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Caribbean District News Desk
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Golf Special
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Messages
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Service Projects
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Stay connected
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JUNIOR GOLF
is COMING
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HOW IT WORKS : Players and Coaches From the website- a SNAG kit can facilitate a group of between 16 and 32. While experienced coaches and PE teachers can comfortably manage a group of this size we often try to keep a ratio of 1 coach:4 players but this can be stretched to double the ratio 1:8. The length of session is purely at the discretion of the coach but a normal school period of 40 minutes to an hour is adequate. WHERE? The equipment is designed that the ball can only travel a maximum of 40 yards… This is to allow SNAG to be used in areas which would not be suitable for traditional golf. Indoor gyms and auditoriums and any outdoor sports field.
BENEFITS OF GOLF It teaching core fundamentals: Honesty
Integrity
Sportsmanship Respect
Responsibility
Perseverance
Courtesy
Confidence
Judgment
WHERE THEY CAN GO: The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships is 1 of the 3 largest junior golf tournaments in the world. Each year, more than 600 golfers participate in ‘THE OPTIMIST’. Optimists have been involved in the sport of junior golf for more than 30 years by holding local, regional and international tournaments. More than 5,000 golfers compete in official Optimist District qualifying tournaments. The best of these golfers, along with international golfers from around the globe, advance to the annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Optimist International’s focus on Junior Golf began back in 1978. Visionary leaders from Optimist International took on sponsorship of what is generally recognized as one of the premier junior golf tournaments in the world. Early Optimist sponsored Junior World tournaments were held at the famed Torey Pines in San Diego. In 1986 the event was moved to Doral. In 1987 the tournament’s name was changed to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship (OIJGC) and the event was relocated to PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Some of the world’s best golfers are past OIJGC champions. Phil Michelson, Ernie Els, David Toms, Vijay Singh and many of the other great golfers of today’s PGA Tour were winners. Tiger Woods won the Optimist Junior World six times starting at the age of eight.
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Bridgetown, Bds “pilot snag program with bay primary school”
T
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Optim i s t Club of Barb a d o s Bridgetown announces the launch of its joint Golf project with the Barbados Golf Association (BGA).. The pilot program will be carried out with Bay Primary School. Here, representatives from the BGA, Bay Primary and OC of Barbados Bridgetown making presentation of the program to the school and children.
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LEARNING FROM THE MASTERS To run a major golf tournament, we need to learn how it is being done. So the Barbados Golf Association invited the Optimist Clubs of Barbados to shadow them at work on the biggest golf event in Barbados—The Barbados Open—A Three day Affair,
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Optimist clubs of Barbados
FIRST OPTIMIST
INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF QUALIFER in the Caribbean in 2015 CARIBBEAN
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THANK YOU! THANK YOU Many many thank you to all of the administrations of 2013-14 who made the monthly newsletter possible, enriching and representative of the Caribbean District. Thank you for your submissions and for sharing with our Optimist family all year round. This newsletter has been quite a learning experience for me to learn about you, our movement and my abilities. I thank you for helping me keep my commitment to Gov. Nutilia.
Please, I ask that you kindly ensure that your incoming team continue to share with the new News Bulletin Chair, Optimist Fay Byer of The Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados. More information to follow from incoming Gov. Barbara.
