April Hotline
Choose Optimism:
Rally your friends to make a difference in your community.
3rd quarter – April through June: Rally

April brings a rebirth. Flowers begin to blossom, birds begin to sing, and our Optimist Clubs gear up for many youth-serving projects as the school year comes to a close. While we’ll talk about membership all through the year, this is the time we want to push membership. We need more members to do more good things in more communities and spread Optimism throughout the world.
Let's Talk!
President - to - President Forum 
Optimist International President Mark Weinsoff invites all Optimist Club Presidents to join him for a friendly conversation about Leadership, Inspiration, and Optimism. 

Sunday, April 11, 2021
3:00 to 4:00 p.m. CT


The conversation is open to all. 
Congratulations to our Musical Happiness Competition Winners!

On March 20, 2021, Optimists from all over celebrated International Day of Happiness. We heard from Bill Myers, an Emmy-winning actor, jazz musician, educator, filmmaker, writer, and speaker, about the importance of music. Winners of the Musical Happiness contest are listed below. To watch the full OptiForum, visit the link below.
The musical happiness winners:

Musical
  • First place - Mio Legaspi & Alex Mona
  • Second place - Ana Nikolova
  • Third place - Jonah Kassel

Vocal
  • First place - Isabel Naish
  • Second place - Samantha Cayton
  • Third place - Emma Petraborg
Oratorical World Championships
Goes Virtual
An important announcement from the Optimist International Oratorical Committee regarding the upcoming World Championships.
To protect the safety of the students, volunteers, and staff, the 2021 Optimist International Oratorical Regional and World Championship contests will be held virtually again this year and will be live-streamed. Moreover, thanks to the generosity of the Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation, the scholarships offered at the District, Regional, and World Championship have been fully funded. ~ Dave Bruns, Member of the International Oratorical Committee

Please visit the official World Oratorical website page to download the full press release.
Membership Message

Fellow Optimists, by now many of you have heard about W.O.W. Welcome Optimists Worldwide, an updated version of our N.O.W. program. We are on the precipice of amazing changes over this coming year as we recover from the pandemic.
We have been home and zooming, yet amazingly productive. We are keeping in touch with each other via zoom, email, newsletters, and maybe even a post card to a fellow Optimist. Keeping these connections during a difficult time represents, “To make all your friends feel that there is something in them”.  We need to continue this work and share our Optimism with those who are ready to get involved within their communities and reaching the kids who need our help.
As we start to meet in person, we have great opportunities to bring new members into our Clubs. At each event, meeting, coffee, and presentation it is an opportunity to share our Optimism. I believe we all want to help someone in need, a child in need, a neighbor in need…. we just want to help. This Optimism and helping our communities have sustained our Clubs, Membership, and Organization during this past challenging year. A recent article I read indicates 1 in 3 non-profits are in jeopardy.  Let us, our Optimist Clubs, not be a statistic; but, “So strong that nothing can disturb our peace of mind”.
As the Members of the International Membership Committee continue to work on sharing ways to bring in new Members, remember the four R’S… Recruit new Members, Revitalize our Clubs (new ideas, new programs), Renew and reach out to those Members who may have been lost during this year. Reach out to those Members that have faded to the back of the Club - make calls, send cards, email. Retain new and current members for the past year. Let all Members know the importance of the fellowship they provide in the Club. 
Could this be a paradigm shift in our recruiting and retaining efforts? I hope so! As this year of lock down comes to an end, it is our time as Optimists to share with our communities and how we survive through Optimism.
Make your voice heard!

Club Presidents must have their correct email recorded at the Optimist Leaders database to vote.

Candidates for the 2021-2022 International Officers and Board of Directors election:

2021-2022 President-Elect Candidates:

2021-2022 Board Director at Large Candidates (2 to be elected):

2021-2022 Vice Presidents-Elect Candidates:
Get to Know
Board Director at Large Candidates
&
President-Elect Candidates.
The Optimist International Candidate Qualifications Committee is inviting Optimist members to join us on Tuesday, April 20 and Tuesday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. Central Time each day to spend some time getting to know the qualified candidates for Board of Directors at Large and President-Elect. Optimist International Executive Director Benny Ellerbe will be emceeing both events.
As space is limited, registration is required in order to attend. Please preregister for the events no later than Friday, April 9, 2021.


Orientation to Optimism Series
Welcome to the Video Series on Orientation to Optimism. If you are a new Member, Welcome! Existing Members will find value in this series as well. This series is a general overview brought to you from Members' perspective that should help you in your journey through the wonderful world of Optimist International as it covers five areas of interest to International Optimist Club Members.
The Annual Rally for Optimism:

Every year, Optimist Clubs and members come together for the Annual Optimist International Convention. This year we will have a hybrid convention with many people in person in Atlanta, Georgia, from June 30 to July 3, 2021, and others will attend virtually on computer. Please stand by as we establish the virtual registration rate.
Visit www.optimist.org/convention for details including a revised agenda, links to online housing and registration forms, Atlanta attractions, who is registered, and much more.

