"Child Care and Protection" is synonymous with the work of Optimists, which is “Bringing out the best in Children".
This was the topic of the presentation made by the Guest Speaker at our first quarter Zone meeting held on Sunday October 28, 2007. The Guest Speaker was Inspector Grace Gordon from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA).
In August of this year, during the last quarter convention of the last Optimist Year, I visited a fast food location in Ocho Rios and had what I think was a distressing experience. During my meal, my attention was drawn to an adult male and a young male child. Their interaction, or rather the interaction of the adult with the child came across to me as odd, unfamiliar and unnatural. The interaction seemed sexual in nature. I began to engage my dining companions in a conversation about whether or not they felt the same; all agreed. We were all outraged, distressed and felt helpless (not wanting to wrongfully accuse someone of a crime). The conversation was then steered to what should one do in such an instance? What can one legally do? What is one legally and morally expected to do? No one present had an answer, which made us even more distressed and helpless.
It was with this in mind that I solicited assistance from a fellow Lieutenant Governor in obtaining a member of the centre to address Zone 3 on this issue. During my research I also became aware of the new Child Care and Protection Act, which was passed in 2004.
"This new law applies to parents, teachers, day-care centre workers, doctors, nurses, guidance counselors and other persons who work with children. In fact, EVERY ADULT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY under this new law". (Source: www.cda.gov)
In the Act:
-"adult" means a person who has attained the age of eighteen years";
-"child" means a person under the age of eighteen years".
According to the CDA head, Alison Anderson, while the Child Care and Protection Act identifies the family as the primary source for the care and protection of children, "it also embraces a very important community approach to raising children and protecting them." (Source: Jamaica Information Service (2007). Videos Launched to Increase Awareness of Child Care Act [Electronic version]. Retrieved July 5, 2007).
As Optimists our mission statement is "by providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids". As Optimists we are a part of this community approach.
As a Country (as the Caribbean District) we need to get back to the time when it took a “village”, everyone shared the responsibility of raising our children. I remember during my formative years I could walk freely up to an adult to complain that I was being bothered by someone and that adult would respond, immediately. Where is that level of involvement? We need to get it back.
Inspector Gordon informed the meeting of the obligations of an adult under this Act, which states:
"Every adult has one main duty under the Act: To make a report if they know or suspect that a child is being abused or is in need of care and protection. This duty to report applies:
*Whether you are certain or only suspicious
*Whether the abuse has happened, is happening or is likely to happen"
Abuse encountered at the Centre ranges from physical, sexual, emotional and neglect. The National Children Registry and the Office of the Children's Advocate has been established to assist in dealing with these matters. Citizens are also urged to call in anonymously.
This information was not previously known to most of the members present and they were even more surprised to learn that the penalties for falling to report is a sentence of six months in prison or a fine of $500,000.
Inspector Gordon echoed what the members already knew; that this scourge on the society is not a downtown occurrence, but something that affects all socio-economic class within the Island.
As Optimists it is our duty to "Care and Protect". The Inspector, in her presentation, urged us to be vigilant and for the parents and guardians among us to talk more with our children; it is only by engaging the children will we know what is happening in their lives.
If there is a silver lining, the reports of sexual assaults on children and carnal abuse are on the decline.
However, Optimists all, we need to stand guard, stand watch over our children: continue to "Bring out the best in children"; continue our "Child Care and Protection".
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
FIRST QUARTER ZONE 3 MEETING
The Zone meeting got on the way at 1:30 pm on Sunday October 28, 2007 with 27 Optimists in attendance from Three Clubs.
The Optimist Club of Mona was the winner of J$5000 for having the most members present in proportion to rostered members.
Optimist "Gina Rey" Sylvia Straw from the Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston won the prize for being the first to arrive(she arrived before the LTG).
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Theodore Golding Begins an Optimistic Year as International President
Theodore "Theo" Golding, 2007-2008 International President, and Ronnie Dunn, 2006-2007 International President, were on hand September 27 at the Optimist International headquarters in St. Louis for the traditional passing of the gavel from one President to the next.
