Rising Together In Optimism!
ZOOMING AROUND THE DISTRICTS
Lively, Interactive Conversations
Join us every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. starting Oct. 14 for casual conversation usually centered around a topic, but not limited to that topic. Since this is a live Zoom meeting, you will be able to chime right in! Take some time to chat with your fellow Optimists, share ideas, and even brag about events and service projects.
January 6: NOW Programs
January 13: Recruitment in the time of COVID
January 20: Special Needs Clubs
January 27: Club within a Club
Register in advance for this meeting (Required):
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqdu-rqjspHdNeXanLBnu6zXEcuUeYXQaP
It only requires folks to register once and is set up to happen every Wednesday until September 30, 2021.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
See you Wednesday evening!
EMO 2nd Quarter Conference Will Be Totally Virtual!
Registration Details Will Follow
After consulting with the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, the decision has been made to have an online, virtual only conference. This is out of an abundance of caution over the Covid situation.
Stay tuned for conference details.
Notes From Our 1stQuarter Conference
Mark Weinsoff, OI International President, Inspires with OPERA
We were so happy to welcome Mark Weinsoff as our luncheon keynote speaker. He is focusing on wellbeing - for us and our clubs. He says we need OPERA.
O - optimism, hope, gratitude, & positive intent
P - purpose, make the world a better place and feel good doing it
E - engagement, with members & friends
R - relationships, positive relationships nourish us and our clubs
A - accomplishment & recognition
Faith Barnes with Hope Alliance, the foundation that operates the Rolla Friday Backpack program, inspired us with why she started the program. It is designed to send food home with children so they will have something to eat over the weekend. Our community service project at the conference was to provide snack crackers for this project.
We also had engaging sessions on several topics - Member Retention, presented by Mike Boles; Google Tools, presented by Kurt Warner; OI Leaders Website, presented by Lauren Dell; Free Zoom Account, presented by Mary Hatfield; OI Community Activities, presented by Governor Liz Christman; and Special Needs Clubs, presented by Governor Liz Christman.
Even though the in person attendance was limited due to Covid-19 restrictions, everyone had the opportunity to participate via Zoom. Marc Katz, member of the Optimist International Foundation Board of Directors, did just that and we're glad he joined in!
EMO member wins Making a Difference 2019-2020 Incentive for Middle America Region!
Twin City Area Optimist member, Peggy Scott, designed The Leader Art Science Challenge that made a difference in our community and has been recognized by Optimist International to be one of 8 winners internationally as someone who best brings light to the idea of Making a Difference!
Congratulations Peggy Scott and Twin City Area Optimist Club!
New Optimist International 2020-2021 Officers
EMO Gov. Liz Christman (L) & Mid America VP Theresa Evans (C) at OI Virtual Convention 2020
Big News
You Can Now Use the LMS, Plus Free Access for Club Officers
Dear Optimist International Leader,
The launch of the new Learning Management System was a big step forward for Optimist International to improve the way we provide training materials to Clubs. In the weeks since the launch, we have shared your comments with President Adrian Elcock. He wants you to know that we appreciate your positive response. Based on your feedback we have re-iMagined our roll-out plan.
Many Clubs shared that they would prefer individual accounts rather than a shared Club account. We are now giving each Club four FREE licenses to the system. These licenses are reserved for the Club President, Club President-Elect, Club Secretary Treasurer, and Club Foundation Representative (this will be updated every year for the new person in each role). When your Club signs up for the new license, we will remove permission for the current generic Club account.
In addition, we are pleased to announce we will also offer all Optimist members a chance to purchase a license for $6 USD per year per member. If your Club would like to pay for members, please contact michelle.turner@optimist.org.
With everyone having the opportunity to be in the system, we will be able to track each member’s progress as they complete courses. Past officers will have the option to renew their account each year for the same fee.
Please see the attached documents with instructions on how to log in for the free membership and how members can register. Please note that promo codes are located at the bottom.
Thank you,
Michelle Turner
LMS Administrator
michelle.turner@optimist.org
Click on the links below or go to the Resources tab above to download the registration instructions.
Lister Florence - Regional VP To Be
CONGRATULATIONS to Region 4 Middle America Vice President-Elect – Lister Florence (Rolla Optimist Club)
EMO 2020-2021 Calendar
October 2020
Lt. Gov. plan your Zone meetings for the year and send dates to Gov. Liz Christman; assist clubs with Optimist Club Goal Setting Plans
October 1- Clubs pay dues to OI and EMO
Clubs send your required club chair registrations to OI & OIF
REEL Optimism dates to be determined by OI
October 23-24 1st Quarter District Conference, Comfort Suites, Rolla, MO
November 2020
Happy Thanksgiving
December 2020
Happy Holidays
January 2021
January 1 Clubs pay dues to OI
Happy New Year!
February 2021
February 14 Happy Valentine’s Day
February 15 Clubs Form 990 due to IRS
February 26-27 2nd Quarter Conference will be totally online
February 28 Clubs Winning Essays due to District Essay Chair, Angelia Bunch
March 2021
Happy St. Patrick's Day
April 2021
April 1 Clubs pay dues to OI & EMO
April 4 Happy Easter
April 15 Deadline District Essay winner packages to OI
Zone Oratorical date will be announced by District Oratorical Chair Karl Tyminiski
April 30 - May 1 3rd Quarter Conference, Drury Inn and Suites, St. Louis Forest Park, St. Louis, MO
May 2021
May 1 District Oratorical and CCDHH Contests
May 1 District Essay Contest Winner presentation
May 1 Election of Lt. Gov.-Elects and nominations for Governor-Elect 2021-2022
May 15 Deadline District Oratorical and CCDHH winner packages to OI
May 20 Club Officer Elect Report and OIF Representative due to OI
June 2021
June 29 - July 3 Optimist International Convention, Atlanta, GA
July 2021
July 1 Clubs pay dues to OI
July TBD OI Regional and World Oratorical Contest at St. Louis University
August 2021
August 13-15 District Convention, Drury Plaza Hotel, Cape Girardeau, MO
Election Governor-Elect 2021-20212
August 30 Club Annual Registration Report due to MO Secretary of State
Deadline Club President’s Citation information to OI
September 2021
September 30, 2020 Deadline Club Pride Report to OI
