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There is an inexplicable tie between
programs and membership
 People want to be involved with positive causes
 People want to be involved with known causes
 People want to know their time is respected and
valued
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No discernible programs
The club is defined by one single program
that isn’t appealing to all
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Too many programs
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Programs not relevant to the community
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Meetings are not enjoyable
◦ Yes – meetings are a club program!
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Take a look at your programs
◦ Do they invite a diverse population to participate?
◦ Do they rely too heavily on fund raising?
◦ Are they labor intensive?
◦ Is there a mix of adult and children’s activities?
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Take a look at your meeting
◦ Do outsiders feel welcome?
◦ Is it dominated by personality or potential?
◦ Is there meaningful conversation or networking
time?
◦ Is there a program to help your members learn and
grow as involved citizens?
◦ Is it fun?
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New ideas
More projects
Better programs
More money
More friends
More resources for
getting things done
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More fellowship
New leaders
Club achievement
Increased sense of pride
Provide more service to
more kids
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 Participate
 Enjoy
 Promote
 Enlist
 Retain
Club
maintenance
reminder
Complete the
CRA
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Our brand is enhanced when our Optimist
Clubs participate in the same programs
Flagship Ideas
◦ Childhood Cancer Campaign
◦ The Optimist (formerly OIJGC) Optimist
International Golf Championships
◦ JOOI – Junior Optimist Octagon International
 Presentation from Gay Enyeart, Past Governor and JOOI
Chair for 2008-2009
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Scholarship Programs have been funded by
Optimist International Foundations
◦ Optimist Essay Contest
◦ Optimist Oratorical Contest
◦ Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing
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Publications and promotions are funded by the
Optimist International Foundations
◦ Respect for Law
◦ Youth Appreciation
◦ Safety Awareness
◦ Tri-Star Sports
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Optimist International has selected these
programs because they have a universal
appeal and speak to the purposes of Optimist
Clubs
Doesn’t it make sense to use the tools that
Optimist International gives us?
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What program does your club struggle with?
 Discuss ways to make the current program
contemporary and appealing to the students in your
community
 How can you share these ideas with the clubs in your
zone?
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No one knows what your club is doing until
you tell them about it
You have an unique opportunity as club
president to help spread the word
After all, we’ve already learned that
communication is the key to success
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Let’s use a few examples from our
introductions
Brainstorm the best way to get the word out
in your community about these great projects
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Visit www.newoptimistclub.com and click on
the “Tell Your Story” link to get great ideas
for:
Writing newsletters
Starting a blog
The Elevator Speech
Communicating with
others
Writing press
releases
Choosing a
spokesperson
Networking
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Ed Murphy
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New Club Building
◦ Lets you share why you are an Optimist
with a whole new group of people.
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Forming a new club in a new community is one of
the most rewarding community service projects
that you will ever perform
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You’ll revisit the reasons that you participate
in your club and build your enthusiasm along
the way.
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To meet the needs of
growing communities
To provide service
Reach more kids
Betterment of
community
New enthusiasm in
area
Benefit to new club area
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New friends
Fellowship
Business Contacts
Build the roster of
your own club
Awards
Brand recognition
Benefit to existing club
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The member that wants to do just a little bit
more
The lieutenant governor of the zone where
the club is being formed
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The District New Club Building Chair
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The Governor
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Get help
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Optimist International Web Site
newoptimistclub.com Web site
Past governors
Past new club building chairs
Former new club builders
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Attend a new club building workshop
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Follow the directions
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Setting goals is important for personal
accomplishment.
Goals should SMART
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Strategic
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely
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Our Awards program reflect worthwhile goals.
Let’s take a look at what Peter hopes we will
accomplish
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10 new clubs between June 1, 2008 and Sept.
30, 2009
At least 6 of those clubs between Oct. 1,
2008 and Sept. 30, 2009
Total membership growth of 5% (net 100 new
members)
1.
2.
Membership: Net increase of 5 members;
(net increase 1 new member for clubs with
>75 members).
Finances: All District and international dues
paid by September 30, 2009.
3.
4.
5.
Service Projects: A minimum of 3 service
projects completed AND at least one CPA
entry (Community Service or Fundraising).
Club Reports: Officer-Elect Report by 20
May, 2009 AND President’s Pride Report
by 30 September, 2009.
Attendance: Club President or designate
attends 50% of District Meetings.
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Alternate A – New Club Building
Sponsor or co-sponsor a new Optimist club
with a minimum of 25 fully paid Charter
Members
AND
Complete the New Club follow-up program.
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Alternate B – Membership
Club of 25 or more members on Oct 1: NET
increase of 25 by Sept. 30
OR
Club of <25 members: net increase at least
15 members with at least 25 members
enrolled in the club on Sept. 30.
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Alternate C – JOOI Club Sponsorship +
Membership
Part 1: Sponsor a new Junior Optimist, Alpha
or Octagon club with 15 members; complete
follow-up program by Nov. 30, 2009
Part 2 The Sponsor club shows a net increase
of 15 members by Sept. 30
1.
2.
3.
Attend at least 3 District Executive
Meetings (attendance at a 2nd Quarter
Regional Meeting counts).
Complete the Annual Club Planning
Conference Report for EVERY club in the
Zone.
Zone shows a net membership increase
of 5%.
4.
5.
One new club in zone OR 100% Clubs in
zone attain Honor Club.
Hold at least 3 Zone Meetings and SUBMIT
reports to District Secretary-Treasurer.
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Write down some goals for determining a
direction for your year as Club President.
Think about:
◦ How many members will your club add?
◦ How many service projects will your club perform?
◦ How much money will your club raise?
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Then ask yourself:
◦ How will we do it?
TIP:
SETTLE FOR
NOTHING
LESS THAN
HONOR CLUB
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Optimist Leaders Online
http://www.optimistleaders.org/default.cfm?
vp=sitemap.htm#leadership
Optimists Serve their Community
http://newoptimistclub.com
Optimist International
http://www.optimist.org
PNW District http://www.pnwdistrict.org
PNW District Blog
http://www.pnwdistrictoptimist.blogspot.com
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Linda Jackson
208.861.2310
[email protected]
[email protected]
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