It's e-file time for US Optimist Clubs

Once per year, we remind Optimist Clubs in the United States of their filing responsibilities with the IRS. Today is the day!

The form 990-N (e-Postcard) is due on or before February 15. To file, please have ready:

• Employer identification number (EIN), also known as a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
• Tax year 
• Legal name and mailing address
• Any other names the organization uses
• Name and address of a principal officer
• Web site address if the organization has one
• Confirmation that the organization’s annual gross receipts are $50,000 or less
• If applicable, a statement that the organization has terminated or is terminating (going out of business)

E-file is an option for tax-exempt organizations not required to file a long form which includes nearly all Optimist Clubs except those managing large sums of money (over $50,000) or property.

• Read more about the process here: Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Exempt Organizations.
• Log-in to file here: Form990-N Electronic Filing System e-Postcard.

The filing is free and is required in order to maintain tax-exempt status as an Optimist Club.

Clubs that have independent charitable trusts or foundations may have different filing requirements and we ask that you please contact your tax advisor for more information if your club falls into that category. Thank you. 

Join the Lebanon Optimists at the 2018 PNW District Optimist Convention

The Lebanon Optimist Club is excited to welcome the PNW District - Optimist International to their hometown for the 2018 PNW District Optimist Convention. Acting as co-chairs for the event, Weezy Devinny and Heather McDaniel promise a great time with music, entertainment, and of course, the education and inspiration that all Optimist Club members and leaders need to finish this administrative year strong and get started on the 100th year of optimism in a jubilant fashion.

The convention will be held at the Best Western Premier Boulder Falls Inn, 505 Mullins Drive, Lebanon, Oregon. Please register by July 18 to receive the nightly room rate of $119.

You may click the registration form on the right to enlarge and print. Registration before August 3 is $120 US or $155 CA. There are also options for one-day registrations.

Please check back here occasionally, or on Facebook, because more information will be provided soon regarding the activities of the weekend.

A new year of optimism begins today

On the first of October every year, Optimist Clubs, Districts, and Optimist International welcome new

leaders. In the PNW District, Fred Wallace, Gresham Optimist Club, will take over the reins as governor. His motto is, "Step it up for the kids."

On an international level, Ron Huxley, Optimist Clubs of Ausable-Port Franks, ON and Jeffersonville, IN will share his version of optimism with the world as he spreads his theme, "My Optimism." 

What does being an optimist mean to you? President Ron overcame adversity to become the optimist that he is today and he shares the following letter with you. 

"My Optimism" ... an open letter to fellow Optimists

My friends, one and all,

Every member is an Optimist because of a feeling they get when they affect the lives of young people. Whether it is at the club or the district or international level, each of us moves forward with one unified goal in mind; make our community and our world a better place for our children to live in.

How we portray our optimism varies for each of us. Some of us strive to be a part of the decision making process. While others are happy with witnessing the smiles on the faces of the young people we serve. It is important that every club and district of Optimist International recognizes that the involvement of our members must be filled with personal enjoyment. It must be entertaining and it must capture the underlining need of our members to feel that they make a difference.

In 2013 -2014 it is my wish that every club and district recognize that our children are served by active members. All members place their involvement in club and district meetings and activities on their social priority list. If we satisfy their desire for fun and enjoyment we move higher up on their personal list. We need to find out what makes our members happy and make it happen. The answer may be different for every club but the results will return big rewards in more working members and new leadership.

We can no longer lose members without a proactive plan to replace them first. For what ever reason, even the smallest of deletions has a major effect on the ability of this organization to continue to support its endeavors. Every club must understand the fact that we are all Optimist International. We are all a voice that makes a difference in our communities and our districts. It is time to raise that voice so that it echoes from club to club, village to village, city to city. Build Optimism to a stature that everyone wants to be apart of. That is my “MO” (MyOptimism). Put a smile on a child and love in your heart.

Only you can make the difference.

