March Hotline
Welcome Optimists Worldwide (W.O.W.)
W.O.W. is a fresh way to increase participation and membership in your Optimist Club. With a focus on the social side of membership, W.O.W. will help your Optimist Club turn every activity, virtual or live, into a recruiting opportunity and have fun doing it!
The keys to success are:
  • Create opportunities for fun, social interaction.
  • Create opportunities for all ages, all types of volunteers, existing members, and potential members.
  • Invite your circle of friends and reach outside your circle to the larger community.
  • Be welcoming at the event.
  • Take five to ten minutes to talk about your Optimist Club projects.
  • At the end, ask attendees to join, right here, right now.
  • Follow up with those who need a little time to make the decision to join.
Music Makes People Happy Competition Deadline is March 15th
OptiForum: Music Makes People Happy
March 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. CT
Start the International Day of Happiness with music! Optimist International will present musical happiness featuring performances, speakers, projects, and happy thoughts. Join Optimist International President Mark Weinsoff and others as we explore the magic of music and introduce the winners of the 2021 Optimist Musical Happiness Competition.
Upcoming Webinars
MONDAY, March 15, 2021 AT 7 PM CST – 8 PM CST | What is your Club Marketing Strategy?

Is your club the best kept secret in your town? It’s time to let the cat out of the bag! Learn how you can expand the visibility of your club in your community thus expanding your impact.
CLUB OFFICERS-ELECT REPORT (COER) OPEN ONLINE FOR 2021-2022 OFFICER INPUT

Optimist Clubs may now report their newly elected officers online
The Club Officer Elect Report (COER) is now live for those elected to serve in the 2021-2022 administrative year. Please complete and submit the COER online through Optimist Leaders. Current officers should log-in, click on "Reports" and scroll down to the box labeled "Club Officer Elect Report." Click on the button marked “Report” which will take you to another screen that has the Club Officers listed and will open up the Club roster so that you can choose the Member that will be serving as the officer. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Membership@optimist.org. All club officers should be reported by May 20 each year or as soon thereafter as possible.
PRECONVENTION VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
BINGO MARCH MADDNESS
MAR 19TH 7:00 PM CST
Join us for another virtual event leading up to National Convention in Atlanta, GA! This installment... BINGO!!
Meet your opponents at 6:50 p.m. before the start of Bingo. Registration is $10 for your bingo card. You can purchase multiple bingo cards for an additional $10 per additional card. Grab some snacks and a drink and get ready to play! See you all there!

Please make sure to share this event with your Clubs and Members. Participates do not need to be a Member to join in and win.
When calling to reserve a room use the group code G-OPTI
Volunteers needed!
Global Spotlight for March 2021
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)
Time is running out to complete LMS!
This is a friendly reminder that all Optimist leaders must complete training for their respective positions by March 31. Club Presidents, Club Secretary/Treasurers, Club Foundation Reps (CFR), and Lt. Governors, this means you! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the LMS or need help logging in, please email LMS@optimist.org. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response. If an email is sent over the weekend, expect a response on Monday.
The Optimist International Foundation 50th Anniversary Auction is now open.
The auction will run from February 11, 2021 to March 11, 2021, with proceeds going to OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION in order to support youth and community projects around the world. Auction items range from exotic vacation getaways to donated items guaranteed to delight and surprise. So, tell your friends, family, community. Let the bidding begin!
These are just six of the featured items! Much more to bid on and much more being added, so check back often!
Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation
The Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation (CCOF) to issue shortly the Tax Receipts for 2020 donations

We remind you to check your email in the coming weeks for any tax receipt you might be expecting from the CCOF in connection with donations made in the 2020 calendar year. Also make sure to check your Spam folder as well. 
OPTIMIST CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS ARE SET
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 who live in an Optimist District 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 the nearest District qualifier is located click here.
Map of all qualifiers click here.
Did you know that Optimist Junior Golf earns AJGA Performance Based Entry Stars for top finishers at several of its events? 
What does this all mean for our Junior Golfers?  

The AJGA is the best place for junior golfers to be discovered by college coaches.  The Performance-Based Entry System (PBE) recognizes tournaments based on their historical strength of field and awards AJGA performance stars based on a player’s finish. Players will build their competitive golf resumes and begin to gain exposure among college coaches. AJGA PBE is a road map to help develop a tournament schedule that will ultimately create exposure for golfers for quality college programs. The AJGA remains an excellent venue for golfers to achieve college placement goals. Approximately 30 college coaches attend the Optimist Championship. 
 
Help sponsor a golfer in your area to attend the Championship!
Optimist Scholarship and Exemption Opportunity to be Awarded to Five Junior Golfers
Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Scholarship

Applications are now being accepted for the 2021 Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Team. Awards will recognize the academic and community service accomplishments of five junior golfers.

Those selected receive an exemption into the 2021 Optimist Championship, tournament entry (includes golf, hotel accommodations and meals and a $1,000 scholarship)

Deadline date April 1, 2021
Click here for details on applying.

For more information about the Optimist Junior Golf program, click here .
Bylaws Notice

Make Valuable Changes Organization-wide
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 help 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 wording change to the articles and sections cited, along with a written rationale in 200 words or less for the change. The Club must submit the proposal on Club letterhead signed by the Club President. The proposal(s) may be mailed, emailed and/or faxed to the International Office, but the original Club letter must be received by the International Office in order for the proposal to be considered. All submitted changes will be brought before the International Convention delegates for vote and possible endorsement.
 
All proposed change submissions to the bylaws must be received at the International Office by 5:00 p.m. (CT) Friday, April 2. Please mail and/or email them to: Dana Thomas, Senior Director of Administration and Operations, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108; dana.thomas@optimist.org.
 

 
Make Your Club Heard
The Convention resolutions process can be used for any aspect of the organization not covered in the bylaws. Clubs must submit resolutions by 5:00 p.m. (CT) Saturday, May 1 to the Resolutions Committee. The Committee will choose the strongest resolutions and report them to Convention delegates for debate and vote. Resolutions endorsed by Convention delegates are non-binding and are sent to the International Board of Directors for further consideration and study. Please type resolutions on Club stationery and include your Club name, Club number and Club 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...." Resolutions should be mailed to: Resolutions Committee ATTN: Dana Thomas, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108; dana.thomas@optimist.org.
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