October 5, 2010

We need deadlines

When I happened upon the Leo Buscaglia quote that I chose today, I was taken back to high school, where a teacher first introduced me to the wisdom and faith of Buscaglia's thoughts. Isn't that often the case? One thought, one fragrance, one wisp of a memory comes from an outside source.

That same instructor also introduced me to the Optimist International Oratorical Contest. He saw that I liked to write, and that I didn't mind speaking in front of an audience.  He encouraged me to participate. I didn't - but I don't remember why not. If I were to imagine a reason, it would most likely be that I was too busy, and that is most likely the case for children today.

Some Optimist Clubs struggle to get three people into their competitions.  Other clubs have 800 participants. Some children are overwhelmed with sports, projects and homework today and to add one more extracurricular activity often seems overwhelming.  So as Optimist Club members we must make it both easier and more urgent for children to participate.

My thought? Change the timing. Make the oratorical contest a 2-month event that begins on March 1 and ends on April 30.

Optimist Clubs often pin their success on whether they are able to get their contest into the school curriculum. They give the information to teachers in August or September for a contest that will not be completed at the district level until May. Nine months preparation for a 5-minute speech? I don't think so. You've lost my interest already.

We get more done when we have deadlines. Any time we can take away the opportunity to procrastinate and increase the opportunity for immediate gratification, we win.

Categories

alabama alberta anguilla arizona arkansas arts B.W.I. barbados british columbia california canada day cayman islands ccdhh celebrations change charitable Christmas Trees childhood cancer campaign childhood literacy childhood wellness campaign children citizenship college colorado communication community building community development community service do the right thing donation doodle 4 google drug abuse easter education enchantment engagement essay contest experience optimism Facebook faith fellowship festival fishing fitness florida food drive football friend of youth friendship fundraiser fundraising generation gap georgia good government grand cayman gratitude Halloween happiness hawaii health and welfare healthy club checklist holiday hope idaho illinois indiana inspiration internet safety iowa iron eyes jamaica jay leno join an optimist club jooi joy junior golf kansas keep america beautiful kentucky leadership louisiana maine manitoba marketing maryland membership mentor michigan minnesota mississippi missouri Montana motivation music sunday n carolina n dakota nebraska new jersey new mexico new optimist club new york ohio oklahoma ontario opportunity optimism optimist club optimist clubs optimist creed optimist international optimist international convention optimist international foundation optimistic story of the day oratorical contest oregon outreach partnerships patriotism pennsylvania playground pnw district promotion public relations quebec quotes recognition recycling respect respect for law s carolina scholarship school supplies schools service clubs share optimism social media south carolina South Dakota st. maarten stories success talent show teachers Ted tennessee testimonials texas traditions twitter virginia volunteers w. virginina washington website wisconsin young adult youth appreciation youth safety youth sports