Your Club can have a Voice and Make Changes with Bylaws Proposals

Please take time to evaluate the Optimist International Bylaws that are being voted on at Convention this year to ensure they 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 less. 

The Club must submit the proposal on Club letterhead signed by the Club President. The proposal may be emailed to the International Office at executiveoffice@optimist.org, 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) Sunday, March 29, 2026 (no exceptions). Please submit to: Governance Committee, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 or email to executiveoffice@optimist.org.

The Governance Committee will be holding two Town Hall meetings to explain the proposed changes to the Bylaws that are being voted on at the Convention and give people a chance to ask any questions they may have. Those Town Hall meetings will be held on May 27, 2026, and June 27, 2026 with more information to come!

Optimist Clubs Speak Through the Convention Resolutions Process

The Convention Resolution Process is a communications vehicle that can be used 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 Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 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 the convention business session July 1, 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 stationery 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 ….

All resolutions must be received at the International Office by 5:00 p.m. (CT) Tuesday, April 28, 2026 (no exceptions). Please submit to: Resolutions Committee, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 or email to executiveoffice@optimist.org.