April 2020

President Adrian Elcock addresses the cancellation and re-iMagination of Optimist International events, and provides inspiration during this time of anxiety for many. Click here to read the printed version of his address.

ICYMI: OI Convention, other events canceled or modified

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken the steps to cancel the 2020 Optimist International Convention in Chicagoland, as well as the 2020 Optimist International Junior Golf Championship in Miami. We will be moving the Oratorical World Championship online rather than hosting an in-person competition in St. Louis, Missouri.

Please click here for the full statement.

Manitoba Premier Promotes Optimist Creed

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister shared the Optimist Creed while announcing a program to help the province's residents with mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full story here.

Elections are almost here

 

Now is your chance to determine the leadership of Optimist International by participating in our annual election.

Please check our Election page April 2 for the final list of candidates, as well as bios and other candidate information. Voting will run May 1 to May 30. Visit www.optimist.org/elections for full information .

Please make sure your Club President’s email address is correct in our database, as the election announcement and balloting information will be sent to Club Presidents via email.

 

Resolutions and Bylaws Amendments postponed

Due to the cancellation of the Optimist International Convention, we will not be accepting bylaws amendments or resolutions this year. We will resume this function in 2021.

Webinars: We're bringing back Zoom into Optimism!

Our March 30 webinar was so popular that our system was overwhelmed and many Optimists were not able to participate. It's unfortunate that we had a technology breakdown, but we are thrilled that so many Optimists want to learn how to use Zoom to remain connected during this time.

That's why we are going to share this content with you three more times!

When:

7 p.m., Monday, April 6

Click here to register.



11 a.m., Wednesday, April 8

Click here to register.

5 p.m., Thursday, April 9

Click here to register.

Registration Notes:

Get a leg up on this training,  by clicking here for official Zoom video tutorials.

Help us Brainstorm Optimists in Action Month

Optimists in Action Month is just a few weeks away, and with most communities still under restrictions for gathering and traveling, we're going to have to re-iMagine this effort. Traditionally, Optimists in Action Month encourages Optimists to perform community service during May with the goal of raising the profile of Optimist International.

Many events, such as school volunteering, community garden work and others, won't be possible. So we need your help reinventing this effort as something that can be done online, on your own or in your home. Please send your ideas to [email protected] by April 8.

Global Spotlight

April's Global Spotlight includes updates on new Clubs in Nepal, and Optimists in Uganda building a medical unit for young children.

Click here to read April's issue.

Welcome Teri Davis to the Board!

Teri Davis, of the Optimist Club of GREATER Rochester, is the newest addition to the OI Foundation's Board of Directors. She will begin her four-year term on Oct. 1, 2020. Davis is the current vice president for the Northeast Great Lakes Region. She has served in numerous leadership capacities, including Club Foundation Representative, District Foundation Representative for New York/New England, and chair of her District's Leadership Development Committee.

Childhood Health and Wellness Grant postponed

The OI Foundation will not be accepting applications for its May 31 Childhood Health and Wellness Grant cycle. We will be accepting applications for the grant cycle with a deadline of August 30. Grant winners will be notified by Sept. 15. Visit www.oifoundation.org for complete information.

Canadian Clubs: Grant deadline extended

 With the pandemic going on, what a great time to think of innovative hands-on club projects for your community!

That’s why the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation decided to postpone the CCOF President’s Incentive Grants deadline to June 30. Your Club may earn a grant of $2,500, $1,500 or $1,000!

Visit our website or contact us by e-mail at [email protected] for more information.

Our Foundations are still working!

The Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation will continue to support the OI Mission strongly during this time of crisis. Both Foundations will continue to fund scholarships for the Oratorical, Essay and Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing programs, Club Grants, Children's Health and Wellness Grants and more. We are grateful for the support from our Members that allows us to continue this work.

For more information about how these foundations support the OI mission, click below.

Visit the Optimist International Foundation here.

Visit the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation here.