It is hard to believe that the first quarter has come and gone in what seemed such a short period of time. We know 2011 was a fantastic year in many respects but it’s time to get back to optimist work in order to make 2012 truly a record breaking year for the South Texas District. We are ahead of many of the other districts but it’s time to dust off our goals and objectives and move forward. We are talking about Texas and South Texas in particular so we must get busy and claim the number one spot that is just waiting for us to step up. Do we want to be number one or not? That is the big question? I optimistically hope that we as a district want to be number one!

Hopefully by this time you have several qualified and excited participants for Oratorical, Essay and the Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH). And don’t forget the Young Texan-Texanne program. Many great programs are available to help the children of our communities and we should take advantage of the ones that fit for our club and youth.

What are your club and individual goals for the year in Optimism? Is building a new club in your future? And how many new members would you be satisfied with adding for the year? Do you have any new projects on the radar screen? Please remember that we are in the Second quarter and time is flying. It is truly time for action and lots of it. Wouldn’t it be great for your club to always be remembered by a new club that you sponsored and installed this year? Please set your sights high for your club and zone and our district will be pushed to the top.

If your club does not have an active PGI program going on you may be missing the best opportunity available to reward yourself, your members and the youth of your community. The PGI program is probably the best single thing offered to keep your club active and growing at a rapid pace. Please take a long look at this program, study it and the potential benefits if offers to your members and to you. It will take care of your new member goals if you will get several members actively involved and you can learn all about it in February. Better still go online and get all the details, get it started so you can give us an exciting report in February on what it has done for your club.

The second quarter leadership training is set for Kerrville on February 17, 18 & 19 this year at the exciting Y O Ranch Hotel. Our goal as always it to provide a fantastic experience for you including great training, fun and fellowship along with outstanding Y O Ranch Hotel food. You will want to be sure and bring your camera and keep it zoomed in on the hot tub so you can get some great shots for your club bulletin. You never know who you may recognize relaxing in the beautiful clear hill country water. See you in February for a great Optimistic meeting in the Beautiful Hill Country of Texas. But please contact me before then if I can be of service or help at all. Have car, will travel.

— Governor Joe

Greg Lester, District Essay Cpontest Chairperson has made available the information for the 2001=2012 Contest. Click here for the rules.

Read the Editor's Guide for Club Bulletins - Click Here...

The POT Of GOLD is $1600.00

The Second Quarter District Meeting is going to be at the Y.O. Ranch Hotel & Conference Center in Kerrville on February 17, 18, and 19th. There is some great Traininfg scheduled, and the Awards Banquet for Immediate Past-Governor Hank Hollyday's year.

CORRECTION - The Sunday Breakfast was left of off the Registration form, but for those purchasing an All Weekend Registration, there will be a Sunday Breakfast buffet, on your own in the restaurant.

The Registration Form, Schedule and the Voice are available below.

Ed Finn, a member of the Fredersicksburg Optimist Club, is running for a position on the Optimist International Foundation Board of Directors. In order to be eligible to vote one must have at least been a Dime-A-Day contributor during the last Optimist year, 2010-2011.

Read Ed's bio - click here...

"How my Optimism Helps me Overcome Obstacles"
SOUTH TEXAS DISTRICT
2011-2012

Oratorical features $2500, as the grand prize, for each boy and girl winner - a total of $5000. STXD is a Separate Gender District. Sponsorship of the Oratorical Championship through the 2013-2014 is generously given by The Ron & Kitty Graves Oratorical Scholarship. Contestants cannot have reached the age of eighteen (18), as of 12/31/2011, have not yet graduated from high school or the equivalent, and are educated in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. Each club winner must present a $20 Application Fee, along with their application and birth certificate, to compete at the next level. They will also need a copy of their speech to present to the coordinating chair. Club Presidents and Oratorical Chairs should continue recruiting contestants, and inform club members of your intention, and enlist their support, and help. Contact all schools, churches, and any affiliated youth organizations interested in participating, in this year’s contest (e.g., Boysville in San Antonio). Club Contests should be completed by the end of March, 2012. Zone and Regional Contests will be held in April, 2012, as needed. The District Championship will be held, at the Third Quarter District Meeting, in San Antonio, on May 5, 2012. All suggested District Deadline Dates, for Club, Zone and Regional Contests are posted on the STXD website. District winners must be submitted to Optimist International, by June 15, 2012.

Help shape the development of tomorrow’s leaders. Contact me at hijodejuan@sbcglobal.net, with questions, or call 210-452-8862. I continue to remain available, for day trips, if anyone would like me to attend one of their regular meetings, anywhere in the South Texas District, and make a presentation. Information regarding OI rules and regulations, for this year’s contest can be found at optimist.org, and stxd.org.

Bill Johnson                                                          210-452-8862
STXD Oratorical Chair                                         hijodejuan@sbcglobal.net