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Optimist International Leadership Publication
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June 2014
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President's Message
Listen, do you hear that? It started as a low whisper. Now it has grown into the rattle of activity mixed with the chatter of happy children's voices. Optimists everywhere have shaken off the cloak of cold weather and started the annual flurry of campaigns to serve children everywhere. District scholarship contests have been completed, sports leagues are in full swing and summer programs are being organized.
Now we look ahead to the duty and responsibility each of us have to direct our organization by voting for the soon to be elected members of the International Board of Directors, as well as our next President- Elect and Regional Vice Presidents. I urge you to seek out the information you need in order to make an informed decision. Please don't stand by while others make these important selections without you.
June is the time for a Club's reconciliation. Look at where you are. Have you accomplish what you set out to do? Is your Club stronger by your leadership? Where are those new leaders in your Club? There is still time to find, invite and empower them. The time to act is now. If your Club is down in membership, there is still time to make it stronger. There is still time to make your mark in the history books of your Club. Make this the year you ensured a future Optimist presence in your community. All our Clubs' problems can be solved by adding one or two new Members. Do it now; don't be a September slasher!
Yours in Optimism,
President Ron
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The Polls are Open
The election of the next International President-Elect, two International Board members and all eight Regional Vice Presidents-Elect is going on now. All Club Presidents have been sent their unique password to access the online voting site where they can cast their Club's votes. Voting continues until 5 p.m. CDT on June 30. This is the first time in the organization's history that all Clubs have a convenient opportunity to participate in the election of the International officers.
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Providing the Care...Finding the Cure
 June is Optimist International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Members are committed to being the leading force to rid the world of childhood cancer. The objective is for Clubs to sponsor a CCC-related activity, whether it is a community service or fundraising event designed to raise awareness of children's cancer and gain support for Optimists' efforts.
A small Club may decide to purchase toys or books to distribute to childhood cancer patients at a local hospital. A new Club may decide to hold a Childhood Cancer Awareness Fair to help educate the community about the disease and the Optimist organization. A large Club may choose to conduct a silent auction and dinner fundraiser to purchase equipment for a children's hospital. A Club with a busy calendar may choose to donate funds to research.
The size of the project is not what is important; it is the effort and outreach. Sometimes the smallest act can make a world of difference to a child with cancer and their family.
If your Club would like ideas on a project to sponsor during Optimist Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, please contact your District CCC Chair or Optimist International at [email protected].
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 Welcome! We're Glad You're Here
Optimist International is pleased to welcome 25 new Clubs and over 6,000 new Members to the Optimist family. These new Clubs and Members will help spread Optimism to new communities and serve more children. Thank you to the sponsoring Optimists and Clubs for their efforts!
Visit the Optimist website to keep up to date with the new Clubs built during the 2013-2014 Optimist year. Please make sure to check out the Summer magazine for a spotlight feature on three of our newest Optimists.
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Last Call to Attend a 2013-14 Optimist Leadership Summit
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Optimists from all over the organization attended the Leadership Summits, learned new things, saw old friends, met new ones and were reenergized about Optimism. June is your last chance to attend one of these premier training events. The final two Summits will be conducted June 14 in Portland, Oregon and June 21 in London, Ontario. This is one Optimist experience you won't want to miss!
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Mark these Upcoming Deadlines on Your Calendar
 There are two important scholarship contest deadlines coming up soon. Make sure your District does not miss one!
The deadline to submit District Oratorical winners is June 15. The District Entry Form, Winner's Information Form, a copy of the speech and birth certificate or passport should be submitted to Optimist International or the Canadian Service Centre for each of the winners.
The District CCDHH Chair should submit the District Entry Form, Winner's Information Form, a copy of the speech and an audiogram to Optimist International or the Canadian Service Centre by June 15.
All materials must be submitted by the deadline in order for scholarships to be processed. If you have questions, contact the Programs Department at (800) 500-8130 or via e-mail at [email protected].
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New Optimist Club Resource Video
Attending Club meetings is an important part of being a Member for many Optimists. The saying, "You only get one chance to make a first impression" definitely applies. Here are some suggestions to try in your Club! You can check out all the Club Resource Videos here.
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A Note from the International Convention Chair
 We look forward to seeing many of you in Las Vegas next month for the 96th annual International Convention. If you have not registered, it's not too late. There is still time to be part of the Optimist fellowship, fun and training. If you are a newly elected officer, you still qualify for the early bird registration rate.
