When September rolls around, Optimist Clubs begin their final march to the end of the administrative year. Some try to earn recognition for the service they have provided. Others say that they don't do what they do for awards.
This message is to remind every Optimist Club member that earning the Honor Club recognition is not about earning an award. It is merely an acknowledgement that your Optimist Club is fiscally sound and that it is living up to its promises to serve the community and advance the purposes of Optimist International around the world.
The needs of our individual communities vary, but the purposes do not. The purposes of Optimist International are:
- To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed
- To promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs
- To inspire respect for the law; to promote patriotism and work for international 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
Don't you agree, the world would be a better place if we were all living up to those purposes?
On the anniversary of 9/11 - the most devastating terrorist attack to occur on United States soil - we honor those who lost their lives by reminding you that peace is within our reach. And first and foremost, we must work together to share optimism. With a positive attitude, and a little hard work and compromise, the rest will fall into place. Of this, I pray.
