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Caribbean District News Desk
Optimist International Leadership Summit REGISTER NOW INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Stay connected
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Growth
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Fellowship
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Personal Growth
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Working with JOOI 8 Service Projects
Contact Us
Saturday, March 22, 2014 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
KINGSTON
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New Kingston Conference Center 30 Dominica Drive Kingston 5, St. Andrew Jamaica
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Barbican Pines Optimist Club https://www.facebook.com/optimists.barbicanpines?fref=ts
Caribbean District https://www.facebook.com/caribbean.optimists?fref=ts
Stay Connected in real time...
Optimist Club of Barbados, Bridgetown https://www.facebook.com/OptimistBridgetown http://optimistbridgetown.org/
Optimist Club of Cross Roads https://www.facebook.com/pages/Optimist-Club-of-Cross-Roads/186337188241711 Email: optimistcrossroads@outlook.com
Optimist Club of North St. Andrew https://www.facebook.com/Optimistclub.northstandrew?ref=profile
Optimist Club de Ste Lisi www.optimistclubstlucia.com
Optimist Club of UWI, Mona https://www.facebook.com/uwimonaoptimistclub
Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProgressiveOptimist/ http://www.progressiveoptimist.org/
Rising Optimist Club of Moneague https://www.facebook.com/RiseOptimist
Royal Optimist Club of Kingston, The (R.O.C.K) https://www.facebook.com/rockopts http://rockjamaica.org/
Add your club’s Facebook page here
South Circle Optimist Club https://www.facebook.com/southcircleja http://southcircleja.weebly.com/ Twitter: @SouthCircleJa
Darshani@jillandee.com
St. Ann’s Bay Optimist Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/saboptimists/
Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston https://www.facebook.com/SunsetOptimist?ref=stream
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GROWTH International President Recruitment Incentive WINNER—3 Members Added
Congratulations
Optimist Club of Georgetown, Grand Cayman 6 New Members Celebrate with our fellow members in Grand Cayman as they nurture six (6) new members in November 2013. We welcome Optimists Cari, Avriel, Marshalee, Lionel, Tameka and Joy.
go out to
President Obryan Leighton of OC UWI Mona for being the first quarter
winner in
Ideas are great but they are cheap. 22 years and counting…
all of Region 2 in the Presi-
dent Ron’s Scheme, winning his club US$250 for his club’s youth activities. LTG Sonia Stewart-Gordon sends out hearty congratulations from all of Zone 3 noted that President Obryan has made the entire Caribbean District proud. (To qualify, members must sponsor at least three members for the quarter).
New JOOI Club Chartered JOOI Club of the Antigua Girl’s High School On 8th February, 2014, The OC of St. John (Antigua) proudly chartered a new JOOI club at the Antigua Girl’s High School at the home of Governor Nutilia.
Ideas, magnificent or modest, are pointless if they are not acted on and that is precisely what Past Gov. Errol Alliman did 22 years ago, he acted on his idea. On March 11th, The Optimist Club of St. John and home club of Gov. Nutilia celebrates its 22nd anniversary. This club was formed by the hard work of PG Errol while he worked in Antigua; he made a decision to build a new club and today the club still thrives with Gov. Nutilia as the only active charter member around. As we continue to travel and interact with people in other locations let us, as members be as brave and optimistic as PG Errol was 22 years ago. Remember that Chairperson Calman would welcome a call from you to discuss that idea of a new club that you are thinking about. If you have 15 people already, perhaps your club can be installed when International President Ron visits for the Leadership Summit. Write to the governor and let’s explore that possibility. Step by step guides are also available on line. Take a few minutes to see how simple the NCB project can be. http://www.optimist.org/e/member/newclub9.cfm
The Club is open to all service oriented youth in the ninth through twelfth grade and will be affiliated with Optimist International operating under the auspices of the Antigua Girl’s High School. The ceremony was attended by members of OC of St. John including Gov. Nutilia, DST Treasa, GE Barbara, DSTD Jason, LTG Lyndia (Zone 11) and JOOI District Chair Genevieve. Principal Yvette Samuel of AGHS was also present to commemorate the event.
