Happy New Year!!
That is right – welcome to a New Optimist Year! I have high hopes and a very optimistic view of the time before us.
We need to re-energize our District! We need to get back to the fundamentals. When is the last time you read or recited the creed? I don’t mean at your last meeting – I mean when is the last time you really read and thought about the words and the meaning of our Creed? It is powerful!
I have engaged in thought and time preparing for the year ahead and look forward to sharing those thoughts with you. We will focus on Communication, Marketing, Recruitment, and Optimist Projects.
Communication – I commit to keeping you informed about what is happening at the District and International level. You will hear from me at least once per month if not more.
Marketing – we need to continue to let everyone know who we are and what we are about! Our social media and web presence is important. We will also spend time when we are together sharing about the great work we are doing in each of our Zones. Be ready to share your new innovative projects with your fellow Optimists
Growth – It is an on-going conversation and important effort. The more new optimists we get involved, the more kids we reach and serve. We have a great opportunity for at least two new clubs this year and always potential for more.
Optimists Projects – Back to fundamentals. Let’s re-focus on our Essay, Oratorical, CCDHH scholarship programs. There is no reason we cannot have representatives from every Zone. We will focus on this. We MUST provide intentional support to our OI Foundation, Childhood Cancer and Boys and Girls Homes as our District Projects. They need us now more than ever.
Training – We need to be continual learners. Even the most experienced among
us always have room to learn and grow. We will highlight and encourage use of
the Optimist Institute (formerly LMS).
I will share more info about these focus areas and my thoughts on how we get
there at our first quarter meeting.
I am still working to nail down details, but plan on the following for our meetings
this year:
1st Qtr – Nov 12 – Greenville – Focus on leadership and direction.
2nd Qtr – Feb 10,11 – Lake Waccamaw (Boys and Girls Homes) –
Focus on District Projects.
3rd Qtr – May – Optimist Farm in Raleigh (working to identify specific
dates) – Focus on Fun!
Convention – TBD – Celebrate our year together.
Together, we can accomplish anything we put our minds, hearts and effort toward. Together, we will make this a year of strong growth and healing. Together we will serve as Optimists.
I look forward to working alongside each you for a great year of Optimism. Together we can!
Ray Cockrell
Governor 2022-2023
NC East District Optimist
Thank you so much for being an Optimist and making a positive difference within your community.A brief introduction: I am Bob McFadyen, 2022-2023 OI President. I live in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and am a Member of the Kitchener West Optimist Club. I have been a Member for 29 years and one of my favorite Club projects is our Children's Christmas Party. My goal as President is to connect with you and grow our impact (of course). Every month I will send an email with “Just 3 Things” - my own message, something I’d like to spotlight, and a list of the upcoming activities in the Optimist world.
Just 3 Things.To open the lines of communication so we can learn and grow together, I’d love to hear from you directly! Please reach out to me with any issues or concerns. You can reply to this email or send one directly to me at: presidentbob@optimist.org. Or call me - my cell phone is: 519-500-9458.
I’d also love to hear YOUR stories! What activity do you really enjoy. The big and small ways your Club makes a difference in your community. And why you and your Club keep doing what you’re doing.
There are changes happening with the future direction of our organization and I will share those changes with you as I am able. Look for two membership initiatives that I am introducing next month, “Just Invite” and “Partners in Optimism” program.
A new Optimist year brings renewed energy and enthusiasm. We need to work together to strengthen our organization so that we can continue to bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.
“I believe any success in life is made by going into an area with a blind, furious optimism.”
- Sylvester Stallone.
Let’s keep moving forward together with blind, furious optimism!
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