New Member Orientation

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New Member Orientation
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Stuff you should know about Optimism, but nobody
told you
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YOU ARE NOW PART OF

• Your Optimist Club
• Your Clubs Zone
• The South Texas District
• Our Region
• Optimist International

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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

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HISTORY OFOPTIMIST 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

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HISTORY OFOPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

• The first Optimist Clubs started day camps and
  homes for delinquent youth, organized fatherson
  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

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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

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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 ones self in
  service to others will advance the well-being of
  humankind, community life and the world

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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 Zones 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

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DISTRICT OFFICERSEXECUTIVE 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 (2nd year)
• Governor-Elect

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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

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

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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

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OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

• Optimist Internationals 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

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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

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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

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RECOGNITION
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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)

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Presence on the Internet

• Optimist International Web Site
• www.optimist.org
• Optimist Leaders Online
• www.optimistleaders.org
• Optimist Supplies
• www.optimiststuff.com
• South Texas District
• www.STxD.org
• Club Web Sites

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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

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

• NEW MEMBERS 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 clubs officers and committee chairs.
• I have volunteered to serve on a committee.
• I know when and where my clubs board of
  directors meets.
• I know when and where the next District meeting
  will be held.
• I know the background of Optimist International

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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?
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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

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VOLUNTEER