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Service Projects 5

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7 T H A U G U S T , 2 0 1 4 I S S U E 9

Caribbean District News Desk

President Elect President Elect President Elect --- JOOIJOOIJOOI

Javanni WaughJavanni WaughJavanni Waugh

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

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SERVICE

PROJECTS

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

FEATURE SPEAKER: International

President Elect Dave Burns

GE BARBARA

PDST LATOYA

PG GENE

PGJOE

WHO W

ILL B

E

THERE

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

st. ann’s bay “relay for life”

A t Relay For Life events, communities across the globe

come together to honor cancer survivors, remember

loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that

has already taken too much. The funds raised truly make a

difference in the fight against cancer – just ask one of the

nearly 14 million cancer survivors who will celebrate another

birthday this year!

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kensinton oc

C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

“Labour Day Activity”

B eaut i f i cat ion

project at the

Portsmouth

P r i m a r y

School.

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

north st. catherine “children’s day Activity”

J oint venture with the Polly Ground Primary School JOOI

Club, treating over 50 students at the Polly Ground Basic

School on Children's Day

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north st. catherine

C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

“Labour Day Activitiy”

P ainting. St.

Faith`s Basic

School

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

north st. catherine “respect for law Ceremony”

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oc of Barbados, north

C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

“Easter Treasure Hunt”

O n Saturday April 11th, Optimists treated several wards of the Welfare

Office from the northern parishes to a treasure hunt and picnic at Far-

ley Hill National Park. The treasure was Easter candy and chocolates

that was shared with everyone present. There was so much merriment, it was

hard to determine if the children had more fun than the adults!

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

oc of Barbados, north “Primary to Secondary School Transition”

T he Northclub continued its unique transition programme with the class 4

students of All Saints Primary School that sat the common entrance ex-

amination.

This program invites secondary school student to speak directly to the primary

school students to help prepare them for secondary school. Optimist members

also presented the internet safety presentation and left pamphlets for the stu-

dents to take home.

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manor park oc

C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

“Donation”

T he Manor Park

Optimist Club

made a dona-

tion to Victory Basic

School.

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

bridgetown, barbados “Tour to Rock Hall Monument”

T he Optimist Club of Barbados, Bridgetown took

the children from the Belmont Reading Pro-

gramme to visit the Rock Hall Monument in St.

Thomas and then later to lunch.

This monument commemorates Rock Hall Village, Barba-

dos’ first free village by ex-slaves who were from the Mount

Wilton Plantation, a nearby plantation. The village was

founded in 1841 just 5 years after Emancipation.

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bridgetown, barbados

C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

“Chillin’ by the Beach”

Chillin’ by the beach on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

JOOI ANGUILLA GROUP LARGEST CONTINGENT EVER AT

JOOI CONVENTION

Anguilla Contingent at Junior Optimist Inter-

national Convention 2014

F or the second time in the history of Jun-

ior Optimist Octagon International

(JOOI), Anguilla has had the largest

delegation ever, in attendance at an interna-

tional convention. The contingent of 27

strong – 21 children and 6 adults – was under

the leadership of convention coordinator Opti-

mist Emma Ferguson, and JOOI Committee

C h a i r p e r s o n O p t i m i s t A v o n

Carty. Participants were drawn from four of

the island’s seven JOOI Clubs: the Super

Stars, Kids for the Future and Innocent

Minds Junior Optimist Clubs and the

Progressive Youth Octagon Club.

Also significant for the Anguillian Opti-

mists was the fact that they were part of

JOOI history in a very significant way!

There were there to vote for Optimist Ja-

vanni Waugh and help him to become the

first member from outside North America

and the first black person to become Inter-

national President of JOOI!

Two youngest Anguilla delegates

9-yr old Quanisha Wilson and 8 yrs

old Takiyah Richardson all dressed

up for Banquet

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

JOOI ANGUILLA GROUP LARGEST CONTINGENT EVER AT

JOOI CONVENTION

Advisor Emma and Avon with Presi-

dent-Elect Javanni

They were so proud to know that their Opti-

mist Cordane Richardson – the first ever Car-

ibbean JOOI member to serve as a Director on

the International Board just two years earlier

- had paved the way for President.

JOOI Committee Chairperson Optimist Avon

Carty, wishes to extend thanks to Advisor

Emma Ferguson without whose hard work,

Anguilla’s attendance at the convention

would not have been possible.

