Optimist International. Recognition Incentives

2006-2007 Optimist International & Recognition Incentives

2006 OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND INCENTIVES TABLE OF CONTENTS Member Recognition........................... 2-3 Club Recognition.............................. 4-5 Zone Recognition............................... 6 District Recognition............................ 7-8 Appendix.................................... 9 President s Citation........................... 10 Personal Growth and Involvement (PGI)............ 11 Accumulative Sponsor Pin...................... 12 Recognition by Districts....................... 13 District Achievement & Awards Program (A&A)....... 14 Dunn Deal................................. 15 Seasons of Love............................. 16 Court of Hearts............................. 17 2007 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE: Do you ever stop to think about what motivates you to serve as an Optimist? Why do you strive to Bring Out the Best in Kids? I believe the answer is LOVE. The pages in this handbook reveal how we recognize those who show their love for children by increasing our outreach efforts through growth, which ultimately leads to more service. The greatest reward we get is the satisfaction that we are truly making a difference in our world. Thank you for sharing your LOVE! Ronnie Dunn President, Optimist International

Member Recognition ONE-MEMBER SPONSOR LAPEL PIN Sponsor one new Member* Club Secretary turns in Club Roster Adjustment between October 1, 2006, and September 30, 2007, with sponsor s name and number. The pin will be mailed to the recipient. Maximum number of pins per sponsor is three. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. *A Friend of Optimists can only be sponsored by a Club or District. Any Club President whose Club sponsors a Friend of Optimists will receive the one-member Sponsor pin. Additionally, a Governor whose District sponsors a Friend of Optimists will receive the Sponsor pin. Friends of Optimists sponsored by Districts can be assigned to specific Clubs at the Governor's discretion. Friends of Optimists will be counted for Awards purposes. Want to be great? Here s how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described greatness: Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don t have to have a college degree to serve. You don t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love. Ask a friend, co-worker, neighbor or family member to join you in serving our youth. Give them the opportunity to be great, and you will earn your One-Member Sponsor Pin! Wear it with pride! 2

Member Recognition Celebrate the heroes of your district those who have the courage and dedication to bring Optimism to new communities as they charter Optimist Clubs BUILDER OF EXCELLENCE Be the key builder (maximum of 4 persons) of a New Club with at least 25 Charter Members. The plan recognizes and honors up to 4 (four) Builders of Excellence for each New Club sponsored. Each Sponsor Club (maximum 2) can name 2 (two) individuals as their Builder of Excellence. These Members are usually the Key Builders who were actively involved in building the New Club. (Please note that if two Clubs sponsor a New Club, both Sponsor Clubs can receive Distinguished status.) The primary builder of each New Club will be designated a Builder of Excellence and each will receive an attractive lapel pin inscribed with the number of Clubs built by that Builder. Each Builder of Excellence will also receive a Presidential certificate, which will display their name, the name of the Club, date of organization and number of New Clubs built by the Builder. In addition, the District will receive a personalized patch to affix to the special Builder of Excellence banner for display at District meetings and conventions. The patch will denote the name of the Builder of Excellence, the number of New Clubs built by the builder, the name of the New Club and the year of the organization. To further recognize this accomplishment, a medallion will be presented to the Builder of Excellence at the International Convention or via mail if not attending the Convention. Sponsorship of a Renovated Club, Associate Club, or JOOI Club does not qualify for Builder of Excellence Recognition. 3

Club Recognition HONOR CLUB Membership: Net +1 for Clubs with 20 to 74 members (75 or more must retain) (19 or fewer must attain 20). Finances: to Optimist International by September 30, 2007 The President of an Honor Club will receive an Honor Club certificate and a special Honor Club President pin. The Club will receive an Honor Club patch with an additional second patch showing the name of the President and the year in which the recognition was earned. In subsequent years, Clubs will receive a name and year patch to be mounted below the original Honor Club patch. The Secretary/Treasurer of an Honor Club will receive a certificate recognizing their contributions to the success of the Club. of a Distinguished Club will receive a certificate recognizing their contributions to the success of the Club. Requirements for Distinguished Club are to qualify for Honor Club and in addition do any of the following by September 30, 2007: Alternate A Build a New Optimist Club Sponsor a New Club with at least 25 Charter Members between October 1 and September 30. The Club must also complete the New Club Followup Program. (Please note that if two Clubs sponsor a New Club, both Sponsor Clubs can receive Distinguished status.) DISTINGUISHED CLUB Growing Clubs provide more service to youth and community, bring new volunteer resources and more effectively embrace the enthusiasm of Optimism. A Club can earn the title of a Distinguished Club with a Distinguished President by growing. The Recognition: The Club President will be recognized by resolution of the International Board of Directors and will receive a Distinguished President certificate and a watch. The Club will receive a Distinguished Club patch to be mounted on the banner, a patch indicating the name of the Club President and the year in which the recognition was earned. In subsequent years, Clubs will receive a name and year patch to be mounted below the original Distinguished Club patch. The Secretary/Treasurer Alternate B Membership Growth A Club on October 1 must show by September 30 a net increase of 25 or more Members over its October 1 membership. This increase must be properly reported to Optimist International on the Club Roster Adjustment (CRA) forms. Alternate C Sponsor Two New JOOI Clubs Sponsor any combination of two (2) new JOOI Clubs: Junior Optimist, Octagon or Alpha Clubs. Club must charter between October 1 and September 30 with a minimum of 25 fully paid Charter Members at the time of the Official Organization Meeting. The Sponsor Club must certify that the Follow-Up Program has been completed no later than November 30, 2007. 4

