Watch Notes from Nick!

Notes from Nick are weekly video messages from 2017-18 International President Nick Prillaman. Every Wednesday, a new Notes From Nick will be uploaded to our YouTube channel , social media accounts, and website . 

In this week's video, President Nick describes the characteristics of successful people. How do you define success?
Update Club Bylaws

All Optimist Clubs are required to update Club Bylaws regarding “Membership for Individuals Managing Club Activities”:
 
Membership for Individuals Managing Club Activities - Individuals having executive or supervisory control or authority such as Coaches, Assistant Coaches, referees, and other participants managing Club projects are required to be paid members of the Club to receive benefits of the Club, including liability insurance protection. 
 
For standard Clubs Bylaws and more information, click here .
Optimists in Ottawa!

Online registration for the 100th Annual Optimist International Convention in Ottawa is now open! Share Optimism with fellow Optimists from around the world July 7-10, 2018. The events will take place at the Shaw Centre (Ottawa Convention Center) and the main hotel is the Westin Ottawa.

For all convention information, including housing travel and online registration, click here .
World Speech Day

Thursday, March 15, is World Speech Day . Be part of the world’s greatest celebration of public speaking! Each year, Optimist International Foundation provides scholarships for every District Oratorical contest. In addition, scholarships for those Districts holding a Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Please take a moment on March 15 and consider a donation to the Optimist International Foundation. Click here for the Optimist International Foundation website and the easy donation link.
Registering Club Officers 2018-19

Optimist Clubs can now register their 2018-19 officers online. A current officer will need to login to optimist.org website and click on “Reports” on the right hand side of the screen. Then click on “Club Officer Elect Report” and click on “Report” and you will be able to select the names of the Clubs Members who will be filling the leadership roles during the upcoming Optimist year. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Charlotte Baker in the Member Services Department at Charlotte.Baker@optimist.org  
Upcoming Webinars

This Meeting Will Come to Order
Thursday, April 12 at 7PM (CT)
Learn the ABC's of Parliamentary Procedure, and how to make sure that the minority is heard while the majority is served. Learn how to make a motion, and how to amend a motion. Learn about Roberts Rules of Order to conduct meetings. To register, click here .

Using the Personal Growth & Involvement (PGI) and Professional Development Programs in Your Club
Tuesday, May 15 at 7PM (CT)
When we take ownership of our own progression/development, the steps are simple - we learn, we commit, and we do. The professional development programs offered by Optimist International were designed to propel us along this path of advancement with a greater sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction. The Leadership Development Committee believes this webinar is beneficial for all Members - those new to the Professional Development Program, to those already in the Personal Growth & Involvement Program, and for those who are ready to grow beyond their Personal Growth & Involvement Level 10. To register, click here .

For questions, contact the Leadership Development Department at leadership@optimist.org .  
Submit a Video Before April 20

Optimist International presents the 2018 Reel Optimism Video Contest. Your Club could win a $1500 Club Grant by creating a short video based on the topic: "Living the Creed."

Click here for more information and follow the conversation with #ReelOptimism.
Junior Optimist International

Junior Optimist International has 22 new charter Clubs and 586 new charter Members since October 1! The Optimist International Foundation is giving any new Junior Optimist Club that charters with 25 Members or more a $100 Club grant for the 2017-18 year. Contact junioroptimist@optimist.org for more information!
Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic - $1,000 Scholarship Awarded

Two special awards recognizes the academic and community service accomplishments of five
junior golfers. Golfers can apply for one or both awards.

This year’s essay topic: “The USGA and R & A have proposed a number of significant changes to
the rules effective January 1, 2019. Share your thoughts on no more than three rule changes.”

Golfers selected receive an exemption into the 2018 Optimist Championship, tournament entry
(includes golf, hotel accommodations and meals) and a $1,000.00 scholarship. For more information, visit www.optimist.org/golf
Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy Open

The most recent Optimist Junior Golf tour event took place this past weekend at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy Open was 36-hole tournaments for ages 11-18. Click here for results .

