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South Texas District
Optimist International
Volume 8, Number 1
It is with great pride and humility that I serve as
the Governor for South Texas District for 20142015. As I look throughout the district and I see
the number of clubs we have and the number of
kids we service, I think about the start of
Optimist International. How five businessmen
in 1911 from Buffalo, NY would meet every
week at a diner to discuss the problems of the
youth in the community and come up with
various solutions to resolve these issues. It
didn’t matter if the ground was covered with
snow and ice or if it were
blistering hot; these
businessmen would meet
without fail. If these
businessmen were alive
today, they would be
proud to see how far
Optimist International has
come. We focus on our
youth, bring out the best
in them, and help prepare
them for the future.
In order to accomplish
this task, we must ensure
that Optimist International
remains strong. Optimist
International is made up
with people who think the
way that we do. Remember, personal contact
and making others feel they are important and
necessary is vital to our organization’s
longevity and success. The lifeline of any
organization is the addition of new and active
members and the retention of enthusiastic and
involved current members.
Governor Irvin Williams
Secretary/Treasurer Fay Hopkins
October-December 2014
philosophies, mission, and vision. Finally, we
must re-energize and develop plans that are
innovated, yet effective to ensure Optimist
International’s success and longevity. This is a
great motivating statement and I wanted mine to
be equally powerful and supportive. As a career
navy sailor, I wanted something nautical that
could be understood, comprehended, and
supported by everyone. Symbolically, we are
on a ship and everyone in the district is a crew
member. The district represents the vast ocean
that needs to be navigated.
Each member has a job.
To ensure successful
operation of the vessel,
each crew member has to
perform his/her job. I
chose ‘Stay the Course’ to
be my motto/slogan
because it epitomizes
where we were in the past,
where we are now, and
where we’re going in the
future. We know our
destination and we are
heading in that direction.
Along the way, we will
show our presence and
help the kids. We will get
involve with the
community and bring out the best in kids.
For over a hundred years, great men and women
have been involved with Optimist International.
These individuals were optimists. In the early
years when our parents and grandparents were
young and in school, learning about life; these
individuals helped bring out the best in them.
Our Immediate Past Governor Jose Montoya
These individuals were optimists. In those
had the motto and slogan
years when the economy was not so good and
we were at war, these individuals focused on the
‘Re-evaluate, Re-commit, Re-energize’. That is kids. These individuals were optimists.
a powerful statement. We must re-evaluate and
Continued on pg. 2
decide where we are and where we want to go.
We must re-commit and focus on our
Volume 8, Number 1
The South Texas Voice
Page 2
Message from the Governor (Continued from pg. 1)
Many times these individuals were present, guiding our youth and providing help when it was needed. These
individuals were optimists. As advancement and progress put demands on societies throughout the world,
optimist clubs determined the needs of the young people in the community and conducted programs to meet
those needs. These individuals were optimists. Each year, optimists conduct over 65,000 service projects and
serve well over six million young people. These individuals were optimists. Today, we are the optimists and
we must continue the legacy that our forefathers created. We will ‘Stay the Course.’ I have three goals that
will ensure that we will be successful. The three goals are: 1) each club recruit 3 new members, 2) each club
recruit 3 new dime-a-day members, and 3) start 3 new clubs.
We are a team. We are an organization. The kids in our community need us. The needs of the community
will provide the challenges and opportunities that promote optimism. We must be open to opportunities that
provide hope, that provide a sense of meaning in our lives, and that establish a path for us and our youth to
follow. We must ‘Stay the Course.’
Essay Contest 2014 – 2015
THE DISTRICT ESSAY CONTEST WINNER WILL RECEIVE A
$2,500 SCHOLARSHIP
Now is the time to begin preparations for your Club’s Essay Contest. If your Club does not currently have an
Essay Contest you should start participating. This is a great opportunity to give the youth in your area writing
experience as well as a chance for a $2,500 scholarship. Your Club needs only one member to participate
but several members can participate if they are available.
The Club chairperson first becomes familiar with the rules and sets the dates for the contest to begin and
end. He or she then gives the applications to schools, churches and other places where you serve youth in
your area. The chairperson then selects three qualified judges who are not acquainted with the writers of the
essays to pick the top three essays from all of the essays received. At the Club level, the judges may be
Optimist Club members. Finally, the Club chairperson delivers the Club’s winning essay to the District Chairperson.
Cost
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Benefits
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A $10.00 fee to South Texas District is required.
Each Club may award medallions to their winners. These are optional and cost about $20.00.
Other awards are permitted at the Club level. Details are in the Club Chair’s rules.
Participants get experience writing the essays.
The District winner receives a Scholarship of $2,500.00.
The Club has an opportunity for a meeting program. Invite the three winners to a meeting to read
their essays and receive their awards. Also, invite their parents to attend. They may join your club.
