The game plan for the future starts now

As the curtains came down on what seems to have been an awesome Milwaukee convention on Saturday afternoon I managed to watch a part of the President-elect address and I sure felt motivated by the team spirit he was promoting.
Again I share some of the standout points for me from the head coach, Jean-Claude 'JC' St-Longe:
The regional training for leaders is part of pushing for a regional feel in what we do
We must review the incentive programme to acknowledge every one from members to clubs to LtGs and up...people who working on the ground everyday
A coach is one who plans things to bring his team to a higher level; but he cannot do it alone
The game plan is to go out there and take it; but we must walk together to be the best we can be and to win; we must think outside the box, challenge people, be transparent, talk with people, share with others; and remember that "you are a member of a club".

As the head coach introduced his 2012-2013 officers as coaches and quarterbacks it was great to see IVP Elect for the Southeast region, Sonia Anderson (OC St Ann's Bay) and Caribbean District GE Lynden Buchanan (OC Mammee Bay) bouncing with energy across the Convention main stage. At the end of the introductions the President-designate declared: We are all part of the team "For the future - Optimists bringing out the best in kids". Let's show them what we got!... The children we serve are not thinking September 30 or October 1...the work of the team starts now!
But even more important was his reminder that "the owners of our team are the members of our clubs...The game plan is clear: together as a team we will succeed... For the future - Optimists bringing out the best in kids."
You guessed it; that's the theme for 2012-2013! I suggest you take a listen to the song "The Power of the Dream" by Celine Dion.  It should make for sweet inspiration as we get ready for the 2012-2013 year of President JC but also as a good motivation to finish strong this 2011-2012 year of President Jack Creswell.
As President Jack said in his closing comments:
What better way for us to reach out and make a difference in the life of a child...The stories, pain, and the love our children share are real and what we do as Optimists is real. The journey in Optimism is real. The big decision for us is to stop talking and start walking to make that difference in the life of a child, TODAY!. Promise yourself and the children of your communities.