My fellow Optimist,
It is humbling to have been chosen to be your governor for the 2023 – 2024 optimist year here in the North Carolina East District. A district that has a diverse and rich history of serving the youth in your communities. It is my hope that I can continue that rich tradition of service.
This year will be a little different than in the past but continuing to focus on our youth. Communication will be a top priority this year, focusing on direct contact with each member.
I hope that all clubs will strive to become at least an honor club or even a distinguished club, but if that isn’t your cup of tea, that’s okay. Serving the youth of your communities is our focus, whether you do one or 21 different projects throughout the year.
The one project that I would insist that your club do, is to add a project that focuses on feeding our youth. That can be in any form you like. (Examples: collecting can food for families, serving a meal for kids monthly, having a picnic for youth, working the CHEW program, working with social services to provide food at Thanksgiving and Christmas, or any holiday celebrated in your community) Just get food to those that need it.
One in five children in North Carolina faces hunger on a regular basis. Let’s make that zero out of five children that don’t go hungry in North Carolina.
Hunger statistics in North Carolina:
• North Carolina is the 10th hungriest state in the nation.
• Over 1.2 million people are facing hunger in North Carolina.
• Over 1.5 million North Carolina households don’t have enough to eat.
• 1 in 5 children in North Carolina faces hunger on a regular basis.
• People facing hunger in NC are estimated to need over $627 million more per year to meet their
food needs.
The need for Optimist clubs in North Carolina East is just as great now as it ever has been. Scholarships arestill needed, helping families facing cancer expenses, reading programs for our kids, and feeding kids that go hungry are all still very much needed.
My fellow Optimist we still have lots to do! I know we can’t accomplish everything, but together we can do so much more. I promise that I will do everything in my power to support and assist your club in making it happen.
I look forward to an exciting and successful Optimist year.
Terry
What an honour it is to serve this 2023/2024 Optimist year as the 106th International President. I’ve spent 28 years as an Optimist with a capital “O”, making it my mission to give back to the club and organization that gave to me as a child.
I have been working alongside Governor Terry for some time now. Terry will continue to be the most up to date on new developments and focuses for the future of Optimist International. From a fresh direction on engaging our membership, developing new membership growth approaches, C.A.R.E.ing for our members and truly focusing on the 3rd pillar of our mission statement; your Governor and each member of your district plays an integral role in the future of our impact around the world.
“By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, their communities and themselves.”
What are you doing to bring out the best in yourself and help fellow members to do the same?
Let’s make that the mission for 2023/2024, to take C.A.R.E. of our members. Imagine what could happen if we spent a little time making each other feel valued and heard! Make the plan to be educated on the C.A.R.E. retention program and conduct your club’s first ever C.A.R.E. program this year and plan to make it an annual focus. Our members, clubs, districts and Optimist International will be stronger and better for your efforts.
Optimist International is not this illusive group of people in St Louis, Missouri. Optimist International, “OI,” is each of us! Every decision, the direction of our future and the values of this organization, lays in the hands of each of us. Us, the members of our clubs, are OI. Together, only we, OI, can ensure the future is full of hope and positive vision for future generations. Let’s rally together and embrace the opportunity to approach things from a new direction and see where we can take this next century of service as Optimists, with capital O’s.
I look forward to serving alongside all the Optimists of all the countries within Optimist International. We have so many great talents and such incredible passion for Optimism. It’s our mission to bring out the best. Let’s do that, together.
Yours in Optimism,
Tracy Huxley
2023/2024 President
Optimist International
August 22 2023
September, 21, 2023
October 3, 2023
October 16, 2023
November 9, 2023
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