Q2 Zone Meeting

Saturday, February 4, 2012; another success feather in our cap. Confidence in my fellow Optimists, not conceit!

On a Saturday afternoon with 29 of us from the 7804 Family of Optimists in attendance, that was not a bad turn out. The special guest, Caribbean District Governor Dwight spoke about the need for Optimists to work as a team and encouraged us to focus our energies on restoring pride of place for Optimism within the voluntary service movement. It was also good to have had five of the six clubs on roster present with four club reports done by the Presidents and one by the Secretary-Treasurer. 

Respect is due to the Optimist Clubs of West St Andrew and Kingston Central who did an incredible job at covering all the logistics including the preparation of a full meal. As joint hosts they were superb in planning and execution. Much thanks to presidents Shyama and Janette and of course their teams. Special thanks also to PLtGs Margaret and Al for leading on some critical behind the scenes matters. Thanks also to the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority for accommodating us.

One of the features introduced at the meeting is “From the Floor” which gave members an opportunity to talk about issues of concern. The initiative is really a practice platform for conference and with the Governor present, what better time to open the microphone, so to speak. Dues payment, membership recruitment, and recognition criteria came up for discussion and remain issues that need deeper and wider discourse among the membership as well as the leadership of the movement. At some point we are going to have to face the issues honestly and in a most fulsome manner. I am happy that members are so welcoming of the initiative and look forward to doing it again. 

On the other hand, I am disappointed in not getting the Optimism Awareness Quiz off to a blazing start but the trophy is there ready to be presented at the next zone meeting set for Sunday May 6 and I know the teams will be fully in place and anxious to go then. 

Way to go 7804 Optimists!