As we approach the 4th Quarter District Convention in August, I can’t help but look back on our districts accomplishments for the year so far. We have all come a long way through some difficult times. Our country has elected a new President, our military continue to support our right to freedom, and we are currently going through a very difficult economic recovery period. We are losing some industries in our nation that have been in business since before you or I was born. People have lost not only their jobs but their retirement income as well. Homes are being repossessed at a staggering rate. The price of gas went through the roof, and the price of food continues to rise each day. And if that is not enough, we have families that are still trying to rebuild their lives that were lost to hurricanes and flooding.
Everyone is trying to catch their breath and make some sense of what is happening as well as trying to figure out what their future will be.
But as a district, we have held together. We have continued on our mission to “Bring Out The Best In Kids”. As I write this, we have built 3 new clubs in our district this year, and we are actively working on 3 more. We have added members to our existing clubs, and our clubs projects are becoming more and more important to each child in their community.
As your Governor, I would like to ask each of you to continue to help grow our district.
I still believe in miracles, and I also believe that children get only one childhood.
Let’s help make it the best that it can be.
I look forward to seeing all of you in San Antonio for the 4th Quarter District Convention for the South Texas District on August 13th thru the 16th. It will be held at the Radisson Market Square Hotel in downtown San Antonio. You can find a registration form enclosed in the District Bulletin “The Voice”, or here on our district web site.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM OI/OIF
Optimist International and the Optimist International Foundation announce that the scholarships for Essay, Oratorical (1-boy, 1-girl), and CCDHH will be $2,500 for each scholarship beginning with the 2010 contests. In order to assist OIF, which funds the scholarships, OI has agreed to allow donors to name scholarship(s) they fund.
Naming a scholarship may happen in two ways:
1) An agreement to fund the $2,500 scholarship annually for a five-year period. The donor signs a contract specifying payment for the upcoming year no later than December 31 of the previous year.
2) An agreement to fund an endowment of $50,000 to permanently fund one $2,500 scholarship. Again, the donor signs a contractual agreement.
Scholarships for the STX district may be in the name of an individual or couple or business, maybe for the person who has been a longtime chair of a district program. Someone may want to give a scholarship in the name of a loved one or give a scholarship in their own name.
A donor has agreed and signed a contract to fund two (2) Oratorical scholarships beginning in 2010 for the STX district and will continue the scholarships for an additional four (4) years.
The STX district is looking for another person or a club or a business to fund the additional two (2) scholarships. If you have an interest in being a donor or have a suggestion of a person to honor by naming a scholarship or have comments in general about the scholarships contact Ron Graves at gravesronn@cs.com or call him at 210 860 2323. Or, contact the OIF at 800 500 8130 and ask for Judi Smith, Executive Director, OIF.
Greater SW Golf Tournament
The Greater Southwest Optimist Club invites you to join us in our 30th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament. Attached is a letter and flyer that provide details of the event, sponsorship level information and a picture that shows scholarship recipients of the last three years. Tournament will be held Saturday July 18th at the Morris Williams Municipal Golf Course.
Since its inception the GSWO believed in assisting youths in attaining their educational goals - perhaps as you or your organization does. We hope to assist you in your fundraising efforts and we ask that you help us in ours. Please forward to all whom you may think interested. Flyer - Sponsor Form - Scholarship Recipients
About Our District
STxD covers 99 counties in Texas!
More than 13,400,000 people live in STxD!
More than 3,700,000 children live in STxD (under 18 years of age)!
The next person you introduce to Optimism will make a difference
to some of these children!
Scrapbookers
Rules for the 2008-2009 Club Scrapbook contest have been posted. Click here...
District Convention
The District Convention is scheduled for August 13 - 16 in San Antonio at the Radisson Downtown Market Square. Be sure to ask for handicap accessible or smoking room if needed. . The Schedule, Registration Form and Voice are all on line.
District Meeting Pictures
District Photographer Randy Boyd has posted the pictures from the Third Quarter District Meeting. Click on Meeting Pictures on the right side menu.
A message from a Mexico Club
It gives me great pleasure to translate the below message from Mayela and Enrique Esquivel.., President and Ex-President, respectively, of the Liga Unida Optimist Club at Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.
Norbert and Suzie
Flores
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Friends,
Its our pleasure to say hello and hope that you are in the best of health in the company of your loved ones and at the same time make you aware of our
13-14 year olds of our baseball league that has won the right to represent Mexico in the Pony League World Series. This will take place at Washington, Pennsylvania on August 6-16, 2009. At the same time, we are very happy because I will participate as a Delegate of our team which will represent Mexico. Well take care and until next time. Also attached is a picture our team and please let Don Vicente Herandez and our benefactores aware that our baseball team will go to the World Series in the USA.
Mayela and Enrique Esquivel Click here to see the team...
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Your work as an Optimist may well qualify you to receive a Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Read the talking points - click here... View the tracking form. Click here...
2nd Quarter Minutes - Revised
District Secretary-Treasurer Al Randez has made revised Second Quarter District Meeting Minutes available - click here...
Houston Training
The Powerpoint Presentation used in the Leadership Traing Class about Goals and Team Building is now available. Click here...
GOLD Leadership Seminar
The GOLD Leadership Seminar has furnished the CPA Form for inclusion in their summision for participating Clubs- click here...
There is also a list of participating schools - click here...
Read Chris Gold's letter to Club leaders - click here...
Building New Clubs
Do you enjoy being an Optimist? Do you enjoy the fellowship of others like you dedicated to Providing HOPE and POSITIVE VISION to kids in your community? Do you feel that you are accomplishing something in life and know that when you are gone from this world that you made a difference in the lives of others?
If the answer is YES, then consider that one way you can multiply your efforts as an individual Optimist and as part of an Optimist Club is to assist Gov Fay this year in expanding our club base by 17 clubs. I am available to assist you and have committed to helping the district build 17 new clubs. Gov Fay and I need your assistance. The children of countless communities in the STX District need your assistance.
As an individual and as part of a club, call now to volunteer to build an Optimist club. My number is 210 860 2323 and my email is gravesronn@cs.com. Together, you, your club, Gov Fay and I can make a difference in the STX District. We can make a difference in the lives of thousands of youth. Don’t wait – DO IT NOW!
Ron Graves, New CLub Buyilding Director
