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Optimist International will hold its 2026 elections May 1 to May 30. The candidates selected by the Candidate Qualifications Committee, as well as self-nominations approved by the committee, are listed below in alphabetical order or by region.
Board of Directors At-Large will be the only contested race, with three candidates vying for two open seats. Candidates running unopposed will be elected by acclamation.
The candidates are:
President-Elect:
Board of Directors-At-Large:
- Danielle Dupont (QuW)
- Robert Schiller (MI)
- Tom Shearer (CapVa)
Vice Presidents-Elect:
- Northeast & Great Lakes Region: Dan Mills (MI)
- Southeast Region: Bonnie Jean Sherbert (SC)
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Mid-Atlantic Region: Marino Garbin (AC/SC)*
- Middle America Region: Sandi Schmidt (IL/IA)
- Great Plains Region: Maureen Crombie (SWIS)
- Southwest Region: Michael Cheves (TXO)
- West Coast Region: Anne McBride (AZ)
- St. Lawrence Region: Christian Bourassa (QuW)
Clubs are asked to ensure that they are current on dues and their Club President’s email address is on file with Optimist International to guarantee receipt of the official ballot beginning May 1.
A candidate forum for the Board of Directors is scheduled for Monday, April 20, at 7 p.m. central time. Register for the forum by clicking here.
More information on all of the candidates, as well as up-to-date voting information, will be available soon at optimist.org/elections.
* The original candidate nominated by the Candidate Qualifications Committee for VP-Elect of the Mid-Atlantic Region, Lorin Richter, has withdrawn from consideration. The CQ Committee has now nominated Marino Garbin for that position.
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