Iowa District Optimists

Iowa District Convention 2023-2024
2024-08-23 - 2024-08-25 | Holiday Inn Airport Des Moines, 6111 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA, 50321, United States
2023 -2024 Iowa District Optimist Convention – August 23 -25, 2024

Holiday Inn Airport Des Moines
6111 Fleur Drive
Des Moines, IA 50321

Friday, August 23, 2024

Friday Fun Night! Join us for Fun in the Park, A Wellness Rodeo, Great food, Fun Activities, and more! Hospitality room hosted by the Council Bluffs Optimist Club!

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Workshops

Training

District Business

Model Club Luncheon with guest speaker Ankeny Police Chief Potts

Keynote Speaker, Eric Recker

Silent Auction to benefit the Optimist Foundation

Governor’s Banquet in the evening, including the incoming District team for 2024-25.

Don’t forget the hospitality room!

Sunday, August 25, 2024

All Optimist Breakfast

Meeting families of children with cancer and hearing their stories.

Optimist Memorial Service (for those Iowa Optimists that we have lost this past year)

Final business session to vote for the new Governor-elect and discuss Iowa District Policy changes, as well as any other business of the District.

View the Full Agenda HERE

Registration form HERE – please complete and submit with payment before July 31st for EARLY BIRD prices & don’t forget to collect your FREE gift bag upon arrival!

View the policies here that will be up for discussion and change at the convention:

Policies for Directory as revised

Iowa Policies Summary of Changes

See you in August!

Convention Committee:

Sue Wunsch (Chair), Cyndi Barber, Judy Boyd, Ann and Mark Feilmann, Tom and Janet Lloyd

Iowa District 1st Quarter Conference 2024-2025
2024-10-18 17:00 - 2024-10-19 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Fairfield Inn & Suites, 8661 Plum Dr, Urbandale, IA, 50322, United States
1st Quarter Conference October 18-19, 2024
Fairfield Inn & Suites 8661 Plum Dr, Urbandale, IA, 50322
Group Name: Iowa District Optimists
Reservations Deadline: October 1st, 2024
Room Rate: $99 + tax per night
Call To Reserve: (515) 278-2500
Registration Cost: Early Bird (ends October 1st) – $37.50 Regular (after October 1st) – $50
Downloadable Registration Form
Downloadable Agenda
Call or Email Cyndi Barber for any questions

Friday, October 18, 2024—Executive Committee (Casual Attire- any Optimist shirt)
Governor Assistant’s Dinner……Cozy Café (8385 Birchwood Ct, Johnston) ………………….…5:00 PM
Executive Business Session………………………………………….…..……………………….……7:00 PM

Saturday, October 19, 2024—District Board – (Business Attire- new polo &/or fleece)
NOTE: Past Governor Breakfast – 7:30-8:30 AM – Cozy Café (8385 Birchwood Ct, Johnston)
Registration……………………………………………………………….……………………… 7:30-9:30 AM
Morning Social…….………………………..……………..…….………………………..….…. 8:00-9:00 AM
First Timer Orientation…….……………..…………………………..…………….……….…. 8:30-9:00 AM
General Session……………….……………………………………………….………………………. 9:00 AM
Workshops – (1) Helping Others Get Ahead, (2) What Optimist Success Looks Like
Governor Assistant Meetings (West-> Zones 1,2,3 / Central->Zones 4,5,6 / East->Zones 7,8,9,10,13)
Lunch & 4th Qtr Awards……………………………..…………………………….…..…………….… 12:00 PM
Workshops – (3) The Mindful Optimist, (4) Kindling New Ideas: Why We Do the Things We Do
Closing Session

Hola! After the conference please join us at El Mariachi’s in Johnston for refreshments! Come join the fun and fellowship. 5825 Merle Hay Road, Johnston (515-276-3887)

Iowa District 2nd Quarter - West/Central Regional
2025-01-25 09:00 - 16:00 | IA
2nd Quarter Conference West/Central Regional January 25, 2025

The Warehouse
1414 West Broadway, Council Bluffs
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Iowa District 2nd Quarter - East/Central Regional
2025-02-08 09:00 - 16:00 | IA
2nd Quarter Conference East/Central Regional February 8, 2025

Kalona Historical Village Meeting Room
715 D Ave, Kalona
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Iowa District JOI Convention
2025-03-29 09:00 - 16:00 | IA
Iowa District JOI Convention March 29, 2025

Iowa District JOI Convention 2025
When: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Where: West Des Moines Public Library in West Des Moines, IA
Cost: $40 – includes Lunch and a t-shirt – TBD
Register by March 7, 2025 to guarantee a t-shirt and the room rate of $125 + tax
Online Registration
Downloadable Registration Form
Service Project Flyer