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Keep the gift of giving strong.
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FELLOWSHIP After all the time with projects do we still have to Fellowship? The Sunset Optimist Club of Liguanea Yes, because Fellowship is what helps us to create bonds among volun- hope that, as an organization, we can begin to make some drastic changes teers and indirectly identify hidden talents for later use. It I also a time this year in order to improve our relationship. when we revitalize our objectives to being an Optimist. And in upholding one of OI’s sacred fundamental values, members have been fellowshipping across the Caribbean: Once more I'd like to thank my three wonderful guests for your amazing contribution at this meeting. The best part is that we have a lot to learn Following the much talked about Zone 4 meeting in early March, here from each other and we got that ball rolling yesterday. So let's keep it rolling. is what President Tetrice had to say: Have a blessed day! President Tetrice
Good morning my fellow Optimists!
South Circle Optimist Club
I just want to give a HUGE thank you for your participation in the Zone 4 meeting yesterday. I cannot explain how great a contribution you gave to the persons in attendance.
Inter-clubbing
CP Valerie, your message of Bridging The Gap meant a lot more to us on a personal level than we had anticipated it would. And, I am wishing you all the best throughout the life of this amazing project. The Sunset Optimist Club of Liguanea will do it's best to contribute in the best ways that we can.
GE Barbara, I only wish that we were more interactive on our end but your session was excellent! And, I do hope that we can all take the best points from that experience and start applying it IMMEDIATELY. I think the first step is to just try. If no one tries then there is no point to this discussion. Optimist Heather took an initiative and started that conversation with our membership last night, challenging us to take the time out and be responsive. Thank you.
Inter-clubbing with Royal Optimist Club of Kingston
Co-Chair Lloyd, it all boils back down to communication and bridging the gap. The adult clubs and JOOI clubs have had an issue for years as it relates to how we understand each other. I appreciate your update on the clubs in our zone and the fact that you, as the only JOOI rep, facilitated the discussion in a room full of adult Optimists. The tasks ahead are daunting but I do
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FELLOWSHIP The Optimist Club of Barbados, Central
The Optimist Club of Barbados, Bridgetown
Prayer Breakfast
Environmental Hike The inaugural OCBB Enviro-Hike went off on Sunday the 23rd February without a hitch. Many, many, MANY thanks to Optimist George for setting the pace (fast, fast fast), interspersed with historical and agricultural tidbits about each location as well as food for thought for Optimists. A wonderful time was had by all in attendance which included members , families, friends, prospective members and members from Progressive and Sunshine clubs.
Members of the OC of Barbados Central gathered for their first Fellowship Event for 2014. They brought along their families and invited some members of other clubs. After the meal, they joined in worship, singing lustily. There were soloists who blessed us with their voices. Rev. Guy Hewitt, in his meditation, encouraged us to go the extra mile - to travel the road less travelled. Matthew 5:41 says. "..if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles..." He challenged us to look at ourselves in the mirror and see if we like what we see. He said: “do it, face the next mile two and get working�. We were asked what we thought of ourselves, to filter out the static of what other people think about us. We were told to get beyond the veneer and get involved. Rev. Hewitt reminded us to recognise how blessed we were. In all this, were told to set milestones for our journey, set challenges to achieve.
Southeast Region celebrating on a cruise ...ahead of District Awards Function PIVP Sonia with Lynden celebrating
We thank IPP Marcel for opening his home to us and for organising such an enjoyable event. We thank the many members, their families and members of other clubs who attended.
