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WHAT’S INSIDE
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Governor Lynden’s message
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Gov Elect Nutilia’s Message
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Optimist Club of St. Matthews
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Church Service
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Optimist Club of North St. Andrew
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Red Ribbon Run
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4th Qtr Pictorial
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Oratorical
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Optimist club of Mammee Bay, etc
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Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown
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Optimist Club of Harbour View
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Childhood Cancer
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Optimist club of Barbican Pines
message from governor
Lynden BUCHANAN
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he 2012-2013 year is on in earnest and we have hit the ground running. I must commend all Caribbean Optimists for the positive approach overall. We are challenged to make a meaningful difference in our service this year and I must congratulate NCB Chair Barbara Watson, for bringing in the first new club in this District and the entire Optimist International on October 4, 2012. The entire team; the sponsor clubs and the Builder s of Excellence have put us in the limelight at a very early stage. With the pace set we have it all to as we intend to finish the race in front! This calls for a unified approach in executing our strategy. Of paramount importance is membership development. Leaders must seek out club members and ensure that they are engaged.
“...All hands on Deck” as we make a difference…and there are the incentives!! check out the District Directory, the District website, the Facebook page as information is posted and circulated.“
We have a as a District, targeted to end the year with a net of one hundred (100) members and to build ten (10) new clubs. Presidents will therefore have to delete where absolutely necessary and of course to replace those members as the time goes on. It would be good to end each quarter with a net plus one (+1) in membership. In this way you eliminate delinquent members and allow enthusiastic new members to come on board and make a difference. New clubs will bring in 25 members thus creating more reach to our children in more communities. This will also put your club on the road to being distinguished. We have an exciting year ahead, with new initiatives in the making. Plan to engage your JOOI members in one of our three Youth Forums; watch out for the advert on the District Social, which will be an excursion to one of Jamaica’s exotic recreation spots; make sure you enroll your club members in the various charity programs for the major causes {Relay for Life, Sigma Run, Race Against HIV/AIDS, and other such events.}. What you may not see is the hardworking District Executive team and the wider district body of GA’s and Chair Persons who are busily working behind the scenes. Yes, there is a lot being planned, as committees meet and set things in motion. Very soon we will see the excellent results; Essay, Oratorical, CCDHH, Internet Safety, Childhood Cancer, Publicity/ Marketing and JOOI to name just a few. Thanks for all you do Optimist Leaders. We need everyone’s commitment to service, “All hands on Deck” as we make a difference…and there are the incentives!! check out the District Directory, the District website, the Facebook page as information is posted and circulated. One final tip! You can save money by signing up for a Skype Account. When we have planning meetings or need to contact a group of optimists, we can all meet on Skype and have the full effect of virtually being there.
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Message from
Governor Elect Nutlia Simon
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here is no better time than now for us to take a long careful look at this organization that we have all come to love and cherish. Our home club is very important to each of us and so is our zone. Our District however is the glue that brings and holds us all together allowing us to see the wider Caribbean picture. Although water divides us, our children are faced with similar challenges and with our help they achieve similar successes. Although our accents are varied, our words of concern echo each other. Although at one time we were individual optimists in individual clubs in individual islands or territories, through zone meetings, conferences and conventions we are now friends, not just “Optimist Friends” but true lifelong friends. Those who have made the sacrifices to attend these meetings know that they have acquired home away from homes in many places and have ears on foreign or distant shores willing to listening to their dreams and their realities. Let’s get together more often my friends. Encourage your club to get involved in “inter-clubbing”. Get together with your sponsor club to have an even bigger better special project and rekindle the friendships forged by working together. Grasp every opportunity to attend a zone meeting or conference. Hear the stories of other clubs and know that you are not alone but also know that by forging ahead together we stand a better chance of accomplishing our goals. Share your success stories on facebook or via email and inspire others. There are so many children waiting for us to make a difference in their lives. We need more help, so invite a friend to give a hand at your next club project, and the next. Invite the friend to attend a zone meeting or conference. I am willing to bet that a colleague of yours, handpicked by you, once exposed to what we do and who we are will soon be a registered Optimist. We have what it takes to make a difference. Look deep within and look to others where necessary. You’ve got it and this movement can give you even more. Be bold and make a difference. Always in Optimism, Nutilia Simon Governor-Elect 5
“Let’s get together more often my friends. Encourage your club to get involved in “inter-clubbing”.
