My Fellow Optimists:
Well, as the song goes - "here I go again". It is indeed an honor and privilege to be able to serve as your governor in 2011-12. What an exciting time for all of us!! How exciting it is to be part of an organization that allows us every day to touch the lives of children. How exciting it is that when we have had a bad day, nothing seemed to go right, the troubles of the world seemed to be on our shoulders and then.......we get to go to a club meeting or a youth activity. WOW! All those day-to-day challenges fly out the window and for that brief time, we are in the moment. That moment of forgetting our troubles and concentrating on making a group of kids feel good about themselves or helping them to forget their problems and just have FUN.
As adults, I think sometimes we forget to have fun, or lose that feeling of knowing how. I've been asked by so many why in the world would I want to do this job again! I was distinguished my first time around. Well, you know, I just felt there was more I had to do. That there were more kids to be served that we haven't even reached yet. My lifestyle has changed in many ways and I felt this was the right time if I were going to be governor again.
I'm going to shake things up a little. Do a few things that will be different. If they work, then great! If not, well...., we tried. One of the biggest changes is that all of the District meetings this year will be at the same hotel. The main reason is that we are such a small group, which I'm also hoping to change, that when it comes to negotiating with hotels, it becomes difficult to get good deals and breaks. Also, many of us who have been around awhile, have to realize that hotel rooms, meeting rooms, and meals don't cost what they did 10, 15, or 20 years ago! We have to adjust for that. Incentives should not be necessary if we are doing what Optimists do, however, everyone likes a pat on the back and should get one. These are a few I have for next year:
1. Quarterly Drawing: For each new member and FOO you sponsor, in each quarter, your name goes into a drawing for a $50.00 gift card. Drawings will be sometime during, or at the close of, the Saturday afternoon session. Must be present to win.
2. End of year Drawing: Every new club your club sponsors, your club name goes in a drawing for $100.00 to be used in your Youth account. Winning Club President must be present at first quarter conference of the following year to accept winnings.
3. "New Member" Quarterly Drawing: Every "new member", pre-registered, each quarter, goes into a drawing for free registration and one meal for the following Quarter Meeting. (2nd., 3rd., 4th., qtr. of 2011-12 and 1st. qtr. of 2012-13)
4. "Early Bird Registration": Each quarter every pre-registered name goes into a drawing for the "Hog Bank" with $50.00 inside. Each drawing will be sometime during, or at the close of, the Saturday afternoon session. Exception: Third and Fourth quarter, District Honoree Banquet and Convention Banquet, drawing will be sometime during the Banquet. Must be present to win.
Our goals for the year 2011-12 are:
1. Increase member attendance at your Club meetings and Club membership attendance at Zone and District meetings. Make conferences cost effective, informative and fun.
2. Add more Clubs (Zones) in isolated areas. More clubs to serve more kids and communities.
3. Retain current members in your club and add new and younger members. If you "drop" one, "add" one.
The 2011-12 team is here for YOU. We are here to help you and the Arkansas District be successful. As you have heard many of the past governors say, "it isn't my year - it's our year. As in yours and mine." That is so true!! Folks, it's all about you. It's all about how can we help you be successful? How can we help you serve more kids? How can we help more communities in Arkansas help their youth? Help us help you help your kids!!!
Barb