Yours in Optimism,
Ron Huxley
2013-2014 President Optimist International

Hat tip to the Pacific Northwest on the 4th of July

Happy 4th of July everyone.

As a way to celebrate, I thought it might be fun to take a look at the most patriotic US cities, especially when I saw that the number one spot was right in our own back yard!

Kudos to Portland, Oregon for landing in first place. Not far behind in fourth place was Seattle, Washington.

To create the list, the designers looked at voter turnout, flag sales, fireworks spending, spending on vets and volunteer rate. We know that the Pacific Northwest has some of the best and most active volunteers in the world: Optimist Club members! With that kind of commitment, it's no wonder that statistic brought our cities to the top of the list.

Most Patriotic Cities of USA infographic by http://www.citypass.com/.

Ready, set, action!

Optimist Clubs perform 65,000 projects in local communities each year. Which one is your favorite? How is your Optimist Club making a difference?

Optimist International invites you to tell your club's project story in a video with the first annual Reel Optimism campaign. Sponsored by the Optimist International Foundation, your winning entry might be awarded a grant for your Optimist Club. First prize is $1,000; second prize is $500; and third prize is $250. Entries must be received by March 1, 2013. 

 According to the Optimist International website, this is how you enter:

1. Using the creativity of your Club Members and resources in your community to create a short, three minute or under, video answering the question, "What does Optimism mean to you and your Club?"
2. Upload your finished video to YouTube by March 1, 2013. Your video submission must include your Club name and the hashtag #ReelOptimism. Including this hashtag will make it easier for us to find your submission.
3. (To upload a video, you must have a YouTube account. For help uploading a video, click here.)
4. Include a video description and "tags" for your video.
5. After the video is uploaded, email the video link to reeloptimism@optimist.org.

Click here to find out more about the competition.  

It's the most eggs-citing time of the year

Where's the golden egg? 

The Twin Falls, Jerome, Meridian and Middleton Area Optimist Clubs in Idaho are busy preparing for the fastest service project of the year. Scheduled to take place at different times on Saturday morning, April 7, each one of the projects have an anticipated running time of 60 seconds.

According to Robin Stanhope, editor of the Twin Falls Blab, one minute is about  how long it takes for the kiddos to find every egg that has been hidden for their hunting pleasure at an Optimist Club Easter Egg Hunt.

Known by different names, such as "Scrambles," "Hunts," or "Egg-offs," according to reports, each club is planning on hiding 2,000 to 4,000 eggs for the eligible hunters to find with special prizes for finding "golden eggs."

If you need to bring a smile to your face, join one of the Optimist Easter Egg-stravaganzas in your community. If you want to bring a smile to others, start a project on behalf of your Optimist Club. It's fun. It's quick. It's appreciated.



As of this post, these are the only Optimist Easter Egg Hunts known by the author. If your club is planning one, please leave the details in the comment section so that your community and other PNW Optimist Clubs know all about it. 


Photo credit

Today - in Twin Falls, Idaho and Beyond

today

 [tuh-dey]

1.    this present day
2.    the time to add new members and Friends of Optimists to your Optimist Club

Just in time for the 1st Annual Wings & Things Ultimate Tailgate Challenge, the Twin Falls Optimist Club issued a new challenge to their club members. They said, "Let's add 20 new Friends of Optimists to our club so President Danny will come and visit us!" 

With the excitement for their new annual fundraiser, the Twin Falls Optimist Club has already added 38 new Optimist Club members to their roster this year. Adding just a few more might be a challenge, but according to membership recruiting mavens Barry Knoblich and Danae Climes, it is doable with a little help from their friends. So while they are cooking wings and chili in the park today, I imagine the Twin Falls Optimist Club members will be talking about how great it is to share their activities with others as a member or supporter of an Optimist Club. They will be asking others to get involved and join their club.

What is your Optimist Club doing today to add Friends of Optimists and traditional members to your list of volunteers? We know that the key is to just ask, but you have to visible in your community in order to find people to ask. Where will you find your next member?  Where did you find your latest member? 