Optimist Darshani President Optimist Club of Barbados Bridgetown
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Message from Outgoing Gov. Nutilia Dear Optimists, As the curtain rolls gently downward on our 2013/14 year the journey continues however let us take a moment to reflect and celebrate our achievements. In all things we must give thanks; I must thank you all for the opportunity afforded me to lead our great Optimist International Caribbean District. We speak of Personal Growth and Involvement at a different level, the sacrifices that we have made together; the life lessons learnt speaks to the strength and spirit of human nature. When I reflect on my journey the most memorable time perhaps was the very beginning when I had the honour to spend quality time at some of your club meetings seeing some of our unique Caribbean projects first hand. I would again encourage Governors who come after me to take the time to do more visiting … and I’ll go as far as to encourage Past Governors to commit to visiting at least two clubs per year just to offer your support and to get to know others in this organization. No one can sit in the grandstands … everyone is needed on the field of play. The only constant thing in life is change, and we embraced most of those changes. International President Ron Huxley introduced the Leadership Summit and we welcomed the International Team in our own unique way. They learnt much from us as we did from them. Thank you very much Merce and Team for your professionalism and expertise at registration desk. Our District recorded the highest level of participants in all of optimism. Thank you for leading the way. Our May conference held in Antigua gave our optimists brethren from the eastern Caribbean including International Vice President Lois an opportunity to experience optimism, the fun the training the fellowship; an experience that brought renewed vitality, commitment and to date has paid dividends. (the added members brought into the movement ) , Thank you all. With International convention still fresh in my mind I have to say that our Caribbean Night was indeed a success and our international brethren took time out to tell me and others how pleased they were to see that we had regained our footing in that regard. Past IP Theo’s Punch was as always a hit and the many Caribbean Optimists who chose to get involved and not simply to look on, you are the heroes. We were graced with the presence of President Elect Dave Bruns and his family at our August convention in Ocho Rios. Congratulations to the organizing team CP Genevieve and PIVP Shirley for working their magic, their negotiation skills to make the event affordable and pleasing to all. There is so much to be said and so many persons to thank it would be remiss of me if I did not give kudos to our communications team. They are indeed phenomenal. CP Darshani our monthly newsletter inspired us all, CP Andrea our quarterly magazine reminded us to focus on our plans for the entire year. To all Lieutenant Governors, Governor Assistants, Chairpersons, Presidents, Past Governors, Past International Vice Presidents, Past President, thank you for your support and encouragement. The journey continues we have thirty days to make a big difference. Remember our mantra each one bring one, spread the word there are numerous children who need us we are to some their life line. It is not too late to drop your pebble in the water. Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it “We’ve Got It.” Nutilia G. Simon Governor, Optimist International Caribbean District CARIBBEAN
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Message from Incoming Gov. Barbara
I
’ve always enjoyed spending time with people who challenge my mind … when I say challenge I’m not referring to those who are always ready to argue at the drop of a hat. I’m speaking of the people whose words and expressions tend to be unique or creative or even just slightly outside of the accepted norms. The people who make you think or re-think. I was truly inspired a few days by a Jamaican teenager; our incoming JOOI Governor Janelle Morgan who told me that her goal in the upcoming year is to encourage all Junior Optimists to be an inspiration to children younger than themselves. But Janelle didn’t stop there. She explained her motivation. She told me that in her “many years” as a JOOI volunteer she’s watched as they have given “things” to younger children but she has often wondered if developing relationships in conjunction with giving the material gifts wouldn’t have been more meaningful. And so Governor-Elect Janelle and I came up with a plan. We’d like to challenge all clubs to identify a “staple project” this year. Many of you are already doing this. We’d like you to promise yourself that on a specific day each and every month (perhaps the first Saturday or third Sunday) that members of your club will reach out and build relationships through that project. You might decide to visit the children’s hospital and read to the children one Sunday afternoon each month. Be consistent. Keep on doing it. Don’t stop. People will notice your commitment and they will join you. You may want to start an oratorical club at the boys home and have speaking challenges on the second Saturday of each month or maybe you’ll just turn up to play dominoes with them on that evening. By being dependable you’ll be showing, not just saying, that you care. Let’s work to inspire those who are younger than we are and if you’re as fortunate as I am, one day one of those young people just might inspire you. Barbara A Arrindell It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived ! CARIBBEAN
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Progressive, Bds “national uniform & back to school supplies drive�
T
he Progressive Optimist Club reported it had assisted 451 children from 114 families with uniforms, primary school textbooks and stationery. The club did this from the new and pre-owned clothes and other supplies it received from their first National Uniform And Back-To-School Supplies Drive held last month
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Bridgetown, Bds “Back to School Program”
H
anging out with our children from Belmont Reading Programme while we distributed back to school packs.
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OC of Harbour View “GROWTH—8 new members”
O
ptimist Club of Harbour View recently added 8 new members and 5 were present for their induction at Tuesday September 2, meeting.
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OC Cross Roads “Golden Home Project”
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DST Designate “… Jason? Heller?”
