Childhood Cancer Campaige 

“Providing the Care…Finding the Cure”

The Optimist International Board of Directors has designated CCC as a priority and with the support of the Optimist International Foundations, has established a five-year funding commitment for the program.  We intend to become the leading force to rid the world of childhood cancer. This will require the commitment of all membership levels within Optimist International and NC East District.

Program Goals:

The program model is built to accentuate four areas of service on which Clubs can focus:

·        Support to children diagnosed and receiving treatment for cancer. There usually will be individuals receiving treatment from a medical provider within your community.  Often it may mean assisting an individual from your community who has been diagnosed with cancer but who needs to travel to a particular facility in another community for treatment.

·        Support to families and care partners of children with cancer. Clubs should seek to identify families that need support. Some of the priority areas are emotional, financial and/or respite assistance.

·        Support to healthcare providers, running the gamut from toy collection drives to fund-raising campaigns to purchasing needed equipment and materials.

·        Provide support for cancer research through donations to the Optimist International Foundation, where funds will be collected for distribution benefiting pediatric oncology research.

 Fulfillment of these goals meets the challenges stated in the program’s motto: “Providing the Care…Finding the Cure”

 How You Can Help

What You Can Do As a Club:

·        Appoint a Club CCC Chair and register the individual with Optimist International.

·        Seek to identify families that need support.  Identify community needs through existing caregivers and service providers.

·        Provide information and educate the public on children’s cancer by participating in or sponsoring local health fairs.

·        Dedicate a minimum of one fundraiser a year to the Club’s cancer activities and an annual appeal for the Optimist International Childhood Cancer Campaign.

·        Collaborate on service activities and/or fund-raising efforts with a JOOI Club.

·        Promote Club services through contact with healthcare providers, contact cards for families and care partners and utilization of press releases for public support.

·        Seek local corporate funding.

·        Report efforts to Optimist International in order to help secure future funding and support for CCC from grants and corporate donors.

·        Join with other NC East District Optimist clubs to support their Childhood Cancer projects.  One such project is “Mile of Hope” sponsored by the Raleigh Optimist club. http://www.mileofhope.org/

 What You Can Do As an Individual Member:

• Participate in any Club activities pertaining to childhood cancer.
• Consider making a personal gift to the Optimist International Childhood Cancer Campaign.
• Be a “mentor” to the siblings, support parents – do errands.
• Reach out and touch a child with cancer.

Above all, we want to provide a one-on-one personal touch to every child and every family stricken with this disease in a manner that only Optimists can do.

Resources Available:

To assist members and clubs in getting started in the fight against childhood cancer, the following resources have been produced by O.I. for Club members, District Chairs, and Lt. Governors:

1.      Resource Packets – Contains CCC Operations Manual, lists of service providers, cancer camps, helpful websites, and sample press releases and public service announcements. (Available to Clubs, District Chairs and Lt. Governors)

2.      CCC Resource Video for Parents - The Childhood Cancer Campaign’s (CCC) educational video, “The New Normal,” is available for purchase by members and the general public. The video may be purchased by contacting or go to www.optimiststuff.

3.      Power Point on CD – Overview of CCC on Power Point. Great for presentations to fellow members/Clubs. (Note: requires lap top or computer, LCD projector and screen)

4.      Color transparencies of Power Point presentation for overheads – For presentations where computer equipment is not available or conveniently accessible (Note: Available only to District Chairs and Lt. Governors).

5.      Membership Brochures and Donation Envelopes – Inform your Club members about the program and promote individual gifts to the CCC.

6.      Public brochures and Donation Envelopes – Promote the CCC in your community and solicit public support.

7.      CCC Merchandise - Appropriate gifts for children battling cancer, as well as for the adults that support them are available through Shumsky Enterprises.

8.      CCC Coin Banks - Collect donations to support community projects and the CCC.


To obtain the CCC Video for Parents or the CCC Merchandise, contact or go to www.optimiststuff.com.  For any of the other resources listed, or for additional details on any of these items, please contact the Programs Department at Optimist International (800)-500-8130 ext. 261, email: ccc@optimist.org.

