Newsday Tuesday

2026 Board of Directors Election

Optimist International’s 2026 elections are currently underway, and voting runs through May 30.

Optimist International has partnered with Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) to administer our elections, and all clubs should have received their ballots on May 1. If you have not received your ballot, please check your spam folder for an email from noreply@directvote.net and add that email address to your approved sender.

If you still can’t find your ballot, please contact support@directvote.net for additional support.

The only contested race is for the Optimist International Board of Directors. Meet the Board of Directors candidates below (in alphabetical order):

Danielle Dupont (QuW)

Robert Schiller (MI)

Tom Shearer (CapVa)

For more information on all of the candidates, as well as up-to-date voting information, visit optimist.org/elections.

Webinar: Building Relationships with Members: Past, Present, and Future


Membership isn’t just about numbers — it’s about relationships. In this session, we’ll focus on how to reconnect with past members, strengthen engagement with current members, and create meaningful connections with new members from day one. Participants will leave with practical strategies to build a more connected, engaged, and sustainable club.

When: Monday, May 11, 7 p.m. CDT

Register now: https://optimist-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/c3RzIac1SN-oKSa7xFMMsg

2026 Convention: Early Bird deadline Extended, Can't-Miss Webinar

Due to an overwhelming response and a high volume of registrations on May 1, we are thrilled to announce an extension of the Early Bird registration deadline for the 2026 Convention.

You now have until 11:59 p.m. this Friday, May 8, to lock in the discounted rate. We appreciate your enthusiasm and want to ensure every member has the opportunity to join us for this exciting event.

Click here to register now!

To help you prepare for an unforgettable trip and get the most out of your convention experience, we also encourage you to mark your calendars for our special "Know Before You Go" webinar on June 8 at 7 p.m. CDT.



We can't wait to gather together, celebrate our shared successes, and look forward to a bright future of Optimism with you!