Message from Governor David Jennings 2026-2027
Mission Ready
Dear NC East Optimist Family,
Get ready, because a wave of positive energy is heading our way!
It is with immense joy, humility, and an absolute bucketload of excitement that I step into the role of your new District Governor. I have watched this incredible district change lives, uplift communities, and bring out the absolute best in our youth. Now, as we kick off this brilliant new chapter together, I am thrilled to officially invite you to be part of our guiding vision:
“Join the Optimism Movement!”
Optimism isn’t just a mindset—it’s an action. It’s a choice we make every single day to look at the world not for what it lacks, but for what it can become. This year, we aren’t just maintaining our clubs; we are launching a movement. We are going to turn up the volume on our passion, expand our reach, and make sure everyone in North Carolina East knows exactly who the Optimists are and the incredible impact we make.
What Does the Movement Look Like?
To truly ignite this movement, we’re focusing on three big goals this year:
● Bold Visibility: Let’s share our stories louder than ever! Expect vibrant community outreach, dynamic projects, and a strong presence that makes people say, “I want to be a part of whatever they are doing.”
● Empowered Growth: Growth means more hands to do the work and more hearts to share the joy. We will be focusing on bringing fresh voices into our current clubs and building new clubs to anchor more communities.
● Unstoppable Fellowship: We do our best work when we are connected. Get ready for high-energy district meetings, exciting zone events, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate our successes (and each other) along the way.
Your Invitation to Action
A movement doesn’t start with one person;
it starts with a collective spark. I need your ideas, your energy, and your unique passions. Whether you’ve been an Optimist for thirty years or thirty days, your voice is essential to this journey. Let’s commit to being the catalysts for hope in our communities. Let’s mentor the youth, support our neighbors, and bring a contagious smile to everything we do.
Thank you for your dedication, your warmth, and your unwavering belief in a better tomorrow. I cannot wait to visit your clubs, work alongside you, and see just how far this movement will take us.
Let’s make this year unforgettable. Are you ready? Join the optimism movement!
With deepest gratitude and endless optimism,
David Jennings, Governor
Smiling man in beige suit and patterned tie outdoors.
OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
Michael Goldman
Mission Ready
Dear District Leaders,
It is a tremendous honor to serve as Optimist International President for the 2026–2027 Optimist year.
I look forward to working with each member, club, and district as we continue to grow our organization and expand our service to communities throughout the Optimist world.
My hope is that every club will increase its visibility and impact within its community. By doing more, sharing our successes, and promoting the Optimist name, we create greater opportunities to attract new members and strengthen our movement for years to come.
This year, our theme is simple: grow our impact by joining the Optimist movement. Every new member, every new club, and every new community we reach allows us to serve more children and families.
I am asking each club to strive for a net gain of one member per month, with a goal of achieving a net increase of 12 members by September 30, 2027. While ambitious, this goal is attainable if every member participates in inviting family, friends, coworkers, and community leaders to experience Optimism in action.
I also encourage districts to think creatively about club growth. Across our organization, we have seen success by engaging existing community service groups and exploring opportunities to bring them into the Optimist family. Together, we can expand our presence in communities where our mission is needed most.
As I have shared during our leadership training sessions, we even have an Optimist Club in Stiltsville, located in the Atlantic Ocean. If we can build and sustain a club there, we can build a club anywhere. Let that serve as a reminder that opportunities for growth exist in every community when we are willing to think creatively and reach out boldly.
Thank you for your dedication to our great organization and for the countless hours you invest in serving your communities. Throughout the coming year, I look forward to visiting districts, meeting members, and hearing firsthand about the outstanding work being done across the Optimist world.
As leaders, I encourage you to celebrate and share your successes. For too long, we have been one of the best-kept secrets in our communities. The programs we deliver, the lives we impact, and the opportunities we create for young people are accomplishments worthy of recognition.
By telling our story more effectively, we can inspire others to join the Optimist movement and become part of something bigger than themselves. Every person we add to this movement strengthens our ability to serve children, support communities, and ensure that Optimism continues to grow for generations to come.
I am excited about what we can accomplish together. If each of us does our part, growing membership, building clubs, and promoting the Optimist mission, we can make the 2026–2027 Optimist year one of the most memorable and successful in recent history. Thank you for your leadership, your service, and your commitment to Optimism. I look forward to working alongside you throughout the year.
Yours in Optimism,
Michael Goldman
President, 2026–2027
Optimist International