The opportunities of now…

This is the second in a four part series entitled Caribbean Optimism....Moving Forward. It extends on comments delivered by GE Patrick at Optimist International Caribbean District Convention, August 9, 2014 at Sunset Jamaica Grande, Ocho Rios. 

If you spend too much time thinking about a thing; you will never get it done – Bruce Lee

Time is of essence in everything we do in life. After more than three decades of Optimism in the Caribbean, we Optimists have seen many challenges. These are immediate but solvable challenges. The answers are within our grasp and within our time. And while we acknowledge that change is a process that change must begin now.  

(L-R) GD Barbara, GE Patrick and Gov Nutilia
Photo by Marc-Maurice Frankson

Let us not miss a glorious opportunity to bend the arch of history in our favor and the favor of our children who need a vibrant, strong, dynamic and sustainable organization. In such an organization, continuity is not just about traditions and maintaining status quo but also about long range planning, strategic development, transformational leadership, creativity and innovation. Continuity is about the application of tools we know will keep us moving forward.

Our children also need vibrant, strong, dynamic and positive role models. They need people who make things happen; people who not only know the Optimist creed but breathe the Optimist creed. People who know there are things to be done and do what it takes to get things done.

In our movement today, there are many things to be done from the club level all the way to the top of Optimist International. It is my fervent belief that if we are going to make the strides we need to make any time soon, we must tackle these things with what US President Barrack Obama, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jnr before him, calls the fierce urgency of now. 

Now is an opportunity for planning. People who make things happen cannot help but plan. People who think about the future must plan. People who take action do so with clear goals and objectives. Our mission is to execute meaningful programmes, projects and activities that support the creation of a positive-thinking society in which our children and young people can realize their full potential.

Now is an opportunity to reset an agenda of innovation.  As a voluntary service organization we must constantly attract and sustain membership with new ways of thinking and new ways of doing things. We cannot keep hanging on to momentary highs of the past. Indeed, those are significant indicators that it is possible to find new highs for today’s realities. What better high can there be than one sustained by quality of service.

PG Gene M. Douglas share in training with PDST Latoya
Photo by Marc-Maurice Frankson

Now is an opportunity to recast a leadership base that is strong and sustainable. One of the better training experiences I have had as an Optimist came via an invitation from Past Governor, Optimist Gene M. Douglas to a session called Catch a Rising Star. We love to talk about spear-fishing in Optimism; but spear-fishing needs a strategy. Building leadership needs a strategy. There is one to be found in Catch a Rising Star.

Now is an opportunity to re-position the Caribbean as all-embracing, integrationist, and committed to allowing all its peoples a space in which they can be confident and comfortable in the practice of volunteerism. Optimism can and must become the platform of choice for voluntary service in the Caribbean – whether we chose to do so as individuals or collectives.

Now is an opportunity for re-commitment to the fundamental principle of Optimism that positive thought and action make for a better world. Today is the first day of greater achievements to come. It is our time to really be a part of a TEAM; to WORK together in the interest of all Optimists in ensuring a better life for all children and young people of our beloved and great Caribbean District.

Fellow Optimists, I put it to you, the urgency of now cannot be truly embraced or appreciated without changing our attitude; without changing our perspective, without changing our mindset, without our full commitment.  As the inspirational writer and motivational speaker Andy Andrews reminds us, when confronted with a challenge, the committed heart will search for a solution. The undecided heart searches for an escape.

As Caribbean Optimists we must find the solutions. The challenges of now are filled with many opportunities for building, for strengthening, for moving Optimism forward. 

I know we have the commitment.

Optimist Patrick

Governor-Elect

Optimist International Caribbean District