One Day Joint Zone Conference in Runaway Bay

Here is a related story on the The March 2, 2013 Zone Conference held at the Sunflower Resorts in Runaway Bay, St. Ann as reported in the March 11 edition of The Caribbean News Desk. The report was done from notes provided by LtG Kerisha Pinnock of Zone 8.

OPTIMISM IS LOOKING good in the Caribbean District. That’s the view of Lieutenant Governor Kerisha Pinnock (Zone 8) after the one day conference that brought members of zones 7-9 top flight training in Optimism, rousing entertainment, poignant guest speakers, and adrenaline-charged fellowship activities. The Oceans 11, IGL, and Sunflower Resorts sponsored event saw just fewer than one hundred Optimists in attendance.

Caribbean District Governor Lynden Buchanan led an ace team of Optimist leaders and trainers that included IVP Sonia Anderson (Southeastern Region), PIVP Shirley Jarrett, DST Latoya Wade, and Chairpersons Faith McFarquhar-Gordon (Leadership and Development), Barbara Watson (New Club Building) and Kevin Grant (Membership).

Highlights of the conference included powerful performance poetry from young student 

Asha Moulton and a motivational speech from Dean of Discipline at York Castle High School, Mr. Delroy Williams at the opening ceremony. He spoke on the need to motivate our children and being mindful of the things we say to them as they will develop very low self-esteem.

The first general session heard updates from the LtGs, an awareness raising presentation on Safety and Emergency by IGL Limited, and entertainment from the always rib-tickling hilarious dramatics of Golden Optimist Club of Lydford.

In the closing general session paediatrician, Dr. Horace Betton spoke on childhood cancer and CP Faith McFarquhar-Gordon facilitated the major training session on Leadership. Members were particularly excited by the hour-long workshop which they dubbed a most enlightening and engaging exercise on leadership styles and qualities. The zones are in fact applauding CP Faith McFarquhar-Gordon for the tremendous work she is doing in Leadership and Development.

So engaging was the conference that Optimists stayed back long after the 5:00 pm official closing to play games, engage in friendly chatter, and listn to soothing music. The participating LtGs were Lou-Ann Bramwell-Shakes (Zone 7) Kerisha Pinnock (Zone 8) and Merle Kelly (Zone 9). The planning committee included Governor Lynden Buchanan, GA Angela Archer, LtG Kerisha Pinnock and CP Barbara Watson.