Summary of Key Items
 The official topic for 2014-2015 is "Optimism Should be a Priority"
 The essay contest is open to students under age 19 who have not yet graduated from high
school.
 The Club winning essay along with the other required documents and the $10.00 District fee must
be received by the District contest chair on or before February 28, 2015.
For more information go to www.stxd.org and under PROGRAMS click on “Essay Contest”.
Clubs that do not have access to the internet should contact the District Chair, Greg Lester, at
(281) 597-1300 and leave your name, mailing address and a message requesting a copy of the rules
and the application.
Volume 8 Number 1
The South Texas Voice
Page 3
Youth Oratorical Contest
For the third consecutive year, I am serving as District Chair for the Youth Oratorical Contest.
I want to again encourage each and every Club in the District to hold a Club Contest in your
community. It is an excellent means of letting your community (and potential Optimists)
know that your Club is interested in serving young people, and provides the youth a chance at
a post-high school scholarship. OI has published an excellent Club Chair Planning Guide
(available on the OI website under “Scholarships” or on the South Texas District website), and
I have prepared “A South Texas Guide” (available on the District website or from me) with my
own suggestions to make planning and holding the Contest easier.
The District has changed the Policy governing the Contest, and Zone Contests will probably
not be held in 2014-2015. Instead, your Zone will be grouped with other Zones so that all
Club Winners will participate in a Regional Contest before proceeding to District, and it is my
responsibility to group participating Clubs into Regions by mid-January. If you think that your
Club may conduct the Contest, early January is the time to begin planning anyway (deciding
on a date and looking for a place), so I ask that your Club contact me in early January to let me
know. The number of Regions and the number of Clubs in each Region will depend on the
number of Clubs planning to hold a Club Contest.
Again, conducting the Contest benefits both the Club and the youth of your community, and I
encourage you to do so. If I can help, please contact me at (409) 763-2454 ext. 10 or
[email protected].
Robert Bastien
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS
It is time to brag on your club and all the youth projects that you do. We are starting
a new year in October so please download the A & A form on the district website
(www.stxd.org), complete it, and mail it to me after the end of the first quarter. The first
place club for the first quarter will receive recognition at the second quarter meeting in
San Antonio in February. If your club has been completing the A & A for this year, please
send in your form for the fourth quarter by October 10th. We will have FIRST and SECOND
PLACE AWARDS at the meeting in October in Laredo. I’m looking forward to getting lots of
A & A forms from all South Texas District Clubs.
A & A Chair Kathy Woodruff
Volume 8, Number 1
The South Texas Voice
Page 4
SOUTH TEXAS DISTRICT OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVE
HELPING OPTIMISTS HELP “OUR” KIDS
FIRST QUARTER VOICE
When the STXD 1st Voice is published in October 2014, I will have transitioned from District Governor to OI District Foundation Representative. Governor Irvin Williams has established the goals for the South Texas District as 3X3X3. The goal of 3x3x3: to build a
minimum of 3 new clubs in the upcoming year; each club recruit a minimum of 3 new
members; and each club at a minimum get 3 existing members to become “Dime-ADay’ foundation members. In addition, each club should designate a member as Club
Foundation Representative to inform club members about the OI Foundation programs
and coordinate fund raising activities to benefit the OI Foundation.
My primary job responsibility as OI Foundation Representative is to serve as liaison between the District and OI Foundation by promoting the Foundations’ programs. The OI
Foundation is the funding mechanism for all the following programs: The Essay Contest,
Oratorical Contest, Youth Safety, Youth Appreciation, Respect for Law/Promotion of Non
-Violence, Junior Golf Tournaments/Championships, Communication Contest for the
Deaf and Hearing Impaired, Childhood Cancer Campaign and Internet Safety.
The above mentioned programs are not possible without the continued generous support by each Optimist members. Don’t wait for someone else to contribute, do your
part now so that we can continue to “bring out the best in Kids”. Consider becoming a
Dime-A-Day member in the amount of $36.50 for a one year membership. Another donation within everyone’s reach is the “Pink Purse” which is one hundred dollar and each
donor receives a pink purse pin and is not gender restricted.
The 2014-2015 First Quarter goal for each club in the South Texas District is to donate
$2.50 per club member by December 31, 2014.
Volume 8, Number 1
The South Texas Voice
Page 5
We started the year in August with training for incoming Lt. Governors and club
officers. For those who were not able to attend, I would recommend checking
out the Optimist Leader web site (www.optimistleaders.org) for the handbooks
on your respective position. In addition, contact me if you have any questions.
With that said, we are moving on. First quarter will offer a continuation of the
EXPO which has been well received during the 2013-2014 year - with an addition. There will be a club bragging section. Clubs doing new projects or standard projects in an innovative way are asked to share. Martha Blackwell will be
coordinating this event and can be reached at [email protected].