Please tell us; use the comment section to share your membership story today. Thank you!

Certified Way Cool

Have you heard about President Danny's wish? With only 76 days to go in the 2010-2011 administrative year, he  wants to take one of those days to visit your Optimist Club. You read that right...Optimist International President Danny Rodgers wants to be local with your peeps.

Yes, there is a bit of a catch; but it's a good one, good for your club and good for Optimist International. After all, we're in this thing we call community service together, right?

To claim your visit, simply add 20 Friends of Optimists to your Optimist Club between July 1 - September 30.

What could be easier? Download the Friend of Optimist brochure  and ask your dentist, your dry cleaner, maybe your veterinarian to become a Friend of your Optimist Club today.

Danny can't wait to say thank you in person.  Now that is way cool!

Invite someone to join your circle of Friends today

Have you been thinking about membership in your Optimist Club? Last week we learned that the Optimist Club of Roseburg is making a concerted effort to bring in new members so that they can do even more in their community.

This week, we want to hear from you! What is your club doing to attract, recruit and retain members and what have you personally done to help them?

• Have you taken a morning or afternoon to Walk 'n Talk about your Optimist Club in your community? 
• Are you actively seeking leads? 
• Have you joined your Chamber of Commerce or other networking resource in your community? 
• Are you hosting a New Optimists Welcome (NOW) activity? 
• Were volunteers from outside the organization invited to participate in your latest program? 
• Have you added a Friend of Optimist to your club's roster?

We can be passive, do good projects, and hope that others like what they see enough to get involved. Or we can be more proactive, more inviting. To help you extend the invitation to even more people, Optimist International has created the Friends of Optimist category.

PNW District Optimists have new experiences at the Second Quarter Meeting

With a big push for starting new Optimist Clubs in the Seattle area, the Second Quarter District Meeting had a different format than the Pacific Northwest District has experienced in the past. Governor Ed Murphy invited a team of new club builders to visit the district to identify communities ripe for starting an Optimist Club.

Led by International President Danny Rodgers and First Lady Jill, about 20 people, including Essie Johnson, Optimist International New Community Growth Chair; Mark Weinsoff, New Community Growth Committee Member; Chris Jernigan, Board Member, Optimist International Board of Directors; Ron Graves, Southwest Region Vice President; and Krista Grueninger, Maggie Fairchild, Aaron Kaskowtz, Optimist International Staff members;  participated in the growth conference that took place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

After three days of walk 'n talk in the community, the group has focused their efforts and will work on starting Optimist Clubs in Kirkland and Renton, Washington. Weinsoff committed to see the efforts in Kirkland through to start-up. A club or individual will need to come forward to help with follow-up.

The District Meeting had some other firsts as well:

• Steve Andersen, Internet Safety Program Chair, presented the Internet Safety Program. The public was invited to attend. 
• Linda Jackson, Immediate Past Governor presented an Annual Report for the District, highlighting the achievements of 2009-2010 and goals for 2010-2011 emphasizing that we work together from year-to-year to help our Optimist Clubs serve our communities. 
• Ed Murphy, Governor, played host to the community for a second time on Saturday as the public was invited to join the District for an evening of jazz entertainment and dancing featuring two excellent student groups: Seattle JazzEd and the Roosevelt Jazz Band. 

Of course Optimist fellowship was enjoyed by all as we heard about three exciting programs conducted by clubs in the Seattle area: Auburn Optimist Club Santa House, N. Kitsap Optimist Club Tri-Star Basketball, and Issaquah Optimist Club's Bicycle Safety Fair; and spent time making friends in the hospitality room.

In District business, it was moved and approved that all funds currently on account and any money raised by the District in the future on behalf of the Childhood Cancer Campaign would be forwarded to the Optimist International Foundation for inclusion in the Optimist International program. The PNW District Childhood Cancer Campaign account is to be dissolved immediately.


