2025 - 2026 OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
Thomas W. Kendo Jr.
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Greetings from President Tom,
Optimist International is an incredible organization! We are on a mission to provide hope and a positive vision to children and communities worldwide. Our members strive to be a force of positive change in the lives of all youth and their communities! Optimist leaders and members have big hearts and a passion for the work that we do. Optimist International has clubs and members in 26 nations around the world. Our clubs and members have a willingness to welcome people of all backgrounds and all ages. Optimist International has endured in our mission of spreading optimism as a philosophy of life and service children for over 106 years. I want to thank you for stepping forward and joining our wonderful organization and committing yourselves to bringing out the best in the lives of the children within your community, as well as making your community a better place to live, and bringing out the best in yourselves. On behalf of the children and communities served by your club, I want to say to you that you are appreciated. This is an important time of transformation for Optimist International. We stand at a crossroads as we prepare our beloved organization for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. In the 2025-2026 Optimist year, Optimist International must examine the past, the present, and the future if the organization is going to continue its vision to be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential. We must admit our membership is declining every year, our new club building has slowed down to a trickle, our finances are shrinking, and our current Region/District/Zone club structure is no longer meeting the needs of our organization. Unfortunately, this is the only System we have, and this is a complicated issue that won’t have a quick or easy solution. This isn’t just at the district level but all levels of the organization. How clubs/Zones/Districts/Regions operate is also going to need to change, sooner rather than later. Finally, our membership is aging out and dying off, which adds to the decline. Yet, our Optimist Clubs continue to do amazing work through incredible programs, to bring out the best of the youth in their communities. Many of those communities would be devastated without our awesome Optimist Clubs. Therefore, we must support our Optimist Clubs by finding a way to save Optimist International by pressing on to the greater achievements of the future. We can do so and we will do so, by treasuring and honoring our successes of the past, by working hard in the present, and by progressing to the future using evolutionary change. Optimist International must evolve into an organization which fosters collaboration and teamwork amongst all of its members; younger, older, male, female, every race, ethnicity, religion, inclusive of everyone, in Region/District/Zone/Club everywhere. We don’t need a revolution—eliminating all Regions/Districts/Zones/Clubs and alienating most of our membership. We’re going to need to decide if those clubs that are struggling will bring the return on investment, that it would take to save those clubs, versus building new clubs. However, supporting the club model for as long as it’s still sustainable is where evolutionary change begins. While we seek to evolve into other forms of memberships in Optimist International. Together, as an incredible team of like-minded individuals, using our positive mental attitudes, we will revitalize Optimist International. We need leaders to shepherd this evolution and activate this change; I am willing to be one of the enthusiastic, collaborative, passionate, and bridge-building leaders as the President of Optimist International. Will you join me by leading in your Club, your Zone, your District, and your Region? We need your help! I am willing to Be the Change we need and I am asking you to Be the Change! The challenge and opportunity facing us are people, young and old, who are looking for something positive in their lives, a purpose, a haven, a place of comfort where they can experience a more meaningful life. And do you know what? You and I have the key to all of this—the gift of optimism. Today we have the same opportunity to promote the mission of Optimist International to our communities and advance the benefits of being an Optimist: Service to Youth, Friendship, Personal Fulfillment, Enhanced Wellbeing, and Inspiring others. And add the fact that science has proven optimists are healthier, happier, more successful, live longer, and bounce back faster from Personal setbacks. Who would want to be an Optimist? So, my challenge to you is to share your gift of Optimism with everyone around you. Give the people you care about the opportunity to experience the wonderful feeling and benefits you experience as an optimist every single day. Let’s strive to inspire those people we love and care about to choose Optimism. CHOOSE OPTIMISM—BE THE CHANGE Tom Kendo Optimist International President 2025-2026 |
2025 - 2026 - Optimist International President - Thomas W. Kendo
HOME CLUB
Kettering Dor Wood, Ohio 
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