President Adrian Elcock would like to welcome all Optimists to the new year! He asks us to iMagine what Optimist International can achieve. Welcome to our October 2019 Leadership Hotline. Each month, this email will provide the latest information you need for a successful Optimist year, whether you're a first-time Club Officer or serving on the International level. This issue includes the Club Officers' Toolbox, upcoming webinars and more. 

Club Officers' Toolbox This year's Club Officers' Mailing went digital! You can find all the info you need on our Leadership website, ranging from dues and fees for 2019-2020 to Presidential Incentives, Foundation information and more.

Upcoming Webinars  Save the date! Webinars offer information on a variety of topics to strengthen your skills as a leader and make your Club and District the best it can be. Email leadership@optimist.org for more information. Registration information will be available soon. October 21: This Meeting will Come to Order Learn the ABC's of Parliamentary Procedure, how to make sure that the minority is heard, while the majority is served. Learn about Roberts Rules of Order and how to use Roberts to conduct meetings. November 18: How to use the Scholarship Programs as a model for STAR Optimist International is building STARs via the scholarship programs for our youth. Find out how support from Optimist International can help strengthen your club's scholarship programs. December 16: How to Hold a Club Oratorical Contest Does your Club want to start having an Oratorical contest? Join us to walk through the steps from beginning to end on planning and holding a Club Oratorical contest! Click here for the full year's schedule of Webinars.

Schaumburg is Calling! Chicagoland is readying its red carpet for Optimists at our 2020 International Convention. Click here to reserve your hotel room and check out what there is to see and do in the Schaumburg area during #OICon2020. Plan to arrive Saturday, June 27 and depart July 2 for all the action!

2019-2020 Scholarship Topics  Optimist International sponsors three scholarship contests for students to earn money to pursue opportunities in higher education: the Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH), the Essay Contest and the Oratorical Contest. The contests are conducted at the Club level, then Zone and Regional (if necessary) and at the District level. District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations and awarded by Optimist International. Here are the topics for this year's contests: O ratorical/CCDHH Topic: “Just iMagine a World without Boundaries" Essay Topic: “Is Optimism the Key to Achieving the Dreams you iMagine?” A note about spelling: "iMagine" represents the organization's theme for 2019-2020 and it is written as shown for branding purposes. It does not replace the linguistic interpretation, intent, or spelling of the word "imagine or Imagine". As such, contestants are free to use the correct spelling for any contest or communications without penalty. www.optimist.org/scholarships

Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation Are you looking forward to meeting your new Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation team for 2019-2020? Visit our  website  to discover your District Foundation Representative, learn more about our new recognition process, and start out this new Optimist year on the right foot!

Lead by Example with Foundation Contributions Optimists have the option of supporting two foundations that fund many of Optimist International's major programs. Optimist leaders are encouraged to donate to the Optimist International Foundation or the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation during October. The Dime-A-Day level is a great place to start, at just $36.50 per year!

Global Spotlight Global Spotlight provides a regular look at Optimist International's successes outside of the U.S. and Canada. Articles feature Club Building efforts, successful Club projects and practical information for members in those Clubs. The latest issue includes updates on new clubs in St. Vincent, an anti-hunger program in Kenya and more! Click here to read Global Spotlight.

Leave a Legacy of JOI Junior Optimist International President Julia Cooper invites you to establish a JOI Club as part of your Optimist legacy. Read her message here.

Cluster Developments coming up! Optimist International is adopting another technique for growth in the new Optimist Year: Cluster Development. In this strategy, District-growth teams target an area and develop multiple Optimist Clubs simultaneously. This will require preparation and outreach, in-person meetings as well as targeted marketing through social media. The concept will start this fall in Charleston, South Carolina, and the eastern Caribbean. For more information about New Club Building Cluster Developments contact newclub@optimist.org.

Update your Club Officers Remember to update your Club Officers for the 2019-2020 Optimist Year! This can be done online. A current officer must login to  www.optimist.org   and click on “Reports”. Scroll down, and on the right side of the screen, you will see “Club Officer Elect Report,” and click on “Report”. You will be able to select the names of the Club Members who will be filling the leadership roles during the Optimist 2019-2020 year. If you have questions or need assistance, contact Charlotte Baker at Member Services at bakerc@optimist.org .

Official Optimist International Suppliers United States and the Caribbean: Shumsky www.OptimistStuff.com Canada: Ansell's Awards and Specialties www.optimistsupply.ca Members outside of the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean may order from either vendor.

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

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