Thanks are also being extended to Optimist

Advisors, Juline Hughes, Andrea Benjamin

and Deborah Wynter as well as parents

(and Prospective FOOs) Jane Carty and

Imogene Connor who all worked so hard to

make this a memorable and fulfilling expe-

rience for the JOOI children.

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

1 July 2014 - Seven young Optimists –

members of the Best End Junior Op-

timist Club at the Morris Vanter-

pool Primary School – celebrated Fisher-

man’s Day, not by enjoying the fish caught by

bona fide fishermen, but by going fishing

themselves.

The youngsters, bubbling with excitement,

boarded ‘Niyah’ from the Island Harbour jetty

on Saturday 28 June 2014 at around 9:00am,

and headed off to the fishing grounds between

Scrub Island and Little Scrub to the east of

Anguilla. The trip had been planned weeks in

advance under the leadership of Club Presi-

dent Shaelen Hodge, and finally it was time

to go fishing!

Within half an hour of throwing out the lines

there were nibbles, then bites, then success –

the first fish was landed! After less than three

hours and a respectable catch, it was time to

head back home. Anxious but accommodating

parents had been assured that their little

fishers would be back by noon.

In spite of a couple queasy tummies, a good

time was had by all, and the Junior Optimists

were proud of their morning’s endeav-

ours. Advisor Optimist Avon Carty says, ‘it

was a great morning and such a rewarding

and educational experience for the children –

I am glad we had the opportunity to do this –

especially on Fisherman’s Day!’

JOOI “Fisherman’s Day”

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

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International

Conventions

Special REPORT By Optimist Patrick Prendergast

(reprinted with permission from http://7804optimist.blogspot.com)

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

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Governor Nutilia Happy with Support for 96th International Convention

C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL Caribbean District Governor Nutilia Simon (OC St

Johns, Antigua) is expressing appreciation to all the Caribbean Optimists who

made the district’s contribution to the 96th International Convention an exception-

al one. From all indication, OIC Las Vegas was a resounding success.

In an email to all Caribbean Optimists the Governor says, “Your participation in

person (and) online or your assistance or encouragement of another to participate,

meant a lot to me”. Especially to those who made the pilgrimage to Las Vegas, the

Governor had special words to them for pulling out the stops on the convention

floor, and particularly for the Caribbean Night which, according to an update from

Past Governor Optimist Gene M. Douglas (OC North St. Andrew), was “the hit of

convention… I don’t think anyone had expected or experienced a party like that!”

In the words of the 2014 we’ve Got It Governor,

“Caribbean night – our unique way of hospitality – was a success be-

cause of you. Special thanks to… Optimist Rosie and her Team for

coordinating the collection of the mix for the rum punch; Past Gover-

nor Gene and Team for coordinating the collection of the various items

made in Jamaica; Lieutenant Governor Sonia for rounding up her

troupes; Past International Vice President Carol and Team for coordi-

nating items from Barbados; Chairperson Jason and Team Antigua

for executing their job with zeal – music set up (included); Optimist

Yvette for sourcing prizes, rum cake, music from Barbados, décor of

room, etc. (And) Not to be forgotten, the master of the mix Past International President Theo.

All who participated had a taste of the Caribbean and those who

stayed left with a part of it. Your presence made the difference.”

District #78 (Caribbean) also had the second largest number of reg-

istrants (57) at the International Convention, beaten only by Dis-

trict #17 (Michigan) with 65. The Pacific Southeast (District #15)

had 46 registrants at the July 10-12 convention held at Caesars

Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

Meanwhile, in other International Convention matters; three of

the five proposed bylaws amendments failed while the other two

were adopted. Among those that failed was Issue #3 which pro-

posed a Convention Assessment Fee on all Optimist clubs.

Against some solid arguments for a NO vote, and led by the Car-

ibbean’s own distinguished Optimists, Past International Presi-

dent Theodore Golding (Kingston) and Past International Vice

President Carol Jacobs (Bridgetown, Barbados), that proposal

failed overwhelmingly to carry.

The tumultuous applause from the conference floor that greeted

the announcement by President Ron Huxley (Ausable-Port

Franks & Jacksonville) was an indication of how much of a negative impact this proposal would have had on

Optimist International and not just the Caribbean. As argued by some, the additional charge had the potential

of totally decimating the Caribbean District.