The training sessions this year will be one of three types — general info, PGI focused, and career pathways. For first quarter, there will be a general session on
OIF presented by Ed Finn and DFR Jose Montoya. Then there will two breakout
sessions. Club presidents will be invited to a Q&A with Governor Irvin and VP
Jan. The other session will be conducted by Ron Graves, PGI Chair, on Public
Speaking. This one ties in with several levels of PGI requiring a speech and also with the plan to offer a member oratorical contest at the 2nd quarter meeting.
The topic and rules for the member contest will be the same as our youth will be
doing. Judging will be by selected district members.
Looking forward to this year and to hearing any ideas from you.
Carol Hodges
Leadership Development Chair
[email protected]
The South Texas Voice
Volume 8, Number 1
Page 6
Dear South Texas Optimists,
Being an Optimist has added great value to my life! Following are a few examples:
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While participating in my club’s youth service projects, I walk away feeling that I
received more than I gave.
 While attending my club meetings, I leave with an increased sense of optimism
about my life and community.
 While participating in Optimist Trainings, I grow knowledge and skills that benefit
all aspects of my life.
 While I joined because I wanted to provide needed services for youth in my community, I have made great, positive friends from all over the world.
Do you see a theme here? Yes, our mission is “By providing hope and positive vision,
Optimists bring out the best in kids”, but being an Optimist improves our own lives in so many ways! Let’s
join together to share this gift of Optimism with our family, friends, colleagues and community members!
The primary challenge our organization faces is the continued loss of members. I know sometimes we tire
of hearing about club growth and building new clubs; but if we do not take immediate action our gift of Optimism will gradually fade away. We must work together to ensure that the much needed services we provide for our youth continue well into the future.
The South Texas District is in extremely capable hands under the leadership of Governor Irvin Williams. He
has set goals and has developed a plan to accomplish his vision. Our International President Ken Garner has
a vision and long-range plan to grow Optimism in our communities. The goal is to increase our Optimist International roster to 100,000 members by the year 2019. I am honored and proud to serve as your Vice
President with these two outstanding leaders. I believe we have the leadership and tools to bring Optimist
Clubs to the forefront in our communities.
Optimist International will present eight Leadership Summits during the 2014 - 2015 Optimist year. These
summits were met with enthusiastic reviews this past Optimist year. Please join us at one of these day long
Leadership Summits! The cost will be minimal and you are welcome to invite friends and community members, who are not currently Optimist members, to attend. Our Region’s Summit will be in San Antonio, Texas on February 28. Although this Summit is in our region, you are welcome to attend any summit that appeals to you.
I will help the South Texas District achieve success in any way possible. Here’s to an extraordinary year of
Optimism!
Yours in Optimism,
Jan Oord Graves, 2014 - 2015 Vice President
Optimist International, Southwest Region
[email protected]
269-873-1954
The South Texas Voice
Volume 8, Number 1
Page 7
South Texas District First Quarter Meeting, October 24-26, 2014
Ramada Plaza—Laredo
The District conference is going to be a fun filled weekend with fellowship and training
with Optimists from all over South Texas. Don’t delay, get your registration in today!
Friday, October 24
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Hello Party
Saturday, October 2
7:00 am - 9:00 am - Breakfast
9:00 am - 9:30 am - Executive Board Meeting
8:00 am - Noon
- Registration
8:00 am - 3:30 pm - EXPO-programs & bragging hall
9:30 am - 9:55 am - Jellybeans & you - Governor Cassie Ahearn, NTxD
10:00 am -10:25 am - So you want to bring JOOI into your club’s life!
10:30 am - 10:55 am - CCC—what is it & why does it matter?
11:00 am - 11:25 am - How about that Internet—think it’s here to stay?
11:30 am - 11:55 am - Laredo Humanitarian Relief Team
Noon - 1:45 pm -
Lunch with guest speaker Margarita Araiza from the Laredo Heritage
Foundation; OIF auction
2:00 pm - 3:15 pm - OIF—a hidden asset! - DFR Jose Montoya & Ed Finn
3:00 pm - 4:45 pm - Breakout Sessions
A—Q&A with Gov Irvin & VP Jan
B—Public Speaking PGI Module—Ron Graves
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Social Hour, Halloween theme, prizes!
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Dinner with OI Representative, VP Jan Oord Graves
8:30 pm - ???????? - Entertainment
Sunday, October 26
7:00 am - 9:00 am - Breakfast
7:30 am - Devotion
9:00 am -11:30 am – General Session / Board Meeting
South Texas District
Optimist International
Governor Irvin G. Williams
4611 Twin Timber Ct.
Fresno, Texas 77545
ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Optimist International:
http://www.optimist.org
South Texas District:
http://www.stxd.org
THE OPTIMIST CREED
Promise yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your
own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of
the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you
meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to
criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too
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Purposes of the Optimist
Club
To develop optimism as a philosophy of life;
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
man, his community and world.