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With PIP St. Onge
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PERSONAL GROWTH There are many benefits to becoming an Optimist. And since "Bringing Out the Best in Kids" is the consensus top benefit, the organization’s Personal Growth & Involvement (P.G.I.) program ranks a cool second. Where else can you become a more knowledgeable volunteer?
leaders, the door remains open to every member. Remember that you can invite Gov. Nutilia or GE Barbara to attend your club meetings via Skype!
Sunshine Optimist Club of Barbados Through communication training, self-development modules and other personal growth activities, Optimist International is giving you a fantastic opportunity to continue to learn and grow into a leader.
And this is what Optimist have been caught doing over the last few weeks:
Virtual Training in Zone 4 With the plethora of technologies available, Gov. Nutilia’s administration has been encouraging the effective use of these technologies to attend meetings and to receive training. Zone 4 answered the call and five months into the year on 2nd March, GE Barbara conducted her first training session via Skype for the members who attended the Zone meeting. Now those members can check their PGI passports as together they explored the concepts of Team Building.
At their last club meeting, Secretary Basil Maughan of Sunshine OC of Barbados took members of his club on a path to erudition. Optimist Basil presented a lesser seen view of Africa; a positive view citing developmental projects, statistics, healthcare and general infrastructure expenditure and then specifically looked at Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria and Angola.
Did you know that Barbados’ born Arthur Barclay was Liberia's president from 1904 to 1912, while his nephew, Edwin Barclay, was president from 1930 to 1944?
“It’s good to be in Jamaica” is what GE Barbara is reported to have said as she began her presentation seated at her desk at home in Antigua. She thanks LtG Karleen and President Tetrice of the Sunset Optimist Club of Liguanea for embracing this new idea. GE Barbara was also able to listen in as CP Valerie gave a report on the Bridging the Gap project and was able to hear an exchange of thoughts from members.
GE Barbara is looking forward to other such opportunities and encourages Optimists throughout the District to seek one on one or small group meetings with her or the Governor to address any issues or to share ideas. Although the idea was first thrown out to Club
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But before you rush to ask what does this have to do with the love of children… did you know that Barbados’ born Arthur Barclay was Liberia's president from 1904 to 1912, while his nephew, Edwin Barclay, was president from 1930 to 1944? No? Well, now you are more educated to teach your young wards.
This in-house training is an initiative that Sunshine Club has adopted recently for its members. Last November, President Adrian presented an informational piece on Barbados’ state-owned oil
importer, Barbados National Terminal Co. Ltd.
Leadership Summit Leading and managing volunteers in today’s world is hard work as there are no standard or simple ways to recruit and retain volunteers. Recognising the dynamism of this aspect of volunteering, Optimist International has been facilitating Leadership training across the region to help volunteers be better leaders. The next training summit will be in Kingston Jamaica on March 22nd. Be there.
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WORKING WITH JOOI
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WORKING WITH JOOI Best End JOOI Club, Anguilla Optimist Randy Hodge Speaks Out On Wednesday 12 February 2014, Randy Hodge, charter member of the Young Adults Optimist Club (revoked) spent an hour with the Best End JOOI Club and other students at the Morris Vanterpool Primary School. Opt Randy wore his charter pin proudly and when introducing himself to the children told them that he is an Optimist. That day was exactly 2 years since Opt Randy had been paralysed by a drive-by shooting, after leaving a function at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre in the early hours of the morning. His companion, a friend visiting from the USA, was also shot in the arm. To date the perpetrators remain at large and there are no leads in the case.
Randy's messages to the children were clear:
Avoid violence;
Do not respond to anger with anger;
Report wrong when you see or know of it happening;
Be considerate of others;
Study hard and always give of your best;
Live as one Anguillian family - our island is too small for us to be fighting among ourselves; and
In all things give God thanks.