We were inspired by the words of President Rodgers, learned about Optimist International insurance policy from Director Jernigan, and Past Governor Jackson honored the special achievements of our Optimist Clubs and District leaders in 2009-2010. See more about our awesome District achievers here.

Many thanks to Herbert Tsuchiya for the pictures. 

Opportunities for Involvement

There was a full house at the PNW District Second Quarter Meeting in Portland.  This great picture from DFR Steve Andersen represents about two-thirds of our Optimist Club members present. To the right of the post was a another full group of friends and Optimist volunteers.

The theme of the day was  Opportunities for Involvement. Governor Linda Jackson facilitated the program and presided over the District Board Meeting.  Some highlights included:

• A presentation on club foundations from Vancouver, WA Optimist Club member Lisa Joerin
• Leadership Opportunities were presented by the LD team training duo Gay Enyeart, Vancouver, WA and Jean Jensen, Gresham, OR
• Seventeen first-timers found out about Optimist Club and District Fellowship from Angie Bridge, Jerome, ID and Wayne Bohrn, Twin Falls, ID
• David Morrison and Gerry Morrison and the Optimist Club of Abbotsford, BC were presented a 25-year Anniversary certificate from International President Mark Shriver IV 
• Membership Chairs Lorraine Coots, Mason County, WA and Adele Heinrich, N. Kitsap, WA, led a  forum on membership development with an emphasis on attitude, participation and the importance of relationships
• Mike Gray, Nampa, ID received a fifty member pin
• Gretchen Brown and Mike Harris of the new Eagle, ID Optimist Club were presented certificates as charter co-presidents 
• Rocky Jackson, Jerome, ID and Ron Petersen, Meridian, ID were presented Builder of Excellence Awards
• An Optimist Club story from each zone was shared to provide ideas and inspiration for every member to take home
• Our District Chairpersons told what was happening in their committees and gave us of important dates to remember
• Immediate Past Governor Peter Smith presented Honor Club awards and 2008-2009 DFR Don Heavirland presented recognition patches for club donations to the Optimist International Foundations.
• The Mountain View Middle School Jazz Band performed
• Four students from the Clackamas and Grant High School JOOI Clubs joined us for lunch
• Scott Keller, President, Portland-Northeast challenged us to survey our community to build mutually beneficial programs and develop our membership
• DFR Steve Andersen hosted a Basket Auction for the International Foundations and shared the spotlight with the Chair Marlean Stevens and the Childhood Cancer Campaign

Many thanks to our participants and presenters.  We hope that you returned to your home clubs inspired to do more wonderful things in your communities.

Snap a picture of Santa for us

We are looking for pictures of Santa Claus!  When Santa visits your Optimist Club or holiday event this year, please snap a picture and then send it to the PNW District.  Many thanks for your help. 

Lots of trees, lots of raking going on

Boise is known as the City of Trees.  In fact, as the French fur trappers came across the desert and first set eyes on the fair city, they cried "Les Bois" - the trees - and the American-ized name Boise came to be. 

Many years later we have those beautiful trees to thank for the shade in the summer and the opportunities for service in the fall. That's why teams from the Boise Noon, Eagle and Meridian Optimist Clubs all went out in force to rake-up their respective cities.  What a great way to build friendship, serve others and make our communities some of the best places to live.

Are you using Twitter?

I know that many people think that Twittering is not their thing, but here is an example of how you can use Twitter to get your message out about your Optimist Club.  Be sure to follow us at http://twitter.com/newoptimistclub. 

Wear your nametag and get a new Optimist Club member!

Think about the one thing that would help you serve more kids in your community.  What is it?  More members!  That's why we're excited to promote the Nametag Program for awareness and membership in the Pacific Northwest District - Optimist International.

What is it? The Nametag Program asks you and all the members of your Optimist Club to choose one day a month to wear your nametag all day as you go about your usual business.  You will discover that the nametag makes you approachable.  People will say hello and ask you why you are wearing a nametag and that's your chance to tell them all about your Optimist Club. 