Club Recognition * All dates refer to the 2006-2007 administrative year, which runs from October 1, 2006, to September 30, 2007. * Sponsorship of an Associate Club or JOOI Club does not qualify for Adult New Club Credit. Alternate D Renovate an existing Club Renovate an existing Club with 10 or fewer Members and help the Club attain 25 Members total between October 1 and September 30. The Sponsor Club must also complete the Follow-up Program by September 30, 2007. (Note, only one Sponsor Club will be recognized as Distinguished for renovating an existing Club) NEW CLUB SPONSORSHIP PATCHES Presented to every Club that sponsors a new Optimist Club and completes the NCB Follow-Up Program. To qualify for NCB sponsorship, the New Club must have a minimum of 25 fully paid Charter Members at the time of the Organizational Meeting. Charter rosters of New Clubs shall close on the 15th day following the formal Organizational Meeting date. No charter additions will be accepted after September 30, 2007. All charter rosters close on that date. The Follow-Up Program must be completed and certified within 90 days after the New Club is organized. Follow-Up Programs for Clubs organized in September must be completed by November 30, 2007. New Optimist Clubs since the inauguration of the Club sponsorship program, July 1, 1951. The Golden Twenty is presented to a Club that has sponsored 20 new Clubs since that date. The Golden Thirty is presented to a Club that has sponsored 30 new Clubs since that date. Presentations are made at the International Convention to Clubs attaining the honor during the past year. All New Club Sponsorship rules apply. JOOI SPONSOR PATCH Presented to every Club that sponsors a new JOOI Club. GOLDEN TEN/GOLDEN TWENTY/GOLDEN THIRTY The Golden Ten patch is presented to an Optimist Club that has successfully sponsored 10 5

Zone Recognition HONOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR An Honor Zone represents a year of encouraging and supporting Club Officers toward Club achievement. Being an Honor Zone with an Honor Lieutenant Governor means you left your Zone and its Clubs a little better for Optimism than when you took office. OUTSTANDING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR This is a District Recognition The Recognition: The Lieutenant Governor receives a certificate of accomplishment and a specially designed Honor Lieutenant Governor pin. Membership: Net +1 Member based on Zone s October 1 membership Finances: All Clubs in the Zone must pay their financial obligations to Optimist International by September 30, 2007 DISTINGUISHED LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR A Distinguished Lieutenant Governor is one who inspires growth throughout the Zone and becomes personally involved in expanding their Zone into a new community by chartering a New Optimist Club. More Optimists translate to more youth service! The Recognition: The Distinguished Lieutenant Governor receives a certificate and a specially designed Distinguished Lieutenant Governor gold pin with a blue stone, plus a name and year patch. Fulfill Honor Lieutenant Governor requirements And in addition: New Club Building +1 in respective Zone *Note: If the Distinguished Lieutenant Governor status is reached, the Honor Award (Lieutenant Governor pin) does not apply. 6

