Michigan Optimist future

Long range planning is pushing conventional operations to help focus on our purpose. This is intended to make us more relevant to Clubs and to embrace new charter development.
Today's club leaders need the information to make them successful. They do not see the benefit of spending $500+ and family commitments to go to quarterly conferences. They need tools to make them successful with children's projects.
We hope to suggest ways to more effectively serve Clubs.

How about having an "ONLINE" conference to participate online. It could be a cost effective way to meet the needs of clubs.

While the need to have conference is extremely important there can be options for members who traditionally can't or don't attend (due to financial, family, and/or other commitments).

I know it's radical but there should be options that would enhance the districts ability to provide valuable support to the clubs that they serve.

Absolutely Theresa. Web access makes sense. When members and chairs need info/planning guides, they want it now and go to OI website. But great opportunity still exists because onlysmall % utilization.
As to web seminars - I'm not sure infrastructure there yet in Michigan. I use Skype, typically get disconnected several times per session and sometimes high speed cable is not accessible. Michigan has bad quality cable, especially residential, especially SW Michigan.
Low resolution video training segments 5-min @ might work.