 

For more information, or for specific ideas on how you and your Club can get involved in the Childhood Cancer Campaign, contact your District Childhood Cancer Campaign Chair:

 

District Chair

Trish Verne ( Bob)
6803 Turkey Farm Road
Chapel Hill , NC 27514-9593  
919-942-4144 (H)
919-619-2969 (C)
pverne43@gmail.com

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This contest is designed to offer a chance for young people who are deaf or hard of hearing to present their thoughts on a topic in a public forum. This experience helps to develop the skills and confidence to present in sign or orally to a large audience. The program also provides a valuable opportunity to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. Nearly 500 clubs and 45 districts sponsor this wonderful program each year!

How to Enter

Students make a 4-5 minute presentation on a pre-assigned topic. Applications are solicited at the local club level and must be received by the District contest Chair by the date listed below.

Eligibility

The contest is open to young people through grade 12 who are recognized by their school as deaf or hard of hearing and are verified as such on the contest entry form. Students interested in participating in the contest must submit the results of an audiogram conducted no longer than 24 months prior to the date of the contest from a qualified audiologist. Students must be certified to have a hearing loss of 40 decibels or more by a qualified audiologist and supported by the audiogram to be eligible to compete. Students with a lower level of hearing loss should be encouraged to participate in the Optimist Oratorical contest, as opposed to the CCDHH contest. Students attending either public school or schools providing special services are eligible to enter.  A student who has won an Optimist International CCDHH scholarship of any kind is not eligible to re-enter this contest.
 

Topic

For the 2011-2012 contest, the topic is: "How My Opinion helps Me Overcome Obstacles…”

Contest Organization and Prizes

The presentations are judged in a single contest at the District level. There will be one section for signed presentations. The section winners will be presented with a $2500 scholarship.

Key Dates:

• The following documents must be received by the NC East District contest Chair by April 10, 2012.
  
  
  1. A copy of the application.
  2. A copy of the applicant's proof of age
  3. A typed, double-spaced copy of the speech.
     
     
• The contest will be held in early May 2012 location is TBD.

Application Form and Rules

Click HERE to download a copy of the official entry application form and rules.

Click HERE to go to the Optimist International CCDHH Web site for other information & supplies.

Program Guide
 

Click HERE to download the Optimist International CCDHH Club program planning guide.

For more information, contact your District CCDHH Chair:

District Chair

Bill Edgerton (Jan)
118 Windyfield Drive
Goldsboro, NC 27530 
919-920-8541 (C)
bedgerton4@nc.rr.com


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The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!
 

How to Enter

Interested students must contact their local Optimist Club. They need to submit an essay on the pre-assigned topic. To find out a contact, please e-mail the Programs Department at programs@optimist.org.

The Essay Contest planning pages are intended for use by Optimist Clubs in organizing and conducting a contest in their Club. They contain no information on entering the contest and are of no use to students wishing to enter the contest. Students must contact their local Optimist Club.

Eligibility

Youth under the age of 19 as of December 31 of the current school year 2011-2012

Topic

For the 2011-2012 contest, the topic is: "How My Positive Outlook benefits My Community".

Length

The essay must be between 700 and 800 words in length.

Prizes

Club Level - medallion.  Clubs are allowed to give monetary awards of up to $500 per winner for the Essay contest in addition to the official medallions. The Club level awards may be given in the form of a scholarship, savings bond or cash prize but are completely discretionary.

District Level - Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2500 college scholarship.

International Level - An International Essay Panel judges the district-winning essays. Each District winner is automatically entered into the International Essay contest where a panel of judges select the top essay. First-place:  winner’s plaque, recognition in The Optimist magazine

Key Dates

                    Clubs entries (one per club) must be delivered or mailed to the District chair and be postmarked no later than February 28, 2012. Entries must include all of the following four documents:

                    1.     District Essay Contest Entry Form (see Club Chair Packet)
                    2.     Copy of the club winner’s application form
                    3.     Copy of the club winner’s birth certificate
                    4.     A typed, double-spaced copy of the essay with cover sheet.

