Optimist International - Ohio District

Ohio Junior Optimist Annual Convention 2025
2025-03-07 18:00 - 2025-03-08 13:30 (America/New_York) | Christ United Methodist Church, 3440 Shroyer Road, Kettering, Ohio, 45440, United States
Governor’s theme: Embracing Life With Optimism

Who: All Alpha, Junior Optimist and Octagon club members and advisors (optional)

What: The 2025 Annual Ohio JOI Convention

When: Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8, 2025 form 6:00pm – 1:30pm (This is an overnight but you can come for just Friday, Saturday, or both!)

Where: Christ United Methodist Church – Deep End – enter through door 5 – 3440 Shroyer Road (across from Kettering Fairmont High School) Kettering, OH 45440

Why: At our annual convention we have fun while working together at getting to know each other, doing a service project, entertaining each other with a talent show, and engaging with a keynote speaker.

How much does it cost: It’s totally FREE!

Will there be food: YES! Dinner Friday, breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

What should I bring: Bring a change of clothes, pjs, sleeping bag/bedroll (we sleep on the floor), toiletries, your best Junior Optimist attitude! You may also bring a snack to share if you wish.

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Q3 District Conference 2024-2025
2025-05-02 00:00 - 2025-05-03 23:59 | Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Pl, Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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Spring is busting out all over and that is exactly what we are doing in the Ohio District. Please mark your calendars for the 3rd conference this year on May 3, 2025. In my opinion, it is the most interesting and fun conference of the year. Optimists are all about service to children…well at this conference we will be hosting the best in the Oratorical contest and the final Essay and CCDHH contest winners. You will be able to hear these fantastic students tell us about how Optimism helped them through challenging times in their lives. Please come to honor these students. Let’s fill the room with support and encouragement!!

It is truly a day well spent in service. You will learn about a successful fundraiser and the incredibly talented Mike Bevis, a fellow Optimist, will discuss both member recruitment and retention as well as new club building. It is springtime after all, a time for growth, a perfect time to hear how all clubs can grow. Growth means having more people to serve more children. That is what we are all about. Serving Children. “Let’s Grow” our clubs!

At the same time, we will be provided with unbelievably valuable life-supportive leadership training from Mike Zywien. This series is the third in the series. The series has been well accepted. Learn not only how to lead your club but how to grow personally and professionally. Mike is aware that you are ALL the leaders in your clubs, but the series is provided so you can take it back to your clubs. The future of the Optimist Organization is about the future leaders and this series on leadership supports and trains those leaders.

We are doing something a little different this conference. The conference will end at 4:30 Saturday afternoon. There will not be dinner. I hope you can spend the day with us. I promise you it will be well worth it.

Yours in Optimism,

Terry Schalnat – Governor

Saturday Lunch (included with registration)

Garden salad

Beef pot roast

Fried chicken

Mac & cheese

Green beans

Cookies

No Banquet Meal Saturday Evening

Pricing

Conference registration is $50.

Friday evening dinner is NOT included.

See note at the bottom of this page about what the registration covers.

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107th Optimist International Convention
2025-06-29 00:00 - 2025-07-03 23:59 | Union Station Hotel, 1820 Market St, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103, United States
Join us in St. Louis at the Union Station Hotel for the 107th Optimist International Convention!

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear motivational speakers, attend workshops, speak your mind at the town hall and business meeting, and meet, network, and socialize with Optimists from around the world!

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77th Annual District Convention 2024-2025
2025-08-14 00:00 - 2025-08-16 23:59 | Hope Hotel and Conference Center, 10823 Chidlaw Rd # A, Dayton, OH, 45433, United States
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Greetings, Fellow Ohio District Optimists:It is that time of year again! Summer is here, kids are off school, and we are winding down the 2024-2025 Optimist year. It has been a great year.Many children have received love and support from you, the Ohio District Optimists. I cannot say thank you enough for all your dedication and hard work.I want to personally invite you to the 77th Ohio Optimist Convention. I know you are busy. What Optimist is not? The convention committee and I are putting together a wonderful day full of friendship, tasty food, entertainment, training, and just plain fun! We NEED you there.We want you to meet the new Governor for 2025-2026, Debbie Walsh. She has a wonderful year planned and you will hear all about it. You will also meet the new leadership team. You will get a chance to vote on the candidate(s) for Governor Elect. Come, vote, and get to know your future Governor Elect. There will be presentations and roundtable discussions on leadership, marketing, and membership, a culmination of our training this year.And finally, an evening is planned – with emcee Debe Dockins, a message from Optimist International President Jan Oord Graves, a short enjoyable summary of the Ohio Optimist year, and entertainment from Elvis himself. (Really an impersonator) The evening will be upbeat and fun!!!!Please join us and enjoy yourselves. You will be happy you did!Yours in Optimism,Terry SchalnatGovernor

The Brockman Brothers will entertain us during lunch on Saturday, August 16th. The Brockman Brothers, Owen and Will, are talented young musicians from Centerville, Ohio. Owen, a banjo prodigy, and Will, a skilled guitarist, have captivated audiences throughout the Dayton area.

