The glass is half full...

Recently, my club president Optimist Tetrice sent a message to fellow Optimists in the Sunset Optimist Club of Liguanea family and I feel obliged to share. So, here goes:

FELLOW OPTIMISTS,

In our daily lives we all of have our own priorities, struggles and triumphs. A lot of the time it's hard to juggle it all, much less the demands of being in an organisation such as the Optimist Club. 

In many ways, I myself am faced with many challenges as it relates to the overall management of the various aspects of my life. A lot of the time I am overwhelmed by a lot of things and end up discouraged along the way, as I am sure many of you have experienced. At that time, I turn to the Optimist Creed to brighten my perspective. 

Today I read the creed again and the part that stood out to me the most was, "...To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future..." In highlighting this section, I am imploring my fellow Optimists to really help me to make these [third and fourth] quarters a shining success.

...The 3rd quarter is still fresh. Please continue to keep the faith and, this time around, really step up in Optimism and help me make the Sunset Optimist Club of Liguanea the best club in Jamaica and the Caribbean. 

Some say the glass is half full, some say the glass is half empty. As an Optimist, I can only hope that you see these next 6 months as a glass half full. We have so much to accomplish this year; and I want everyone to really press on to make the second half of the Optimist year better for us as a team and as a family.

Best regards,

President Tetrice

Push

Until

Something

Happens...

Caribbean Optimist Adrian Elcock seeks seat on Optimist International Board

Past International Vice President
Optimist Adrian Elcock

ADRIAN M. ELCOCK, the popular Barbadian businessman and volunteer extraordinaire, is making himself available for yet another opportunity to serve the Optimist International movement at the highest levels. He is a nominee for one of two seats open on the International Board for the 2014-2015 year.

With 75,000 members in 2600 Optimist clubs spread across the Caribbean, Canada and the United States of America, Optimist International is one of the world’s largest voluntary service organisations. Roughly six million children and young people benefit from the activities of Optimists each year.

Optimist Adrian Elcock (Optimist Club of Barbados, Bridgetown) is one of six certified district trainers in the Caribbean. He is a past club president, past Lieutenant Governor, and past Governor of the Caribbean District. Having served as International Vice President for the South Eastern region and on several committees, Optimist Adrian is ready for another tour of duty at the international level.

Elcock’s captivating personality, healthy appetite for fun, and progressive thinking make him a special human being. This husband (married to Ann Wallace-Elcock) and father (daughter, Sanaa) believes in making a difference, and actually does. 

As a well-respected businessman in Barbados, he holds pole position as Director of the Elcock Group of Companies, which includes Everson R. Elcock & Co. Ltd; Exclusive Lighting & Electrical Supplies Ltd; and Everson R. Elcock Holdings Ltd. He is also founder and owner of Praxis, a leading retailer of men’s fashion in Barbados.

Optimist Adrian Elcock
Optimist clubs of 
Barbados, Bridgetown and
Ocho Rios, St Ann

The public accounting graduate of Pace University, New York, returned home to the family business after a number of years working among the best auditors in the USA, and has been a rising star in private and public service ever since. He is currently serving as Chairman of The Barbados Tourism Authority where he has managed to bring new energy, creative insights, and bold initiatives to life.

Elcock's passion for voluntary service is well established. Apart from Optimism, a number of social and civic organizations have been beneficiaries of this desire to serve.  He is a Trustee on the Board of the Barbados Gallery of Art Trust and founding director of Big Brother, Big Sister of Barbados Inc. As former director of the Child Care Board, special resource to the UN Special Convention on Youth, and member of the National Association of Black Accountants, New York Chapter, his involvement and contribution to the charities sector have indeed been wide and varied.

Currently there are 57 optimist clubs and near 1500 members in Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and Jamaica as well as Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Lucia, and Barbados contributing to the welfare of thousands of Caribbean children and young people through the optimist movement. Since the launch of Optimism in Jamaica in 1980 and the establishment of the Caribbean district in 1992, the impact of the Caribbean on Optimist International has been consistently impressive, thanks to leaders like Optimist Adrian M. Elcock.