District Recognition FAST START GOVERNOR RECOGNITION Jump Start Recognition District achieves the following requirements by December 31, 2006: Membership: net +1 as of October 1 And in addition: New Club Building: +1 * Will be recognized with a Pacesetter certificate. Early Start Recognition Membership: Net +1 And in addition: New Club Building: +2 by June 30, 2007 * Will be recognized with a Pen & Pencil set at the International Convention. (Note: District may count one Renovated Club towards both the Jump Start and Early Start recognition.) DISTINGUISHED DISTRICT A Distinguished District represents going above and beyond and building a strong District for future generations. Leave your legacy become Distinguished! The Recognition: The Governor receives a gold Distinguished Governor ring and a certificate, plus a name and year patch. Both the Governor and District names appear in The Optimist magazine and on the International website. The Secretary/Treasurer of a Distinguished District will receive a certificate recognizing his or her contribution to the overall success of the District. Membership Net +1 New Club Building +3 (District may count one renovated Club towards Distinguished recognition) Financial Obligations: September 30, 2007 Annual Review: International Office by January 15, 2008 HONOR DISTRICT An Honor District represents a year of leading other volunteers with an effective management system. It requires overseeing and encouraging all levels of involvement. An Honor District leaves the next administration with a little better District than it was a year ago. The Recognition: The District receives a year patch. Both the Governor and District names appear in The Optimist magazine and on the International website. Membership Net +1 And in addition: New Club Building +1 Financial Obligations: September 30, 2007 Annual Review: International Office by January 15, 2008 7

District Recognition OUTSTANDING REGIONAL GOVERNOR Distinguished Governor in each Region whose District attains the highest percentage of overall net growth INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT S RECOGNITION FOR GOVERNORS Honor Club The highest overall percentage of Honor Clubs based on the number of Clubs in the District as of October 1, 2006 Membership The highest percentage of overall net growth by September 30, 2007 New Club Building The highest number of New Clubs built in their District 8

Appendix RULES FOR RECOGNITION PROGRAM: References are made to Shumsky Enterprises and Optimist International Canadian Service Centre. They can be reached, toll free, at the following numbers: Shumsky Enterprises: (877) 678-2582 Optimist International Canadian Service Centre: (800) 363-7151 Closing Out Records: The Records in the International Office will be closed and winners determined following receipt and processing of all required reports for the administrative year. After the close of the administrative year, several weeks may be required to tabulate all necessary data and check records of all Clubs and Districts before the official list of winners can be made available. Premature Announcements of Winners: District or Club Officers should not make a premature announcement of any awards attained by Clubs, Club Officers, Districts or District Officers. The official announcement must come from the International Office. Distribution: Shipments cannot be made until all winners have been determined and officially announced by the International Office. All items will be mailed to the Immediate Past Governor (or a designate). Club Roster Adjustments: Because membership is an important determining factor in Club and District recognition, it is imperative that each Club updates its roster each time a Membership change occurs (Optimist International Bylaws Article VIII Section 2). Club Reports-Signatures: Club reports will only be accepted with signatures of the current Club President and/or Secretary/ Treasurer (Optimist International Policy IC-31). Building New Optimist Clubs: At the time of the Organizational Meeting, for award purposes, a new Optimist Club should be sponsored between October 1 and September 30 and have a minimum of 25 fully paid Charter Members. Charter rosters of New Clubs shall close on the 15th day following the formal Organizational Meeting date. No Charter additions will be accepted after September 30, 2007. All charter rosters close on that date. The Sponsor Club must complete and certify the New Club Follow-Up Program, which consists of three Follow-up Reports and a Certificate of Completion, within 90 days after the official Organization. Clubs organized in September must have the Follow-Up Program completed and postmarked by an official post office no later than November 30, 2007. The Certificate of Completion can be found on the last page of the New Club Follow-Up Program Guidebook or online at on the bottom of the forms page. In addition, for the purpose of NCB credit, the Sponsor President or designated representative (a Sponsor Club Member other than the Lieutenant Governor) must attend the Official Organizational Meeting. When a new Club is built across District boundaries, the membership shall be assigned to the District in which the new Club is geographically located, while the New Club Building credit will be assigned to the District of the Sponsor Club. The renovation of existing Optimist Clubs as defined on page 5 will stay within current District boundaries. Sponsorship of an Associate Club or JOOI Club does not qualify for New Club Building Credit. Importance of Correct Zone Listings of Clubs: Districts need to pay special attention early to the correct listing of Clubs by Zones. Each Governor will be asked to submit Zone listings prior to the beginning of the administrative year to the Membership Department. District Achievement Winner: For those Districts that conduct a District incentive program to determine the top Club, Optimist International will provide the patch for the District Achievement winners. A request must be sent to Optimist International stating the two (2) top winners. When a Club achieves the number one position for the first time, it will receive the banner-strip and year-flag for the banner. In subsequent years, winning Clubs will receive a year-flag only. 9

President s Citation RECOGNITION BY CLUBS President s Citation to recognize outstanding Member achievement Only the 2006-2007 Club President may make application, and it must be received in the International Office no later than August 31, 2007. Only one recipient per Club will be accepted. The citation will be shipped to the 2006-2007 President for presentation to Member. PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT Recipient s Name: Member Number Club Name: Club Number - District Name: Submitted By (2006-2007 Club President): Address of Club President: Phone of Club President: ( ) (Business) ( ) (Residence) Submit To: Recognition Department, Optimist International, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 USA FAX: 314-371-6006 10