The Junior Golf Tour Events are qualifiers for the 2018 Optimist International Junior Golf Championship held at PGA National Resort and Spa. For more information on the Optimist Junior Tour Events, click here .
Global Spotlight
The Optimist International Global Spotlight was created to provide another means of communication between Optimist International and the Optimist Club Presidents outside of the United States and Canada. The newsletter is sent monthly. 

To view the February Global Spotlight, click   here .
Official Optimist International Suppliers

United States and the Caribbean:
Shumsky
Canada:
Ansell's Awards and Specialties
Make Valuable Changes Organization-wide

Please take time to evaluate the Optimist International bylaws to ensure they continue to effectively serve the organization. This process allows you and your Club to help shape and improve all of Optimist International. 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 be received by the International Office in order for the proposal to be considered. All submitted changes will be brought before the International Convention delegates for vote and possible endorsement.

All proposed change submissions to the bylaws must be received at the International Office by 5:00 p.m. (CT) Monday, April 9. Please mail them to: Dana Thomas, Executive Assistant, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.
Make Your Club Heard

The Convention resolutions process can be used for any aspect of the organization not covered in the bylaws. Clubs must submit resolutions by 5:00 p.m. (CT) Tuesday, May 15 to the Resolutions Committee. The committee will choose the strongest resolutions and report them to Convention delegates for debate and vote. Resolutions endorsed by Convention delegates are non-binding and are sent to the International Board of Directors for further consideration and study. Please type resolutions on Club stationery and include your Club name, Club 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...." Resolutions should be mailed to: Resolutions Committee, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.
Call for Nominations for International Officers

The following individuals are running for International office for this upcoming election. This list may be updated occasionally between now and April 1.

President-Elect Nominee:
Adrian Elcock, CAR

Board Directors at Large Nominees (to serve 2017-20):
Lola Cumbo, AC
Luc Dubois, QS
Sandy Larivee, SWONT
Anthony Yaggie, WINUM

Vice President-Elect Nominees:
Region 1, NE & Great Lakes: Teri Davis, NYNE
Region 2, Southeast: Russell Thomas, GATE
Region 3, Mid-Atlantic: David Bowman, MDSD
Region 4, Middle America: Dwight Pollard, EMO
Region 5, Great Plains: Lyle Merriam, AMS&NW
Region 6, Southwest: Don Crall, OK
Region 7, West Coast: Mike Padilla, PSE
Region 8, St. Lawrence: Nathalie Boulet, QW

Please note that the deadline for self-nominations for President-Elect, At Large Board Director-Elect, and Vice President-Elect is April 1. Qualified candidates who are properly nominated on or before April 1 will also be added to the slate of officers to be placed into nomination for online voting. Continue to check www.optimist.org for updates.
Rebranding

On October 1, Optimist International began using our new logo. Is your District and/or Club using your new logo? To view logos, click here . For questions or more information regarding logos, contact marketing@optimist.org .
Contact the International Board of Directors 

If you have comments, concerns or suggestions for the International Board of Directors, please send to   board@optimist.org
Optimist International Foundation

Its not too late! Deadline for submission of Club Grant from the Optimist International Foundation is Friday, March 9. You can still go to our website and apply. Grant opportunity for a Club to receive $500 towards a new project. Don’t delay!
Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation

The Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation is proud to give to the Cap Rouge Optimist Club, Quebec, funding for their musical partnership with the Madeleine-Bergeron school. By helping the school acquiring Skoogs, a musical instrument that anyone can play including those with disabilities, the Optimist Club will help these disabled children to be part of the group and build their self-esteem. The Club will Spread Relief in their community.

Apply to the Spread Relief program and you may receive up to $3,000 in seed money for your childhood health related project. Due date for the 2nd quarter is March 31. For more information, visit our website or contact the Foundation at 1-800-363-7151 ext.336