New Member OrientationNew Member Orientation

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

YOU ARE NOW YOU ARE NOW PART OFPART OF

Your Optimist ClubYour Optimist Club Your Club’s ZoneYour Club’s Zone

The South Texas DistrictThe South Texas District Our RegionOur Region

Optimist International…Optimist International…

FIRST SOME ACRONYMSFIRST SOME ACRONYMS

OI or O.I. --- Optimist InternationalOI or O.I. --- Optimist International OIF or O.I. Foundations – Optimist OIF or O.I. Foundations – Optimist

International Foundations International Foundations CCDHH --- Communications Contest CCDHH --- Communications Contest

for the Deaf and Hard of Hearingfor the Deaf and Hard of Hearing JOOI – Junior Optimist ClubsJOOI – Junior Optimist Clubs

– Alpha Clubs – Elementary SchoolAlpha Clubs – Elementary School– Junior Optimist Club – Middle SchoolJunior Optimist Club – Middle School– Octagon Club – High School …Octagon Club – High School …

HISTORY OFHISTORY OFOPTIMIST OPTIMIST

INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL

First Club – Optimist Club of Buffalo N.Y. First Club – Optimist Club of Buffalo N.Y. began meeting in 1911began meeting in 1911

Optimist International formed in Louisville, Optimist International formed in Louisville, Kentucky on June 19, 1919 when members Kentucky on June 19, 1919 when members from 11 Optimist Clubs met…from 11 Optimist Clubs met…

The first Optimist Clubs started day camps The first Optimist Clubs started day camps and homes for delinquent youth, and homes for delinquent youth, organized father–son weeks and organized father–son weeks and sponsored Junior Optimist Clubs. These sponsored Junior Optimist Clubs. These projects represented the “signs of the projects represented the “signs of the times” as our projects do today.times” as our projects do today.

In 1912 author Christian D. Larson In 1912 author Christian D. Larson published “Your Forces and How to Use published “Your Forces and How to Use Them”. Within the book was the Them”. Within the book was the Optimist Optimist CreedCreed……

HISTORY OFHISTORY OFOPTIMIST OPTIMIST

INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL

THE OPTIMIST CREEDTHE OPTIMIST CREEDPromise Yourself...Promise Yourself...

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. 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 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 To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the

best. best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your

own. own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements

of the future. of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature

you meet a smile. you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time

to criticize others. to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too

happy to permit the presence of trouble…happy to permit the presence of trouble…

PURPOSES OF PURPOSES OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONALOPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the tenets of the Optimist CreedOptimist Creed;;

To promote an active interest in good government and civic To promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs;affairs;

To inspire respect for the law;To inspire respect for the law; To promote patriotism and work for international accord To promote patriotism and work for international accord

and friendship among all people;and friendship among all people; To aid and encourage the development of youth, in the To aid and encourage the development of youth, in the

belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world…the world…

by providing hope and by providing hope and positive vision, Optimists positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kidsbring out the best in kids

OPTIMIST MISSION/VISION OPTIMIST MISSION/VISION STATEMENTSTATEMENT

FACTOIDFACTOID

The Optimist Fiscal Year is from The Optimist Fiscal Year is from October 1October 1stst to September 30 to September 30thth..

OPTIMIST CLUBSOPTIMIST CLUBS

Clubs formed by people like you and me.Clubs formed by people like you and me. All clubs are a member of Optimist All clubs are a member of Optimist

International.International. Each club operates aEach club operates autonomouslyutonomously.. Clubs do share a lot of likenesses.Clubs do share a lot of likenesses. Clubs meet on a regular schedule.Clubs meet on a regular schedule. In many clubs, little business is conducted In many clubs, little business is conducted

during meetings…during meetings…

CLUB BOARD OF CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORSDIRECTORS

Directors – usually 6, with 3 being elected Directors – usually 6, with 3 being elected each year with a two year termeach year with a two year term

Club PresidentClub President Club Vice Presidents – usually 2Club Vice Presidents – usually 2 Club Secretary/Treasurer (Appointed by the Club Secretary/Treasurer (Appointed by the

President, and approved by the Board)President, and approved by the Board) President Elect – not all clubsPresident Elect – not all clubs Sergeant-at-arms, Chaplain, Parliamentarian Sergeant-at-arms, Chaplain, Parliamentarian

may be appointed…may be appointed…

CLUB COMMITTEESCLUB COMMITTEES (VARY BY CLUB) (VARY BY CLUB)

