Working together for Christmas

Optimist Clubs frequently serve as a catalyst or conduit for others give more to their community. As a catalyst, the club might spark an interest in a cause and as a conduit, the club enables giving of gifts, money, or service.

During the holiday season, the Optimist Club of Barbados South is doing both. It recently accepted gifts from the Sport for Life Program. The gifts will be given to children and families with the Christmas Hamper project that targets 30 families this year through the Child Care Board, plus an additional 10 families in the community.

According to Tricia Ford with the Sport for Life Program, a program that inspires children in all areas of their life through sports, the group is focusing on service. She was proud to report that all 43 of the participants donated gifts to the cause.

Optimist Club president Margaret Chapman-Farley received the gifts and was thankful to the group for helping the Optimist Club provide more services for children.

Photo credit: The Barbados Advocate

Experience the "Power of One"

Today is the last day of the 2011-2012 administrative year for Optimist International. Optimist Clubs across the globe are celebrating the successes of the year, welcoming new officers and planning for the next year of projects and accomplishments. The Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown celebrated the day by releasing the following video montage as a remembrance and thank you to the participants. It is also a thank you to those who give Optimist Club members the opportunity to serve.

The theme for the Caribbean District throughout the year was "The Power of One." The video features "The Power of One" performed by Donna Summer and the "Power of One" by Bomshel. Such inspiration is perfect for Music Sunday at Experience Optimism.

The video displays proudly a sampling of what Optimist Clubs do. And they do it with love.

Barbados-Bridgetown shares the Eat What You Grow program

Earlier this week, the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown shared their most recent club newsletter on Facebook with the encouragement to read it and share it with others. As their activities always impress, that was an easy request to fulfill.

Inside the newsletter, one will find information about membership recruitment in "How to Recruit a Busy Person," and "How to Keep Your Optimism Alive" with passion, dedication and commitment. One will also read about a project that I believe is unique to their club, but a topic that is gaining interest in other communities: Eat What You Grow.

The Eat What You Grow program teaches children to be self sufficient by growing vegetables and brings club members to the Sterling Children's Home at least once per month to assist with the garden and provide entertainment, among other things. Click for more information about Eat What You Grow and other activities of the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown. Enjoy and share.


 

Professional optimism

Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados clean-up day.

I'm watching them from afar, but my new favorite Optimist Clubs are the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown and the Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados.

I've long thought it would be fun to live in the Caribbean and perform volunteer work, but it's easy to think that when one lives in Idaho.

It looks like fun and sun and service, but those who live in a resort setting year-round know the difficulties associated with keeping their communities safe and vibrant for the residents are the same, if not amplified, as the cities from where the tourists that visit their island hail.

They still have cyber crime and challenges with education, children's services, social welfare efforts, politics, the environment and the economy. Residents are raising families, succeeding at careers, and celebrating life's many ups and downs all at the same time as being good hosts.

I learned from Adrian Elcock, Optimist International Vice President 2010-2011, that in Barbados "it costs to care" meaning Optimist Club members know that they have to consistently invest in their community to make it a better place to live. Through Optimist Club membership, such caring individuals share their ideas and strengths and even have a little fun. For instance, the Progressive Optimist Club held a beach clean-up today at Martin's Bay and hauled away 161 bags of seaweed. That's work and fun.

But what really drew me in today to proclaim these clubs to be my favorites were the following advertisements:

• On April 18, the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetownheld a cyber safety forum. 
• On March 10,  Harrison College JOOI Club joined the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown for a "Car Boot Sale."
• Coming up on May 5 is the Annual Charity Fundraising Golf Tournament.

Such professionally produced advertisements signify that young professionals are engaged in their community through the Optimist Club and that is a goal of Optimist Clubs around the world - to connect with those who embrace technology and welcome change; those who will help take our organization's mission forward tomorrow and beyond. 

If perception is reality, the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown is leading the way in professionalism. I applaud and admire their efforts. 

Making friends and starting Optimist Clubs with Facebook

Meet the Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados.  This smiling group of Optimists are part of one of the newest clubs in the Optimist International family.  Welcome!

The Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados was officially organized on May 27, 2010.  One of the tools they used to bring the people together was Facebook.  They discussed and voted on the name of the club, they informed potential members of the informational meeting dates and kept signed members on track for attending, promoting and making a difference in the community.

Our social networking tools like Facebook are the new way to stay connected. Once you make a page, create  an event, and invite people to join, all you have to do is keep them and the page updated.  People will choose whether to "like" your page or not.  If you have a Facebook ID, you can see their wall and at this link.

Meet the Optimist Club of Barbados Clean Team

The Optimist Club of Barbados recently undertook a huge clean-up program.  In order to get it done, they enlisted the help of the Lions and other service clubs in the community.  What was it ?  Beach clean-up!

It takes a lot of care to make an island that attracts so many tourists liveable.  Tourists come and go giving a somewhat transient feel to the community.  But the service clubs know different.  They know that it takes their ongoing service to improve the quality of life in their community.  Thanks so much to the Barbados Clean Team and the Barbados Optimist Club.  You truly make a difference.