In conjunction with the Officer Job Descriptions as outlined in Board Policy ID-28, the following titles as noted in the Bylaws shall be delineated and defined:
As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the International President shall be the official spokesperson for the organization and shall coordinate with the Board of Directors (the Board) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) the implementation of policies to achieve membership growth and service to Optimist International (OI) and its Clubs. The President will report and bring issues to the Board.
As the COO and Secretary/Treasurer, the Executive Director shall be the administrative and operations officer responsible for the day-to-day operation of the business affairs of OI. The Executive Director shall ensure that the policies adopted by the Board are implemented and appropriately carried out by the OI staff. The Executive Director shall also ensure that the business affairs of OI are performed within the budget established by the Board. The COO will report to the Board and President. All employees and paid staff of OI are under the management and direction of the Executive Director. Only the Executive Director has the authority to hire and terminate staff.
If the Executive Director of OI cannot fulfill their duties, the Executive Director of the Optimist International Foundation (OIF) would become the interim Executive Director of OI. Conversely, if the Executive Director of the OIF cannot fulfill their duties, the Executive Director of OI shall become the Interim Executive Director of the OIF. A Search Committee will be formed no later than the next regularly scheduled Board meeting to engage a permanent Executive Director.
The Board will set the mission, vision, and direction of the organization by establishing the policies to achieve those goals. The Board will coordinate with the President and COO to successfully implement the policies, goals, and strategies of OI.