                    By April 10, 2012, the district winner will be named and notified and all necessary information will be sent to Optimist International for the international competition.  The first-place winner will be 
                    invited to the third quarter NC East District meeting to present his or her essay and receive his or her award.

Information for Planning the Contest

                    All Members can now view and conveniently print planning pages for any International Program from your home computer. To view the planning pages for any of the International Programs and 

                    Community Activities, please visit the Planning Guides page. Program Package for the Essay Contest is available on the Package Programs page of the website. On that page, Clubs can find 

                    useful materials to help them get started with a new Essay Contest program.
        

        Some Hints on Getting Essay Contest Participants

• START EARLY! Most public, private and charter schools set their curriculums and select their educational projects over the summer or early in the first part of the academic year.  This requires clubs to make      these contests known to the faculty and staff at or before this time. Note that the Optimist Essay Contest is recommended by both the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the American Association of School Administrators.  This endorsement can go a long way when your Club is requesting that principals and teachers offer this program to their students.
• Contacts for each of the North Carolina public schools can be found at the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) web site.  The directory for DPI and school district staff and school principals is located at: www.ncpublicschools.org/nceddirectory/
  
  A directory providing contacts for the each of the NC charter schools can be found at www.ncpublicschools.org/charterschools/schools/
  
  A directory providing contacts for the each of the private schools in North Carolina can be found at the NC Department of Non-Public Schools web site.  For the directory, go to www.ncdnpe.org/hhh118.aspx
• Many clubs have had good success in getting contest candidates through their home school organizations.  Because the families who home school their children are usually more flexible in their curriculums, they are often open to trying something new.  Check out the website for North Carolinians for Home Education at www.nche.com. Also found there is contact information for the home school support groups for individual counties.  For the name of the regional director for your area, go to the Homeschool Resource Guide at www.nche.com/hrg

Application Form and Rules

Click HERE to download a copy of the official entry application form and rules.

Program Guide

Click HERE to download a copy of the O.I. Essay Contest Club Program Guide.

Publicize the Essay Contest Optimist International has developed a series of news releases that Clubs and Districts can use in connection with their participation in international programs. Below are sample news releases that Clubs and Districts can use to promote their Essay Contests. Please note that the .doc version enables users to type their information into fields*, while the .pdf files are for viewing only. Essay Contest - Prior to event (.doc) Essay Contest - Prior to event (.pdf) Essay Contest - After event (.doc) Essay Contest - After event (.pdf) District Essay Contest - After event (.doc) District Essay Contest - After event (.pdf) *If your Optimist Club or District wishes to use its own letterhead, you can remove the Optimist International logo in the document by opening up the Word document, going to “View,” then “Toolbars” and selecting “Forms.” When the “Forms” toolbar appears, click on the padlock, then click on the Optimist logo and delete it. For those using Microsoft Office 2007, click on the Microsoft Office button in the upper left corner, go to “Word options” and then select the box next to “Show the Developer tab in the Ribbon” and click “OK.” Above the document, click the “Developer” tab and then click on the “Protect Document” drop-down menu. Click on “Restrict Formatting and Editing.” At the bottom of the new window to the right, click the “Stop Protection” button.

For more information, contact your District Essay Contest Chair:

District Chair

Bruce Andrews
141 Chillingham Road
Garner, NC 27529
Res.: 919-779-3031
Cell: 919-986-2023
Email: bwandrews44@gmail.com

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Gather up the clubs, the tees, the golf balls, and the young people of your community for one of the most exciting sporting events in the world-the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (OIJGC). The 16th Annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championships will return to PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, in July 2011.  Commonly referred to as THE OPTIMIST, the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships is one of the largest and best-known junior golf tournaments in the world. Each year, more than 650 golfers participate in THE OPTIMIST. Former champions of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships include Beth Bauer, Jonathan Byrd, Bubba Dickerson, Brittany Lincicome, Jeff Overton, Stacy Prammanasudh and Jennifer Rosales. And, several other well-known professional golfers have participated in Optimist-sponsored championships such as Amy Alcott, John Daly, Ernie Els, Justin Leonard, Davis Love III, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson, Nancy Lopez, Lorena Ochoa, Nick Price, David Toms and Tiger Woods.

