Leadership begins at an early age

Cordone Richardson elected to
JOOI Board of Directors.

Being part of an Optimist Club, or any service club, is what you make it. It can be work or play, fulfilling or not, but always it will be memorable. As optimists, we hope that it is memorable in a positive way.

I am always intrigued by the different ways that Optimist Clubs are perceived around the world, especially in the Caribbean. The Optimist Clubs in Jamaica, Barbados, Grand Cayman, Anguilla, and Antigua sometimes seem like quasi-governmental agencies, working with the education department, justice department and other departments focused on human affairs. The Optimist Clubs in the Caribbean District can be seen making a societal difference by the articles that appear in their newspapers. There is certainly a degree of respect and formality that I don't always see in other countries.

This headline caught my attention this morning, 'Optimist Cordane Richardson soars to leadership on International Board of Directors.'   A full page article describes Cordane's campaign and election to the JOOI (Junior Optimist Octagon International) Board of Directors. When many papers would have given the achievement only a paragraph or two, the Anguilla News recognizes how our service clubs build young leaders who set an example to their peers to do and achieve more too.

According to the article, he is the first member from Anguilla and the Caribbean District to serve in this capacity. It is an honor for Cordane, his family and community and a superb steppingstone to a career of service to others.

Photo credit: Anguilla News.com