PGI PERSONAL GROWTH AND INVOLVEMENT (PGI) Personal Growth and Involvement (PGI) is a program to develop personal skills and to Develop Optimism as a Philosophy of Life. The PGI program offers every Optimist Member the opportunity to grow personally and learn more about Optimism while advancing through 10 levels of involvement, personal growth and achievement. How PGI works: To begin your journey through PGI, download the PGI Requirements checklist from www.optimistleaders.org or request a Passport from your District Director of Personal Growth, your Governor or Optimist International. Use your Passport to record the completion of requirements for each level. All Activities at each level must be attested to by your Club Director of Personal Growth, Secretary/Treasurer or President in the Passport for Levels I through VII and by your Lieutenant Governor or Governor for Levels VIII through X. Each level of PGI contains the following elements: Attendance, Activity, Knowledge of Organization, Self Development and Communication. As you complete each level, have your passport signed by the appropriate official, who should forward the PGI Recognition Form to the District Director of Personal Growth who serves as the administrator for the PGI program in your District. Ten Levels of PGI Recognition: A colored pin backing can be worn behind your Member pin. Level I Bronze Level II Green Level III Burgundy Level IV Blue Level V Black Level VI Purple Level VII Gold Level VIII Level IX Level X Lapel Pin Skills Development Modules: Along your PGI journey you will have the opportunity to take workshops from the District or Optimist International on a number of topics. These are generally two-hour workshops and include such topics as: Public Speaking, Effective Time Management, Creative Problem Solving, Choosing Optimism as a Philosophy of Life, Parliamentary Procedures, Orientation to Optimism for New Members, Team Building, Leadership Styles and Profiles, Mentoring and Managing Change. For additional information or Passports call the Optimist International Leadership Development Department at (800) 500-8130 or (314) 371-6000, ext. 242. The Award: Round colored pin backings (which fit behind your Member pin) representing the Level attained (Levels I through VII) will be distributed upon completion of each level. Pin backings are presented to the Club (at a District meeting) and to the individual at a Club meeting. A Presidential Certificate of Personal Growth will be given to each Member upon completion of the seventh (gold) Level. A special lapel pin will be presented by the International President at the International Convention upon completion of Level X. 11

Accumulative Sponsor Member Pin ACCUMULATIVE SPONSOR MEMBER PIN An Optimist may earn recognition for solely sponsoring new Members (other than Charter Members) into any Optimist Club. The sponsorship is cumulative; the Members secured from one year apply toward the next year. New Members must be formally processed and added to the Club roster at the International Office before the items can be supplied. Sponsorship information should be provided on all Club Roster Adjustment forms. Applications may be submitted to the Membership Department at the International Office in written correspondence containing the following information: name of recipient plus names and dates of Members sponsored by them. The pin will be shipped to the Governor for significant presentation and recognition at the District level. *Allow at least six weeks for delivery. 75 MEMBER Gold Pin with three spinels. Certificate of Recognition. For sponsoring 75 or more Members over any length of time. 100 MEMBER Gold Pin with four spinels. Certificate of Recognition. For sponsoring 100 or more Members over any length of time. Also available for 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250. Maximum 250. 10 MEMBER Silver Pin. Certificate of Recognition. For sponsoring 10 or more Members over any length of time. 25 MEMBER Gold Pin with one spinel. Certificate of Recognition. For sponsoring 25 or more Members over any length of time. 50 MEMBER Gold Pin with two spinels. Certificate of Recognition. For sponsoring 50 or more Members over any length of time. 12

Recognition by Districts GOLD HONOR CLUB This may be a District award to recognize submission of a CPA (Community Projects Awards), Officer Elect Report (by May 20) and an President s Pride Report (by October 15). Suggested recognition: Gold Honor Certificate. Suggested Criteria Incentive Lieutenant Governors Suggested Criteria For Incentive/Recognition at the District level does not apply to Optimist International Recognition Program. DISTRICTS The District Recognition Program contributes to the development and inspiration of leadership at both the Club and Zone levels, and recognizes leaders for outstanding performance in the achievement of goals. Optimist International recommends that it is the intent of the District to oversee and implement the criteria for their own Recognition requirements. It is imperative the Past, Present and Elect Officials work together to make their District the best that it can be! Note that all reports still need to be submitted to Optimist International and the Districts, but they are not required for the Optimist International Recognition Program. Outstanding Lieutenant Governor (This is a District RECOGNITION) A District Governor may choose to designate an Outstanding Lieutenant Governor for any of the following: The top Lieutenant Governor for the greatest net gain in Zone Members during the year (based on October 1 beginning membership). The top Lieutenant Governor for the greatest number of New Optimist Clubs built during the year. The top Lieutenant Governor for the highest percentage of Honor Clubs. The Award is at the discretion of the Governor and District budget. References are made to Optimist International s Canadian Service Centre and Shumsky Enterprises. They can be reached, toll free, at the following numbers: Optimist International Canadian Service Centre: (800) 363-7151 Shumsky Enterprises: (877) 678-2582 Service Recognitions can be found in the Program Planning Guide available at. 13