FellowshipFellowship FinanceFinance Membership (NOW)Membership (NOW) New Club BuildingNew Club Building ProgramsPrograms PublicityPublicity Youth ActivitiesYouth Activities Youth Clubs (JOOI)Youth Clubs (JOOI) Personal Growth (PGI)Personal Growth (PGI) Club BulletinsClub Bulletins O.I. Foundation O.I. Foundation Community ServiceCommunity Service

Childhood Cancer CampaignChildhood Cancer Campaign Oratorical ContestOratorical Contest CCDHHCCDHH Essay ContestEssay Contest Junior Golf ChampionshipJunior Golf Championship Youth SafetyYouth Safety Respect For LawRespect For Law Youth Appreciation WeekYouth Appreciation Week Tri Star SportsTri Star Sports Club ScrapbookClub Scrapbook Club Web Site…Club Web Site…

WHAT DOES THIS COST?WHAT DOES THIS COST?ANNUAL DUES

Optimist International $49.62

South Texas District $16.00

Your Club May include Meal Costs… $?????

FUNDRAISINGFUNDRAISING

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 ZONEYOUR ZONE Consists of several Optimist Clubs in a geographic Consists of several Optimist Clubs in a geographic

area (usually 4 to 6).area (usually 4 to 6). A A Lieutenant GovernorLieutenant Governor, elected by Clubs in the , elected by Clubs in the

Zone at the Third Quarter District Meeting, Zone at the Third Quarter District Meeting, represents the District Governor and Optimist represents the District Governor and Optimist International and is in charge of the Zone.International and is in charge of the Zone.

A Zone’s purpose is to promote better fellowship, A Zone’s purpose is to promote better fellowship, organization, and communications between Clubs organization, and communications between Clubs and between Clubs and the District.and between Clubs and the District.

Zone meetings conducted by the Lt. Governor, Zone meetings conducted by the Lt. Governor, should occur at least each quarter, attended by Club should occur at least each quarter, attended by Club Presidents, Secretary/Treasurers, and interested Club Presidents, Secretary/Treasurers, and interested Club Members. All Optimist meetings are open to all Members. All Optimist meetings are open to all members…members…

DISTRICT OFFICERSDISTRICT OFFICERSEXECUTIVE COMMITTEEEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

GovernorGovernor District Secretary/Treasurer District Secretary/Treasurer

(appointed by Governor, approved by (appointed by Governor, approved by Executive Board)Executive Board)

Lieutenant Governors – elected by Lieutenant Governors – elected by Clubs Presidents in each ZoneClubs Presidents in each Zone

Immediate Past GovernorImmediate Past Governor Past Governor (2Past Governor (2ndnd year) year) Governor-Elect…Governor-Elect…

DISTRICT BOARD OF DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORSDIRECTORS

District Officers (Executive Committee)District Officers (Executive Committee)

Club PresidentsClub Presidents

The Board of Directors is responsible for The Board of Directors is responsible for conducting the business and affairs of the conducting the business and affairs of the District…District…

DISTRICT COMMITTEESDISTRICT COMMITTEES

And more…….And more…….Childhood Cancer CampaignChildhood Cancer Campaign

Youth ClubsYouth ClubsCCDHHCCDHH

Oratorical ContestOratorical ContestActivities (CPA Books)Activities (CPA Books)

Optimist International FoundationOptimist International FoundationActivities & AwardsActivities & Awards

Junior Golf TournamentJunior Golf TournamentPersonal Growth (PGI)Personal Growth (PGI)

FinanceFinanceNew Club BuildingNew Club Building

Essay ContestEssay ContestMembershipMembership

Club ScrapbooksClub ScrapbooksLeadership DevelopmentLeadership Development

Club BulletinsClub BulletinsClub Services & TrackingClub 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 DISTRICT MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONCONVENTION

District MeetingsDistrict Meetings– Open to all OptimistsOpen to all Optimists– Usually held each quarter, with rotating Usually held each quarter, with rotating

locations.locations.– Offer training, workshops and fellowship in Offer training, workshops and fellowship in

addition to business sessions.addition to business sessions. District ConventionDistrict Convention

– Held in the fiscal Fourth QuarterHeld in the fiscal Fourth Quarter– Election for Governor-Elect.Election for Governor-Elect.– Training for incoming Officers…Training for incoming Officers…

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONALOPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL Association of Optimist Clubs in the Unites Association of Optimist Clubs in the Unites

States and its territories, Canada, Russia, States and its territories, Canada, Russia, Jamaica, West Indies, Mexico, Hungary and Jamaica, West Indies, Mexico, Hungary and worldwide including Baghdad, Iraq.worldwide including Baghdad, Iraq.

