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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
February 5 & 6, 2010
SWIS District will hold its 2nd Quarter Conference February 5 & 6, 2010 at the Baymont Inn & UW-Whitewater University Center in Whitewater, WI.
Click Here for more information on the Conference.
March 20, 2010
SWIS District will hold its Tri-Star Basketball Competition March 20, 2010 at Mukwonago High School in Mukwonago, WI. Special guest: Bucky Badger!
Click Here for more information on the Tri-Star Competition.
GENERAL INFORMATION
January 5, 2010
Football Mania Information
Click Here for the Grand Prize Winners of $1,000 and $275! Congratulations to the winners and look for information about the 2010 season beginning in June.
January 4, 2010
Click here for the 2nd Quarter Newsletter for the months of January, February and March.
January 4, 2010
Football Mania Information
Click Here for winners from Week 17 of the Football season. Each ticket buyer can go online each week after the Monday nite football game and put their ticket number in the boxes on the www.charitymania.com website, and find out immediately if their card is a winner. For more information, Click Here.
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!
April 8, 2009
Tri-Star SWIS District Basketball Event - March 21st, 2009. To see this year's event - click here.
February 17, 2009
Click here for Minutes of the General Session at the 2008 - 2009 1st Quarter Conference.
Click here for Minutes of the Executive Committee at the 2008 - 2009 1st Quarter Conference.
Click here for the SWIS Treasurer's Report for the 1st Quarter 2008 - 2009.
February 11, 2009
Click here for a summary from the 2008 - 2009 2nd Quarter Conference Roundtables on February 6 & 7, 2009 in Madison.
Click here for a summary from the 2007 - 2008 3rd Quarter Conference Roundtables.
Click here for a summary from the 2007 - 2008 2nd Quarter Conference Roundtables.
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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