The JOOI members, their classmates, principal and teachers were all very receptive and listened attentively, after which they asked many relevant and probing questions. It was a good meeting
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and Opt Randy has offered to speak to any group, especially children and youngsters who wish to hear him. He is a man with a
message and a mission. JOOI Club of The Lester Vaughan School Beach Clean Up On Saturday March 1st, the Optimist Club of Barbados North joined forces with its JOOI Club of The Lester Vaughan School to clean up their adopted beach on the west coast of Barbados. The beach located near the Fishpot Restaurant, between Six Men’s and Halfmoon Fort was adopted in the past two years after the marina development changed the coast line of their previously adopted beach. The group of volunteers gathered at 7:00 am to start work and afterwards shared a hearty breakfast. Perhaps we should call it a brunch! The menu, compliments of the club members consisted of: Fruit (apples and oranges),Bajan bakes, cheese, scrambled eggs, sausages, mini tuna subs (Optimist Gilbert out-did himself with onion, sweet peppers, lettuce, and cucumber sides)
Needless to say the JOOI members had a great time and were asking for a date for the next joint activity!
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WORKING WITH JOOI JOOI Club of Columbus Prep School Road Trip with St. Ann’s Bay
JOOI Club of Columbus Prep School Installation Ceremony
Junior Optimist Club of Columbus Prep road trip. Three mother club members joined the group.
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SERVICE PROJECTS Optimist Club of North Portmore With Bridgeport Primary School Optimist Club of North Portmore lending a hand to Bridgeport Primary School to meet its requirement for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) syllabus and a requirement of the Ministry of Education.
The pictures represent: The preparation (painting) of the area, during the painting process and the final murals, painting of surroundings and tiling of cistern.
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SERVICE PROJECTS Optimist Club of Barbados North Teenagers Inspired by Optimist Seminar
On Friday February 14th, 2014, the Optimist Club of Barbados North launched a two-day seminar called LifeQuest 2014. Held at the Speightstown Library ‘s resource room, LifeQuest 2014 featured four workshops designed to build selfawareness as well as aid in the health and development of teenage mothers and other teenagers.
The MAP for Teen parenting – hosted by Kerriann Hurley, Youth Development
Officer with the Barbados Family Planning Association
The PATH to better Health and Well-being – hosted by Karen Griffith,
nutritionist with the Ministry of Health
Mr. Tony Olton of the Potter Centre
The
MAZE
of
U
(understanding where you want to go and what you need to do to get there) – hosted by Tony Olton of the Potter Centre
DECODING positive sexual health practices – Dr Tracey Archer, Director of the Barbados Family Planning Association
President Gail Niles, noted this was the first time the club had organised an event like this. She said “We have worked with the Welfare Office in the North for over ten years, but our programmes tend to be geared to the younger wards. This year we decided to think of a project for teenagers and the Welfare Officers welcomed the change.” The project was called LifeQuest as it was hoped the participants would take a closer look at their lives and start making decisions to help them achieve the goals they really want.
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Ms Kerriann Hurley (BPFA)
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SERVICE PROJECTS Optimist Club of UWI Mona Club Fusion at UWI The Optimist Club of UWI Mona participated in its third Club Fusion at UWI Mona, and it was epic and eventful. This is a competi-
tion between all club and societies at the university, where a member from the top 12 clubs will travel to Costa Rica at the expense of the university. We have been successful once before in 2012 and we are pretty optimistic that this could be our year once more. The photos show the kind of love we as Optimists have for each other and the joyous atmosphere we create when we come together. We launched our Project S.O.O.N fundraiser at this event and will continue that fundraiser until May. Optimist club of UWI Mona, "Spreading Our Optimism Now".
Representation—Combating Corruption in the 21st Century The President of the Optimist Club of UWI Mona has been creating waves within the University and in the media. After just recently featuring in a vox pop in the Jamaica Observer, Mr. Obryan Leighton has featured among some of the most prominent gentlemen in Jamaica today, being positioned on a distinguished panel including the contractor general of Jamaica, Professor Trevor Munroe from the National Integrity Action and the Guild of students Vice President of UWI Mona. All these gentlemen including the Optimist President , who is also the President of the UWI Mona Governance Society , tackled the issue of corruption head on under the theme "Combating Corruption in the 21st Century�.
