This newsletter contains a revised candidate slate, important information about officer training deadlines, and details about how you can propose bylaws changes and resolutions ahead of the International Convention.
2023-24 Candidate Slate (Revised)
The International Candidate Qualifications Committee has announced its slate of officer candidates for the 2023 election, to be held May 1 to May 30. Please make sure your Club president’s email is correct and on file with Optimist International so that your Club will get a ballot to vote beginning May 1. Information for voting will be sent to you in the near future.
 
President-Elect Nominee:
  • Jan Oord Graves (STX)

Board Directors At Large Nominees:      
  • Rod McKendrick (AMS&NW)
  • Sandi Schmidt (IL & IA)

Vice President-Elect Nominees:   
  • Northeast & Great Lakes — Denise Nacev (CENON)
  • Southeast — Tolanda Adams (ALMS)
  • Mid-Atlantic — Tom Schearer (CAPVA)
  • Middle America — Sandra Doyle (INDN)
  • Great Plains — Jodi Arriola (WINUM)
  • Southwest — Tony Carpenter (COWY)
  • West Coast — Diane Siefkes (AZ)

International Candidate Qualifications Committee members:
  • Jim Kondrasuk, Chair
  • Nick Prillaman
  • James Adams
  • Adrian Elcock
  • Rebecca Butler Mona
  • Anne Donkers
  • Sandy Cyphers

How to self-nominate (click the image below to download a PDF):
Optimist Institute
The Optimist Institute is a fantastic online educational resource for all Optimist Members. Its content covers not just Optimist-related topics, such as Club operations and officer training, but also leadership development, motivation, goal-setting, working with difficult people, Microsoft Office Suite and more.

The Institute offers a media library where Members can access monthly leadership development webinars, and it allows Members to create groups similar to Facebook to discuss common challenges and share success stories.

Officer training deadlines:

Please note that required officer training for 2022-2023 officers will be removed from the Institute on April 1, 2023, so all current officers must complete their training by March 31, 2023, in order to complete the policy ICD-135 requirement.

A monthly report is sent to the governor and District Leadership Development chair showing the names of Members who have completed their required training.

Training for 2023-2023 officers will open May 1, 2023. All officer training taken after May 1 will count only for the 2023-2024 year.
Bylaws and Resolutions
In addition to voting for officer candidates, 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 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 change to the articles and sections cited, along with a written rationale in 200 words or fewer. 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 for the proposal to be considered. 

All submitted changes will be brought before the International Convention delegates for a vote.
 
All proposed changes to the bylaws must be received at the International Office by 5:00 p.m. (CT) Monday, April 3, 2023 (no exceptions). 

Email proposals to dana.thomas@optimist.org and mail them to the address below:

Governance Committee
Optimist International
4494 Lindell Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108

The Convention Resolution Process is also a communications vehicle you can use to your advantage. Resolutions can be submitted by clubs and should cover any aspect of the organization not already covered in the Bylaws.   

The Resolutions Process 

  1. Clubs need to submit resolutions by Wednesday, May 3, 2023, to the Governance/Resolutions Committee. 
  2. The Governance/Resolutions Committee will meet during the convention and choose the strongest resolutions to report to convention delegates. 
  3. At one of the convention business sessions, July 2-5, 2023, the Committee will present these resolutions for debate and vote by the convention delegates.  (NOTE: Resolutions endorsed by convention delegates are non-binding and are sent to the International Board of Directors for further consideration and study.) 

How to Submit Resolutions 

Type resolutions on club stationary and include the Club's name, number, and 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 ….

Mail Resolutions To: 

Resolutions Committee 
Optimist International 
4494 Lindell Blvd. 
St. Louis, MO 63108 
USA