Letter from the Editor

I love spring. I’m invigorated seeing signs of new life emerge after a long, cold winter – whether it’s the first robin perched outside my window, the dogwoods beginning to bud or tulips poking up through the soil as I walk through my neighborhood. To me, spring feels like hope!

We’ve been talking a lot about growth this year. It’s the cornerstone of a healthy organization. But, what if we viewed the growth of Optimist International the same way we view the growth of spring flowers? A tulip doesn’t just magically appear one day. It sprouts from a bulb someone sowed in the ground. It pushes its way up through the soil in search of sunshine. Then, it grows until it blooms.

We don’t just wish a tulip into existence, we plant, cultivate and care for it.

Growth isn’t easy. This quote from author Napoleon Hill says it all: “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.”

Whether we’re talking about our own personal growth, our career growth, or our Club’s growth, growth is hard work. But, just as we can’t wish a tulip into existence, we can’t wish more people to join our Clubs. We must invest time and effort, try new ideas, be willing to fail, and then try again.

If we fail to bring new people into our organization, then we won’t have an organization, because we are an organization of people. If we don’t put continuous effort into growth, and work through our struggles, we won’t be able to continue the projects and programs our communities have come to rely on. When we lose Members and Clubs, it’s not just a loss to Optimist, it’s a loss to young people and communities all across the world.

So, as spring kindles new life all around us, let us work together to spark a season of renewed growth and sustainability for our organization. I have a lot of hope for our future, and I hope you do too!

L. BRENN Executive Director