The Optimist International Global Spotlight was created to provide another means of communication between Optimist International and the Optimist Clubs outside of the United States and Canada.  The newsletter will be sent monthly. If you have suggestions for improvements, Club projects, articles for inclusion and/or other information about your Club, contact communications@optimist.org. 
Year-End New Club Development

This year-end edition of the Global Spotlight starts with a bang with six new Clubs
 coming under the Optimist banner from outside the United States and Canada. We welcomed in late September the Optimist Club of Saltillo, Mexico thanks to the tireless efforts of South Texas District Governor Gil Ortiz. Saltillo is southwest of Monterrey, Mexico. The Club is co-sponsored by the North Austin Optimist Club and the Optimist Club of San Antonio.

The North Texas District completed a several month long project
with the organization of the Optimist Club of Guangdong Province in China. This marks the second new Club this calendar year in China following the organization in March of the Optimist Club of Beijing. The Guangdong project was spearheaded by Mike Cheves of the Optimist Club of Arlington who has connections in this particular area of China. The Helping Hands Optimist Club of Grand Prairie, Texas is helping to co-sponsor this latest group of Optimists from the People's Republic.

The Caribbean District made a big splash in late
September. It welcomed the Enfield
St. Mary's Optimist Club September 26 along with the Caribbean Maritime University college Club, which started with 40 new Members. Both are located in Jamaica.  There was also new Club development in Antigua where college students from Antigua State College came together. The District created the Optimist International Caribbean District Growth team at the beginning of this Optimist year and it paid off with a dozen new Optimist Clubs.

The African nation of Ghana welcomed a new Club. The Optimist Club of Kumasi  organized the last weekend of September. This brings to seven the number  Optimist Clubs in the country.

Three other additions to the international Optimist family happened this year as the footprint of the organization expanded around the globe. New Clubs started in Nigeria, Uganda and Haiti. New projects are underway in Togo and Benin on the African continent, nearby Madagascar and in Ecuador and Brazil in South America. Optimist International continues to seek out Clubs to aid new Clubs as a sponsor of their activities and to help from time to time financially. A special word of thanks to the Optimist Club of Bromptonville, Quebec for agreeing to sponsor the new Club in Togo organizing in late October.
Examine Club Health

This is a good time of year for all the overseas Optimist Clubs to take a moment and examine what they do in their community. What projects have you done that have been successful? What projects might be abandoned because of lack of interest or a low level of success? Are there new ways to engage the Members to benefit more value from their membership? Is there anything Optimist International can do to provide guidance in these areas? You are encouraged to take some time in October to answer these questions in order for your Club to remain strong during the new Optimist year.
KAMP Optimist Club


This month's spotlight Club project comes from Uganda, home of the KAMP Optimist Club. The Club conducted a tree planting service in its area of influence.

"100 tree seedlings were donated to the Club," said Club Member Josam Kule. "The trees were planted at two business centers by Club Members and some of our Junior Optimist Members as a way of giving back to the community."