Theo's term officially began on October 1 at the start of the new Optimist year.
Message from Governor Granville
My Fellow Optimists of our Beloved Caribbean District:
Welcome to the Golden Year.
“And just what is this thing called Optimism? Optimism is that inherent and unquenchable faith within a man (you may also insert woman) that leaves no room for doubt about the future. True Optimism also demands an eager willingness to work hard and effectively toward the ultimate goal.”
“With Optimism a man, a community or a nation can accomplish that which seemed impossible. Without it the struggle is lost before it begins.”
The quotation is from our own, Of Dreams and Deeds, by Gordon S. “Bish” Thompson.
That is how I began the charge I delivered to the Optimists of Zone Five at their Presentation Ceremony which I attended at the kind invitation of their One Love Past Lieutenant Governor Heather Ambersley (who along with the Zone will be Distinguished by the way).
A précis of that presentation I give to you, Fellow Optimists as my first message as Governor.
With our Optimism we in the Caribbean District have accomplished much to be proud of. We have done outstanding work to help the young people of our communities, which of course is the chief reason for our existence. We have been the number one District in Optimist International on more than one occasion.
But now in this 2007-2008 Optimist Year, we have attained the zenith, improbable as it might have seemed to many of us, after a mere 27 years in the fold of the 88-year-old Optimist International, we have produced the first president of the organization to come from outside of the North American continent.
It means is that we are at the commencement of the biggest moment in time for Caribbean Optimists. Over the next 12 months, for the first time, Optimism is looking to one of us to provide the leadership for the international movement.
We expect that all of the Districts that he must guide will all be working to make it a great year. But one of those districts owes him something special.
Fellow Optimists that District is us. When people see International Theodore Winston Golding they see the Caribbean District and when they see the Caribbean District, they see President Theo.
We therefore owe it ourselves and to President Theo to be the Best that we have ever been in providing service to the young people of our Region in all the other areas of our Optimism.
Our guiding light will shine from the Fifth Tenet of the Optimist Creed, “To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.”
Accordingly, the theme that we have chosen for our District this year is: The Golden Year…Journeying for the Best. It is the charge to us in the year of President Theo to give peak performance at club level, at Zone level and at District level.
In addition, our District theme complements the OI theme chosen by President Theo which is Optimists Bring Out the Best in Children.
I would like to say thanks to every Optimist from South America (Suriname) up through the Southern and Eastern Caribbean to the Northern Caribbean who has worked hard, made sacrifices and will do even more so for the sake of our children and the movement. Our appreciation for our members must constantly be manifested.
To the district officers, presidents and chairs of the Golden Year, I say special welcome. I can only promise you hard work and more hard work.
To Immediate Past Governor Sonia Anderson and her One Love Team, I say congratulations for the tremendous effort you have put in. We felt the Love - and hard work is usually rewarded.
I am encouraged and strengthened by all the support and advice that persons have already extended to me. I will need all of us to be in this together if we are to deliver and I promise you most sincerely that I will do all that is within my capabilities to produce the Best.
Fellow Optimists, I implore you to Celebrate as we keep the Love flowing into The Golden Year…Journeying for the Best, demonstrating to the world that Optimists Bring Out the Best in Children.
BEST regards,
Governor Granville
Welcome to the Golden Year.
“And just what is this thing called Optimism? Optimism is that inherent and unquenchable faith within a man (you may also insert woman) that leaves no room for doubt about the future. True Optimism also demands an eager willingness to work hard and effectively toward the ultimate goal.”
“With Optimism a man, a community or a nation can accomplish that which seemed impossible. Without it the struggle is lost before it begins.”
The quotation is from our own, Of Dreams and Deeds, by Gordon S. “Bish” Thompson.
That is how I began the charge I delivered to the Optimists of Zone Five at their Presentation Ceremony which I attended at the kind invitation of their One Love Past Lieutenant Governor Heather Ambersley (who along with the Zone will be Distinguished by the way).
