Optimist International Leadership Publication

November 2013

Ron Huxley,
2013-14 International President
President's Message
Did you know that 7% of Optimists are responsible for recruiting and New Club Building activities? Does that mean the other 93% don't have friends, family, neighbors or co-workers? Certainly not! Every Optimist can be part of the efforts to grow our membership and build new Clubs.

 

Optimist International is posting a Wanted Poster in every District. Here is how it works. Ask your Members to submit the names of friends, relatives or former Members who live in a community or area where there is no Optimist Club. These names should be given to their District NCB Chair. If that name ends up on a Club's charter roster, we will put the name of the Member giving the referral into a special drawing for a $250 grant for their home Club's youth activities.

 

Governors and Vice Presidents, get your poker face ready! Earn those playing cards and win a chance to play for complimentary registration and more to the 2015 International Convention in New Orleans.

 

It's also time to consider a push for CPA entries, donations to the Optimist foundations and other activities as we approach the holiday giving season. For my US friends, as you reminisce during the Thanksgiving holiday, let me express a special "thank you" from the silent voice of the children you serve. Know they are smiling because you made a difference in their lives. Now that's a real MO.

President Ron

Photo courtesy of Visit Jacksonville/Ryan Ketterman

Register Now for January Leadership Summits

The first two Optimist International Leadership Summits will take place in January. The first summit is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, in Jacksonville, Florida. The second summit will take place in San Francisco, California, on Saturday, January 25. For more information, online registration or to download a printable registration form, click here.

black-laptop.jpg All Clubs to Elect International Officers

The election of the International President-Elect, Vice Presidents-Elect and two new Board of Directors members in 2014 will occur online. That means every Club gets to vote!

 

Please make sure that your 2013-2014 Club President's email address is correct in the Optimist Membership database to ensure your Club receives the voting procedures. Additional information on how the online election will work will be released this spring.

 

To be able to elect International officers, your Optimist Club's International dues and fees MUST be paid in full by April 30, 2014.

 

Voting on proposed amendments to the Optimist International Bylaws will continue to occur only at the International Convention.

 

  

International President's Incentives

During the 2013-14 year, special recognition will be awarded to District Governors and Vice Presidents, who achieve outstanding results.

 

The three District Governors who meet the following goals will be recognized: 


Honor Club
- the highest overall percentage of Honor Clubs based on the number of Clubs in the District as of October 1, 2013


Membership
- the highest percentage of overall net growth by September 30, 2014


New Club Building
- the highest number of new Clubs built in their District by September 30, 2014

 

The Vice Presidents who lead their team to accomplish the following will be recognized for their exceptional efforts: 
 

Most Distinguished Districts in Region


Highest percentage of membership growth in Region


Most new Clubs built in Region 

 

To learn more about these Presidential incentives and others, click here
Reserve Your Room for the 2014 International Convention

You can now make your reservations to attend the 2014 International Convention in Las Vegas! To book your room at Caesars Palace for July 10-12, click here or call 866-227-5944.

 

Remember to mention the group name, Optimist International and refer to our group code: SCOIN4 to receive the group rate.  Rooms start at $119++/night.

Onsite convention registration will open on Wednesday, July 9, and the fun will not end until everyone enjoys a lineup of spectacular speakers on Saturday, July 12!  Click here to review the overall tentative agenda.

If you have questions about housing, please contact the Meetings department at convention@optimist.org or 314-881-1305.  Information about hospitality suites will be available soon and sent to all District Governors via e-mail.
 

Every Club Needs Friends

Friend of Optimists Members are different from regular Club Members in that they may choose not attend Club meetings or participate in every project. However, they still provide much-needed support to the Club. There are no set expectations for a Friend.

 

The cost of a one-year Friend of Optimists membership is $100. If a Club is listed on the application, $40 will go back to the local Optimist Club. If no Club is listed, $40 will go to the District in which the Friend lives.

 

In exchange for the fee, a Friend of Optimists will receive a one-year subscription to The Optimist magazine, a membership card and a cling-on Friend of Optimists decal. A Friend is only covered under Optimist International insurance when participating in an Optimist Club or District activity. They will not have voting rights at District and International Conventions.

 

For additional information about the Friend of Optimists program, please contact 800-500-8130 or e-mail membership@optimist.org.  You can also click here for the application to register a Friend.

 

 

The Optimist Junior Golf Spring Series is Expanding
Optimist Junior Golf is holding two 36-hole tournaments, featuring 75-90 junior golfers each.  Three age divisions will be offered: boys 16-18, boys 14-15 and girls 14-18.  Age division winners will earn an exemption into the summer Optimist International Junior Golf Championships held July 19-24 for boys 10-15 and girls 10-14 and July 24-29, 2014 for boys 16-18 and girls 15-18 at PGA National Resort and Spa. 

February 22-23, 2014
Barefoot Resort - Greg Norman Golf Course
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Optimist Junior Golf is partnering with Greg Norman Golf Academy!

March 8-9, 2014
WaterChase Golf Course
Fort Worth, Texas

Showcase Your Club's Projects and Win

There is still time to submit your Club's entry for the Best in Writing or Best in Film categories of the 2012-13 Community Projects Awards (CPAs)!  Not only will your project be displayed on the Online Resource Library, your Club can win $500 to help carry out your work in the community. 

All entries must be submitted on a non-returnable CD in either .pdf or .wp4 (for video entries) format by December 15.  The official rules can be found by clicking here

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� 2013 Optimist International