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SERVICE PROJECTS South Circle Optimist Club Aid to Hope Valley Experimental Primary School Some of our members in collaboration with past students of the school led the morning's devotions and then gave speeches to the Grade 6 students preparing for GSAT before presenting them with packages of pencils, erasers and sharpeners.
A bit of humor: Eternally Optimistic During a recent meeting of our Optimist Club, we challenged one another to come up with an inspirational sentence using the word countenance. This was the winning entry: "I put a cheerful countenance on people every day." It was submitted by our local funeral director.
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OUTREACH Pride of Barbados Optimist Club Relief Supplies for St. Lucia Pride of Barbados Optimist Club worked with the other adult clubs in Barbados to provide support for a primary school in St. Lucia that was severely affected by the floods. They coordinated with President Al of Optimist Club of Ste. Lisi who identified the needy school.
Each of the seven clubs made a pledge of $100 which was used to purchase stationery. Though the budget was unable to stretch far enough to purchase school texts needed, Bryden Stokes pledged story books instead which the clubs gladly accepted. Another corporate sponor, Eric Hassell & Sons pledged to handle freight to destination.
Optimist Club of Georgetown, Grand Cayman Celebrate Our Youth Day On the 22 February 2014 we attended the Caribbean Youth Assets Ltd with the theme " Celebrate Our Yourth Day" where we were able to set up booth and introduce young youth and adults to the Optimist Club. We were able to attract over
10 persons to visit us at our next meeting.
Optimist Avriel & President Mark Ray.
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VACANCIES
Governor Elect Requirements: Presidential Experience, would be good if the person has also served as an LtG but no longer a requirement. Optimists currently serving as LtGs are also encouraged to make their interest known
14 Lieutenant Governors Requirements: Presidential Experience. If you are serving as president now you are eligible and I’d love to have you on the team Plenty Club Presidents & twice as many Vice Presidents.
Hear-Ye Hear EE Be part of the Optimist year when the unusual will become usual. Governor Elect Barbara would like to advise the general membership that positions are currently being filled in readiness for the 2014/15 Optimist year.
District Chairpersons If you are considering running for office you should first ask yourself the following: Am I a little crazy? – not completely nuts but at least a little? Am I willing to entertain unusual thoughts? Do I enjoy laughing? Am I able to laugh at myself? Do I enjoy watching others laugh and have fun? Do I care a whole lot more about thing than most people would expect? If you have answered yes to at least 4 of these questions than you have met the basic requirements for being a part of the Step By Step 2014/15 Team. GE Barbara and her DST in waiting Jason Gilead would like to hear from you as soon as possible. If you know of someone who is too shy to admit that he or she has all of these qualities please submit the person’s name and email address and we will make contact with them. Awesome & Unusual Training opportunities in exotic environments await those who dare to STEP UP
To all clubs who shared this month. Keep on sharing!
Apply within: barbaraarrindell@yahoo.com
Transferring membership is as easy as 1-2-3: 1. The member transferring needs to be deleted from the club he is leaving. 2. The new club adds him to the roster with a $5 processing fee sent to OI. 3. Club Roster Adjustment Form can be sent to OI or emailed to bakerc@optimist.org indicating change. (Include member’s information on the CRA form and check “Transfer”. IF the member is a Life Member, indicate on the CRA. Transfers cannot be done online)
HOUSEKEEPING Correction In our January 7th issue, we reported that OC of St. Ann’s Bay was celebrating its 25th Anniversary. This was inaccurate. It was Optimist Club of North St. Andrew in Jamaica. We do apologise.
Request from DST Treasa Remember to include contact information when you are sending information to DST Treasa to be forwarded onto other clubs. It helps!
Registration is Open First Early bird registration is 1 May, 2014 View details on website
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;
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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
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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#!