I have been working with our wonderful Oratorical Chair throughout this competition time of year. I know that so many of us feel that this time of the year is when we get to feel our service as Optimists makes a real difference. With the District Oratorical Contest, each year our Optimists gather to watch some of our area’s most outstanding youth display their courage, brilliance and skill for performing the spoken word. 

We are happy to report after some test runs that we’re confident we can bring this annual classic to our members near and far through Facebook Live! 

Just because a world pandemic has placed us in isolation doesn’t mean we can’t host and hold the same wonderful things we always have. We just need to come at it from a different direction. 

It is times like these that we need to be creative and we need to be louder and prouder than ever as the world needs Optimists  But Optimists need to hear from Optimists too. Let’s support each other as it feels so good. Just like the Eastern Ontario Optimists who held their 3rd Quarter Conference yesterday via Zoom. They did it so well, that at times I was brought to tears by the wonder of it all. We too can support our members and bring them the wonders of SWONT.  

So please pass onto our members that on May 30th at 2:00pm they can tune into our SWONT Optimist Clubs - Optimist International group on Facebook and watch the 9 speakers we have competing for the 3 scholarships. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SWONT.Optimists/?ref=share

Special thank you to Chairperson Carrol for taking this wonderful technological step to bring smiles to other Optimists. 

Yours in Optimism,

Tracy Huxley
2019-2020 Int’l Chief of Staff
2018-2019 Int’l Leadership Development Chair
2016-2017 SWONT District Governor

“By providing hope and positive vision Optimists 
bring out the best in youth, their communities 
and them selves”

Ken Neil our SWONT district treasurer/secretary is seeking support from our membership so that the Conductive Ed Trust Fund can receive a donation.
Please take a few moments to place your vote by clicking on the 'vote now' link below.
Thanks
Karen Puzara
President
Ausable Port Franks Optimist Club

Conductive Education Trust Fund 
What the Organization Does: 
Our organization runs a program each summer that helps kids with Cerebral Palsy get up and moving. With this program, kids get help moving and building and toning muscles that are rigid and uncontrollable. Through long days of repetitious exercise in our 4 week program kids will be able to take a few steps, they may be able to feed themselves and go to the washroom  if they couldn’t before.  It helps greatly with their motor skills. Parents are so grateful for all the help this program gives to their children.
What will the Money be Used for?: 
All the money we raise goes to paying instructors that we hire from Hungary from the Peto Institute.  This is the only place where this program is provided.  It also provides equipment for the children to work with.  It is run in 4 centers, Sarnia , Chatham, St Thomas and Windsor which are rented.  This is the 15th year we are running this program .  Conductive Education is solely run and funded by club donations and fund raising by the SWONT District Optimists and the trustees of Conductive Ed Program.
Vote Now

Our Free to Create Youth Art Exhibition and Sale has been moved from early May so that we can still be a part of the Grand Bend Arts Eats & Beats tour which has been rescheduled for late September. Kids stuck at home - a great time to free your creativity and produce a piece for the show! See our website for more ​https://freetocreateyouth.weebly.com/

Yes, some things have had to be cancelled, others temporarily suspended or rescheduled to a later date and we must maintain physical distance - but lots of things remain the same: optimism, fellowship, connection, love, friendship and family! Read our monthly newsletter for inspiring words from President Karen Puzara and get the latest updates.

This month's general meeting was of the ever-popular potluck variety! A great evening of fellowship and our President Karen Puzara took the time to share some of the inspiring stories of optimism sent to her in response to her challenge. Affirmation that optimism is a wonderful thing, and Optimists are a powerful force for good in their community! We were also thrilled to have Past President Walt Michielsens share  the many awards and recognitions conferred on our club at the Second Quarter Conference last month. 

Click on the pictures in the gallery below to see the full image and caption:

Thank you to Linda Attard who, as always, has prepared a newsletter to keep us informed. Please take the time to read it. . .

Second Quarter Conference and Training – February 21st and 22nd, 2020 – Sarnia/Point Edward
​Great success and recognition for our "distinguished" club and our own Past President Walt Michielsens - distinguished lieutenant governor Southwestern Ontario.

​(Click on pictures to enlarge):