RESULTS OF THE OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL ONLINE ELECTIONS

We all rooted for our PIVP Adrian Elcock to represent us on the inter-

national board. We must thank PIVP Adrian for his courage, love and

untiring efforts so far and his willingness to continue to serve and ably

represent us at the international table.

We were advised that PIVP was unsuccessful in the keenly fought con-

test for the position of International Director. In true Optimism, PIVP

thanked everyone for their support and encouragement. He also ex-

tended congratulations to his friends Dave Burns for being elected

President and Sue Creswell and Judy Boyd on winning the elections

for Directors. PIVP added that “Optimism has been the winner in this

result!”

Governor Nutilia Happy with Support for 96th International Convention

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Caribbean Junior Optimist is International Trailblazer

C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

PRESIDENT-ELECT of Junior Optimist Octagon International

(JOOI), Javanni Waugh is expressing appreciation to his fellow jun-

ior Optimists as well as the adult Optimists who supported and guid-

ed his path to the prestigious pole position he now holds.

The past Lt. Governor of the JOOI Caribbean District has once again

made history as the first Jamaican and Caribbean youth to have ris-

en this far. In 2013-14 he was the first junior from the region to

serve on the International Board of Directors.

Javanni, a former member of the Fortis Octagon Junior Optimist

Club (Kingston College), attributes much of his achievement to his own desire and drive to serve; but is also quick

to acknowledge the exuberance of his contemporaries as well as the wisdom and motivation from the adult leader-

ship of the Optimist International Caribbean District.

The election of the new JOOI administration was concluded at the recent JOOI Convention in San Diego, Califor-

nia July 5-8, 2014.

"Words cannot express how humbled, honoured and grateful I am to the delegates of our recently concluded International Con-

vention in San Diego, California for electing me as International President for the upcoming 2014-2015 Optimist Year.

Taking over the reins from International President Stephanie Theriault come October 1 will be quite a task as she has led our

organisation with poise and vision for the past year. Nevertheless, I am optimistic that the transition will be a smooth one set-

ting the atmosphere for a successful year.

When I joined JOOI in 2011, I never imagined one day serving our great organisation at the highest level possible. Starting out

as Club Secretary, I was tasked with crafting ideas for the growth of our club and this is where my love for service, administra-

tion and JOOI grew immensely. I found myself devoting so much time to the development of our club as a solid unit.

Utilising the experiences I garnered whilst serving as a JOOI Board of Director this past year, I am thrilled to expand my ideas

and vision on a truly international scale. It is widely said that iron sharpens iron and JOOI has given me so much that I am

eager to return the benefits gained to the over 15,000 members united to help children globally.

Thanks, again, to the thousands of JOOI members for trusting me to lead our great organisation to new heights.

In Service,

Javanni Waugh,

JOOI International President-Elect

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

Barbican Pines Optimist Club

Caribbean District

Central Circle Optimist Club

Optimist Club of Barbados, Bridgetown

Optimist Club of Barbados North

Optimist Club of Cross Roads

Optimist Club de Ste Lisi

Optimist Club of Harbour View Jamaica

Optimist Club of North Padmore

Optimist Club of North St. Andrew

Optimist Club of UWI, Mona

Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados

Rising Optimist Club of Moneague

Royal Optimist Club of Kingston, The (R.O.C.K)

South Circle Optimist Club

St. Ann’s Bay Optimist Club Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston

Add your club’s Facebook page here

Darshani@jillandee.com

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Stay Connected

C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

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C A R I B B E A N D I S T R I C T N E W S D E S K

Creed

The Secretariat

36 1/2 Lyndhurst Road,

Kingston 10

Phone: 1-246-836-9005

Skype: darshaniworkman

E-mail: Darshani@jillandee.com

Whatsapp: 1-246-836-9005

Purposes of Optimism

To develop optimism as a philosophy of life

utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed;

to promote an active interest in good gov-

ernment and civic affairs;

to inspire respect for the law;

to promote patriotism and work for inter-

national accord and friendship among all

people;

to aid and encourage the development of

youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s

self in service to others will advance the

well-being of humankind, community life

and the world.

Bringing Out the Best In Kids We’re on the web!

http://oicaribbean.wix.com/caribbeandistrict#!

Optimist International Caribbean District