O.I. begins with Clubs, expands into O.I. begins with Clubs, expands into Zones, Districts and Regions, and then to Zones, Districts and Regions, and then to Optimist International…Optimist International…

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONALOPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL Optimist International’s Board of Directors Optimist International’s Board of Directors

is elected by representatives of Optimist is elected by representatives of Optimist Clubs at the International Convention.Clubs at the International Convention.

The Board includes the President, The Board includes the President, President-Elect, two most recent Past President-Elect, two most recent Past Presidents, 6 at large Board Members, and Presidents, 6 at large Board Members, and 10 Vice Presidents (8 next year). The 10 Vice Presidents (8 next year). The Executive Director and JOOI President are Executive Director and JOOI President are non-voting Board Membersnon-voting Board Members

OI officers visit Optimist District OI officers visit Optimist District meetings…meetings…

O.I. CONVENTIONO.I. CONVENTION Held annually at the end of June or Held annually at the end of June or

beginning of July.beginning of July.

Clubs send delegates to vote for officers Clubs send delegates to vote for officers and O.I. policies.and O.I. policies.

Workshops are provided for District and Workshops are provided for District and Club officers and committee chairs…Club officers and committee chairs…

O.I. FOUNDATIONSO.I. FOUNDATIONS

Separate Foundations for USA and Canada Separate Foundations for USA and Canada to comply with tax laws.to comply with tax laws.

Provide funding for specific international Provide funding for specific international youth-service programs.youth-service programs.

Supported by tax-deductible contributions Supported by tax-deductible contributions from members and clubs.from members and clubs.

$1,000,000 for Childhood Cancer $1,000,000 for Childhood Cancer research…research…

RECOGNITIONRECOGNITION

PERSONAL GROWTH & PERSONAL GROWTH & INVOLVEMENTINVOLVEMENT

10 Levels of recognition.10 Levels of recognition. Promotes Optimism by educating members.Promotes Optimism by educating members. Grows Optimism by adding new members.Grows Optimism by adding new members. A great tool for Club Presidents planning A great tool for Club Presidents planning

meeting programs.meeting programs. This meeting counts as a “Skills Development This meeting counts as a “Skills Development

Module” (Level III & V)…Module” (Level III & V)…

Presence on the InternetPresence on the Internet

Optimist International Web SiteOptimist International Web Site– www.optimist.org

Optimist Leaders OnlineOptimist Leaders Online– www.optimistleaders.org

Optimist SuppliesOptimist Supplies– www.optimiststuff.com

South Texas DistrictSouth Texas District– www.STxD.org

Club Web SitesClub Web Sites

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

I JOINED AN OPTIMIST I JOINED AN OPTIMIST CLUB, NOW WHAT DO I CLUB, NOW WHAT DO I

DO?DO?NEW MEMBER’S CHECKLISTNEW MEMBER’S CHECKLIST

I have a schedule of upcoming club activities.I have a schedule of upcoming club activities. I have begun to receive the I have begun to receive the Optimist MagazineOptimist Magazine.. I have a list of the names and telephone numbers I have a list of the names and telephone numbers

of my club’s officers and committee chairs.of my club’s officers and committee chairs. I have volunteered to serve on a committee.I have volunteered to serve on a committee. I know when and where my club’s board of I know when and where my club’s board of

directors meets.directors meets. I know when and where the next District meeting I know when and where the next District meeting

will be held.will be held. I know the background of Optimist International…I know the background of Optimist International…

NEW MEMBER’S CHECKLISTNEW MEMBER’S CHECKLIST I have a schedule of upcoming club activities.I have a schedule of upcoming club activities. I have begun to receive the I have begun to receive the Optimist MagazineOptimist Magazine.. I have a list of the names and telephone numbers I have a list of the names and telephone numbers

of my club’s officers and committee chairs.of my club’s officers and committee chairs. I have volunteered to serve on a committee.I have volunteered to serve on a committee. I know when and where my club’s board of I know when and where my club’s board of

directors meets.directors meets. I know when and where the next District meeting I know when and where the next District meeting

will be held.will be held. I know the background of Optimist International…I know the background of Optimist International…

YOU ARE AN EXPERTYOU ARE AN EXPERT We all join an Optimist Club for a reason.We all join an Optimist Club for a reason. You You are the expert on are the expert on YOUYOU.. Make a list:Make a list:

MY TALENTS/INTERESTSMY TALENTS/INTERESTS HOW WILL THEY HELP MY HOW WILL THEY HELP MY CLUB?CLUB?

11

22

33

YOU ARE AN EXPERTYOU ARE AN EXPERT

Use your talents to help achieve our Use your talents to help achieve our mission/vision statement – mission/vision statement –

– by providing hope and positive by providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best vision, Optimists bring out the best in kidsin kids

VOLUNTEVOLUNTEERER