A précis of that presentation I give to you, Fellow Optimists as my first message as Governor.
With our Optimism we in the Caribbean District have accomplished much to be proud of. We have done outstanding work to help the young people of our communities, which of course is the chief reason for our existence. We have been the number one District in Optimist International on more than one occasion.
But now in this 2007-2008 Optimist Year, we have attained the zenith, improbable as it might have seemed to many of us, after a mere 27 years in the fold of the 88-year-old Optimist International, we have produced the first president of the organization to come from outside of the North American continent.
It means is that we are at the commencement of the biggest moment in time for Caribbean Optimists. Over the next 12 months, for the first time, Optimism is looking to one of us to provide the leadership for the international movement.
We expect that all of the Districts that he must guide will all be working to make it a great year. But one of those districts owes him something special.
Fellow Optimists that District is us. When people see International Theodore Winston Golding they see the Caribbean District and when they see the Caribbean District, they see President Theo.
We therefore owe it ourselves and to President Theo to be the Best that we have ever been in providing service to the young people of our Region in all the other areas of our Optimism.
Our guiding light will shine from the Fifth Tenet of the Optimist Creed, “To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.”
Accordingly, the theme that we have chosen for our District this year is: The Golden Year…Journeying for the Best. It is the charge to us in the year of President Theo to give peak performance at club level, at Zone level and at District level.
In addition, our District theme complements the OI theme chosen by President Theo which is Optimists Bring Out the Best in Children.
I would like to say thanks to every Optimist from South America (Suriname) up through the Southern and Eastern Caribbean to the Northern Caribbean who has worked hard, made sacrifices and will do even more so for the sake of our children and the movement. Our appreciation for our members must constantly be manifested.
To the district officers, presidents and chairs of the Golden Year, I say special welcome. I can only promise you hard work and more hard work.
To Immediate Past Governor Sonia Anderson and her One Love Team, I say congratulations for the tremendous effort you have put in. We felt the Love - and hard work is usually rewarded.
I am encouraged and strengthened by all the support and advice that persons have already extended to me. I will need all of us to be in this together if we are to deliver and I promise you most sincerely that I will do all that is within my capabilities to produce the Best.
Fellow Optimists, I implore you to Celebrate as we keep the Love flowing into The Golden Year…Journeying for the Best, demonstrating to the world that Optimists Bring Out the Best in Children.
BEST regards,
Governor Granville
Monday, October 1, 2007
The Golden Year "Journey for the Best"
The Golden year has begun and the clubs within Zone 3, of the Caribbean District of Optimist International, are ready to "Journey for the Best".
This year is a milestone for us, the Caribbean and especially Jamaica, this as a man of our soil, Mr Theordore Golding, is the President of Optimist International, we are indeed proud of his accomplishment.
The Clubs within this Zone are:
Club # Name City
78514 SUNSET OF NASSAU, BH NASSAU
78302 KINGSTON-SUNSET, JA KINGSTON
78331 MONA, JA KINGSTON
78554 ZENITH-NEW KINGSTON, JA KINGSTON
78525 NEW KINGSTON, JA NEW KINGSTON
78519 U.W.I. HYPE (MONA), JA ST. ANDREW
The Zone will be holding its first meeting on Sunday October 28, 2007, at the Eden gardens commencing at 1:00pm
This year is a milestone for us, the Caribbean and especially Jamaica, this as a man of our soil, Mr Theordore Golding, is the President of Optimist International, we are indeed proud of his accomplishment.
The Clubs within this Zone are:
Club # Name City
78514 SUNSET OF NASSAU, BH NASSAU
78302 KINGSTON-SUNSET, JA KINGSTON
78331 MONA, JA KINGSTON
78554 ZENITH-NEW KINGSTON, JA KINGSTON
78525 NEW KINGSTON, JA NEW KINGSTON
78519 U.W.I. HYPE (MONA), JA ST. ANDREW
The Zone will be holding its first meeting on Sunday October 28, 2007, at the Eden gardens commencing at 1:00pm
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