OPTIMIST CLUB OF
St. Matthews
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ptimist Club of St. Matthews’ breakfast feeding programme which commenced on Day 1, (October 01, 2012) of the new Optimist year. Hosted at the Allman Town Infant School - Robert Street , Kingston 4. Breakfast was provided for entire school (150 students) complement including Teachers & other staff (10).
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OPTIMIST CLUB OF
North St. Andrew
COMMUNITY PROJECT
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n recognition of National Tree Planting day, the JOOI Caribbean District initiated a tree and vegetable planting exercise at St. Anthony’s Children’s Home & Mary’s Child Home for pregnant teenage girls on October 6, 2012. The Optimist Club of North St. Andrew participated in this initiative by planting vegetable seeds, fruit trees and seedlings. Seeds were also donated towards this effort. The day proved to be a rewarding one as adult members got a chance to interact with the JOOI members, planted seeds and learnt more about the institution and its residents. The overall experience left an indelible mark and has inspired us to work to improve the lives of the children we serve and make a difference… one child at a time.
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Private & Confidential
The Grata Foundation Limited Concept Paper for the Red Ribbon Run, Sunday November 25, 2012 Purpose Each December 1 the global community stops to remember those who have been infected and affected by HIV/AIDS; assess current treatment and prevention programs in respect of the disease and raise awareness among populations that; the disease is still an ever present aspect of our public health landscape. Throughout the world and indeed Jamaica, during the week leading up to and inclusive of world AIDS Day (December1), NGOs and other stakeholder partners plan various activities to commemorate the day. This year, the Grata Foundation has decided to host a 5K road race on November 25 (the Sunday preceding December 1) as part of its Activities.
Red Ribbon Run History and Background The inaugural staging of the Run was on 27th November, 2011 at 7:30 a.m. on the grounds of King’s House. The run attracted approximately 100 participants including top rated local stars on the 5K circuit Horace Burey and Karlene Balgrove. The eldest participant was approximately aged 84 with the youngest being 12. The existing Course Best Times are: Run Walk
Men Women Men Women
19.44.35 24.19.97 38.04.35 41.29.07
Horace Burey Karlene Balgrove Michael Lee Sharon Williams
Sponsors of the initial staging were Population Services International through their Got It? Get It! Campaign and Ruff Rider Condoms (Carimed Ltd), that sponsored the Race Day T-shirts. The Governor General was the official starter of the event. The event was billed around the World AIDS Day Theme of Getting to Zero, with the national slogan of Know your Status, No New Infections being placed on the Tshirts. Support for the event in terms of race day volunteers were provided from the Rotaract Club of Kingston as well as the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association. To view pictures of last year’s events and for more details one may visit the website at www.redribbonrun.com or www.facebook.com/redribbonrun.
