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Happy Holidays from Optimist International!
Optimist International President Dave Bruns highlights sections of the book "Leadership Secrets of Santa Claus." Just as Santa and his elves deliver happiness during the Christmas season, Optimist Clubs and Members deliver happiness to children and their neighbors.
More Optimist Members equal more service to better the lives of children. Communities, and the organization as whole, will benefit from a positive membership position to end 2015. Share Optimism by hosting a Christmas tree lot or a fruit cake sale. Sports Clubs can organize a winter program in which football coaches would still be needed. Make the "Season of Giving" count!
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Plan to Attend an Optimism Summit & Regional Conference Near You!
The Optimism Summits & Regional Conferences will be conducted February through May in 2016.
Each summit/conference will offer energetic and inspiring trainers who will provide training and skills building exercises designed to help each participant become a better leader and improve the operation of their Optimist Club.
For more information, click
here.
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The International Board's next meeting - this Friday and Saturday, December 4 & 5 - will be streaming live
here
.
The meeting will take place at the Optimist International headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Optimist Club of the Year 
The 2014-15 Optimist Club of the Year judging process has begun! All Clubs are invited to submit information as outlined on the
judging form to Optimist International by Wednesday, December 30. Clubs can submit any materials they chose as the items relate to the specified criteria.
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Reminder: Community Impact Bundles
If your Club has purchased a
Community Impact Bundle
, now is a great time to reach out to your community and give the gift of Optimism. Inactive memberships in the bundle as of December 31, 2015 will no longer be valid and cannot be used at a later date.
Contact Optimist International to ensure all memberships are active - call
(800) 500-8130 or email [email protected].
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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 "Bring Out the Best" well into the future.
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Upcoming Events:
December 4-5, 2015 (St. Louis, MO)
February through May, 2016
June 23-24, 2016 (St. Louis, MO)
June 30-July 2, 2016 (Quebec City, QC)
July 3-5, 2016 (Quebec City, QC)
July 20-Aug 4, 2016 (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
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Top Clubs by Membership
Each Member effectively impacts the lives of 35 children a year. How many is your Club reaching?
1. CHARLOTTE-MALLARD CREEK, NC (487)
2. GARDEN GROVE-ORANGE COAST, CA (311)
3. CENTERVILLE-NOON, OH (243)
4. ARLINGTON, TX (207)
5. MENOMONEE FALLS, WI (202)
6. BOYERTOWN, PA (199)
7. BFT-WARSAW, IN (180)
8. UPTOWN-GREAT FALLS, MT (173)
9. HIGHLAND, IL (156)
10. MECHANICSVILLE, MD (151)
*Membership numbers as of Monday, November 30, 2015
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OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS
U
nited States & Caribbean:
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If you have any comments, concerns or suggestions for the International Board of Directors, please send to
[email protected]
.
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For a hassle-free experience, begin planning your trip now!
To book your housing reservation, click
here.
For travel information, including passport help, click
here.
See you in Quebec City!
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Optimist International presents the 2016 Reel Optimism Video Contest. Your Club could win a $1000 Club Grant by creating a short video based on the topic:
"How My Best Brings Out the Best in Others." Watch this short video and share with fellow Club Members, community partners and friends.
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Congratulations to a number of
Members
for bringing in three new Members or being a Builder of Excellence since October 1. The "Bringing Out the Best" pin will be awarded to Members during the 2015-16 Optimist year.
The
"Season of Giving"
incentive is available until January 31, 2016. For more information, click
here
. For additional 2015-16 incentives, click
here.
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Coaching Coaches - Parent Training
The parents of kids participating in your youth sport programs are vital to your success! The role a parent plays can make or break a sport's season. Optimist International has not only teamed up with
Coaching Coaches, LLC
for our coaching programs, but also for our parent programs. A more educated sport parent will positively impact everyone associated with your sports program. Click
here
to see how your parents can experience a short online educational program which will complement your sports and help define the role of parent within your athletic programs.
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The 2015 Fall edition of The Torch is now available here. The Torch is the official newsletter of JOOI.
For more information about JOOI or if you have questions about starting a JOOI Club, click
here
.
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Optimist International Foundation News
Year-end Appeal
Consider donating to the Foundation this Holiday season. As the end of the year approaches, please make sure your gifts are in on time. To donate, click
here. Thank you for your gifts to the Foundation!
Foundation Board Nominations
Optimist International Foundation is accepting Board Member nominations for the Board of Directors. Nominations must be received by January 1, 2016. More information on Board nominations can be found on the Foundation
website
.
AmazonSmile
Did you know that when you shop at AmazonSm
ile, Amazon donates .5% of the purchase price to the Optimist International Foundation?
Bookmark and share the link
http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7102928 to support your Foundation every time you shop!
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Save Money | Get Your 2015 Tax Deduction
Save money by using a charitable tax deduction for 2015 - donate to the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation before December 31, 2015.
Calculate your tax deduction in seconds by clicking
here
.
Give Back
The holiday season reminds us what Optimist Members are all about - giving back.
Enter the holiday season with
Optimism and participate in the CCOF annual campaign with the Members of your Club. Click here for more information.
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Attracting & Recruiting Younger Members
Has your Club successfully attracted and recruited younger Members?
Take this survey for the Optimist International Young Members Advisory Committee regarding how Optimist Clubs attract young Members, and how the organization can better serve the youngest generation of our membership!
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© 2015 Optimist International
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Optimists from around the
