I S S U E
9
7 T H
A U G U S T ,
2 0 1 4
Caribbean District News Desk
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Service Projects
5
Int’l Conventions Special Report
19
Stay connected
24
Contact Us
26
President Elect - JOOI
Javanni Waugh
PAGE
2
Page intentionally left blank
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
3
SERVICE PROJECTS
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
4
BE L L WI E O R WH THE
PGJOE
PG GENE FEATURE SPEAKER: International President Elect Dave Burns
PDST LATOYA
GE BARBARA CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
5
st. ann’s bay “relay for life”
A
t Relay For Life events, communities across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. The funds raised truly make a difference in the fight against cancer – just ask one of the nearly 14 million cancer survivors who will celebrate another birthday this year!
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
6
kensinton oc “Labour Day Activity”
B
eautification project at the Portsmouth P r i m a r y School.
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
7
north st. catherine “children’s day Activity”
J
oint venture with the Polly Ground Primary School JOOI Club, treating over 50 students at the Polly Ground Basic School on Children's Day
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
8
north st. catherine “Labour Day Activitiy”
P
ainting. St. Faith`s Basic School
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
9
north st. catherine “respect for law Ceremony”
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
10
oc of Barbados, north “Easter Treasure Hunt�
O
n Saturday April 11th, Optimists treated several wards of the Welfare Office from the northern parishes to a treasure hunt and picnic at Farley Hill National Park. The treasure was Easter candy and chocolates that was shared with everyone present. There was so much merriment, it was hard to determine if the children had more fun than the adults!
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
11
oc of Barbados, north “Primary to Secondary School Transition�
T
he Northclub continued its unique transition programme with the class 4 students of All Saints Primary School that sat the common entrance examination.
This program invites secondary school student to speak directly to the primary school students to help prepare them for secondary school. Optimist members also presented the internet safety presentation and left pamphlets for the students to take home.
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
12
manor park oc “Donation”
T
he Manor Park Optimist Club made a donation to Victory Basic School.
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
13
bridgetown, barbados “Tour to Rock Hall Monument”
T
he Optimist Club of Barbados, Bridgetown took the children from the Belmont Reading Programme to visit the Rock Hall Monument in St. Thomas and then later to lunch. This monument commemorates Rock Hall Village, Barbados’ first free village by ex-slaves who were from the Mount Wilton Plantation, a nearby plantation. The village was founded in 1841 just 5 years after Emancipation.
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
14
bridgetown, barbados “Chillin’ by the Beach”
Chillin’ by the beach on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
15
JOOI ANGUILLA GROUP LARGEST CONTINGENT EVER AT JOOI CONVENTION Also significant for the Anguillian Optimists was the fact that they were part of JOOI history in a very significant way! There were there to vote for Optimist Javanni Waugh and help him to become the first member from outside North America and the first black person to become International President of JOOI!
Anguilla Contingent at Junior Optimist International Convention 2014
F
or the second time in the history of Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI), Anguilla has had the largest delegation ever, in attendance at an international convention. The contingent of 27 strong – 21 children and 6 adults – was under the leadership of convention coordinator Optimist Emma Ferguson, and JOOI Committee Chairperson Optimist Avon Carty. Participants were drawn from four of the island’s seven JOOI Clubs: the Super Stars, Kids for the Future and Innocent Minds Junior Optimist Clubs and the Progressive Youth Octagon Club.
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
Two youngest Anguilla delegates 9-yr old Quanisha Wilson and 8 yrs old Takiyah Richardson all dressed up for Banquet
DESK
PAGE
16
JOOI ANGUILLA GROUP LARGEST CONTINGENT EVER AT JOOI CONVENTION
Advisor Emma and Avon with President-Elect Javanni They were so proud to know that their Optimist Cordane Richardson – the first ever Caribbean JOOI member to serve as a Director on the International Board just two years earlier - had paved the way for President. JOOI Committee Chairperson Optimist Avon Carty, wishes to extend thanks to Advisor Emma Ferguson without whose hard work,
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
Anguilla’s attendance at the convention would not have been possible. Thanks are also being extended to Optimist Advisors, Juline Hughes, Andrea Benjamin and Deborah Wynter as well as parents (and Prospective FOOs) Jane Carty and Imogene Connor who all worked so hard to make this a memorable and fulfilling experience for the JOOI children.