For more information, contact us at 

Volunteers needed!
  • Contact Dale Hoffert, dhoffert516@gmail.com to sign up as a volunteer to help hand out registration packets at the advance registration desk.
  • Contact Derick Newton derickandchell@gmail.com to sign up as a volunteer chaperone to help with youth activities designed to keep the children busy while their parents/grandparents attend the adult convention (not JOI attendees).
  • Contact convention@optimist.org to volunteer as a sergeant-at-arms, to help setup, or help with other duties as assigned.
When calling to reserve a room use the group code G-OPTI
Upcoming Webinars
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021 AT 7 PM Central Time | Take me to your "next" Leader Optimist Webinar

Take me to your “next” Leader! Can your Club boast no repeat presidents? Can you identify the next president-elect, and the next, right now? Or does the prospect of being president send your volunteers running for the hills? Learn how to build your Club leadership pipeline.
Apr 19, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Fee Reduced for New Club Development

Last month the Optimist International Board of Directors approved a reduction in the fee charged for organizing a New Club.  The fee has been reduced to $325 US for all Developed countries effective immediately. The Canadian exchange rate will still apply.
         The Board acted upon recommendations for the change from the International New Club Building and Audit and Finance Committees. President Weinsoff initially sought the reduction as a means for stimulating New Club development in the months to come. Dues from charter members of these New Clubs is expected to more than offset the initial decline in revenue from the lower fee.
There is a special promotion underway for New Club building,  Any Club organized in the United States, Canada and the nations of the Caribbean between now and May 31st will receive two New Club building credits. This will allow Districts to develop two New Clubs and receive four New Club building credits, thus meeting the New club building requirement to become a Distinguished District. Other requirements for Distinguished status must still be met.
Junior Optimist Torch Issue is out!
LMS REMINDER

The deadline for Officer Training has passed and the training has been taken down. The 2021-2022 training will be available in May. If any 2020-2021 officers have not completed the training prior to March 31, you are able to take the training from May to September 30. If you have any questions, please contact us at LMS@optimist.org.

Additionally, Governors and Vice Presidents will be getting the finalized report for those that have completed their training prior to March 31, 2021. If your name is not included and you know that you have completed it, please email LMS@optimist.org
Global Spotlight for APRIL 2021
Feature Heading
What are our international Clubs doing to make a difference in their community and what New Clubs have formed? Click below to find out more.
IDC (International Development Committee)
Congratulations to Ben DeRemer, Optimist International Foundation’s newest board member. He will begin serving a four year term October 1, 2021.
The Optimist International Foundation
Childhood Health and Wellness Matching Grant Applications are due April 30
Call for project submissions for the 2020-2021
CCOF President’s Incentives and Club Grants
Deadline to submit Applications
extended to Friday June 11, 2021
 
$10,000 available: 1st place $2,500 ~ 2nd place $1,500 ~ 3rd place $1,000
PLUS up to 10 more $500 Club Grants
The CCOF seeks project submissions from Canadian Optimist Clubs for the 2020-2021 CCOF President ’s Incentive and Club Grants as it aims to support projects for the benefit of children in various communities. This year again, Optimist Club Members will vote on the Clubs that will be awarded the grants.

How to submit a project: Deadline for submissions is extended to Friday June 11, 2021. Follow this link for the Application Form.

The 2020-2021 CCOF President’s Incentives and Club Grants shall, once awarded, be applied to such duly submitted projects as will be selected through an online voting process (similar to last year) via a link provided on the CCOF Website. Further communications will follow.

Perhaps your CLUB will be selected as one of the top 3 WINNERS (1st place $2,500 ~ 2nd place $1,500 ~ 3rd place $1,000) of this year’s CCOF President’s Incentive and Club Grants or even benefit from a $500 Club Grant!
Optimist Golf -- Volunteers needed
The Optimist Junior Golf Program relies heavily on the support of dedicated volunteers who are committed to "Bringing Out the Best in Youth".  Volunteer for any number of days. 
Anyone can volunteer.
Location: Doral Resort and Spa (Miami, FL)
Dates:
July 14-19, 2021 -- Boys 10-11, 12-13 and Girls 10-12
July 19-24, 2021 -- Boys 14-15 and Girls 13-14
July 24-29, 2021 -- Boys 16-18 and Girls 15-18

Volunteers receive:
  • Discounted room rates will depend on how many days you join us  Hotel Room (one king or two double beds) from $88.00 to $82.00 a night (includes tax).
  • For the days you work, receive breakfast and lunch
  • Complimentary parking
  • Two tournament shirts (working two or more days)
  • An opportunity to play a round of golf following parent-child classic.
The following links will take you to the schedule of activities by phase. We anticipate over 650 players and another 800 guests attending this year’s Championship. 

Positions available:  Registration help, marshals, shuttle drivers, scoring, and range area.

If you are interested in becoming a part of our volunteer team or have questions, please contact Sharon Parton at 800-500-8130 ext. 207 or golf@optimist.org.
How does a golfer qualify for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships? 
Optimist Districts in the US and Canada organize tournaments that serve as qualifying events.
Golfers can play in any District qualifier in order to attempt to advance to the Championships. If a golfer cannot play in his/her District tournament due to a conflict, he/she may travel to another District to attempt to qualify. A limited number of golfers in each age division will advance to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships through all District qualifiers.

See where your District qualifier is located click here.
Map of all qualifiers click here.
Official Optimist International Suppliers

United States and the Caribbean:
Shumsky
Canada:
Ansell's Awards and Specialties

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