This is my second monthly email to share my priorities with you for the coming month. Our Choose Optimism theme for the months of April-June is Rally. As the year began, I asked you to Choose Optimism. The last twelve months have been challenging, and the need for optimism has never been greater. Now is the time for your Optimist Club members and your community to Choose Optimism and rally for action as we move forward into this busy time of year.

Before we get to the priorities for the month of April, I want to make an announcement about the Learning Management System (LMS) Training that is required for Honor and Distinguished Club Awards. We believe this training is valuable for experienced as well as new Club leaders. We preferred that this training be completed before March 31^st. We understand this system is new to all of us, and gaining access has been difficult for some. With this in mind, I want you to know that LMS training that is completed before September 30, 2020 will fulfill the requirement for Honor Club and Distinguished Club awards. If you have any questions or need help accessing the LMS, please email lms@optimist.org. 

In April, please give extra focus to the following priorities.

1. You're invited! Please join me on Zoom for a special President-to-President session on April 11, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. CT. This is your opportunity to ask any questions you may have, and discuss how we will rally our clubs for success in the next six months. Registration is free and you must register to access the meeting. Please click here to register now. 

2. Vote for Optimism: It is election season for Optimist Clubs and Optimist International. Optimist Clubs should hold their elections by May 20 and report their newly elected officers through the Optimist Leaders portal as soon as possible. Optimist International will hold elections for the International President, International Vice Presidents, and the International Board of Directors from May 1 to May 31, 2021. All Optimist Club Presidents are eligible and encouraged to vote on behalf of their Optimist Club. To learn more about the candidates for international office, please attend the Candidate Forums. Register by April 9 by clicking on the links:

International President Forum, Tuesday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. CDT

International Board of Directors Candidate Forum, Tuesday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. CDT

3. Optimist International Junior Golf Championships: The OPTIMIST takes place July 14-29, 2021 at the Doral Resort and Spa in Miami, FL. District tournaments are underway. All Optimist Clubs are encouraged to send junior golfers to their respective District Junior Golf Qualifying Tournaments. Find your District Tournament here.

4. New members and Orientation to Optimism: Please use the WOW Program and continue to add new members to your Optimist Club. The WOW Program teaches us to use our events for recruiting. People join us when they see how much fun we have creating positive change in our community. I'd also like to let you know about the new Orientation to Optimism videos created by the Leadership Development Committee. They are a great way to learn about what it means to be a member of an Optimist Club.

5. 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. Find out more and register to attend here. 

Last month, I was overjoyed by the enthusiasm our clubs and members brought forth for the International Day of Happiness. It displayed our positive spirit to the world. We are Optimists! This quarter we are going to rally our members and resources to share even more happiness, positivity, and optimism. Thank you for all you do in your community to be a beacon of hope. 

Sincerely, 

Mark Weinsoff, President, Optimist International