If you cannot attend for the training, you can still join us for dinner and entertainment the evening of Saturday, August 16th.

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TOP TEN REASONS TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION

Opportunity to meet and be inspired by International President Jan Oord.

Incredible training for President-Elects, Secretary/Treasurer-Elects, Lt. Governor-Elects, as well non-officer Optimists.

Obtain new fundraising & project ideas for your club and share your club activities with fellow Optimists.

Renew old friendships and make new optimist friends from all over the Great Ohio District.

See the fantastic Great Ohio Optimist District JOI students in action.

Hear Rick Willits, Director of Development at Lehman Catholic High School, share success stories and give tips on member engagement.

Be inspired to add new members to your club to serve more youth in your community.

Celebrate The Great Ohio Optimist District’s achievements in 24-25.

Get motivated to help Governor-Elect Debbie Walsh lead us to greater achievements in 25-26 Optimist year.

Enjoy the fun & fellowship of the 77th Annual Convention of the Great Ohio District at the Governor’s Ball with Elvis!

Q1 District Conference 2025-2026
2025-11-14 00:00 - 2025-11-16 23:59 | Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Pl, Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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It is with great excitement and gratitude that I welcome each of you to the 2025-2026 Optimist Year. As we step into this new season together, I am honored to serve as your Governor and to continue the incredible work of spreading Optimism throughout our communities.

Our theme this month is “Celebrating Change.” Change brings growth, new opportunities, and fresh perspectives. It reminds us that with every new challenge comes the chance to learn, to adapt, and to strengthen our mission of bringing out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves.

I invite every club and every member across the Ohio District to embrace this spirit of change, whether through new projects, fresh ideas, or renewed energy in the work you are already doing. Together, we will celebrate not only the traditions that make our organization strong, but also the possibilities that lie ahead when we open ourselves to growth and transformation.

I’m also thrilled to announce that our 1st Quarter District Conference for 2025-2026 is scheduled for November 14-16. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn and share as we chart our course forward. I hope every club will join us, your presence makes a difference!

Thank you for all that you do, and for the countless ways you embody Optimist in action. Let’s make 2025-2026 a year of inspiration, impact, and meaningful change worth celebrating!

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Q2 District Conference 2025-2026
2026-02-06 00:00 - 2026-02-08 23:59 | Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Pl, Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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Note: The Hospitality Suite will be located in Suite #615

Get ready Ohio Optimists!

I’m thrilled to officially invite you to the Second Quarter Ohio District Conference, February 6–8, 2026, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, Ohio 43017. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a weekend filled with fun, fellowship, and Optimist pride!

We’ll kick off the weekend on Friday, February 6, 2026, in the Hospitality Room, featuring a 2026 Winter Olympics theme as the Opening Ceremonies take place that evening. Join us for snacks, beverages, fun, and fellowship. This is a BYOB event — feel free to bring food to share. We’ll provide ice, coolers, basic mixers, and light snacks both evenings, with pizza or subs on Friday (donations appreciated to help cover costs). Be sure to join in a fun 10-question Winter Olympics trivia for a little friendly competition and extra laughs!

Optimist International Foundation Executive Director Craig Boring will be joining us all day to give further insight into the OI Foundation and has special awards to present during Past Governor, Terry Schalnat’s, award ceremony Saturday evening. We’ll recognize District participation in International Optimist Day, which is celebrated worldwide on the first Thursday of each February. We will also highlight the C.A.R.E. Program (C-Celebrate, A-Address, R-Recognize, E-Excel), which focuses on membership — the key to our organization and the communities we serve.

We’re also excited to welcome a special guest speaker, Dennis VanFossen Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the International Soap Box Derby. A former Soap Box Derby world champion and lifelong Optimist at heart, Dennis brings incredible energy, leadership, and passion to his story — from racing at Derby Downs to leading this iconic organization into its next chapter. His presentation promises inspiration, excitement, and plenty of fun.

We’ll continue our focus on strengthening our clubs through membership growth and retention. If every Ohio Optimist Club added just one new member, our District would truly soar — and this conference will help spark that momentum.

And of course, we’ll add a little fun! 🎉 The Governor’s Raffle will be drawn on Saturday, February 7, at Past Governor, Terry Schalnat’s, award ceremony and every registered attendee is automatically entered for a chance to win a basket of 250 lottery tickets. Just attend and you could be our lucky winner!

Save the date, bring a fellow Optimist (or a future one!), and get ready for an energizing weekend. I can’t wait to see you there!

Celebrating Optimism,

Debbie WalshGovernor, Ohio District 2025–2026

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Q3 District Conference 2025-2026
2026-05-15 00:00 - 2026-05-17 23:59 | Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Pl, Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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Note: The Hospitality Suite will be located in Suite #615

Join us for an inspiring and impactful weekend as Optimists from across the Ohio District unite to honor outstanding students and continue our mission of bringing out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves! The Ohio District Third Quarter Conference will be taking place May 15-17, 2026.

