|
Proposed Bylaws Amendments
Several proposed amendments to the Optimist International Bylaws will be presented to the delegates at the 2013 Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. These proposals can be found here.
International Programs and Activities Survey
The International Activities Committee has distributed a survey to all Members who have a valid e-mail address registered with Optimist International. If you have not received the e-mail, please click the following link to access and complete the survey:
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e75ypbeqhe1lv0fc/start
The Activities Committee feels that it is crucial to let all Optimist Members speak to the Board of Directors as to what programs they feel meet the needs of their communities and what programs may be less attractive. While the organization values all opinions on programs, the survey does not allow comments as it is focused on the current Optimist International funded programs only. If you have comments, please send them to programs@optimist.org. All comments will be forwarded to the International Activities Committee.
The Board of Directors will share the results of the survey, so that Members will see the results of their cumulative votes. Please be assured that this survey is for information gathering ONLY. Please encourage everyone you know to complete the survey as we want everyone to be heard!
Changes in the Honor/Distinguished Club Awards Program
Due to financial restraints, the Optimist International Board of Directors has voted to remove the monetary incentive from the International Awards program. The $100 credit for Honor Club and $250 credit for Distinguished Club achievement will no longer be available.
All other Honor Club requirements and recognition remain the same.
JOOI Incentives
International President J.C. St-Onge has introduced two new JOOI incentives for the 2012-2013 year:
JOOI Builder of Excellence Award:
The adult JOOI Builder of Excellence who charters the most new JOOI Clubs during the 2012-2013 year shall be included in the OI Presidents Winners Cruise in November, 2013. Airfare and Cruise for the JOOI BOE awarded. (JOOI BOE spouse Cruise expense is included but not airfare).*
New Junior Optimist and Octagon Clubs Awards:
A complimentary JOOI Convention registration shall be awarded to the first 20 Junior or Octagon Clubs built during 2012-2013. The Club shall determine who shall utilize the convention registration as the Club’s representative.**
*All dues and fees must be paid in full by September 30, 2013 in order to qualify.
**All dues and fees must be paid in full by July 1, 2013 in order to qualify.
Update to 2012-13 CCDHH Theme
After hearing from several members who work closely with the deaf and hard of hearing community, Optimist International will now allow a new CCDHH topic as an acceptable revision to the current topic. Both topics will be accepted for the 2012-2013 CCDHH Contest only. This will not affect the Oratorical Contest in any way.
The current topic is “Why My Voice is Important.” Also acceptable is “Why My Opinions are Important.”
Promote Your Club's Website
If your Club has a website, please make sure Optimist International knows about it. The organization would like to have links to all Club websites. This helps active Members as well as potential Members in your area.
To find out if your Club's website has been reported, look under "Members" and click on "Club/District directory." Find your District name, your Zone and then look for your Club's name and number. If your website has been reported, there will be a house icon next to the Club's name.
If you would like to report your Club's website, please send the information to communications@optimist.org.
E-mail Box Assistance
If you wish to change your e-mail password, just go to "Account Options" and then "Change Password." You will need to enter the old password once and your new password twice and then click "Save."
Lose your password?
There is a password recovery function on the logon page on optimistleaders.org Members can enter their personal e-mail address and request a password for the Optimist leaders website and Optimistmail.
As long as your personal e-mail address is registered with Optimist International, a password e-mail can be sent to you.
Connect with Optimists
Please join Optimist International on Facebook by liking the page at: www.facebook.com/optimist.international.
Stop by and share what’s happening in your Club or send a positive message across the organization. We hope to hear from you soon.
Renew Your Friends Today
Friends of Optimists have an annual renewal type membership based on the particular date that Friend joined. Maintaining a relationship with your Friends over the course of the year is important to communicating why their support assists your Club in “bringing out the best in kids” in your local community.
Connecting to Friends by newsletter, telephone call or participation in a service project will develop a relationship beyond handing over a check. Your Friends support your Club, and they most likely want to continue that support. It’s easier for them to do that if you show them why.
In the next couple of months, nearly 800 Friends will want to renew their membership with your Club. Make that process convenient for them: arrange for a meeting and buy them a coffee. Ask them to join your Club in a service project. Show them you appreciate their support.
Friends are called Friends for a reason. The language of friendship is not words, but meanings. Create meanings out of your Friends. Renew your Friends today!
Become a Friend of Optimists
Individuals, businesses or organizations can show their support of Optimist International by becoming a Friends of Optimists. Friend Members receive The Optimist magazine and a Friend of Optimists window decal they can display in their car or store front window. Sign up to become a Friend of Optimist online.
Thanks to all Optimists for the feedback, and please keep the questions and comments coming! Just e-mail communications@optimist.org.
|
