New Member Orientation

Stuff you should know about Optimism, but nobody told you…

YOU ARE NOW PART OF  Your Optimist Club  Your Club’s Zone  The South Texas District  Our Region  Optimist International…

FIRST SOME ACRONYMS  OI or O.I. --- Optimist International  OIF or O.I. Foundations – Optimist International Foundations  CCDHH --- Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing  JOOI – Junior Optimist Clubs –Alpha Clubs – Elementary School –Junior Optimist Club – Middle School –Octagon Club – High School …

HISTORY OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL  First Club – Optimist Club of Buffalo N.Y. began meeting in 1911  Optimist International formed in Louisville, Kentucky on June 19, 1919 when members from 11 Optimist Clubs met…

 The first Optimist Clubs started day camps and homes for delinquent youth, organized father–son weeks and sponsored Junior Optimist Clubs. These projects represented the “signs of the times” as our projects do today.  In 1912 author Christian D. Larson published “Your Forces and How to Use Them”. Within the book was the Optimist Creed… HISTORY OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

THE OPTIMIST CREED Promise Yourself... To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble…

PURPOSES OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL  To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed;  To promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs;  To inspire respect for the law;  To promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people;  To aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world…

by providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids OPTIMIST MISSION/VISION STATEMENT

FACTOID The Optimist Fiscal Year is from October 1 st to September 30 th.

OPTIMIST CLUBS  Clubs formed by people like you and me.  All clubs are a member of Optimist International.  Each club operates autonomously.  Clubs do share a lot of likenesses.  Clubs meet on a regular schedule.  In many clubs, little business is conducted during meetings…

CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS  Directors – usually 6, with 3 being elected each year with a two year term  Club President  Club Vice Presidents – usually 2  Club Secretary/Treasurer (Appointed by the President, and approved by the Board)  President Elect – not all clubs  Sergeant-at-arms, Chaplain, Parliamentarian may be appointed…

CLUB COMMITTEES (VARY BY CLUB)  Fellowship  Finance  Membership (NOW)  New Club Building  Programs  Publicity  Youth Activities  Youth Clubs (JOOI)  Personal Growth (PGI)  Club Bulletins  O.I. Foundation  Community Service  Childhood Cancer Campaign  Oratorical Contest  CCDHH  Essay Contest  Junior Golf Championship  Youth Safety  Respect For Law  Youth Appreciation Week  Tri Star Sports  Club Scrapbook  Club Web Site…

WHAT DOES THIS COST? ANNUAL DUES Optimist International $49.62 South Texas District $16.00 Your Club May include Meal Costs… $?????

FUNDRAISING   For most clubs, funds resulting from fundraising activities are kept in a separate bank account than funds from dues. These funds are only used for activities involving kids, unless a disclaimer is included with fundraising materials…

YOUR ZONE  Consists of several Optimist Clubs in a geographic area (usually 4 to 6).  A Lieutenant Governor, elected by Clubs in the Zone at the Third Quarter District Meeting, represents the District Governor and Optimist International and is in charge of the Zone.  A Zone’s purpose is to promote better fellowship, organization, and communications between Clubs and between Clubs and the District.  Zone meetings conducted by the Lt. Governor, should occur at least each quarter, attended by Club Presidents, Secretary/Treasurers, and interested Club Members. All Optimist meetings are open to all members…

DISTRICT OFFICERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE  Governor  District Secretary/Treasurer (appointed by Governor, approved by Executive Board)  Lieutenant Governors – elected by Clubs Presidents in each Zone  Immediate Past Governor  Past Governor (2 nd year)  Governor-Elect…

DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS District Officers (Executive Committee) Club Presidents The Board of Directors is responsible for conducting the business and affairs of the District…

DISTRICT COMMITTEES And more……. Childhood Cancer Campaign Youth Clubs CCDHH Oratorical Contest Activities (CPA Books) Optimist International Foundation Activities & Awards Junior Golf Tournament Personal Growth (PGI) Finance New Club Building Essay Contest Membership Club Scrapbooks Leadership Development Club Bulletins Club Services & Tracking District Leaders and District Chairpersons are there to assist YOU and your Club. They have knowledge and experience. CALL ON THEM…

DISTRICT MEETINGS AND CONVENTION  District Meetings –Open to all Optimists –Usually held each quarter, with rotating locations. –Offer training, workshops and fellowship in addition to business sessions.  District Convention –Held in the fiscal Fourth Quarter –Election for Governor-Elect. –Training for incoming Officers…

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL  Association of Optimist Clubs in the Unites States and its territories, Canada, Russia, Jamaica, West Indies, Mexico, Hungary and worldwide including Baghdad, Iraq.  O.I. begins with Clubs, expands into Zones, Districts and Regions, and then to Optimist International…

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL  Optimist International’s Board of Directors is elected by representatives of Optimist Clubs at the International Convention.  The Board includes the President, President-Elect, two most recent Past Presidents, 6 at large Board Members, and 10 Vice Presidents (8 next year). The Executive Director and JOOI President are non-voting Board Members  OI officers visit Optimist District meetings…

O.I. CONVENTION  Held annually at the end of June or beginning of July.  Clubs send delegates to vote for officers and O.I. policies.  Workshops are provided for District and Club officers and committee chairs…

O.I. FOUNDATIONS  Separate Foundations for USA and Canada to comply with tax laws.  Provide funding for specific international youth-service programs.  Supported by tax-deductible contributions from members and clubs.  $1,000,000 for Childhood Cancer research…

RECOGNITION

PERSONAL GROWTH & INVOLVEMENT  10 Levels of recognition.  Promotes Optimism by educating members.  Grows Optimism by adding new members.  A great tool for Club Presidents planning meeting programs.  This meeting counts as a “Skills Development Module” (Level III & V)…

Presence on the Internet  Optimist International Web Site –  Optimist Leaders Online –  Optimist Supplies –  South Texas District –  Club Web Sites

AN EFFECTIVE MEMBER  Attends Meetings  Volunteers for Projects  Joins a Committee  Wears the Optimist Pin.  Reads the Optimist Magazine.  Pays their dues on time.  Asks Questions.  Tells others…

I JOINED AN OPTIMIST CLUB, NOW WHAT DO I DO? NEW MEMBER’S CHECKLIST  I have a schedule of upcoming club activities.  I have begun to receive the Optimist Magazine.  I have a list of the names and telephone numbers of my club’s officers and committee chairs.  I have volunteered to serve on a committee.  I know when and where my club’s board of directors meets.  I know when and where the next District meeting will be held.  I know the background of Optimist International… NEW MEMBER’S CHECKLIST  I have a schedule of upcoming club activities.  I have begun to receive the Optimist Magazine.  I have a list of the names and telephone numbers of my club’s officers and committee chairs.  I have volunteered to serve on a committee.  I know when and where my club’s board of directors meets.  I know when and where the next District meeting will be held.  I know the background of Optimist International…

YOU ARE AN EXPERT  We all join an Optimist Club for a reason.  You are the expert on YOU.  Make a list: MY TALENTS/INTERESTS HOW WILL THEY HELP MY CLUB? 1 2 3

YOU ARE AN EXPERT  Use your talents to help achieve our mission/vision statement – –by providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids

VOLUNTEER