Thank you for entrusting to me the Governorship of the Michigan District for 2025-2026. It is an honor to be the Governor of the largest district in Optimist International and to serve all of you wonderful Optimists.
As we enter the 1st Q of the new Optimist Year, I have one question to ask you –Are you ready to “Bee the Difference”? This is our theme for the Michigan District for the year 2025-2026. These three simple words define how we as members of Optimist International view and interpret the world around us. As Optimists, we must take it upon ourselves to provide solutions to problems that challenge our kids, our communities and ourselves. I firmly believe that all of us can “Bee the Difference” in the upcoming year.
Growing our clubs is certainly one of the biggest challenges we will continue to face in the upcoming year. To encourage and reward club growth the district will provide a $50 rebate to the club for every new member they recruit this coming year. I intend to have our Lieutenant and Assistant Governors work closely with our Membership Engagement committee to help our clubs grow. Thirty percent of our clubs in the Michigan District have 15 or fewer members. We need to make sure that these clubs are receiving our constant attention.
In addition, we need to explore building new clubs in communities that we are currently not serving. These communities include the city of Dearborn and our Indigenous Peoples communities. New clubs are being considered for other communities, as well. To help ensure that every new club we build in 2025-2026 will thrive, the district will donate $500 to the new club.
Our new Optimist International President, Tom Kendo, outlined his Presidential Incentive Plan for club recognition at the International Convention in St. Louis this past July. In addition to Honor Club and Distinguished Club recognition he has added a new category of club recognition. It is called the Merit Club and requires that a club grow by a net +0 members and make a $100 contribution to the Optimist International Foundation during 2025-2026. We need to take it upon ourselves that every club in the Michigan District achieves at a minimum the Merit Club recognition. Of course, we look forward to many of our clubs achieving honor and distinguished club status, as well.
Our marketing and communications team has been doing a remarkable job conveying information to our current members. One thing that we also need to focus on is spreading our message to those who are not members of Optimist International. Therefore, I strongly encourage our clubs to embrace and engage in producing podcasts for their respective communities to highlight their club’s accomplishments and give members of the community a reason to become involved with their club.
As the year progresses you will hear more from me about the goals being set by our various committees.
I look forward to seeing you at our 1st Q Gathering at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Auburn hills on November 8 and remember to “Bee the Difference” for this upcoming year.