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New Kingston Conference Centre September 27, 2014 4:00pm COME OUT AND CELEBRATE WITH YOUR JOOI CLUBS WHO HAVE WORKED HARD IN THE WE'VE GOT IT YEAR!
Contribution: $500 for Adult Optimists and $300 non JOOI Members. Please lend your support to the Optimists of Tomorrow :)
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Sunset-kingston “A few good Samaritans�
A
n article in the Jamaica Observer spoke to the outstanding help of our fellow Optimist Dr. Dudley McFarquhar and his wife Paula.
The general story is that a lady had issued an appeal earlier this year, in the Observer, for $1m to assist with her heart surgery. Response to the appeal was slow and a Jamaican doctor, Dr. Carlton Clarke was vacationing in Jamaica in April and read the story. He arranged for her to have the surgery at the Heart Hospital Baylor Plana, Texas. She was able to go, have the surgery and was housed at the doctor's home during her recovery.
Dr. Dudley McFarquhar and his wife Paula, were responsible for her airfare to Dallas and are also actively involved in her stay. The McFarquhars have reportedly made a monetary contribution to "...However he (Dr. Clarke) said, that President of the West Indies Association there (in Dallas),
assist her husband and two children in Mandeville, since she has been away..."
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Bridgetown, Bds “donation of musical instrument”
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he Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown has made a donation of musical instruments to the Pinelands Creative Workshop (PCW) in the name of Optimist Joyce Chase as part of her dedication and our continued commitment to the Pinelands community recently at the 6th Annual Camp Fusion Production titled “A Tribute to RPB” on Tuesday 18th August 2014 at Parkinson Memorial School. The Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown started the Pinelands Boys Club in 1998, it was spearheaded by Optimist Joyce Chase as she shepherded and mentored many of the young boys in the Pinelands community. She conducted skills training projects, character development workshops and numerous entertainment and fun events to keep them both safe and engaged in positive activities which served to keep them away from the negative elements around them. It is in her name that we happily donate these instruments as a continuing legacy of her love for the Pinelands area. CARIBBEAN
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JOOI Caribbean District “International Coastal Cleanup Day Activity ”
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nternational Coastal Cleanup Day Activity held On Saturday September 20th. Over 140 JOOI and Optimist volunteers removed 106 bags of garbage from the Fort Clarence beach. JOOI Clean Beaches.
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Bridgetown, Bds “Parade for literacy
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he Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown joined its Belmont Reading Programe in a parade through the city streets to bring awareness to literacy in observing International Literacy Day 2014.
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Hhmm... “should we ask? GD Barbara?”
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R.O.C.K “international coastal cleanup day
R
oyal Optimist Club of Kingston played its part in cleaning the beaches for International Coastal Clean Up day.
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OC of UWI, Mona “international coastal cleanup day
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Octagon Club of Calabar “international coastal cleanup day
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NEW CLUB Spirited Optimist Club of Wadadli, Antigua
A
new Caribbean Optimist club was formed tonight .. Congrats President Dianne Tonge and your new team. If its estimated that each optimist member influences or can have an impact on 30 children each year ..then we've made it 30x15 tonight.
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Stay Connected Barbican Pines Optimist Club Caribbean District Central Circle Optimist Club Optimist Club of Barbados, Bridgetown Optimist Club of Barbados North Optimist Club of Cross Roads Optimist Club de Ste Lisi Optimist Club of Harbour View Jamaica Optimist Club of North Padmore Optimist Club of North St. Andrew Optimist Club of UWI, Mona Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados Rising Optimist Club of Moneague Royal Optimist Club of Kingston, The (R.O.C.K) South Circle Optimist Club St. Ann’s Bay Optimist Club Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston
Add your club’s Facebook page here Darshani@jillandee.com
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Creed
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Optimist International Caribbean District
The Secretariat 36 1/2 Lyndhurst Road, Kingston 10 Phone: 1-246-836-9005 Skype:
darshaniworkman
E-mail: Darshani@jillandee.com Whatsapp: 1-246-836-9005 Bringing Out the Best In Kids
JUNIOR GOLF
It’s coming...