DISTRICT ACHIEVEMENT & AWARDS PROGRAM (A&A) DISTRICT ACHIEVEMENT & AWARDS PROGRAM (A&A) This is meant to be a fun Club program to recognize progress toward common Optimist goals. The emphasis is more on a fun quarterly competition than absolute equity. Results will be verified when possible. This program is administered by the District. The use of this program is optional and this report form is only a guideline. SAMPLE FORM QUARTERLY A&A CLUB REPORT Club # Pres/S/T Date GROWTH Net gain in new Members x 250 = Maintaining Oct. 1 starting membership (250) SERVICE Club service projects x 250 = Submitting a CPA project story x 250 = DUES District & International dues paid (250 per quarter) REPORTS Officer Elect (May) or Annual Activity (September) (250) JOOI CLUB SPONSOR Building a new JOOI Club (1,000 per club) Continue sponsoring a JOOI Club (250 per quarter) DISTRICT MEETINGS (President or designee) Attending a Quarterly District Conference (250) For attending a Quarterly Zone Meeting (250) OI FOUNDATION Non-designated Contribution to OIF $ x 1 = (Does not include: Endowment, Club Campaign or Pass Through. 5,000 max. points) BRINGING OPTIMISM TO A NEW COMMUNITY Build a new Optimist Club (3,000) GOVERNOR S BONUS (optional) For Club websites, newsletters, attendance, skits, etc. TOTAL FOR THE QUARTER Send to: District A&A Chairperson 14

Which Governors will have the winning hand? It s time to ante up! Every Optimist Member impacts the life of a child and makes the world a better place in which to live by Bringing Out the Best in Kids, and now we re raising the stakes. Achieve growth and in doing so, successfully impact more lives within your District and see if you have a Dunn Deal! Each time you complete one of the following, you have touched someone s heart and you will earn a limited edition lapel pin for your card hand, starting with the 10 of hearts. Complete five and you ve won the jackpot!* Complete all six and receive an exclusive Queen of Hearts pin! 1. Personally charter and be a Builder of Excellence of a New Club by September 30, 2006 Submit 100 percent of the Officer-Elect Reports by September 30, 2006 2. Your team charters a New Club within the first quarter Submit 50 percent of the President s Pride Report 3. Your team charters a second Club by April 1, 2007 Personally contact 100 percent of your Club Presidents by November 30, 2006 4. Your team charters a third Club by July 1, 2007 Personally earn the One-Member Sponsor Lapel Pin 5. Your team charters four new JOOI Clubs with a minimum of 12 Members each between October 1, 2006, and September 30, 2007 Solve the Optimist e-mail box mystery 6. Attain net plus 1 growth in your District by September 30, 2007 Note: District may count one renovated Club towards the completion of the Dunn Deal. The other 2 Clubs must be new Optimist Clubs. (Please see page 5 of the Awards handbook for further information on Club renovation) If you are among the lucky card sharks who win the jackpot, you will receive paid registration and three nights hotel at the 2008 Optimist International Convention in Grapevine, Texas. *Top Lt. Governor in organization in net membership growth will also win the jackpot. *Top regional Vice President in net membership growth will also win the jackpot. Award is non-transferable

Seasons of L ve Each season of the year provides new opportunities to increase our service to youth and Bring Out the Best in Kids. Earn the banner patches below by sharing Optimism and making a difference in your community all year round. Fall: Charter a new Optimist Club in the 1st Quarter Winter: Hold a NOW Program and increase your Club s membership by 3 Members within the 2nd Quarter Spring: Conduct a Childhood Cancer Campaign (CCC) fundraiser and donate $200.00 to the Optimist International Foundations during the 3rd Quarter Summer: Achieve a net increase of 1 or more Members over the Club s October 1 membership by September 30, 2007 Earn all four to receive an exclusive heart patch to put in the middle of the Seasons of Love banner patches. In addition, for each JOOI Club that your Club charters, you will receive a special heart-shaped JOOI banner patch. 16