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A HISTORY OF BRINGING OUT
THE BEST IN KIDS
Just months after WWI ended, on June 19, 1919, saw the official forming of the Optimist organization in Louisville, KY. The time was ripe for Optimism - that unquenchable faith within a person that leaves no doubt about the future! And Optimists are willing to work hard and effectively toward that goal.
Wisconsin has played a prominent role in the history of Optimist International, dating back to 1917 when the Milwaukee club participated in an organizational conference in Indianapolis, IN. The purpose of these first volunteer organizations was to meet the needs of their communities and to work with kids.
Iowa native Christian D. Larson authored Promise Yourself in 1912. A source of inspiration for many people, Optimist International adopted a shortened version of the writing in 1922 and renamed it The Optimist Creed.
The Optimist International Convention was held in Milwaukee in 1924. Two important votes occurred at this convention: Optimist International’s motto was changed to Friend of the Boy and the Junior Optimist Club concept was adopted.
Wisconsin clubs have, at various times, been credited with originating the Oratorical contest, Bicycle Safety Program, and the Oratorical Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Four Wisconsin Optimist members have served as International President: Leo Knoll (1925-26); Robert Sutherland (1930-31);
William Newhouse (1967-68); and Dwaine Sievers (2003-04).
By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids. Optimists value all children and help them develop to their full potential.
Do you want to become a part of this history? The first step is to contact your local Optimist group. Contact us about starting an Optimist group in your community if one does not currently exist. Who knows, you may make the next significant contribution.
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| OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL MISSION STATEMENT |
| By providing hope, and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in children. |
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| SWIS DISTRICT VISION STATEMENT |
| To be the premier youth serving organization in Southern Wisconsin: Bringing Out the Best In Kids ... Right Here, Right Now. |
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| THE OPTIMIST CREED |
Promise Yourself-
- To be
so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
- To talk
health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
- To make
all your friends feel that there is something in them.
- To look
at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism
come true.
- To think
only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect
only the best.
- To be
just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you
are about your own.
- To forget
the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements
of the future.
- To wear
a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living
creature you meet a smile.
- To give
so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have
no time to criticize others.
- To be
too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for
fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Written in 1912 by Christian D. Larson, adopted by Optimist International in 1922. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
November 5 - 7 , 2010
SWIS District will be part of the Parallel District Conference with all the Districts of the Great Plains Region November 5 - 7, 2010 at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Bloomington (Minneapolis), MN near the Mall of America.
Click Here for more information on the Conference.
Click Here for the Registration Form.
GENERAL INFORMATION
August 15, 2010
Football Frenzy Sweepstakes Information
 Click the logo for the link to the sweepstakes web site. Once Football season starts, you can click the link and see if you are a winner!
For more information on the sweepstakes, Click Here. Tickets are out for sale. Please sell the tickets and get the stubs with money back to Fred Dorn so he can input them into the system. If you have unsold tickets, please get those back to Fred as soon as possible so he can give to other clubs who can sell more. We want all tickets sold this year.
July 19, 2010
Click here for the 4th Quarter Newsletter for the months of July, August & September.
May 12, 2010
Executive Board & Conference Minutes
Click Here for a copy of the 3rd Quarter Executive Board Minutes from the Kalahari on May 7. Click Here for a copy of the 3rd Quarter General Session Minutes from the Kalahari on May 8.
March 29, 2010
Tri-Star SWIS District Basketball Event - March 20th, 2010. To see this year's event - click here.
February 24, 2010
Optimist International Membership Program
Click Here for a letter from International President Shriver with incentives for recruiting new members.
February 24, 2010
OI Foundation Club Grant Program
Click Here for information about a grant from OI Foundation to clubs to help support new projects.
February 24, 2010
Executive Board & Conference Minutes
Click Here for a copy of the 2nd Quarter Executive Board Minutes from Whitewater on Feb 5. Click Here for a copy of the 2nd Quarter General Session Minutes from Whitewater on Feb 6.
November 27, 2009
Conference Round Table Notes
Click Here for a copy of the Round Table notes from the 1st Quarter 09-10 Conference Round Table Discussion on the Best Times you have had as an Optimist with children.
Click Here for a copy of the Round Table notes from the 1st Quarter 09-10 Conference Round Table Discussion on the successful strategies for holding a successful Oratorical or Essay Contest.
November 10, 2009
Executive Board Minutes
Click Here for a copy of the 1st Quarter Executive Board Minutes from Platteville on Oct 23. Click Here for a copy of the 1st Quarter General Session Minutes from Platteville on Oct 24. Click Here for a copy of the approved 2009 - 2010 SWIS District Budget.
August 12, 2009
Click here for Minutes of the General Session at the 2008 - 2009 4th Quarter Conference.
Click here for Minutes of the Executive Committee at the 2008 - 2009 4th Quarter Conference.
May 6, 2009
Click here for a wrap up of the 2009 SWIS District Oratorical Contest. Thanks to all competitors, parents, teachers, judges and contest chairpersons at the club, zone and District level!
January 11, 2009
Click here for information from OI Foundation regarding the OIF Club Grant Program. Applications may be submitted from January 1, 2009 through March 15, 2009.
January 31, 2008
Click here for information on how your Unrestricted Gift to the OI Foundation is used.
November 5, 2007
Visit the web site of www.courageofchildrenwithcancerbooks.org to learn more about the Childhood Cancer Campaign.
Consider the Dime-a-Day donation program for the OI Foundation- click for details. 
Check back for more District Updates soon...
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