Action Context The decision to focus on HIV/AIDS was in recognition of the fact that the disease in Jamaica like the rest of the world disproportionately affects and infects inter alia: the youth, women and the poor. Further, Prepared by the Grata Foundation, 2012 © 11
www.facebook.com/redribbonrun
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR RED RIBBON RUN ROAD RACE ON NOVEMBER 25, 2012????? This Year’s Road Race will place the spotlight on Children Infected with HIV/AIDS through Mother to Child transmission, with part proceeds from the Run being directed to the Mustard Seed Communities. The Mustard Seed Communities is a group of orphanages ran by the Catholic Church in Jamaica, notably they are the island’s only HIV/AIDS specialty orphanage. WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE RED RIBBON RUN ROAD RACE 2012 HAS ALREADY ATTRACTED OVER 300 PARTICIPANTS, BRINGING US CLOSER TO OUR GOAL OF 500 RUNNERS!!!!! THE JAMAICA BUSINESS COUNCIL ON HIV/AIDS (JaBCHA) WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS: CARIMED LIMITED JAMAICA ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATION (JAAA’S) ROTARACT CLUB OF KINGSTON POPULATION SERVICES INTERNATIONAL AND QUITE A FEW OTHERS ROUTE OF THE RUN: The Run will begin and end at King’s House and will be approximately 5.6Km in length. The route will proceed at 7:30 a.m. : 1. Southward along Lady Musgrave Road towards its intersection with Montrose Road and Seaview Avenue 2. East along Seaview Avenue 3. Turns North Along Old Hope Road until Liguanea intersection 4. Then Turns South Along Hope Road and continues into the King’s House property NOTES 1. If you sign up to run you may walk 2. If you sign up to walk you may not run 3. Cost per entrant is $ 1600.00 this includes T-Shirt 4. Please complete entrant form and drop off at the District Secretariat by November 12th, 2012 5. Please email; latiwade@yahoo.com any ideas for possible slogans for the T-Shirt competition….keeping in mind our District theme….”Optimists making a difference….one child at a time.” SEE YOU THERE!!
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4th quarter
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Oratorical
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elcome to the most exciting event in optimism-ORATORY- YES! The oratorical contest for 2012/13 is officially calling you and your team to help to discover and create future leaders and stars through this contest.
Topic: “Why My Voice is Important” • This contest is open to students under the age of 19 that have not graduated from high school or the equivalent. • There is no minimum age and no grade level requirement. • This project is a good way to get publicity and get involved with the school system or other youth groups in your community. • It is also a great way to meet youth you can work with in the future and parents who may be interested in joining your Club. • The project will take approximately 12 weeks to run from start to finish and will need at least 3-5 Club members working on it.
The aims of this contest are to provide an opportunity for our children to improve their speaking abilities, provide encouragement, and the opportunity for them to learn by observing their peer. I wish for you, excitement, fun, lasting memories and a great time as you plan and execute this exciting contest.
CP Glenda
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Topic: “Why My Voice is Important” Eligibility – NEW CRITERIA! The contest is open to students under the age of 19 who have not yet graduated from high school or the equivalent The contest chair should ensure the eligibility of each contestant
How to Enter Interested students should prepare a 4 to 5 minute speech on the pre-assigned topic to be presented at their local Optimist Club’s contest.
Judges’ Criteria
Select three qualified judges who are not acquainted with the contestants. At the Club level, the judges may be Optimist Members. At all other levels of the competition, judges must be non-Optimists. Judges should have expertise in the field of public speaking. Always have a back-up judge, just in case someone gets sick
Timekeeper
One timekeeper should be appointed. This person can be an Optimist Club Member. The timekeeper is responsible for recording the official length of each speech and assessing penalties if needed, noting failure to announce the topic, verbal identification of non-original material as noted in the typed copy of the speech and totaling all penalties on the timekeeper’s score sheet. The timekeeper will need a copy of each participant’s speech.
Handling Protests A Sergeant-at-Arms should be the contact for protests and given index cards and pens/pencils to distribute when necessary. Anyone who wishes to protest should raise their hand at the completion of the student’s speech before the next speaker begins. The Sergeant-at-Arms gives the person protesting an index card and pen/pencil. The protest must be written on the card. The Sergeant-at-Arms collects the card as soon as it is completed. The Contest Chair collects the protest cards before leaving the room to compile scores. Protests are addressed at that time by the Chair and decided. Any adjustments judges need to be aware of will be made at that time. This procedure allows the students to compete without interruption or embarrassment, allows for an accurate description of the protest to be reviewed and should prevent any disturbance or public discussion.
