2008-09 District Governor
Douglas "Dougie" Kirby
Optimism (A Promise)
July 3, 2009
There are times when I sit and ponder and ask------why did I become an Optimist? And in all cases the answer comes back---to help kids. I went to a dinner (N.O.W.) and learned what Optimists were doing in my community and got hooked. It wasn’t till the end of the evening that I learned about the creed. A promise to oneself. A blueprint on living a better life. Yes, the Optimist Creed is a life guide for an individual on how to live. A promise to oneself. But Optimism is more than that-----it is also a promise to your community via your club to help kids.
Yes, was that not the promise you made when you joined Optimism? To help the kids. Well it’s my sad duty to tell you that -------we are failing!!!!! Our clubs are not providing the services we once did. We are not doing the hands on projects, We are not adding new members; we are not helping to build new clubs. We are dying!!!!
Yes, we are going down a road of diminishing returns. Our clubs for the most part are aging and we are not bringing in new younger members. We fund raise well, we dole the money out-----but do we do the hands on projects we once did, do we work with the kids-----for the most part ----no. It’s sad to watch. Several young people have told me that they would join an Optimist club if they could actually work with the kids. My what a novel idea---do what our clubs were originally chartered to do----work with the kids.
This is our last chance to make a difference. I am asking every Optimist in our district to go out and ask someone to join a club. I am asking each and every Optimist to think of where a new club can be built and do so. Get some of your club members together and go into a community and start a new club. I am asking every club to get back to the fundamental ideals of Optimism-----do more hands on projects with the youth in your communities. If we are not growing ----we are dying.
Every one of us needs to get off our butts---remember our promise and go forth and bring this district to the prominence it once enjoyed. I for one do not want to watch Optimism die. But we are. We have half the members now that we had 20 years ago. We are dying a slow death ----we are fading away. I for one do not want to see the lites tuned off at Optimist International and the doors padlocked. What a shame that would be. But we have to make a stance now. We have get away from the apathy. We have to get away from the idea held by many who have brainwashed themselves into thinking that it’s safe to do nothing. Because doing nothing is easy and they can’t fail. But if you believe and are passionate about Optimism failure is not an outcome because you will try again until you succeed.
Our youth are in trouble. We are failing. We are not doing our best for the kids. We are not doing our best for our communities. We are not doing our best for Optimist International. And in the end ---we are not doing the best----for ourselves. Please search your soul----remember the “promise’ And act accordingly.
Yours in Optimism
Governor Douglas G. Kirby
Addendum-----my accolades and praise go out to Norman Cooper, Darryl Sim and Laura Murphy for bringing in the second new club to the district this term. The Sylvan Lake Club was chartered June 23, 2009. My appreciation also goes out to Gary Cross for being the International Field Representative, who did all the charter work.
The district and the Governor “Thank You”
Addendum two At the third quarter board meeting in Havre the Greatfalls Uptown Banner went astride. Will all those who attended please check your banners to see that you accidentally did not pick up their banner by mistake. This banner means a lot to the club. Please return if you do find it. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
THERE IS NO SUCH WORD AS “NO” OR “I CAN’T DO IT”
March 3, 2009
As of late, every time we turn on the television or the radio, or read the newspaper, we are inundated with BAD NEWS. The failure of the world economies and the resulting social degradation are indeed of GREAT CONCERN.
As families are forced into ever more deepening financial perils, the family structure starts to erode and eventually breaks. Our children are in DANGER. During times of stress, the evils of society begin to creep in and take on more prominent roles. The pressures put on our children are enormous.
Our time is now. They are calling out - - Their voices are loud and clear. They feel alone - - Lost - - As if no cares. They are beginning to have doubts about the future. THEY ARE AFRAID.
We can’t sit back - - We can’t stand by - - We have to do what we can - - We have to give them hope - - We have to help them - - BELIEVE.
The time for Optimism is now - - We are needed - - Now more than ever. It is time to JUST ASK. It is time to BUILD A NEW CLUB. It is time to get off our couches and HELP THE KIDS. As an organization, we have to grow or die. The time is NOW. The children are waiting - - They need our help. There is a need - - There are people out there willing to help - - They just have to be asked.
Do not take NO as an answer, or don’t say to yourself, I CAN’T DO IT. Each and every one of us at this time need to RISE ABOVE THE ORDINARY and accomplish great things for our kids, our clubs, our district, and in the end, for all Optimism. They are calling out - - Let us be the ones to answer their cries.