See related stories:

Caribbean District News Desk

http://issuu.com/caribbeandistrict/docs/2013-2014_caribbean_district_news_d_374e35fd8949f1

Online Voting is Now Official

http://www.optimist.org/e/member/elections1.cfm

Celebrating milestones and achievements...

Past president Latoya (l) holds
court with Desrene Green (c)
and new member Optimist Doreen

On Tuesday evening, March 25 a small band of Optimists gathered in Kingston, Jamaica to celebrate a milestone at an after-work Lyme hosted by club president Optimist Tetrice Prendergast and event co-coordinator, director Optimist Marc-Maurice Frankson. Fifteen years ago on March 25, 1999, the Sunset Optimist Club of Liguanea was chartered with Charles Reid as president. Charter member Optimist Glaister Green expresses pride in the milestone achievement. "I came over to Optimism as a way of continuing voluntary work which actually brings a lot of satisfaction, and the fact that we have been able to work with children in such concentrated manner over the years is quite fulfilling", reflected past president Green.

Immediate past president Lavern (l)
and Optimist Joan

Optimist International is a voluntary service organisation dedicated to "bringing out the best in kids". With 2,600 Optimist clubs and 75,000 members spread across the USA, Canada and the Caribbean, some six million young people benefit from approximately 65,000 service projects conducted each year by Optimists.
Past club president and fellowship chair, Optimist Heather Chin-Walker, the first of five club members to serve as zone 4 lieutenant governor, opened the celebratory Lyme with prayers as is the custom of Optimist gatherings. President Tetrice in welcoming club members noted that the club has done a lot over the years and expressed appreciation to the membership for their continued support which has been the lifeblood of the club.

Director Horace always having fun

Two audio visual presentations were thrown into the mix of light background entertainment. One paid tribute to the presidents over the years and the other acknowledged the tremendous project activities executed by the club. The Sunset Liguanea family of Optimists has brought the spirit of volunteerism and positive outlook to inner city community basic schools doing infrastructure upgrading (including play, dining and reading areas), breakfast programmes, and community health fairs. Several projects such as book drives, library upgrading, greening of school yards, mentoring, and field trips have been done with primary and high schools across Kingston, St. Andrew and St Catherine.

Past president Marc-Maurice (l)
chats with Optimists Dahlia and Larry

The club has also sponsored many young people in such Optimist International standard programmes as the essay and oratorical competitions, communication contest for the deaf and hard-of-hearing and tri-star sports clinics. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and equipment have also gone to the Bustamante Hospital for Children and University Hospital of the West Indies Children's ward in St Andrew, the Annotto Bay Hospital in St Mary, as well as children hospices Mathew 25:40 and Dare to Care.

Meanwhile, president Tetrice says it's easy to see why the club is still standing strong after 15 years. "We are blessed with dedicated members who believe in service and legacy. Old and new members always feel like they have joined a family and, because of that, we will continue to grow". According to the incumbent, "Our members will always pass along the positive attitudes and outlook to fellow Optimists and friends of Optimists; and I'm certain that with this approach our club will still be strong and growing in another 15 years".

The Sunset Optimist Club of Liguanea meets on 2nd Thursdays at 6:30 pm for business and fellowship at the Mayfair Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica and provides a perfect platform from which to engender hope in the future through voluntary service with and for children.

(L-R) PLt.G Ken Jnr, VP Stephen,
Treasurer Ken Snr and Lt.G Karlene
with baby daughter Kailani

(L-R) Past Lt.G Patrick, Treasurer Ken Snr.,
Past president Glaister and VP Stephen

Past Lt.G
Heather Chin-Walker

Past president Marc-Maurice
and Secretary Sharon

Past Lieutenant Governors
Latoya and Ken Walker, Jnr.

Past Lt.G Margaret Wright (L) 
with past Lt.G Patrick and president Tetrice