Iowa District 3rd Quarter Conference 2024-2025
2025-04-25 17:00 - 2025-04-26 16:00 | IA
3rd Quarter Conference April 25-26, 2025

Holiday Inn Council Bluffs @Ameristar
2202 River Rd, Council Bluffs

107th Optimist International Convention
2025-06-29 - 2025-07-02 | IA
107th Optimist International Convention

Jun 29, 2025 7:45am – Jul 2, 2025 5:00pm | US/Central

Location: St. Louis Union Station, Curio Collection by Hilton

Contact: Ronda H Vaughn
Email: convention@optimist.org
Phone: 314-881-1305

Location Details
St. Louis Union Station, Curio Collection by Hilton
1820 Market Street
St. Louis Missouri 63103 United States

Iowa District Optimist Convention 2025
2025-07-25 - 2025-07-27 | Warehouse Event Center, 1414 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA, 51501, United States
Iowa District Optimist Convention 2025
July 25 – 27, 2025
Warehouse Event Center
1414 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Reservations Deadline:
Full Registration by July 1, 2025
Room Block Under “Iowa District Optimist” Expires on June 25, 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Council Bluffs,
2211 South 32nd Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712) 352 – 1300
Rooms $130.0 (plus taxes/fees)

Registration Cost:
Full Registration by July 1, 2025 = $135.00
Single Event Registration:

Friday, July 25, 2025: Friday Fun Night $40.00
Saturday, July 26, 2025: Model Club Luncheon $35.00
Saturday, July 26, 2025: Govenor’s Banquet & Entertainment $55.00
Sunday, July 27, 2025: All Optimist Breakfast $30.00

all events included in full registration, prices increase after July 1, 2025 ($45.00, $40.00, $60.00, & $35.00 respectively)

Make Check Payable to: Iowa District Optimist Convention 2025
Mail Check to: Leonard Wright, 234 Morningside Ave., Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Registration form HERE

2025-2026 District Team Leadership Retreat
2025-09-13 09:15 - 16:30 | Newton Arboretum, 3030 N. 4th Ave. E, Newton, IA, 50208, United States
The District Team Leadership Retreat will be held September 13 at the Newton Arboretum – 3030 N. 4th Ave. E, Newton, IA 50208. TIME: 9:15-3:30. Lunch will be provided. The agenda includes:

In order to plan for food, committee work, and materials, please let me know if you will be able to attend. RSVP by Sept. 5 or before. Looking forward to working with you this year!

Be the Change – Cultivate Optimism Across Iowa!
Jane Schmidt

The Bill Jones Annual Pork Chop Supper - Red Oak Optimist Club
2025-09-25 17:00 - 19:00 | red oak iowa, Gold Fair Building, Red Oak, IA, United States
Brought to you by the Red Oak Optimist Club, this annual Drive Through Event supports local groups in Red Oak including the After Prom Committee and Boy Scout Troops! 1 Meal for $13 or 2 for $25.
Held at the Gold Fair Building, this event is drive through only starting on the South Side. Bring an empty stomach, as these pork chop dinners are mouth watering delicious!

The Oskaloosa Optimist Club presents "Mission Sky Bound"
2025-09-28 11:30 - 16:00 | IA
The Oskaloosa Optimist Club presents “Mission Sky Bound”
Date : 9-28-25

Time: 11:30 – 4pm

Place: LACEY RECREATION SOCCER FIELDS

OSKALOOSA, IOWA

https://maps.app.goo.gl/237SrodaS3FcEGJj9

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
RD KEEP (641)660-6310

FrenchToast Fly-In Breakfast
2025-10-04 06:00 - 11:00 | IA
Poster2025-1

LeClaire Fall Festival - River Valley Optimist Club
2025-10-12 11:00 - 16:00 | 125 N Cody Rd, Le Claire, IA 52753, 125 N Cody RD, Le Claire, IA, 52753, United States
Come celebrate Fall with the River Valley Optimist Club and the LeClaire Community!

25-26 Iowa District - 1st Quarter Conference - Ankeny, IA
2025-10-17 - 2025-10-18 | Courtyard by Marriott, Ankeny, IA, United States

25-26 Iowa District - 2nd Quarter Conference - ZOOM
2026-01-31 09:30 - 11:30 | Zoom by Zone

25-26 Iowa District - 3rd Quarter Conference - Amana, IA
2026-04-17 - 2026-04-18 | Hotel Millwright, Amana, IA, United States

25-26 Iowa District - District Convention - Dubuque, IA
2026-08-28 - 2026-08-30 | Grand Harbor, Dubuque, IA, United States
