Good morning optimists - Bonjour les optimistes - – Hola optimistas, friends and family.
I’m here in St. Louis – at the Optimist International headquarters on Lindell Blvd– visiting with our Professional Staff who work very hard for you, the member.
I love this time of the year - the fall season. Fall sports have taken over the network, the leaves are changing colors, the weather is a bit more brisk than days previous. There is a feeling of newness in the air.
It’s October 1st– Happy Optimist New Year - Bonne Année Optimiste - Feliz Año Nuevo
Optimist Members, I thank you for this wonderful opportunity you have given me to serve as your 2021-2022 Optimist International President. Your passion, sincerity, and commitment of Optimism in your communities, reemphasize the belief I have that Optimist International is truly the best service Organization in the world.
I want to take just a moment to thank Past President Mark Weinsoff for his outstanding leadership during this past year. The Choose Optimism year had challenges that we as Optimists had not witnessed in decades, but he or his team - did not let that stop them and created great momentum to begin this new Optimist year.
I’m one of those that loves the feel of a newspaper, book, or magazine. While walking thru the grocery store a few years ago, I happened past the magazine rack – where one immediately caught my eye, The Time magazine. The cover featured the beautiful and elegant Cecily Tyson in the long flowing red dress– so that in itself was enough to make ahead turn – but The featured article on the cover was entitled “The Art of Optimism.” It highlighted 34 people’s visions of how they see the world thru their artwork. So, I purchased the magazine.
When I arrived home, I started thumbing thru the magazine, and one article jumped off the pages; it was a piece written by Oscar Winner Filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro – and he stated: “Optimism Is radical. It is the hard choice, the brave choice. And it is most needed now, in the face of despair – Optimism is our Instinct to inhale while suffocating. Our need to declare what needs to be in the face of what is. Think about that – Such a powerful statement worth repeating, “Optimism is Our need to declare what needs to be in the face of what is. He continues – “Optimism is not uncool; it is rebellious and daring and vital.” Powerful words were printed almost three years ago but are more relevant today than ever at that time.
The 2021-2022 “Theme” for the year keeps our focus on OPTIMISM with a dedicated commitment to improve connection thru technology, increasing our brand awareness, and open up our communication to membership. This past year, 43 clubs were chartered in North America and 40 internationally. Our team is committed to keeping that momentum alive in the continuation of Promoting Optimism as we work collaboratively to reach our Growth global goal for the year of a NET +212.
We have the opportunity to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Optimist Creed and the Optimist purposes. By being Optimists, Together - We all share in that responsibility of serving our communities - by developing a philosophy of Life, promoting our patriotism, our respect for law….and our Optimism,
I want to thank each and every member for your decision to being an Optimist and openly invite those who are not a part of our movement to reach out and get connected. I encourage you all to stay optimistic- despite whatever challenges our world will cause us to face– because we have the ability to create a better world for the communities which we serve.
Both myself and First Dude Ken - look forward to serving you this year, I promise to be the best that I can be….for you. I have one year as your President – and I ask that each of you join in that promise to BE Optimists, to spread optimism ……because I know that being an Optimist IS Cool, It’s Brave - a bit rebellious, Daring and Vital to the future of our kids, the strength of our communities, and the growth within ourselves.
