May 2021
The Spotlight usually begins with an accounting of the new Clubs developed outside of North America the previous month. But that account is taking a secondary role this month because of the actions by more than a dozen Clubs in the Caribbean District. La Soufrière volcano on the island of St Vincent has caused a lot of damage and misery since its eruptions began several weeks ago. Volcanic ash covers much of the island, homes and businesses have been destroyed and much of the water supply has been contaminated.
The island is home to the Optimist Club of St Vincent. Members of the Optimist Clubs in Barbados and three college clubs there rallied to the call for help to collect badly needed supplies for the people of St Vincent.
The work done by the Optimists in Barbados clearly demonstrates what members can do for others when they come together for a cause. We salute the efforts of the Optimists from Barbados in their efforts to help the people of St Vincent.
Weeks and weeks of planning came to a climax last month as Optimist in Nepal completed their work to form a District of Optimist International.  
There are currently 24 Optimist Clubs in the country with more under development. The Nepalese have created four zones for the management of the Clubs in Nepal and they elected Uday Niraula governor elect who will officially. Congratulations to the Optimists in Nepal for their success.
Three new Clubs were established in Nepal in April. The Optimist Club of Bhaktapur is being sponsored in part by the Optimist Club of Red Deer, Alberta Canada; The Optimist Club of Hariyon Nepal is being sponsored in part by the Optimist Club of Guelph Ontario, Canada and the Optimist Club of Chitwan, Nepal is being sponsored in part by the Roseville Optimist Club of Minnesota.
New Club activity for Optimist International came to a new country in April as the Optimist Club of Damietta, Egypt was organized, thanks to the Optimist International Club of Lebanon and the North American sponsorship by the Hope Optimist Club of Blythewood, South Carolina. 
Two other Clubs are expected in the country in Alexandria and Cairo. Meanwhile, Optimist International’s third Club in Lebanon, the North-Tripoli Optimist Club was organized thanks to the co-sponsorship of the Kutztown Optimist Club in Pennsylvania. Finally, the Wait a Bit Optimist Club in Jamaica was organized thanks to the efforts of the Spalding and Christiana Optimist Clubs.
Many of the Clubs outside North America were busy in April providing service to their community. The Optimist Club of Pokhara,
Nepal collected $10,000 worth of sports equipment to give to the Shree Janajargaran Model School.  
The KAMP Optimist Club in Uganda delivered needed medical equipment to the neo-natal health center in Nyabugando.  
Optimists in Lusaka, Zambia have engaged in a feeding program for young people in their area of the city. 
This is also the time of year for the Oratorical competition that local Clubs can hold and the Fusion Optimist Club of Jamaica did just that.
Administrative Corner
Just one note from the administrative corner this month. Elections for the Optimist International Board of Directors and the Presidency are happening in May. Clubs must be in good financial standing in order to cast a ballot so now is a perfect time to pay those membership dues.                        
Stay safe.