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Message from:
Rebecca Butler Mona 2018-2019 International President
I’m deeply honored and truly thrilled to be teaming with you during our
2018-19 Optimist International Centennial Year! It is so exciting for us to have
the opportunity to serve during this unique and important milestone of our 100th anniversary. We have the chance to celebrate our history, while we also convey our enthusiasm for our future. I believe that who we are and what we do as Optimists are needed now more than ever.
Our Centennial Theme is “Bringing Out the Best into the Next Century” – recognizing that this is not only about celebrating our past 100 years of service, but even more importantly, it’s about the positive impact our Optimist Clubs continue to have today and going forward. We have 4 simple goals for our year together:
Growth: Expand the impact of Optimist International through growth in members and clubs
Engagement / Training: Strengthen Optimist Clubs and members through effective involvement and leadership development
Marketing: Raise the profile of Optimist International and Optimist Clubs both internally and externally
Financial Strength: Ensure sound financial budget management (expenses and revenue) and reduce reliance on club / member dues to support priorities.
My personal theme for the year is “Promise Yourself” – and I hope that resonates with each of us not only with our Optimist Creed, but with the commitment we each make to bring our own personal best to everything we do– to make things better for our clubs, our communities and the young people we serve.
Optimistically, Rebecca Butler – Mona, International President 2018-2019
UPDATE GREETINGS from OI President, Rebecca Butler-Mona:
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The holiday season is upon us and Optimist Clubs everywhere are bustling with action selling Christmas trees, wrapping presents, hosting parties, and all of the other ways Optimists spread holiday cheer. For many Clubs, this time of year is when our efforts are most visible to our communities. This creates an opportunity for Optimist Clubs to display the important work they do, and to share the gift of Optimism by bringing in new Members. Doing so also enables us to expand our service in our communities.
I know each of you share my desire to make this year memorable in “Bringing Out the Best” and celebrating the positive impact of Optimists during our 2018-19 Centennial year, and I appreciate all that you are doing in your community.
Naturally, all Optimist Clubs will lose Members over time due to reasons outside of their control. Some Clubs use the end of the calendar year to “clean up” their rosters by removing Members who may no longer be active. Please make sure you first reach out to those Members to let them know they are missed, and encourage them to join you in upcoming activities of interest to them. If they do decide to leave the Club, please do everything possible to recruit at least one new Member to take their place. This is the only way for your Club to remain strong, viable, and capable of serving children and your community into the future. Consider recruiting two Members to replace one, allowing your Club to grow and expand your projects to help more children. Remember our special “Homecoming” incentive for this year as well: Any former Optimist Member may join your Club for only $30 for the first year (similar to our $30 under 30 and Teacher incentive programs).
There are a number of exciting opportunities this year to help Optimist International celebrate our 100th birthday! You already know how important it is to reach either Honor or Distinguished status each Optimist year. This year, consider striving to become a “Centennial Distinguished Club” – a truly unique distinction. To qualify, you must meet the regular Honor Club requirements, while also being net +10 in membership, build a new adult Club, and make a $100 unrestricted donation to the Foundation. You could be the only “Centennial Distinguished” officers in your Club’s history!
One of the best “deals” of the year is the Centennial “Fast Start” Award. If your Club can build a new adult Club and be net +5 in membership by March 31, 2019, EVERY Member of your Club can register for the Louisville Convention for only $100 (Regular cost is $209).
On behalf of Optimist International, I would like to thank you for everything you do for this organization and the children in your community. Happy Holidays and I hope to see you in Louisville!
Optimistically, Rebecca Butler – Mona, International President 2018-2019
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