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Criminal Background, Public Records Checks for Officer Candidates and Credit Checks for President-Elect Candidates      (Jun 2026)
I-138
Governance Reviewed N/A


Optimist International Policy I-138

Criminal Background, Public Records Checks for Officer Candidates and Credit Reports for President-Elect Candidates

1. Scope

This policy applies to all candidates and appointees being considered for International Office, including President-Elect, Vice President-Elect, and Director of the International Board of Directors.

2. Policy

Optimist International (OI) shall require any candidate or appointee being considered for International Office to authorize appropriate criminal history background checks and public records checks as part of the eligibility criteria to hold that office.

OI shall also require any candidate for the office of President-Elect to authorize a credit check as part of the eligibility criteria to hold that office.

A candidate or appointee must receive a clear background check before being eligible for election or appointment to a covered office. A clear background check means that the review confirms that no convictions or felony records apply to the individual.

3. Confidentiality

All reports shall be secured confidentially by the Executive Director.

An individual may receive a copy of his/her background check and/or public records check by submitting a written request to the Executive Director.

The Candidate Qualifications (CQ) Committee may use this information in its deliberations.

The Executive Director and CQ Committee shall maintain the highest level of confidentiality in such matters.

4. Validity Period

Background and public records checks are valid for two years.

Any person covered by this policy who has not had a clear criminal history background check conducted and verified by Optimist International (OI) within the previous two years shall be subject to a new background check.

5. Convictions/Findings

Any felony criminal conviction disqualifies a candidate for further consideration for the leadership position. Misdemeanor convictions may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Executive Director and President. The candidate may be provided an opportunity for explanation. The Executive Director and President will have the final decision whether to forward the candidate to the Candidate Qualifications committee for further consideration.

6. Procedures

Candidates for International Office shall be asked to return completed forms within fourteen (14) days authorizing a criminal background check and public records check. After the authorization forms are received at International Headquarters in the office of the Executive Director, the following procedures shall apply: In the United States, OI recognizes only the criminal history background check and public records check as valid for purposes of this policy.

  • The Executive Assistant to the Executive Director shall prepare the necessary paperwork for payment and request the check to determine eligibility.
  • Canadian and Caribbean candidates shall secure their own checks and submit original copies to the Executive Director. OI shall issue a letter of request to the individual requesting the appropriate checks, who will take it to their local law enforcement agency for completion.
  • Candidates from other countries shall follow local laws and procedures when securing background and public records checks and shall notify the Executive Director of the procedure used.
  • Failure to return the completed report to the Executive Director shall result in forfeiture of the candidate’s nomination for office.
  • Completed background and public records checks shall be received by the Executive Director and the results, noted as clear or not clear only, forwarded to the CQ Committee Chair.
  • Any areas of concern with the candidate may provide an opportunity for the Executive Director to discuss those concerns with the candidate and provide wise and appropriate counsel regarding the implications of the information in the best interests of OI.
  • Reports shall be filed electronically in password-protected folders by the Executive Director.

7. Credit Checks for President-Elect Candidates

OI shall require any candidate for the office of President-Elect to authorize a current credit report for review.

The Executive Director shall review the credit reports of finalists and nominees for President-Elect, note any areas of concern, and notify the CQ Committee Chair of those concerns.

8. Use of Credit Report Information

Information contained in credit reports shall be considered in conjunction with all relevant information and factors considered by the CQ Committee in its review and deliberations.

The Executive Director shall notify the individual of any concerns resulting from the credit report.

Governance Review and Board Approval

Governance Review: May 2026

Board Approved: (Jul 2012, Dec 2013, Jul 2014, Apr 2016, Nov 2023)



( Jul 2012, Dec 2013, Jul 2014, Apr 2016, Jun 2026 )