One of the most anticipated highlights of the weekend will be the recognition of our remarkable youth. Be inspired as we celebrate the outstanding finalists of our three scholarship contest. On Saturday morning, attendees will have the special opportunity to hear/experience the Essay and CCDHH winners present their award-winning entries followed by the finals of the District Oratorical competition. If you’ve never experienced these competitions, you will be truly amazed by the confidence, eloquence, and passion of these exceptional winners! They embody the true Optimist spirit, and their achievements showcase the powerful and lasting impact our clubs have on future generations.

The excitement continues this summer with the Optimist International Convention in Jacksonville this June – don’t miss your opportunity to attend! This premier event offers inspiration, leadership development, and global fellowship. Be sure to take advantage of Early Bird Pricing before it ends on May 1!

As Optimists, we are reminded to dream boldly and reach for the stars. With the excitement surrounding the Artemis II Mission – which carried 4 astronauts around the Moon – our vision aligns perfectly with the spirit of exploration, innovation, and limitless possibility. Just as this historic journey represents humanity’s next giant leap, our conference reflects our commitment to shaping a brighter future for the next generation. Together, we continue to inspire hope, encourage achievement, and prove that optimism knows no bounds!

The Ohio District Third Quarter Conference promises to be filled with celebration, connection, and Optimist pride. Mark your calendars and join us for a truly extraordinary weekend!

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78th Annual District Convention 2025-2026
2026-08-06 00:00 - 2026-08-09 23:59 | Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Pl, Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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Dear Fellow Optimists,

As we continue celebrating America’s 250th Birthday and another incredible year of serving our youth and our communities, it is my pleasure to invite you to the 78th Annual Ohio District Convention, “Celebrating America at 250,” taking place August 6–9, 2026, at the wonderful Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, Ohio 43017.

This convention marks the culmination of an amazing Optimist year, a time to celebrate our accomplishments, recognize the dedication of our members, and embrace the exciting future ahead. Together, we’ll reflect on how our clubs have grown, the lives we’ve impacted, and the difference Optimists continue to make across Ohio and beyond.

We’ll have the opportunity to welcome Governor-Elect Chuck Hillman and his incoming 2026–2027 Ohio District Leadership Team as they prepare to continue our tradition of service and excellence. We are also honored to welcome Regional Vice President Debbie Berry, among many others who will share in this special weekend of fellowship, inspiration, and training.

I am especially excited to welcome OI President Tom Kendo and First Lady Jennifer Kendo as we celebrate President Tom’s outstanding year of leadership and the remarkable growth taking place throughout Optimist International. President Tom has the chance to do something that hasn’t happened in the past 20 years: end the Optimist year with net 0 or better! Together, we have the opportunity to make Optimist history and help President Tom achieve this extraordinary milestone.

Throughout the convention, we’ll recognize our Back in Balance Clubs, celebrate club impact achievements from Club Impact Reports, and learn how every club can contribute to reaching our goal of net 0 or better, thus strengthening Optimism throughout Ohio.

Most importantly, we’ll enjoy the fellowship that makes our organization so special—connecting with friends, making new ones, sharing ideas, celebrating our successes, and preparing for another outstanding year of bringing out the best in our youth, our communities, and ourselves.

Thank you for your continued dedication, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to Optimism. I look forward to celebrating with each of you as we honor another successful year and begin an exciting new one together!

I can’t wait to see you at the 78th Annual Ohio District Convention and continue to celebrate Optimism and America at 250!

Celebrating Optimism,

Debbie WalshGovernor, Ohio District2025–2026

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Q1 District Conference 2026-2027
2026-10-16 00:00 - 2026-10-18 23:59 | Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Pl, Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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Our 1st Quarter District Conference for 2026-2027 is scheduled for October 16-18. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn and share as we chart our course forward. I hope every club will join us, your presence makes a difference!

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Q2 District Conference 2026-2027
2027-02-12 00:00 - 2027-02-13 23:59 | Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Pl, Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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Our 2nd Quarter District Conference for 2026-2027 is scheduled for February 12-13. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn and share as we chart our course forward. I hope every club will join us, your presence makes a difference!

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Q3 District Conference 2026-2027
2027-05-14 00:00 - 2027-05-15 23:59 | Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Pl, Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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Our 3rd Quarter District Conference for 2026-2027 is scheduled for May 14-15. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn and share as we chart our course forward. I hope every club will join us, your presence makes a difference!

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79th Annual District Convention 2026-2027
2027-08-13 00:00 - 2027-08-15 23:59 | Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Pl, Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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The 79th Annual District Convention for 2026-2027 is scheduled for August 13-15. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn and share as we chart our course forward. I hope every club will join us, your presence makes a difference!

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