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2 • The Optimist

Knock, Knock...

Who’s There?

A Message From President Ron Huxley

I would like to ask you to stop and think for a minute. Are you happy with what your Optimist Club has done this year? Have you made an impression or lasting impact in the life of a child? Did you ask someone new to be a Member?

Think about where your community would be if it wasn't for your Optimist Club. Look at all you and your fellow Members have accomplished. Every year, millions of dollars are raised by Optimist Clubs to support children's needs across our great organization. Now consider this; would your community miss your Club if it were to disappear tomorrow? What would happen to the children?

We are about to enter the last quarter of the year. You and I are Optimists. We believe that what we do is the right thing to do. The right thing is to realize the year is not over yet and there is still time for your Club to meet and even exceed your goals. This summer, host a NOW program and celebrate what you have done. Share all the

good your Club has accomplished. Invite new Members to pick up our banner and put these Optimists to work to accomplish more. If your Club is unable to fnd new committee chairs or offcers, your answer lies in recruiting new Members. It really is that simple.

This year, we celebrated the introduction of the Optimist Leadership Summit. At every site, Members reported learning something new. Many commented that it was the best training they had ever experienced. Others said they were returning home with new energy and ideas to help their Clubs be more productive and successful. It was the organization’s attempt to bring inspiration, education and fellowship to our rank and fle at a reasonable cost. I personally want to thank every single person who attended and on behalf of the children you serve, I say bravo.

Much planning went into the 2013-14 Optimist year, but success can only come from the implementation of positive strategies. I ask that you do whatever it takes to positively improve this Optimist year. In doing so, it can only add to the improvement of Optimism next year

and in the years to come. Remember negative strategies only foster more negative outcomes. Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel and fnd a new Member and new community with which we can show the world that Optimism makes a difference.

A smile from a child puts a warm feeling in the heart of an Optimist. There is truly no greater reward.

What is your "MO"? Make sure to bring it with you to the International Convention in July and share it with others. See you in Las Vegas.

Ron G. Huxley,

Optimist International President

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