Optimist International President Dave Bruns wishe
s
all Optimist Members and Clubs a Happy New Year and invites all Optimists to attend an upcoming Optimism Summit & Regional Conference, the International Convention in Quebec City and the Junior Optimist Convention also in Quebec City.
For more information about the 2016 Optimist International events, check out the Optimist International
events page.
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Fund-seeking from Friends
Optimist Members support over 70% of the oratorical scholarship awards. Give the gift of higher education by donating to the event
here
. We encourage you to post the Firstgiving Donation link on your Facebook/Twitter pages to share with your non-Optimist Member friends.
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Online Registration Available
Have you registered for an Optimism Summit & Regional Conference in your area yet? The one-day training experience will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to lead a relevant and thriving Club. To find a complete listing of Summits you may register to attend, please click
here
.
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Optimist Leadership Academy Nominations
Nominations for individuals to attend the fourth Leadership Academy class will be accepted during the month of February. Candidates selected will be invited to attend a one-day training program to share their leadership knowledge and participate in an advanced leadership program. 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 can be sent to the Leadership Development Committee at
[email protected]
.
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Put Your Optimism On Display
How would you visually illustrate the following sentence: "How My Best Brings Out the Best in Others?" There are dozens of ways and there are really no wrong answers. The
2016 Reel Optimism video contest
, which is open to adult and youth Clubs, will feature an integrated contest hub that will create an enhanced video upload, social media sharing, voting and results experience for Clubs and Members. Videos can be submitted starting February 17, so start filming now! Winning videos will receive a $1000 Club grant and the video receiving the most votes at the 2016 International Convention will receive a $500 bonus. So what are you waiting for? Put your Optimism on Display!
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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:
February through May, 2016
April 1-2, 2016 (St. Louis, MO)
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 (486)
2. GARDEN GROVE-ORANGE COAST, CA (311)
3. CENTERVILLE-NOON, OH (238)
4. MENOMONEE FALLS, WI (200)
5. BOYERTOWN, PA (199)
6. BFT-WARSAW, IN (182)
7. UPTOWN-GREAT FALLS, MT (171)
8. HIGHLAND, IL (156)
9. MECHANICSVILLE, MD (153)
10. WAUSAU, WI (144)
*Membership numbers as of Tuesday, January 5, 2016
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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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Make Your Housing Reservations Now
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| Mayor of Quebec City, Regis Labeaume welcomes Optimist International |
Have you booked your hotel reservation and started making your travel plans to attend the 98th Annual Optimist International Convention in Quebec City? If you are traveling from a country other than Canada, you will need a passport, and other international travelers will also need a Visa.
Visit
www.optimist.org/convention for more details about the event, including housing, travel and a preliminary schedule. Registration will be available soon.
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Make Valuable Changes Organization-wide
Please take time to evaluate the Optimist International
bylaws
to ensure they continue to effectively serve the organization. This process allows you and your Club to help shape and improve all of Optimist International. To recommend a revision, your Club must submit a proposed amendment citing the article(s) and section(s) and exact proposed wording change to the articles and sections cited, along with a written rationale in 200 words or less for the change. The Club must submit the proposal on Club letterhead signed by the Club President. The proposal may be emailed and/or faxed to the International Office, but the original Club letter must be received by the International Office in order for the proposal to be considered. All submitted changes will be brought before the International Convention delegates for vote and possible endorsement. All proposed change submissions to the bylaws must be received at the International Office by 5:00 p.m. (CST) Friday, April 1. Please mail them to: Dana Thomas, Executive Assistant, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.
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JOOI Growth 
Since the beginning of October 2015, JOOI has added 10 new Charters and 179 new Charter Members.
Congratulations to JOOI's new additions and keep up the good work!
For more information about JOOI or if you have questions about starting a JOOI Club, click here.
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The Convention resolutions process can be used for any aspect of the organization not covered in the bylaws. Clubs must submit resolutions by 5:00 p.m. (CST) Sunday, May 1 to the Resolutions Committee. The committee will choose the strongest resolutions and report them to Convention delegates for debate and vote. Resolutions endorsed by Convention delegates are non-binding and are sent to the International Board of Directors for further consideration and study. Please type resolutions on Club stationery and include your Club name, Club number and Club President's signature. All resolutions should be written in standard resolution format: "Whereas... , Whereas... , Whereas... , Be it resolved that the Board of Directors of Optimist International is asked to consider...." Resolutions should be mailed to: Resolutions Committee, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.
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Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Team
The Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Team is a special award recognizing the academic accomplishments and community service record of junior golfers. The team will consist of up to five golfers between the ages of 16 and 18 as of the last day of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (August 4, 2016).
Those selected receive an automatic exemption into the championships which includes:
- Golf (Four rounds, cut after three rounds, those not making cut play in optional consolation event)
- Hotel accommodations (5 nights lodging - share with another golfer)
- Meals (5 breakfast and 4 dinners)
- Long Drive competition, Glow ball event, ParTee Night, Video Arcade room, Opening Ceremony and Awards Ceremony
For more information, view the
application packet
. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2016.
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Younger Generation of Optimists
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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Using LinkedIn to Connect with Potential Members
LinkedIn is a powerful business-oriented social networking tool. Did you know that there is an official Optimist International Club LinkedIn group? With more than 1000 members, this group allows Optimists to connect with fellow Club Members from around the world and to share ideas about how to strengthen their Club and themselves.
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Club Fitness Advisors
Recommit to your Club's goals and make 2016 the best year yet. The Club Fitness Advisors are here to help your Club get "fit!"
Click
here to share the Presidential Incentives with your Club and District to be motivated to achieve your goals.
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Club Grant 
Optimist International Foundation is accepting applications for the 2016 Club Grant Program. Any Adult Club served by OIF is eligible to apply for a $500 grant to be used for a NEW project of the Club. Applications must be received in the St. Louis office by March 11. Applications and more information are available
here
.
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© 2015 Optimist International
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