OC St John's, Antigua is Twenty

Let's send shout out to The Optimist Club of St. John’s celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year and according to President Craig "in grand style". We know the Antiguan children are better off because we optimists know how to make a real difference. 
The OC St John has become an integral part of the Antiguan society and we congratulate the club for reaching this milestone. Great work guys.

Here are some of the upcoming events:

March 14, 6:30 p.m. – Club Business Meeting 

March 17, 10:00 a.m.– Oratorical Contest (Heritage Hotel) at 10am.

March 24 – Grand 20^th Anniversary White Fete Night and Induction

April 24, 4:00 p.m – Retreat 

Zone 4 Shout out to OC Bridgetown, Barbados

OC Bridgetown, Barbados celebrate 20th anniversary at church

The 7804 Optimist sends congratulatory shout out to the Optimist Club of Bridgetown, Barbados on the occasion of its celebrating 20 years of bringing hope and positive thinking to the children of Barbados and by extension the Caribbean region.
The anniversary celebrations kicked off with a church service on Sunday March 11 and we look forward to hearing more about the scheduled activities. 
Big up to LtG Jo-Ann, President Richard and ST Darshani.  This is a club that boasts membership of Past Governors Carol Haynes, Adrian Elcock and Joseph Benfield.  Of course PG Adrian also served at the International Vice President level.  We feel honoured to be part of a voluntary service movement that continues to shine and wish for OCBB another 20 years of yeomen contribution to improving the welfare of our children and young people.
Big up, respect, and congrats...20 strong and counting!

Zone 4 Glowing in Possibilities

This has been another fantastic week in Optimism for me.  I am so delighted by the great projections for fund-raising and service projects coming out of West Portland; the high level of energy and enthusiasm about ensuring sustainability of service to the children of the Caribbean from Kingston Breakfast and West St Andrew; and the strong demonstration of new initiatives, emerging leaders, and potential for new members and club building at Sunset Liguanea.
The March 8 meeting of the Sunset Optimist Club of Liguanea was teeming  with excitement as, among other interesting reports, the Chairpersons for New Club Building and Childhood Cancer Campaign got the membership hyped around their drives to both expand the movement and increase the chances of making lives better.  Supported by a very strong showing of potential Optimists the members of Sunset Liguanea were just glowing in possibilities especially as the nominations committee announced candidates for club president and president elect to serve the 2012-2013 administrative year. Of course, the 2010-2011 Chairperson of the Year and the club's Finance Chair, Latoya Wade came in for much praise in being rewarded for her continued excellent work at whatever level of responsibility she assumes.
Add all of that which unfolded from my four club my visits this week to the activities being undertaken by OC Kingston Central for the children of city Kingston and the heat of vibrancy being generated in the small rural St Mary community of Castleton Gardens by OC Scenic Castleton and you will begin to understand my delight. But the tremendous support being generated for the Zone fundraiser - Oliver Samuels' hit family play, Who A Di Don, set for Sunday March 25 at 5:00 p.m - is even more thrilling.  So too have been the regular dialogue with President Sandi of OC Bayfa, Nassau who is pulling out all the stops to keep the hopes of the Bahamian children alive.
Thank you all Zone 4 leaders and members for bringing hope and positive thinking to the world.  Optimism - Bringing out the best in children.

Twin Meetings; Hot Debate on Dues

The Optimist clubs of West St Andrew and Kingston Breakfast have been experimenting with a novel idea of club-twinning aimed at maximizing their resources. This twinning has been at the level of club meetings; starting with their joint Installation in Q1.  On Wednesday evening (March 7) it was another of those small but dynamic gatherings of which I love to be a part. Presidents Shyama and Camilia and their club members are all unto something here.
Of course, it was also another opportunity to give more big ups to Past Distinguished LtG Margaret for her accomplishments in 2010-2011. But what made the gathering even more special for me was the discussion moderated by ST PDLtG Al on the main issues coming out of the February 2102 Q2 District Conference: The proposal for an increase in District dues and the motion to review the number of District conferences held each year.
With Governor Dwight in the house and some interesting points being raised the debate was respectfully fierce – biting at times, revealing at others, but certainly consistent in its vigor. The Pembroke Hall Methodist church hall is a fine meeting place and I guess its openness also encourages a certain kind of vibrancy. Or it may have been that the members of West St Andrew and Kingston Breakfast were just eager to address these matters.
While there were no conclusive positions – the objective was really to get the discussion going – it was clear that there needs to be continued dialogue within the clubs about strengthening dues compliance and collection, refreshing our membership retention and recruitment tactics, finding the right motivators or incentives for our membership, addressing matters of affordability and membership commitment, and ensuring that members don't lose touch with why they opted to become an Optimist.  I look forward to hearing the discussions among other Optimists in the Zone and certainly believe that by the time our Zone Leaders and Q3 Zone meetings come around in April we will have got closer to a consensus to take to Q3 District meeting either on May 26 in Barbados or June 2 in Jamaica.
It is clear to me though that creative and innovative solutions lie within the membership of our clubs and that time may have indeed come for the leadership to be motivated by the general membership instead of the other way around. 
Thanks OCs WSA and KB for another fantastic meeting and all the best as we continue to serve the children of this great Caribbean region.

LtG Patrick
... Harnessing the power of one

Optimist Club of West Portland

Ok, so we all know that I love Portland; but seriously, it is always a pleasure to visit our clubs and see and hear the great things they are doing for our children.
The Optimist Club of West Portland located in Buff Bay is still rocking. We are always experiencing fellowship at West Portland but on Monday evening (March 5) it was pure business and do these Optimists have great ideas and make wonderful plans!
The children of the parish, and in this quarter, especially those at The Little Folks Basic School, must be very happy to have these vibrant people at their service.  I am so looking forward to the big fundraiser in the making for Q3 and of course their recruitment of people who have been demonstrating commitment and energy to helping the young among us.
Great going President George, ST Iris and all the hard working members of the Optimist Club of West Portland.
LtG Patrick
One one coco full basket - Harnessing the power of one.

Q2 District Conference Feb 2012

Q2 Caribbean District Awards Feb 2012