Optimist International Leadership Publication

October 2013

Ron Huxley,
2013-14 International President
President's Message
Welcome to the 2013-14 Optimist year! October means a new year and a new start for Optimists, but the children we serve didn't notice any stop or start. This is the time to evaluate and fine-tune what we do best. Are you concerned that your Club needs some help to carry out projects and fundraisers to benefit the youth in your community? Would you like to possibly win some money to help fund those youth activities? Well, now you have that chance. The 2013-14 incentives can put your Club's name into eight quarterly draws, one per Region for a $250 Youth Activities Grant.

New Members mean extra hands to lighten the workload. Make a stronger resource of working Members by putting together a prospect list. Get those prospective names from your current Members and charge your Club's Membership Chair to do the talking. Remember success breeds success. If you want to be successful, it is your responsibility to make it happen, so start now.

Watch for news about the new Leadership Summits coming to a location near you in the second or third quarter of 2013-14. Be proactive, not reactive. There is no time like the present to take the first step towards being the best leader you can be.

What's your MO?

President Ron
Welcome to the new Leadership Hotline
The Leadership Hotline newsletter has a new look! Every month during your year of leadership, a copy of the Hotline electronic newsletter will be sent to your e-mail box. The newsletter will be sent during the first week of the month to keep you up to date with information and news that you can use during your year in office.

This newsletter is sent to all Optimist leaders, from the Club to the International level. While the information will be targeted to leaders, we encourage you to share the news with other Members.

Make sure to check your e-mail box regularly to stay informed. If you wish to have your Optimist e-mail forwarded, just go to "Account Options," select "Forwarding" and enter your preferred e-mail address and click "Save."
Online Election of Officers is Coming 
Your Club's right to vote for the Optimist International President, Board Directors and Vice Presidents just got easier. The delegates to the 2013 International Convention adopted a Bylaws amendment to allow each and every Optimist Club to vote for International officers online in June of 2014.

To be able to vote for the next Optimist International President, two At Large Board Directors and your Regional Vice President, your Optimist Club's International dues and fees MUST be paid in full by April 30, 2014.

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 next Spring. If you have any questions or would like to update your e-mail, contact membership@optimist.org.
 
Leadership Summits - There's One Near You!
During the 2013-2014 year, Optimist International will be hosting a series of one-day training events at 16 locations across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Every Optimist is encouraged to attend, especially Club Presidents!

Enjoy fellowship with other Optimists and International President, Ron Huxley and First Lady Debbie. These sessions will provide the best training possible to strengthen your Club and help you serve more children. The registration fee for each of the summits is only $25 and includes lunch.

For the dates and locations of the summits, please click here.
Save the Date for the 2014 International Convention

July 10-12, 2014
Caesars Palace
Las Vegas, Nevada

Watch for more details in future editions of the Hotline.
Play Your Cards Right and Win
This year, Optimist Governors and Vice Presidents will have a special opportunity at the Las Vegas Convention - the chance to participate in a poker tournament! President Ron has set special goals to encourage growth and activity in the Optimists Districts and completion of each goal will earn Governors and Vice Presidents a card.

To learn how to start building your hand, click here for more information.
New JOOI Incentives from the International President
Growth is important in all areas of the organization, including JOOI! There are some exciting new incentives to encourage the building new JOOI Clubs. Take this opportunity to give the youth in your community the chance to make new friends, develop leadership skills, learn the importance of community service and have fun!

All new JOOI Clubs chartered in the 2013-2014 year will be entered into a quarterly draw for a $250 grant towards one of their Club activities. There will be one draw per quarter and only Clubs built in that quarter will qualify for the draw.

District Governors of adult Clubs will receive a playing card towards their poker hand when a JOOI Club is built in a given quarter, but are limited to one card per quarter regardless of how many JOOI Clubs are built in their District in that quarter. No carryovers will be allowed.
Fun, Fellowship and Training in the Sun
After a fun-filled convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, this year, JOOI is moving to the west coast for 2014! The JOOI Convention will take place in San Diego, California on July 6-8, 2014, at the Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside. Registration will be $199 per person for adults and youth. Room rates will be $129 (plus tax and fees) per night.
Golfers Gearing up for the Tournament of Champions
The top-ranked Optimist International Tournament of Champions is an invitational event for top finishers from previous Optimist International Junior Golf events and other top junior golfers.  The tournament will be held November 9-10, 2013 at the ChampionsGate Golf Club in ChampionsGate, Florida (Orlando area).  This tournament will be a 36-hole event for male and female top junior golfers ages 11-18.  The 2013 Tournament of Champions will include approximately 140 junior golfers from throughout North America and other countries.  This event is nationally ranked by the Junior Golf Scoreboard and Golfweek and included in the AJGA Performance Based Entry Process.

For information on the November Tournament of Champions, please click here.

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� 2013 Optimist International