participants of Optimist Junior Golf events and other top junior golfers.  The 143 participants represented 30 countries, 26 states and two provinces.  The tournament assembled some of the world's talented young competitors, many of whom possess the potential to become leading collegiate and professional players.


 

This event would not be possible without the help of our many volunteers and the District and Clubs that support the golfers.  Click here for final results.

2015 Optimist Junior Golf Tour Events

These 36-hole tournaments are for ages 14-18 and top finishers earn an exemption into the summer Optimist International Junior Golf Championships.


 

February 20-22, 2015 - Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy Open, Barefoot Resort - Greg Norman Golf Course, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina


 

March 14-15, 2015 - Waterchase Golf Club, Fort Worth, Texas


 

April 3-4, 2015 - Core Golf Academy Open, Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge, Orlando, Florida

 

Increase Membership in 2014-2015

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We came extremely close to finishing both October and November with a positive net growth in membership for the first time in nearly ten years.  It is important to keep this momentum going, especially during the holiday season.  Now is the time when people have an attitude of giving and generosity.  Remind them that by joining an Optimist Club, they can live out this attitude year-round.

 

Hold a holiday service project to show people the positive impact you have on your community.  Host a holiday NOW event to share the joy of Optimism with potential Members.  Show your community how they can benefit and give back by joining your Club. 

JOOI Year Off to Great Start

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Since October 1, 2014, JOOI has 13 new Charters and 186 new Charter Members. Congratulations to JOOI's positive start and good luck with the rest of the year.

Youth Program at Convention

Optimist International Convention Committee Chair and Coordinators are planning exciting activities for all ages at the International Convention in New Orleans July 9-11, 2015. Start making plans to take your children and grandchildren to the youth program, which will include involvement from the performing arts, non-profit volunteer organization, the Louisiana Kids, Inc. The Louisiana Kids are headed by state directors and Optimist Members, Mike Hymel and Ted Bergeron Jr. The organization was formed to focus on the raw talents of children, while using the performing arts as their vehicle to develop self-esteem and character. The children age from three years old to seniors in high school. To learn more about the Louisiana Kids, click here

Year-end Appeal

If you feel compelled to give this season, please consider donating to the Foundation.  As the end of the year approaches, please make sure your gifts are in on time.  Thank you for your gifts to the Foundation!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The holiday season reminds each of us why we became Optimist Members: to give back. Enter the holiday season with Optimism by donating to the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation.  Make an online donation hereor mail a cheque directly to:

 

Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation

5205 Metropolitan Blvd. East, suite 200

Montreal, QC  H1R 1Z7

Canada

 

Take advantage of a tax deduction this year by donating to the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation before December 31, 2014.

Contact the International Board of Directors

If you have any comments, concerns or suggestions for the International Board of Directors, please send to board@optimist.org
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� 2014 Optimist International