See below for a link where an information package for the NC East District Tournament can be downloaded. This package includes the official District Entry Form.

Age Requirement

Boys and girls in the following age groups may enter the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships: Boys:10-11, 12-13, 14-15, and 16-18, Girls: 10-12, 13-14 and 15-18. A child's age group is determined by the age he/she will be on the last day of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Boys and girls in the above age groups may enter the N.C. East District Optimist International Junior Golf Championship.

Operation

Individual clubs in the District nominate candidates for the District championship. Many clubs will hold their own elimination contests to determine their candidates.

Key Dates

Applications, along with the $TBD entry fee for the players ,  The entry fee's must be received by the District tournament Chair by TBD.

The NC East District qualifying tournament will be held at the TBD, NC on TBD.

The Optimist International Championship Tournament will be held at the PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida from July 19-24, 2012 for the Boys 10-15 and the girls 10-14 age groups and July 24-29, 2012 for the boys 16-18and the girls 15-18 age groups.

 Hotel

For hotel information click HERE.

Everyone participating in or attending the district tournament who need hotel accommodations must get their reservations in as soon as possible. To get the group rate, be sure to identify yourself as being with the Optimist Junior Golf group.

Information Package & District Entry Form

Click HERE for the information package for the Optimist International NC East District Tournament. This includes the official Entry Form.

Click HERE to go to the NC East District website OIJGC Tournament. This includes the official Entry Form.

O.I. Program Guide

Click HERE for more information on the OIJGC from the Optimist International website.

For more information, contact your District OIJGC Chair:

District Chair

Allan Ludlum
2720 Columbia Ave.
Wilmington, NC 28403
910-763-9372 (H)
ALUDLUM@ec.rr.com  

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Oratorical Contest

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This speech contest is designed to inspire today's youth to motivate and inform others through the art of public speaking. It provides young people with the opportunity to compete for a college scholarship and express their views on a pre-assigned topic.

How to Enter

Interested students submit a speech on the pre-assigned topic to their local Optimist Club. To find out the contact in your area, contact the district chairperson below.

Eligibility

Contestants shall be under the age of 19 years as of December 31 of the 2011-2012 school year and must be educated in the United States , Canada , or the Caribbean .  There is no minimum age.  Boys and girls will compete in separate contests.  See the official contest rules for additional eligibility requirements.

Topic

For the 2011-2012 contest, the topic is: “How My Optimism Helps Me Overcome Obstacles”

Length of Speech

The speech must be at least 4 minutes but not over 5 minutes in length.

Scholarship Amount

Two $2,500 scholarships will be awarded, one each to the boy and girl District winners.

Key Dates

The names of the zone contest winners must be provided to the District contest Chair by April 25,2012.

Important: Also by April 25,2012, the following documents must be provided to the District contest chair:

1. Copy of the application
2. Copy of the applicant's proof of age
3. A typed, double-spaced copy of the speech.

The District oratorical contest will be held on May 12, 2012, at the 3rd quarter District meeting.

Application Form and Rules

Click HERE to download a copy of the official entry application form and rules.

Program Guide


Click HERE to download the Optimist International Oratorical Contest Club Program Guide. This document also contains a copy of the application and rules.

Information for Optimist Members planning the contest:
All Members can now view and conveniently print planning pages for any International Program from your home computer. Click here to view the 2011-2012 Club Oratorical Contest Planning Guide. Click here to view the 2011-2012 District Oratorical Contest Planning Pages. To view the planning pages for any of the International Programs and Community Activities, please visit the forms and publications page.
 

For more information, contact your District Oratorical Contest Chair:

District Chair

Carlton Baird
88 Talton Drive
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Res.: 919-542-0678
Cell: 919-971-8557
Email: cbbaird@embarqmail.com

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