Optimist Day is Feb. 1, 2024

Optimist Day is a great chance to celebrate your Club’s impact in your community and showcase the power of optimism.

We encourage Members to wear their Optimist apparel on Feb. 1 to help you stand out and invite questions from potential new members. But our Optimist Day efforts should go well beyond merchandise! We also urge you to plan a high-profile public service project for Optimist Day and let people know about it.

By sending a news release (click to view a template) to your local media outlets and posting photos of your project to social media with the hashtags #OptimistDay and #OptimistDay2024, you will generate good publicity for your Club and attract new members and supporters.

Also, reach out to your local officials and ask them to issue a proclamation (click to view a template) declaring the first Thursday in February as Optimist Day. This will raise awareness and recognition of our organization and our mission.

We hope you are as excited as we are for Optimist Day 2024. Let’s make it memorable and meaningful for ourselves and our communities!

Have a voice in Optimist International

Optimist International Bylaws Amendments

Please take time to re-evaluate the Optimist International Bylaws and make sure they continue to effectively serve the organization. By doing this, you and your Club can help shape and improve all of Optimist International.

If your Club wants to recommend an amendment, it must submit a proposal citing the Article(s) and Section(s), and exact proposed wording change to the articles and sections cited, along with a written rationale (200 words or less) for the change. Proposals should be submitted on original Club letterhead and signed by the Club President (email submissions must be accompanied and/or followed by the original copy on Club letterhead). All submitted changes will be brought before the 2024 convention delegates for a vote and possible endorsement.

All proposed change submissions for the Optimist International Bylaws must be received at the International Office by 5 p.m. CDT Sunday March 24, 2024.

Please send to:

Dana Thomas, Optimist International

4494 Lindell Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63108

and email to: dana.thomas@optimist.org

Convention Resolutions Process

Use the Convention Resolution Process to your advantage! This communications vehicle can be used for any aspect of the organization not covered in the Bylaws. Clubs must submit resolutions by Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Resolutions Committee will choose the strongest resolutions and report them to convention delegates for debate and voting.

NOTE: Resolutions endorsed by convention delegates are non-binding and are sent to the International Board of Directors for further consideration and study.

Please type resolution(s) on club stationery and include your Club name, number and Club President's signature. All resolutions should be written in standard resolution format: “Whereas…, Whereas…, Whereas…, Be it resolved that the Board of Directors of Optimist International is asked to consider…”

Please send your resolution(s) to:

Resolutions Committee, Optimist International

4494 Lindell Blvd.

St. Louis MO, 63108

or email to: dana.thomas@optimist.org

JOI Summit Panel Presentation

2024 Convention Schedule

We're excited to share the attendee schedule (click to view) for the 2024 Optimist International Convention in Niagara Falls, Canada!

Please don't forget to update your passport. Ground transportation will be available for both the Toronto International Airport (about 1.5 hours travel time) and the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (about half an hour travel time) from the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel in Ontario, Canada.

Upcoming Webinars

Optimist Institute: Educating, Inspiring, and Engaging ALL Members

Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. CST

Presented by Heather Myers 

Click here to register

Communicating Across Generations

Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. CST

Presented by Pam Moehl 

Click here to register