Author: Mary Still

Georgia Optimists,

Congratulations! It is time.

Now is the time to increase your focus on service to the youth and to one another.

I am proud of the team that we have to serve the Optimists throughout the Georgia District. I truly believe that we are going to do a great job in the year ahead by “bringing out the best in kids”.

Timing and execution can mean a lot for us. The attached picture is an example.

Earlier tonight I was in my hometown of Senoia, Georgia. Our Optimist Club participated in a joint meeting with the local Rotary Club. As the meeting concluded, one of the stars of ‘The Walking Dead’ TV series, Andrew Lincoln who plays the character Rick Grimes, was outside. (He is a rather frequent patron of the business in which we were meeting.)

I introduced myself to “Rick” and explained that I was the new Governor from Senoia – unlike the evil Governor from the town of Woodbury in the TV show. (Senoia is actually the location of the fictitious Woodbury in ‘The Walking Dead’.) In the picture, Rick seems to show his support of the new Governor.

I appreciate the support that you have all already shown. Just know that I support you in your endeavors this year to make the Georgia District the best it can be.

Let’s have a great year together!

 

On behalf of the Georgia District of Optimist International, we would like to announce Harry Hackett, III as the “Big John Ware” Optimist of the Year for 2012-2013. Harry is a member of the Atlanta and Smyrna Optimist Clubs. The Atlanta Club was the first Club founded in Georgia back in 1939.  This club was in danger of becoming one of our lost Optimist Clubs, but during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 Optimist years, Harry saw the importance of making the Atlanta Club strong once again.  He truly believes in “Bringing Out The Best In Kids”!  He started by meeting with their last two members and encouraged them to hold an Oratorical Contest.  Since then they have had two in a row. He developed a soccer clinic in collaboration with the neighborhood YMCA/Headstart unit.  They found two more members through those efforts.

As quoted by his nominator “Harry has single-handedly increased our membership from 2 to 8 at the end of last fiscal year and from 8 to 16 this year.  If we are able to continue our streak and double up in the next fiscal year, we’ll be a going club again!”

Harry, we truly commend your efforts to the growth of Optimism in Georgia.  Thanks for a Job Well Done!