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Moving to the next level…… Please submit for each winner:
* Zone/Regional/District Entry Form signed by contestant * Copy of speech * Copy of birth certificate or passport * Copy of TRN/Social security * Entry fee For additional information please visit the optimist website …www.optimist.org (Click members…. Then to your left scholarship contest to proceed)
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OPTIMIST CLUB OF
Mammee Bay
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n October 4, 2012, the first Optimist Club in not only the Caribbean District but all of Optimist International was formed, the High Five Optimist Club of Brown’s Town, St. Ann. Sponsor Clubs Optimist Club of Mammee Bay and Optimist Club of Thriving Bamboo. Builder of Excellence (New Club Building District Chairperson Barbara Watson and President Charlene McKenzie) both from the Optimist Club of Mammee Bay.
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n August 11, 2012 the Optimist club of Mammee Bay held a Prayer Breakfast in aid of four year old Noadiah Watson of Greenwich Acres housing Scheme in St. Ann who is in need of Prosthesis legs. On October 11, 2012 Immediate Past President Paulette Jackson presented a cheque to her Mother Michelle Mattif totaling fifty five thousand $55,000.00
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one 8 held its Church Service on October 21 at the St. Ann’s Bay Baptist Church. The attendance was great; we had approximately fifty optimists in attendance. Among the Optimists present were IVP Sonia Anderson, Governor Assistant Angella Archer, New Club Building District Chairperson Barbara Watson and The Mayor of St. Ann Desmond Gilmore who is a Member of the Optimist Club of Mammee Bay. LTG Kerisha Pinnock brought greetings on behalf of the zone. The service was exceptionally well and Reverent Karen Kirlew delivered a wonderful sermon.
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OPTIMIST CLUB OF
Barbados-Bridgetown
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New Club Building, Club Growth and Impact
t the onset of the 20112012 year, we focused on the goal to connect with the children and to expose optimism to the world! One would ask, how did we get there? Well that is where the meat of the story lies. It started with a goal, a reason, a why, a desire, an objective. This was the 20th anniversary of the Optimist club of Barbados Bridgetown so the club had to do something outstanding; Something to leave a lasting mark in Optimism in Barbados and the movement. That was it for me; that was my reason why. I wanted to show that optimism and service in this club was still as strong as when those first few came together 20 years ago. A 20 year to bridge the next 20 years was the driving force, our goal and our reason why. It was a year full of activities! Thanks to our teams of optimists, our long term Belmont reading program continues to exude success year after year. Our team at our adopted children’s home, sterling, visited and carried out a project every month and has set a pace and benchmark that is unrivalled. We didn’t stop there... we carried out a set of community service projects which we thoroughly enjoyed. I say that to say that our plates were full so what was it that kept us going? Determination, consistency, persistence, dedication and the will to win is mandatory for success. We know that every one of us were able to help 30+ children and that was worth it. To grow our membership, we consistently promoted the business meetings, fellowship meetings or any working function we attended to introduce optimism. We conducted 4 NOW meetings; some of which we combined with the fellowship meetings so there was some grass roots information invested in the prospective members.
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Our membership chair kept all the promotions from OI in our faces and came up with innovative ways to encourage new members to join. She even developed a program for existing members to pay up annual dues until the end of this current year (2012-2013). The Board of Directors was strong and supported the growth of the club. The membership contributed to the success because we went through 50 guests to transform 18 into new members. So numbers definitely count. I heard somewhere that the biggest promoters get the biggest business and that certainly held true in our experience. It is time to stop keeping what we do a secret and open it to the world.
New adult club – Pride of Barbados Optimist Club Focus, enthusiasm and a promise were behind the success of this new adult club. We, a committed committee of 6, promised ourselves to…Think, To… Work… and To expect the best! Conceptulaized at the 2011 OI international convention in july, this team executed the plan to build a new club six (6) weeks prior to the end of the 2011-12 year, Built around the club building program of OI, we had several seasoned Optimists who contributed to the prospective optimists at our interest meetings. Mostly everyone wanted to help the Children and jumped at the chance to be a pioneer in building a new service club! On week I, the committee had invited 20 guests and 3 turned up! By week 4, we had 11 applications and by week 6 we had 18 potential optimists to charter a new club. It was very interesting and exciting time for the prospective members as each person invited someone else thereby owning the club from the beginning.