Practice your elevator speech and ask them if they want to learn more.  Invite people to visit your club and when they do, ask them to join.  It's a great way to spread Optimism in your community. 

Are you ready?  Set?  Get your nametag on!

Burgerville donates to Gresham Optimist Club

Once a month, the  Optimist Club of Gresham, OR celebrates a night out. They meet in the evening allowing members who may not be able to attend at the regular time an opportunity to share in club fellowship and catch up on the programs.  It is also a social opportunity involving spouses and guests. 

This month the Gresham Optimists will meet on October 29, 6:30 pm at Burgerville, 2975 NE Hogan, Gresham.  In addition to being the evening meeting location,  Burgerville will donate 10 percent of all sales plus 25 cents for every pumpkin or caramel apple smoothie that is purchased between 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm to the Gresham Optimist Club.

Come on out for a fun and rewarding Optimist good time.

Optimist Clubs are my favorite thing!

Hello world! Does it look different to you today? Did you wake up grateful and full of positive energy?

In the Pacific Northwest, our seasons have changed.  Yesterday there was a touch of snow, 9 inches, in Eastern Idaho and there were tsunami warnings along the Oregon Coast.  It was even the day where we went from air conditioning in the morning to the furnace at night.  Today, the sun is shining brightly heralding a beautiful fall day.  We know the seasons are marching on.  Our lives are moving forward.  Our passions are glowing brighter.

Over the past couple of weeks and for a few days more, we've had the pleasure share our love of Optimist Clubs as we welcomed new officers to their respective leadership positions within our Optimist Clubs.  Today, we share that same spirit with the new officers and  district chairpersons of the PNW District .  We offer our assistance to you and your club as you lead your community to do great things. We offer you encouragement as you inspire children to reach for their full potential.  And most of all, we wish you joy as we move forward into a new year of positive actions and deeds with our Optimist Clubs. 

Thank you for giving of yourself in service through your Optimist Club.  As you go forward in the new Optimist year, inspire others with your enthusiasm; make your Optimist Club your favorite thing.

Optimist Clubs bring out the best in all of us

Would you like to give back something to your community?
Do you want to help children develop positive attitudes?
Would you like to help children reach their full potential?
Do you want to share your optimism with others?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you owe it to yourself to become a part of an Optimist Club. Please send us an email now and we'll help you get started.

Let's talk about Optimist Clubs

Seven times - that is how many times the average person must hear or read about something in order for them to take notice and take action. So how many times have you talked about your Optimist Club in the past week? Are you repeating your message in enough places to make sure you are being heard?

One of sessions at the 2009 District Convention will be about Selling Optimism. Rocky Jackson, Ron Petersen and I will lead this interactive and role playing activity designed to help you become confident in your skills and to learn how to turn that elevator speech into something more.

Let me share a preview of things to come: In the new administrative year, we will be taking what we learn here to the streets! But don't wait until then; you will want to use this great idea to build your club's membership today.

Optimist Clubs hold the community together

What fair, gathering, rally, or party is your Optimist Club participating in this summer? There are so many to choose from: county fairs, city festivals, Octoberfests, Mayfests, Artfests, and state fairs just to name a few. That is why I was not surprised to see an alert telling me that the Optimist Club of Beaverton, Oregon was going to be at the Party in the Park as a food vendor on Saturday July, 25. According to the alert, they will be selling " barbecued ribs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with music by the Fabulous Farelanes."

What some may view as a fund raiser may actually be the glue that holds both a club and a community together. Optimist Club members are always invigorated when they work together on a project and one where they raise money to carry out other projects provides a big bonus to the feel good factor. But most important, when service clubs get involved in community activities they provide manpower, momentum and marketing. That's good old word of mouth marketing that I'm talking about! When you volunteer at an event, you talk about it and invite your family and friends to participate. They talk about it to others and soon everyone is involved.

When the next planning committee approaches you and asks for your support, Optimist Clubs and Optimist Club members: raise your hands; get involved. Your community needs you!