Illinois Optimist Convention
2018-08-10 - 2018-08-12 | The Chateau Bloomington, 1621 Jumer Drive, Bloomington, IL, 61704, United States
Patsy Garner, a member of the Optimist International Board of Directors, and Ken Garner, Past Optimist International President and a Certified International Trainer, will join us at our District Convention August 10-12, to provide tools and training to encourage us all to be better Optimists. Both of them bring a lot of experience, knowledge, and fun to the table.
If you’ve not already registered for the Convention, do it now! You don’t want to miss the chance to hear what Patsy, Ken, and the other presenters have to share with us in Bloomington. Following our hospitality room and Executive Board Meeting on Friday evening, Saturday will be packed with training sessions (Saturday’s schedule is attached).
Saturday evening will be our Governor’s Banquet, and we encourage everyone to stay in Bloomington to attend this dinner. Along with the installation of officers for next year, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from our Governor, Governor-Designate, and Past International President Ken Garner.
Registration Form
2018_IL_Convention Agenda

Illinois Optimist Conference
2018-10-05 - 2018-10-06 | The Radisson Hotel, Normal IL, 8 Traders Cir, Normal, IL, 61761, United States
The first conference of the 2018-19 Optimist year kicks off our centennial celebration. Optimist International turns 100 years old in June, so let’s get this party started! Plans are underway for the conference training events, but we know we’ll have an Optimist International rep, presenting these sessions:

We and Them IS Us (working together to make the most of differences between generations)
100 Years! Let’s Celebrate (what the Centennial can do for you and your club and how your club can celebrate it)
100 Ways to Appreciate Our Members (learn why appreciating members keeps them engaged)
Back to Basics – Budgeting Club Activities (basics of budgeting our club’s activities)

Watch here for more details about other training and events as the date gets closer.
You can reserve your room now:
Illinois Optimist Conference October 2018 Radisson Hotel Normal – Promotional Code: ILOPTM
Reserve online or call the Radisson at 309-862-0101 and reference Illinois Optimist Conference.

Illinois Optimist Conference
2019-01-25 - 2019-01-26 | The Radisson Hotel, Normal IL, 8 Traders Cir, Normal, IL, 61761, United States
Second quarter is the time we celebrate the successes of the prior Optimist year. Awards will be presented for the 2017-18 Optimist year. There will be plenty of time for fellowship with your Optimist peers and training to take home to your club, helping us all be the best Optimist members ever!
Want to really plan ahead? Go ahead and make your room reservation now at
Illinois Optimist Conference January 2019 Radisson Hotel Normal – Promotional Code: OPTJAN
Reserve online or call the Radisson at 309-862-0101 and reference Illinois Optimist Conference.

Illinois Optimist Conference
2019-04-12 - 2019-04-13 | The Radisson Hotel, Normal IL, 8 Traders Cir, Normal, IL, 61761, United States
There’s nothing better than the Optimist International Scholarship Contests. You won’t want to miss the finals of the Oratorical Contest and the Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at this conference. We’ll also hear the winner of our Essay Contest read their winning essay. Another highlight is our annual Poster Contest, with prizes awarded to the top three young men and young women who enter this fun contest.
Don’t miss out. Go ahead and make your room reservation now at
Illinois Optimist Conference April 2019 Radisson Hotel Normal – Promotional Code: OPTAPR
Reserve online or call the Radisson at 309-862-0101 and reference Illinois Optimist Conference.

Optimist International Birthday
2019-06-19
The Optimist International Organization turns 100 Years old on June 19th, 2019!

Optimist International Convention
2019-06-30 - 2019-07-03 | Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, KY, 221 S 4th St, Louisville, KY, 40202, United States
Celebrating the Centennial of Optimist International

Illinois Optimist Convention
2019-08-02 - 2019-08-04 | The Radisson Hotel, Normal IL, 8 Traders Cir, Normal, IL, 61761, United States
Our annual Illinois Optimist Convention is when we elect our Governor-elect for the 2019-20 Optimist year, vote on any policy amendments, and kick off the training for the 2019-20 Optimist year. Included will be a memorial service for us to remember the Illinois Optimists who’ve passed away. The Governor’s banquet provides the perfect way to celebrate the new team that will start their important positions on October 1.
You can make your room reservation now at
Illinois Optimist Conference August 2019 Radisson Hotel Normal – Promotional Code: OPTAUG
Reserve online or call the Radisson at 309-862-0101 and reference Illinois Optimist Conference.