On the evening of Friday 14th September,
when the club was being chartered, 3 additional members having heard of it the same day in its barest form, were moved into action by the excitement and just had to get in to see for themselves. Pride was chartered with 21 members. Enthusiasm and opportunity are a recipe for success as demonstrated by this clubs brand new members.
A bunch of chairpersons- to deliver/explain the responsibilities of the chairs they hold and to share experiences to entice the taste buds of the prospects.
In its first month of existence, Pride of Barbados adopted the St. Ambrose Primary School, completed two service projects and carried out a fundraiser.
A small measure of core individuals- these members would be the foundation that the club would be built around.
For youth appreciation week they recognized students for achievement in attendance, deportment and most improved. for their second project, members facilitated prefect training on leadership and conflict resolution. There are big plans for the rest of the year too – 3 more fundraisers and a weekly homework program! WOW now that is a foundation that is solid! Congratulations Pride of Barbados!!!
A ton of consistency- do not let them miss a weekly meeting. Creating a habit takes 3 weeks so the more consistent you are with your prospects, the more likely they will stay until the big day and beyond.
The St. Michael School Junior Optimist Club (SMS JOC) JOOI clubs are phenomenal to work with. The children are excited and motivated. SMS JOC started with an interest meeting lasting 30 minutes. Days later we started with 8 applicants (6 female and 2 male). That very night we promoted the idea at the PTA meeting and to our amazement the following day, we had 8 + 20 students willing to serve! The 8 original were so excited that they shared with their friends who also became excited. SMS joc was chartered on 28th September, 2012. The faster the children own the club, the faster it will grow. Of Course the foundation had to be stabilized with this club and they did a superb job as they raised funds and carried out their first service project. The children gained sponsorship from 4 organizations and treated 10 children to the Sesame Street Live Show. A phenomenal success and they are as excited at their accomplishment as are we. It is inspiring to see children helping children, I am so excited, I would like to leave you, with my recipe for building a new club. A handful of committee members- each there to introduce and reinforce the purposes of optimism and the creed, to support and to share anecdotes to garner interests. 20
Large cup of knowledge of expected outcome- some members that have been there before to guide and to provide advice which is essential for rising to the top.
A gallon of communication- the group needs to develop cohesion so use the various methods of communication to work on creating great relationships. A concentrated pinch of reason- there has to be a strong enough reason for the prospects to deviate from the norm so find out why they should be an optimist. Ask for The ‘reason’ why instead of the ‘excuse’ why not. A heap of Information- provide a handful of local, a handful of district and a handful of international information. A truck load of Willingness to serve- both the building committee and the new club must be willing to make a difference and get beyond the box. This is a 6 to 8 week program so no giving up. Commitment, dedication, great attitudes and effective communication are added regularly throughout the process as and whenever needed. There is never too much of this that can be added so be generous. Follow this and be bound by the tenets of optimism and you too can produce a club with a strong foundation that rises to the top and exposes the sweet fragrances of optimism to the world. Good Luck!!!
OPTIMIST CLUB OF
Harbour View 5K RUN
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CHILDHOOD CANCER
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Greetings all: ope you are all in good health and optimistic in the midst of all that is happening around us. I am back as Cancer Chair and will continue with your help to give support to our little ones with this dreaded disease and also help the families in whatever way we can.
I am requesting (as usual) that ALL clubs appoint a Cancer Chair. At least one fund-raiser should be dedicated to a Childhood Cancer project. projects could include caring for a child with cancer, or having a treat for those admitted or purchasing equipment etc. Please remember, there is the Childhood Cancer Trophy for the best cancer project. We will be having our Annual Brunch and Relay for life walk in Jamaica as usual and we want to make these events bigger and better this year. Other Caribbean Islands, please try to have at least one major project as well. Optimist Club of Barbados South won the Childhood Cancer Trophy last year. All other suggestions are welcomed. I know I can count on your support again this year as we make a difference one child at a time.
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optimist club of
Barbican Pines
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Induction of 9 members
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