Newsday Tuesday

Newsday Tuesday is distributed weekly to Optimist leaders, including club presidents. Please be sure to share all relevant information with your club members.

OIF Board Candidates

The Optimist International Foundation is proud to announce the candidates for the Board of Directors position:

 

             Sandi Cox, WMO

             Les Lowery, Louisiana

             Jim Oliver, PSW


The Election will be held in February 2026. Eligible voters are all 2024-25 Dime A Day donors to OIF. Plus, the CFRs of Clubs that reached the 365 level during the 2024-25 year.  The elected individual will begin a four-year term beginning October 1, 2026, and will serve as President of OIF in their fourth year. 

 

We will be sharing biographies and a video of each candidate in mid-January, as well as voting information for eligible voters in late January.  So stay tuned.

 

We look forward to a good election and are pleased to see three amazing Optimist that are very involved with OIF run for this one Board slot.


Craig Boring

Executive Director

Optimist International Foundation

International Convention RFP


Optimist International invites and welcomes workshop proposals for our 2025 Annual Convention on June 28-July 1, 2026, in Jacksonville, FL. All workshops will be held at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville.


Optimist International is seeking workshop proposals on a wide range of topics, including areas of interest for both club leaders and individual members that align with our core values of Optimism, Respect, Integrity, and Global Community.


Suggest topic areas include: 


·      Personal Development

·      Leadership Skills

·      Technology (cybersecurity, developing websites, data protection, etc.)

·      The Power of Optimism, Gratitude, Positive Attitude, etc.

·      Communication methodology (content development, engaging in social media, media relations, etc.)

·      Fundraising

·      Risk Management

·      Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging

·      Wellness, Healthy Living, and Self-Care

·      Community Engagement and Outreach

·      Project Planning

·      Community Service


The goal for these workshops is for our members to leave the convention feeling that they have had an experience unlike any other. The hope is that they return home so motivated having heard from impactful speakers about how gratitude, hope, and kindness are stones on the pathway to optimism that they are ready to go out and share those with others through service in bringing out the best to our communities, our children, and ourselves.


Each workshop is approximately 60 minutes long. The session should include time for questions and answers. Each room will have an LCD projector, screen, and computer available. You will need to submit your presentation and any digital handouts by June 7, 2026, and they will be loaded on the computer provided in the presentation room. Any additional AV requests should be included in the proposal including if you need sound for your presentation.


Optimist International supports and encourages digital handouts which will be available in advance of convention for members to download via the Optimist Institute.


Each proposal should contain the following information:


o  Title of workshop

o  Description of workshop (150 words or less)

o  Presenter(s) name and contact information

o  Presenter’s short bio (150 words or less)

o  Three Anticipated learning outcomes for the session and/or project

o  Any additional AV requirements

o  Maximum number of session participants (if limited)


*Presenter bio and session description will be used in marketing materials and the convention program and may be edited at the discretion of Optimist International.


Proposals are currently being accepted, and the final deadline for submitting proposals is 9 p.m. central time, January 11, 2026. Final decisions and presenter notification will take place no later than January 31, 2026.


Please submit your proposal by clicking on this link: https://forms.office.com/r/sG2WafLWks


If you have any questions, please email institute@optimist.org.