Governor Doug
Resolutions by Governor Doug
January 16, 2009
A new year is upon us. It’s time to make resolutions …then eventually break them. But this year has to be different.
The last year was a difficult one for many. Rising prices for everything from food, to gasoline to the other necessities for life were a part of every day life. Economies were hard hit with declining gnps, the mortgage mess, declining home values and sales and a general malaise predominated. With such a downturn many families were struggling, many just staying afloat. At such times it is the children who suffer the most.
Juvenile crime rates increase, school dropout rates increase, teen pregnancies increase and in general the expectancies of the future take a rather alarming downturn. This is why we Optimists need to be in the forefront. We have to care, we have to provide hope, we have to demonstrate through our actions that the future is what we make it and that it is a bright one indeed.
Each and every one of you is the heart and soul of this organization each and every one of you is a guiding light. Each and every one of you is a membership recruiter and a new club builder. You see for us to be successful we must grow, we must go where we have not been before, we must help more kids. In the end that’s what it’s all about …helping kids …helping them now and in the future.
So …“let it be resolved”, that this year we will as individuals, as clubs, as friends, as a part of the whole do our best to further the Optimistic spirit by increasing our influence in this great district. New members, new clubs are necessary if we are to survive.
This “new year”, we will and must “Rise Above The Ordinary”, and truly make this a “Happy New Year” for all.
Governor Doug
Reflections By Governor Doug
December 4, 2008
We are all on a journey, the journey of life. It began when we were born and will end sometime in the future when the next Great Journey begins. We have all been given a very special gift –LIFE. It is ours to do with what we will. We set goals, have wants and wishes and follow a path of expectations and dreams. We sometimes succeed, sometimes we fail, but through it all we persevere and continue down the path towards our dreams and the future.
Each year around Thanksgiving , we look back on what we have accomplished and give thanks to what we have and to those who have helped us along the way. We count our blessings and move on to the season of Christmas. It is a time of merriment, happiness and family. We gather family and friends and celebrate the year and remember about what is good about life, and in the end why we celebrate Christmas. For it is a celebration of life itself.
But for many in our Communities today’s world isn’t an easy place to grow up in and life takes on a whole different meaning. What would you do if you had to worry about where your next meal was coming from, or if the streets were safe to walk? What would you do if you only infrequently saw a parent or had no family at all? These children are out there’ throughout our communities. If we are to have an impact on their lives we have to make the effort to reach out and help. They too would love to have goals, hopes and dreams rather than just trying to survive in this ever changing world. All it takes is a little effort, a little caring. A caring Optimist can have a great impact on a childs future, a bond can be made with a vulnerable child that will last a lifetime. We can give them hope.
So this year at Christmas remember the children. Remember why you became an Optimist in the first place. Remember that a new Optimist helps us on average touch the lives of 31 more of the youth of our communities and thing about a new club, a whole community whose lives will be touched.
And perhaps to sum it up the words from a little disadvantaged boy who was helped by a once grumpy old man. “God Bless You All Each And Everyone.”
May everyone have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR
Governor Doug
A few notes from Governor Doug
October 7, 2008
First of all I would like to thank Past Governor Norm for a job well done. Through personal trials he led this district onto greater achievements. The district as well as past Governor Norm stand above all others in our region and were one of only ten in all of Optimist International to achieve its goals. Congratulations Norm on becoming a Distinguished-Outstanding Governor.
As Optimists we wake up daily to a world of ever changing complexity, the pressures on the family structure are extreme and sometimes overwhelming. The social structure is changing, parents spending more time dealing with the economics of the family, leaving the children to fend for themselves. The pressures on these children are enormous --- drugs, alcohol, violence and crime, sexual awakening, chat room victims and even the push to do well in school are affecting all our children. Our children are crying out for help and now more than ever the need for optimism is paramount.
Now is the time to act. Now is the time to remember why we became Optimists in the first place. To help the kids. It is up to each and everyone of us to renew our commitment and to remember our purpose. To show a quality and strength of character to pursue our goals. Our role is clearly defined. We must show a unity of strength, to work hand in hand with our fellow Optimists to grow the clubs and members of our great district. By doing so we will be able to influence the lives of so many more of the youth. The time to get going is now and we can all “Rise above the Ordinary”, and bring this district and its kids to even greater achievements.
They may not remember what you said.
They may not remember what you did.
They will always remember how you made them feel
Douglas G. Kirby
Governor
AMS&NW District