My name is Fatima Plater and 25 years ago on October 1, 1995 I joined the organization when I was riding an elevator in my apartment building, an optimist told me about the wonderful things that the Downtown Riverfront Optimist Club was doing for the youth in the community. As an educator, I was seeking to utilize the resources of Optimist International and its Junior Optimist International Program to help my students become confident civic-minded citizens.
The pride I feel in how they have faced life’s challenges, grown professionally and personally over the years, with optimism, fuels my sense of urgency to expand the reach of this organization as its president.
I am asking for your vote for the 2020 – 2021 Optimist International President-Elect.
CHILDREN FIRST
Fatima’s Optimist Experience & Accomplishments
Strengths
- Excellent communication skills and professional demeanor gained through extensive interaction with the public, various leadership roles on the club, district and international level
- Friendly and has extensive knowledge of the organization, is enthusiastic and persuasive
- Successful in promoting the organization through international committee participation, recruitment, membership, new club building, district visits and member training
- Outstanding teaching skills, International Trainer, State of Michigan Golden Apple Award winner, Finalist State Teacher of the Year, State of Michigan State Service Learning Teacher of the Year, Spirit of Detroit recipient for Service and Teaching.
Here are specific accomplishments Internationally, in the District, Club and Education.
INTERNATIONAL & DISTRICT
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| International Level |
District Level |
- Sponsored 150+ Members (1995-present)
- Certified Club Building (26 Clubs)
- OI Club Fitness Committee Member (2019-2020)
- OI Actifities Committee Member (2016-2017)
- OI World Championship Oratorical Contest Steering Committee (2016-2017)
- OI Membership Committee Chair (2015-2016)
- OI Growth Surge – Detroit, Michigan Event Co-Chair (2015-2016)
- OI Northeast & Great Lakes Leadership Summit Chair and Presenter (2015)
- Northeast & Great Lakes Vice President (2014-2015) 13 Clubs Built, 5 Distinguished Governors
- Internation President’s Most New Club Building Award – 13 Clubs (2014-2015)
- Certified International Trainer (2014-present)
- OI Board of Directors (2010-2013)
- OI Convention Presenter (2008, 2014-2016, 2019)
- Master Club Builder (2008)
- OI College Club Committee Chair (2007-2008)
- OI JOOI Committee Member (2006-2007
- OI Strategic Growth Initiatives Committee Member (2005-2006)
- Level 10 PGI (2003-present)
- President’s Club Member (2003-present; OIF Benefactor)
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- District President & Lieutenant Governor Training 2009, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019
- College Club Advisor, Wayne State University (2008-present)
- Michigan District Hall of Fame (2007-2008)
- Distinguished OI District Foundation Chair (2004-2005) $55,000 raised
- Michigan District Optimist of the Year (2004-2005)
- Long Range Planning Committee Member 2004-2005
- Chair of Past Governor Association (2003-2004)
- Candidate Qualifications Committee Chair (2003-2004)
- Chair of Optimist of the Year/Corporate Partner of the Year Award (2003-2004)
- Michigan District Governor (2001-2002 +16 Membership, 10 Clubs Built
- Governor-Elect (2000-2001)
- Leadership Development Committee Member (2000-2001)
- Assistant Governor Michigan District (1999-2000)
- Michigan District New Club Building Chair – 13 Clubs (1998-1999)
- Lieutenant Governor, Zone 14 (1997-1998)
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CLUB LEVEL
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| Club Membership |
Club Offices |
Member of the following Clubs:
- Metro Riverfront – Charter Member (1995-present)
- Healthy Kids – Charter Member (20015-present)
- Loving Community – Charter Member (2002-present)
- Wayne State University Warriors Member and Advisor (2019-present)
- International Centennial Member (2019-present)
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Metro Riverfront Optimist Club
- Charter President-Elect (1995-1996)
- President – Double Distinguished (1996-1997, Honor (2003-2004), (2004-2005)
- Secretary-Treasurer (1998-1999)
- President (2004-2005)
- Board Member (2016-2018)
- Vice-President (2019-2020)
International Centennial Optimist Club
- Charter Board Member (2019-2020)
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| Club Experiences and Accomplishments |
- Loving Eagles JOOI Club Sponsor and Advisor (2005)
- Loving Community Optimist Club Oratorical Chair (2001-2002)
- Chair, Caps for Cancer Survivors JOOI Joint Project (2000) 1st Place OI Award
- Metro Riverfront PGI Chair (1999-2001)
- Adopt-A-Shelter JOOI Joint Project Chair (1999) 3rd Place OI Award
- Life Member (1997)
- Sponsor/Advisor of Hampton Elementary- Middle School JOOI (1996-2001)
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- Oratorical Chair (1996-2000)
- Charter Board Member, Metro Riverfront (1995-1996)
- Metro Riverfront Optimist of the Year (1995-1996)
- Metro Riverfront Partner in Education Award (1995-1996)
- March and Rally Against Drugs Chair (1995-1996)
- Metro Riverfront New Club Building Chair (1995-present)
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EDUCATION
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EMPLOYMENT
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- Western Michigan University B.A.
- Wayne State University, Masters of Educational Studies
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- Retired Detroit Public Schools Educator (41 years)
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MEMBERSHIP
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- WAyne State University Alumni Association
- Western Michigan University Alumni Association
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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