Decisions are made by the club board of directors. The board includes the president, secretary - treasurer, vice presidents, past president, and elected directors. The president, vice presidents, and directors are elected by the club members; the secretary-treasurer is appointed by the president.

• The President is the key officer of the club. An effective president runs good club meetings, directs and organizes the club to meet its goals, and brings together all members as a contributing team.
• The Secretary-Treasurer handles finances and maintains club records.
• The Foundation Representative provides information on the Optimist International Foundations and encourages contributions from the club and its members.

Specific areas of club work are carried out by club committees. Typical committees include:

• Community Service - Organizes community-service projects.
• Fellowship - Stimulates attendance and fellowship at meetings, and plans social functions.
  
• Finance - Oversees the club budget and develops fund-raising projects.
• Membership - Works to attract new members and orient them to the club.
• New Club Building - Starts a new Optimist Club in a nearby community.
• Programs - Arranges programs for club meetings.
• Public Relations - Publicizes and promotes the club to the media and the general public. Many times, a representative from this committee publishes the club bulletin.
• Service Programs - Conducts community and youth service programs.

The club is chartered as a member of Optimist International, giving it the right to use the Optimist name, and providing access to the programs and services of Optimist International.

How Clubs are Funded

An Optimist Club has two sources of money: member dues and income from fund-raising projects.

Member dues typically cover administrative costs and a portion of the cost of youth and community service work. Administrative costs include postage, printing, supplies, and dues to Optimist International.

Most of the money to run service projects is generated from fund-raising events held in your community. These include Christmas tree lots, sales of fund-raising products, and benefit events such as dances and shows. All income from fundraisers is returned to the community in the form of service projects.

Optimist Club Organization

The Optimist Clubs in your surrounding area make up a district. District meetings are held quarterly at rotating locations.

District meetings include workshops for club presidents and secretary-treasurers, along with general sessions on Optimist activities in the district. The district meeting is an excellent time to network with other neighboring Optimist Clubs, and gain beneficial ideas to take back to your club.

At the third quarter meeting in April or May, the district Oratorical Contest final is held, giving members the chance to hear the best young speakers in the district.

District Leaders

District officials can assist your club during the year. You will meet the lieutenant governor who oversees your club and about five other neighbouring clubs. The governor presides at district meetings and may visit your club during the year.

District chairpersons can provide assistance to clubs in their area of responsibility, such as programs, the Optimist Foundations, club services, membership and new club building.

District Organization