President's Message

September – New beginnings, A Fresh Start, Cleaning the campsite

September marks the first month of fall in the northern half of the world, where leaves begin to change colors, and the first month of spring in the southern half, where flowers start to bloom. Around the world – there are holidays, festivals, observances, national days, food days, and celebrations in September: Royal Canadian Air Force Day, Labor Day/Patriot Day, International Day of Peace, and yes - International Day of Chocolate (September 13th.) It marks the start of a new school year in most countries. Students return from their summer break with a fresh start, new clothes, books, teachers, and the challenges of entering a higher grade. As we enter the last month of this Optimist administrative year, I remind you of the importance of the Purposes of Optimist International. September is the time to renew our Optimism, strengthen our Clubs, and reach out to new communities so that we may expand our positive influence on youth, our communities, and ourselves. It’s time to take charge, get inspired, tackle all those goals you’ve been “getting around to,” and clean up our campsite. Following are a few reminders: • This year, “Celebrate Community” will be held during the week of September 11-17, 2022. • The traditional way for an Optimist Club to measure its success is to become an Honor Club. This recognition proves your Optimist Club is doing everything it can to leave a positive legacy. Take the final steps now to make

Honor Club. • Make a commitment to yourself and your Club to invite a guest to a Club gathering in the next 20 days. Once they see the value in your Club, they will want to be part of it. • Presidential Incentive: 212:One Degree More.. Even though 211 degrees is extremely hot, the steam engine needs one more degree to move. Until it hits 212 it’s not going anywhere. It’s time to turn up the heat! One degree

More in Optimism makes a HUGE difference! At the first Part of this administrative year – I shared with every Member a little about The Optimist Power. The Power of the words written on a small bookmark – the Optimist creed, and the Purposes of Optimist International. I pass these bookmarks everywhere I go in my travels. Executive Director Cheryl and I attended the Leadership Summit at Rotary Headquarters in Evanston, Chicago - with Organization Presidents, Executive Directors, and staff from the Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and Optimists. We discussed our challenges, successes, differences, structures, and serving together during Celebrate Community week. While on a 4-hour wait back home in the Chicago O’Hare Admirals Club, I spoke with two couples sitting next to me. One of the ladies asked me about the Logo on my green shirt. My elevator speech kicked in with conversation leading to the conference I had attended piquing their interest. Their small community is represented by Clubs from all four organizations. I passed out bookmarks and discussed the Optimist Creed and Purposes. The conversation ended as we turned back to computers and our own world. About 15 minutes later, one of the men sitting next to me tapped me on the shoulder: “Are you, Patsy Garner?” After replying yes, he said – “You are the President of Optimist International.” I feel positive that the little bookmark created a bit of Optimism in the busy Chicago O’Hare airport and will be shared in a small town in Illinois.

Together – we have been good campers. We did the hard things that are also the right things, fixed things that needed fixing, and addressed processes that will provide more than a short-term focus. No one is perfect, and there’s always loads left to be done, but as good campers, we leave behind stronger Clubs and a stronger Organization than when we first entered.

20 more days - to reach the goal of +212. Spreading Optimism! First gentleman Ken and I want to thank every one of you for making the decision to be an Optimist. It has been an honor to serve with you – beside you in Optimism. We are truly – better together!