The International Convention has something to offer every Optimist! Click here to complete the online registration or download a registration form.
While you are there, be sure to check out the most exciting Las Vegas attraction to hit the strip - The LINQ! To learn more about this new attraction, click here.
See you in Las Vegas!
International Convention Chair,
Mike Allen
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Reserve Your Room at Caesars Palace Now
 Several registered attendees still need to book their hotel reservation at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. There is still time and as long as rooms are available, the deadline to make a reservation is Friday, June 20.
Rooms outside the Optimist block now average $239 per night (with weekend nights over $300 per night) at Caesars with an additional $25 per day resort fee, which is waived for rooms booked within the Optimist block.
The meeting space is located in the Palace Tower and the lowest group rate of rooms is located in the Roman Tower, just steps away from the escalator that takes you to the meeting space.
To reserve a room by phone, call the hotel booking center toll free at (866) 227-5944. Be sure to mention group code SCOIN4 and that you are attending the Optimist International Convention at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, July 2014. Room rates start at $119 plus taxes and fees per night for a room in the Roman Tower. Upgrades are available.
Group Name: Optimist International
Group Code: SCOIN4
To reserve a hotel room online, click here.
It is important that convention attendees book their room at the host/contracted hotel. The money the organization saves on meeting room rental is based on the number of hotel rooms booked each year at the contracted hotel. Future registration costs may increase for attendees that do not stay at the contracted hotel.
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 Special Health Advisory Please be aware it is a health concern that the July temperatures in Las Vegas average 106 degrees F (41 degrees C) with low humidity. If you are staying at a different hotel, your commute could be rather miserable and you risk heat exhaustion from being exposed to high temperatures. Many hotels appear to be close to Caesars Palace, but realistically the hotels are so large, you could be walking well over a mile if you are staying at a hotel just three blocks away! |
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Become an International Convention Sponsor
 Clubs and individuals can help sponsor the annual International Convention, one of the biggest events on the Optimist calendar! Convention offers so much to Optimist Members and this is a great chance to give back. Help the Convention Committee make the 2014 convention beneficial and memorable!
Clubs that make a $50 minimum donation will receive a 96th Annual Optimist Convention Sponsor banner patch and their Club's name will be listed as a sponsor at convention. Individuals who make a donation of $25 or more will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and their names will be listed at convention.
If you would like to be a Convention Sponsor, please complete the attached form and mail a check payable to Optimist International 2014 Convention to: Events and Travel Department, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. For additional information, contact the Meetings department at 800-500-8130 ext. 205 or [email protected].
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JOOI Travels to the West Coast
 Have the JOOI Members in your area made their summer plans yet? Why not head to San Diego July 6-8 for the JOOI Convention? The 2014 JOOI International Convention will take place at the Holiday Inn Bayside with room rates of $129/night (plus tax). Please contact Amy Keller at (800)500-8130 ext. 218 or [email protected] for hotel reservations.
You can register online through June 15, making it that much easier to put those plans in place! The JOOI Convention registration for adults and youth is $199. Click here to find out what activities will be conducted during the convention.
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Thank You for Sharing Your Optimism
 Optimist International, Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation asked and you answered! Twenty entries were submitted for the Second Annual Reel Optimism contest and the quality was outstanding. Each video shared the submitting Club's idea of the greatest thing about being an Optimist and just like our Members, each one was different.
All videos selected as finalists will be shown during the Opening Ceremonies at this year's International Convention and the top three Clubs will be invited onstage to receive their awards. All prizes are courtesy of the Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation. You can view the videos here.
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New Partnership to Benefit Optimist Clubs
 Optimist International is pleased to announce a new office supply agreement with Staples Business Advantage! US Optimist Clubs can expect substantial savings by utilizing this program, which became effective on May 27. Clubs can save by utilizing Staples, for their office supplies, promotional goods, ink/toner, printing needs and much more.
To participate in the program and request a "Welcome Kit," contact the Optimist headquarters office at (800) 500-8130 or via e-mail at [email protected]. The Welcome Kit will include catalogs, helpful tips for navigating the Staples website and contact names and phone numbers for Staples representatives. Staples provides an on-line tutorial, once you have become a member of the program. Request your kit today and get ready to enjoy great savings!
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Thank you for reading The Hotline newsletter. The next Hotline will be a combined July/August issue. Please check your e-mail in early August to stay up to date on Optimist news and information.
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