Fall conference Illinois District
2019-10-18 16:00 - 2019-10-19 17:00 (America/New_York) | Decatur Conference Center @ Hotel, 4191 US HWY 36 West, Decatur, IL, 62522, United States

Winter Conference Illinois District
2020-01-24 16:00 - 2020-01-25 17:00 | Decatur Conference Center @ Hotel, 4191 US HWY 36 West, Decatur, IL, 62522, United States

Spring Conference Illinois District
2020-04-17 16:00 - 2020-04-18 17:00 | Decatur Conference Center @ Hotel, 4191 US HWY 36 West, Decatur, IL, 62522, United States

Illinois District Convention
2020-08-07 16:00 - 2020-08-08 17:00 | Decatur Conference Center @ Hotel, 4191 US HWY 36 West, Decatur, IL, 62522, United States

Articles for District Bulletin Due
2021-10-18

2nd Quarter IL District Executive Committee Meeting
2022-01-19 18:00 - 19:30

2nd Quarter IL District Virtual Conference
2022-01-29 09:00 - 12:00

Optimist International Optimist Day
2022-02-03
For information on how to celebrate Optimist Day see: https://www.optimist.org/member/optimistday.cfm

Bringing out the Best in Yourself & Others
2022-02-21 19:00 - 20:00
Leadership matter. Learn how to foster collaboration across Optimist clubs, zones and districts by building trust, facilitating relationships, and mentoring emerging leaders.
Pre-registration is required.

Optimist Madness -- Are We the Big Game?
2022-03-21 19:00 - 20:00
Does your community know who you are? We can help with easy, practical,and fun ways to build name recognition.
Pre-registration is required

Plant, Nurture, Reap Optimism
2022-04-18 19:00 - 20:00
Find out about creative ways to grow Optimism in your community throughlocal projects, volunteer events and partnering with agencies.
Pre-registration is required

IL District 3rd Quarter Conference
2022-04-29 - 2022-04-30 | Holiday Inn & Suites, East Peoria, IL, 101 Holiday Street, East Peoria, IL, 61611, United States

How Much is Enough? Appreciation, Recognition and Awards
2022-05-16 19:00 - 20:00
One Degree More. Going beyond formal award systems to recognizeindividual and club excellence. Hear about fun, imaginative andpersonalized ways Optimists encourage the heart and build a spirit ofcommunity.

Pre-registration is required

Mid-America District Town Hall Meeting
2022-06-01 19:30 - 21:00

Summer Success - In the Good Old Summertime
2022-06-20 19:00 - 20:00
Are you satisfied with the programs and attendance at your meetings andactivities? Is fellowship a primary concern? What will happen to your clubduring June, July, and August? Learn how you can avoid the dreaded“summer slide” with ideas and activities that will keep your membersexcited, interested, and involved.

Pre-registration is required

IL District 4th Quarter Convention
2022-08-12 - 2022-08-13 | Holiday Inn & Suites, East Peoria, IL, 101 Holiday Street, East Peoria, IL, 61611, United States

Better Together
2022-08-15 19:00 - 20:00
The Best part of Optimism is sharing it with others! Collaborative Projectsincrease our influence and strengthen bonds. This webinar focuses onprojects where Clubs have teamed up with other Clubs or Organizations toBring Out the Best in our Communities!

Pre-registration is required

3rd Quarter Illinois District Conference
2023-04-28 - 2023-04-29 | Holiday Inn & Suites, East Peoria, IL, 101 Holiday Street, East Peoria, IL, 61611, United States

Illinois District Oratorical Contest
2023-04-29 | Holiday Inn & Suites, East Peoria, IL, 101 Holiday Street, East Peoria, IL, 61611, United States

Everything You Need to Know about CARE and Other Member Engagement Projects
2024-03-11 19:00 - 20:00
https://optimist-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pc-GhrDgoGd02JN86HnMyZEKUnWEvoGzz#/registration