DESK
PAGE
17
JOOI “Fisherman’s Day”
1
July 2014 - Seven young Optimists – members of the Best End Junior Optimist Club at the Morris Vanterpool Primary School – celebrated Fisherman’s Day, not by enjoying the fish caught by bona fide fishermen, but by going fishing themselves. The youngsters, bubbling with excitement, boarded ‘Niyah’ from the Island Harbour jetty on Saturday 28 June 2014 at around 9:00am, and headed off to the fishing grounds between Scrub Island and Little Scrub to the east of Anguilla. The trip had been planned weeks in advance under the leadership of Club President Shaelen Hodge, and finally it was time to go fishing! Within half an hour of throwing out the lines there were nibbles, then bites, then success – the first fish was landed! After less than three hours and a respectable catch, it was time to head back home. Anxious but accommodating parents had been assured that their little fishers would be back by noon. In spite of a couple queasy tummies, a good time was had by all, and the Junior Optimists were proud of their morning’s endeavours. Advisor Optimist Avon Carty says, ‘it was a great morning and such a rewarding and educational experience for the children – I am glad we had the opportunity to do this – especially on Fisherman’s Day!’ CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
18
Page intentionally left blank
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
19
International Conventions Special REPORT By Optimist Patrick Prendergast (reprinted with permission from http://7804optimist.blogspot.com)
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
20
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 96th 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!”
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.
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.
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
21
Governor Nutilia Happy with Support for 96th International Convention 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.
RESULTS OF THE OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL ONLINE ELECTIONS
We all rooted for our PIVP Adrian Elcock to represent us on the international board. We must thank PIVP Adrian for his courage, love and untiring efforts so far and his willingness to continue to serve and ably represent us at the international table. We were advised that PIVP was unsuccessful in the keenly fought contest for the position of International Director. In true Optimism, PIVP thanked everyone for their support and encouragement. He also extended congratulations to his friends Dave Burns for being elected President and Sue Creswell and Judy Boyd on winning the elections for Directors. PIVP added that “Optimism has been the winner in this result!”
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
22
Caribbean Junior Optimist is International Trailblazer PRESIDENT-ELECT of Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI), Javanni Waugh is expressing appreciation to his fellow junior Optimists as well as the adult Optimists who supported and guided his path to the prestigious pole position he now holds. The past Lt. Governor of the JOOI Caribbean District has once again made history as the first Jamaican and Caribbean youth to have risen this far. In 2013-14 he was the first junior from the region to serve on the International Board of Directors. Javanni, a former member of the Fortis Octagon Junior Optimist Club (Kingston College), attributes much of his achievement to his own desire and drive to serve; but is also quick to acknowledge the exuberance of his contemporaries as well as the wisdom and motivation from the adult leadership of the Optimist International Caribbean District. The election of the new JOOI administration was concluded at the recent JOOI Convention in San Diego, California July 5-8, 2014.
"Words cannot express how humbled, honoured and grateful I am to the delegates of our recently concluded International Convention in San Diego, California for electing me as International President for the upcoming 2014-2015 Optimist Year. Taking over the reins from International President Stephanie Theriault come October 1 will be quite a task as she has led our organisation with poise and vision for the past year. Nevertheless, I am optimistic that the transition will be a smooth one setting the atmosphere for a successful year. When I joined JOOI in 2011, I never imagined one day serving our great organisation at the highest level possible. Starting out as Club Secretary, I was tasked with crafting ideas for the growth of our club and this is where my love for service, administration and JOOI grew immensely. I found myself devoting so much time to the development of our club as a solid unit. Utilising the experiences I garnered whilst serving as a JOOI Board of Director this past year, I am thrilled to expand my ideas and vision on a truly international scale. It is widely said that iron sharpens iron and JOOI has given me so much that I am eager to return the benefits gained to the over 15,000 members united to help children globally. Thanks, again, to the thousands of JOOI members for trusting me to lead our great organisation to new heights. In Service, Javanni Waugh, JOOI International President-Elect
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
23
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
24
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
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
PAGE
25
Creed
CARIBBEAN
DISTRICT
N EWS
DESK
Purposes of Optimism
To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed;
Optimist International Caribbean District
ernment and civic affairs;
to inspire respect for the law;
to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all
The Secretariat
people;
36 1/2 Lyndhurst Road, Kingston 10
to promote an active interest in good gov-
to aid and encourage the development of
Phone: 1-246-836-9005
youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s
Skype:
self in service to others will advance the
darshaniworkman
E-mail: Darshani@jillandee.com Whatsapp: 1-246-836-9005
well-being of humankind, community life and the world.
Bringing Out the Best In Kids We’re on the web! http://oicaribbean.wix.com/ caribbeandistrict#!