Governor Nutilia Happy with Support for 96th International Convention

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL Caribbean District Governor Nutilia Simon (OC St Johns, Antigua) is expressing appreciation to all the Caribbean Optimists who made the district’s contribution to the 96^th International Convention an exceptional one. From all indication, OIC Las Vegas was a resounding success.

In an email to all Caribbean Optimists the Governor says, “Your participation in person (and) online or your assistance or encouragement of another to participate, meant a lot to me”. Especially to those who made the pilgrimage to Las Vegas, the Governor had special words to them for pulling out the stops on the convention floor, and particularly for the Caribbean Night which, according to an update from Past Governor Optimist Gene M. Douglas (OC North St. Andrew), was “the hit of convention… I don’t think anyone had expected or experienced a party like that!”

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In the words of the 2014 we’ve Got It Governor,

“Caribbean night – our unique way of hospitality – was a success because of you. Special thanks to…     Optimist Rosie and her Team for coordinating the collection of the mix for the rum punch; Past Governor Gene and Team for coordinating the collection of the various items made in Jamaica; Lieutenant Governor Sonia for rounding up her troupes; Past International Vice President Carol and Team for coordinating items from Barbados; Chairperson Jason and Team Antigua for executing their job with zeal – music set up (included); Optimist Yvette for sourcing prizes, rum cake, music from Barbados, décor of room, etc. (And) Not to be forgotten, the master of the mix Past International President Theo.

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All who participated had a taste of the Caribbean and those who stayed left with a part of it. Your presence made the difference.”

District #78 (Caribbean) also had the second largest number of registrants (57) at the International Convention, beaten only by District #17 (Michigan) with 65. The Pacific Southeast (District #15) had 46 registrants at the July 10-12 convention held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Meanwhile, in other International Convention matters; three of the five proposed bylaws amendments failed while the other two were adopted. Among those that failed was Issue #3 which proposed a Convention Assessment Fee on all Optimist clubs.  Against some solid arguments for a NO vote, and led by the Caribbean’s own distinguished Optimists, Past International President Theodore Golding (Kingston) and Past International Vice President Carol Jacobs (Bridgetown, Barbados), that proposal failed overwhelmingly to carry. 
The tumultuous applause from the conference floor that greeted the announcement by President Ron Huxley (Ausable-Port Franks & Jacksonville) was an indication of how much of a negative impact this proposal would have had on Optimist International and not just the Caribbean. As argued by some, the additional charge had the potential of totally decimating the Caribbean District.

For other results from the bylaws vote see: http://www.optimist.org/Documents/2014-2015-Bylaws-Amendment-Results.pdf

More from Governor Nutilia’s Post International Convention Message

"To walk on stage and accept a token of appreciation for the hard work, commitment to growth to serve our children is amazing. As Caribbean Optimists we work extremely hard but we must document, we must send in our information to Optimist International. Our projects are outstanding. 

Presidents, visit the Optimist website and fill in your Presidents Pride report forms; give credit to your outstanding committed members- retention of members will be up. Work with members on PGI … your membership our membership will increase. Bring in younger members not only are their joining fees much less but they are full of energy and they are technology savvy! They will prepare the video to send off to Optimist International with creativity for the reel to reel competition. We all need to be complimented for our work, our very being... validate each other and help our District to grow.

We have just over (a couple months) to complete our 2013/14 year; let us give our new executive a legacy of growth to build on.THANK YOU All - see you in Jamaica at our fourth quarter convention."