Policy I-104 — Community Involvement Expo & Annual Convention

Community Involvement Expo

The Community Involvement Expo will be open to all Optimist Members and the public with no charge for admittance. All vendors shall be able to sell on the exhibit floor.

Exhibits in the Community Involvement Expo should include but not limited to:

• Commercial enterprises in the business of fund-raising, community service and club projects as approved by the Executive Director.
• Board endorsed not-for-profit organizations.
• OI sponsors, partnerships, committees, and Foundations.
• Local area businesses.

Optimist Club exhibits shall be open to youth and community service projects and must be consistent with the philosophy of Optimist International (OI). All Club exhibits must be approved in advance by the International Community Action Committee.

Annual Convention Meeting

Letter of Intent

Cities or organizations (e.g. Convention & Visitors Bureaus) may exhibit interest through responding to a request for proposal prepared and distributed by OI Headquarters. Cities or organizations desiring to bid for the Annual Convention can submit a letter of intent to the Executive Director and/or Senior Director of Marketing, Communications, Meeting Services at least one year preceding the June/July Board meeting at which said bid shall be awarded.

Standardized bid and convention center/hotel requirements shall be developed and distributed by the International Headquarters. Inspections shall be conducted and concluded within two-three (2-3) months preceding the June/July Board of Directors meeting at which said bid shall be approved.

Request for Proposal (RFP)

OI shall distribute a RFP to all selected and/or interested eligible cities and organizations at least one year preceding the June/July Board meeting at which said bid shall be awarded.

The bidding criteria shall include, without limitations, suitability of facilities, transportation, venues and recreational opportunities. Bidding cities and organizations then must answer each question and provide all information requested on the RFP to be considered. Cities will be awarded a commitment contract no less than two years and no more than four years prior to the convention year in question.

Bid Activities

The RFP shall, among other issues, determine the extent of financial support the city and local businesses will provide in defraying expenses of the Annual Convention. Specifications shall include any mandatory requirements for participation by a bidding city or organization. A completed proposal must be received no later than five (5) months preceding the June/July Board meeting at which said bid shall be awarded.

Promotional activities for the bidding cities and organizations shall be as follows:

• All bidding cities and organizations shall host the Site Inspection Team at no cost to OI.
• Bidding cities and organizations shall arrange for an inspection of all facilities within 48 hours on site.
• Based upon cost to delegates and other relevant factors, recommendations will be made to the Board of Directors at the June/July Board meeting.
• Additional rules on bidding procedures may be promulgated by the OI Headquarters, subject to the approval of the Board.
• The Site Inspection Team shall be composed of the Chairman of the Convention Committee, the Executive Director and/or Senior Director of Marketing, Communications, Meeting Services and other qualified Optimist member as may be designated by the President.

Statement of Rules and Regulations

Bidding cities and organizations shall submit to the Senior Director of Marketing, Communication and Conventions a written statement of any state or local rules, regulations or laws then in effect, or which will become effective before the Annual Convention which is the subject of the bid, which are more restrictive than the rules of the Annual Convention conduct specified in OI policies or bid specifications.

Guarantee of Room Accommodations and Facilities

No bid shall be accepted unless the bidding city or organization can guarantee accommodations during the week specified in its bid at the rates required by OI. The bidding city shall not change the time specified or the accommodations cost in said bid for the Annual Convention without the approval and consent of the Board.

Annual Convention sites shall be awarded upon the guarantee of the bidding city that meeting and housing facilities are adequate, available and the rates for housing are as indicated and established by agreement with local housing facility owners.

Facilities, Requirements

In order to be qualified the bidding city or organizations shall have written evidence of confirmed facilities, including but not limited to the following:

• An air-conditioned facility capable of seating the projected number of delegates.
• An enclosed facility with adequate floor space suitable for meals.
• An adequate number of full-serve hotel rooms within a two (2) block radius of the convention center (or farther with transportation provided).
• The Board shall approve the recommendation of the Site Inspection Team as to adequacy.

Program

With input from the Convention Committee, the approval of convention program content and the securing of speakers at the Annual Meeting shall be the responsibility of the President and Executive Director.

Fiscal

To the extent possible, all expenditures for the account of OI at the Annual Convention should be covered by registration fees and shall be authorized by the Executive Director. The convention budget is to be reviewed by the Audit & Finance Committee monthly.

Registration; Room Reservation

Annual Convention registration shall be handled by OI. All advance registration forms and monies shall be payable to and addressed in the name of OI. International Convention registration fees are stated in U.S. dollars.

Refund and cancellation rules, misplaced ticket procedures, and Visa-related provisions apply as detailed in the policy.

Prohibition Regarding Souvenir Program

A host city and/or District and/or Club for an Annual Convention shall not contract with any outside group or agency or individual for solicitation of advertising or sponsorship without prior approval from the Executive Director.

Raffles

No raffles or similar money-making endeavors shall be permitted at any Annual Convention, except those sponsored by OI and approved by the Board.

Concessions

All concessions for the Annual Convention and other OI special events shall be operated only by OI or contracted to an outside vendor with approval of the Board. No alcoholic beverages will be sold during business sessions in the Annual Convention hall.

Delegates Registration List

The mailing or contact information list will not be made available to anyone unless authorized by the Board. A list of attendees (first and last names by District) will be available on the convention page at optimist.org for promotional purposes.

International Coordinators

International Coordinators, appointed by the Host Area Chair, shall perform services necessary to fulfill the official convention program. They may not commit, guarantee or contract any activity.

Convention Protocol

The International Convention Committee shall maintain and annually review a list of convention protocol. Raffles, sales of merchandise and other fund-raising activities will not be conducted for the benefit of individuals, Clubs, Zones or Districts at the International Convention.

Leadership Development

The Leadership Development Committee develops and provides training in three areas:

1. Leadership Roles: Governors, Governors-Elect, District Secretary-Treasurers-Designate, Lt. Governors-Elect, Club Presidents-Elect, Club Secretary-Treasurers-Designate, District Growth, Leadership Development, Marketing and Member Engagement Chairs.
2. Workshops on Expanding Optimism: New Club Building, Membership, Make meetings fun, Member Appreciation Program, Scholarship Contest workshops, and others as approved.
3. Leadership & Personal Development Training: Optimist Leadership Academy, PGI/PDP, and other workshops as approved.

Board Approved: (Mar 1992, Jul 1994, Mar 1995, Dec 1996, Dec 1998, Nov 2000, Mar 2004, Dec 2005, Mar 2014, Apr 2015, Dec 2015, Apr 2016, Dec 2017, May 2025)