January 2020

Get Your Gear Ready for Optimist Day

Members of Optimist International will celebrate Optimist Day throughout the world Feb. 6, to promote our efforts in bringing out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves. Optimists around the world are asked to wear Optimist attire - shirts, pins, hats, etc.

Post your best Optimist attire on social media and tag Optimist International or use the #OptimistDay hashtag. Send your photos to  [email protected]  to be featured in future publications.

Visit our Optimist Day web site for more information.

JOI Makes Caring Souper

Souper Bowl of Caring is a national youth-led movement of giving and serving that unites communities in the weeks leading up to Super Bowl Weekend. 

In schools, collection of items takes place prior to Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 2. Your Junior Optimist Club can make a significant impact by participating. Visit the December section of the planning guide at  junioroptimist.org  for more information.  

Improve the Bylaws, Improve Optimist International

 

Help us improve Optimist International by evaluating our  bylaws   to ensure they effectively serve the organization. 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 also be received by the International Office for the proposal to be considered. All submitted changes will be brought before the International Convention delegates for vote and possible endorsement.

 

All proposed changes to the bylaws must be received at the International Office by 5 p.m. (CT) Monday, March 30. Please mail them to: Dana Thomas, Executive Assistant, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.

Make Sure 2020 is #OptimistGoals

January Webinar: A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish

Register now to learn how to achieve your Optimist goals. This webinar will discuss why you should set goals to make a plan. Then, taking an example of a plan to invite prospective members to an event your club would like to have (similarly to a NOW event), we will use the SMART goal strategy, walk through the process of setting the SMART goal, follow-up during the process and achieving your results upon completion.

Jan. 20, 2020

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

To register, click here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QIpDiMTuQPetj5be2hW9vQ

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Click here for the full year's schedule of Webinars.

Busy Time for OIF

We've Got Grants!

The Optimist International Foundation has two grant programs on the horizon.

Earn a $500 Club Grant to fund a new project. Applications are due March 13. Apply for our new Childhood Health and Wellness Grant to receive up to $1,000 in matching funds for a new initiative. Information on both grants is available at www.oifoundation.org.

OIF Board Election

OIF is proud to have four candidates running for At Large Member to the OIF Board of Directors. The Election will be held February 1-29 on the OIF website. 

The candidates are:

Eligible voters are OI Members who did the Dime A Day level in 2018-19; and CFRs of Clubs that attained the 365 Patch level in 2018-19. 

Go the Extra Mile for CCOF

The Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation wants everyone to Go the Extra Mile for its new program.

This is an opportunity for Clubs to receive a grant of $2,500, $1,500 or $1,000 for an innovative hands-on youth project!

Donors to CCOF will have an opportunity to vote on their Cub's entry or support another Club's entry, for a period of one month. The top three projects will receive a Club grant. A contribution of at least $36.50, or a Dime a Day to CCOF is required to get one vote. Donors will receive additional votes for each incremental unrestricted donation of $50.

This is a great way to contribute to the Foundation while encouraging the club project you like the most!

For more information, contact the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation at [email protected] or by phone at 1-800-363-7151.

Make an online donation: http://ccof-foec.org/

OI Around the World

Optimist International is growing around the world. December’s Global Spotlight offers updates on Club projects in Kenya, and a look at Club developments on four continents.

Jennifer Bagwell is new Social Media Coordinator

Optimist International is thrilled to announce its first social media coordinator. Jennifer Bagwell will work in the Marketing and Communications Department to help manage and implement OI's social media strategy, and improve membership engagement.

Originally from Honolulu, Jennifer started her digital career in virtual world platforms. She has since applied her experience in digital media towards social media platforms, developing an expertise in social media marketing and public relations. She has consulted for many organizations, small businesses, and municipalities to develop their social media presence to improve outreach. Because community involvement and volunteering is important to her, she is thrilled to be a part of the Optimist team.

Junior Golf Program Growing

We are excited to announce that we’ve hired Clayton McGowan as full-time tournament director of our Junior Golf program. Clayton has been a Class A PGA Golf Professional for over 20 years and has spent much time working in Junior Golf. Clayton will manage all on-course activities and work with the volunteers/rules officials at the Optimist Junior Golf Championship and Tournament of Champions. Clayton will also work to develop District qualifiers, Junior Tour Events and seek out sponsorship for the program. With Clayton on board, 2020 will be an excellent year for Optimist Golf!

Look for him on the golf course at the 2020 Optimist Junior Golf Championships, July 11-26.