Many who are reading these lines have gone before me and demonstrated what quality leadership is like. Similarly many have walked beside me lovingly and helpfully during my preparation year. For these stalwarts (often one and the same), I offer my heartiest appreciation. The successes that we will enjoy at points along the way and as the year draws to a close will be attributed largely to the examples before me, coupled with the dedication of the cadre of leaders and followers during this year.

My gratitude extends further to the support teams across the District, my two Assistant Governors, Essie Johnson and Bill Layman, those who have accepted additional leadership roles, and others who are committed to using their unique skills to promote Optimism in the District.

My focus this year will be the combination of the hand and the heart working in concert to achieve the five goals set forth by International President Don Sievers. These goals are incorporated in the words of the 2008-2009 international theme: “Give Me 5 for the Kids.” The “5” in the theme references Growth, Management, Communication, Leadership, and Participation. As the year progresses, these goals will be very visible at the various levels in the District.

If I were to select a song that expresses what I perceive to be the overarching sentiment of those involved in these efforts, it would be the familiar “I Need You to Survive.” The lyrics of the song express not only personal sentiments regarding my colleagues in the Tennessee District as I step into my position as Governor but also spoken or unspoken feelings prevailing at every level, all the way up to the population that the organization is designed to serve – the children. They are crying out to us in so many ways: “I need you. I need you to survive!” It is not necessary to cite statistics that validate this need.

There is no time in recorded history when optimism has been in greater demand. As Optimists, we have a charge to keep; so I charge you, as your Governor, to join hands and hearts to answer this charge and receive the blessings while being a blessing.

Finally, I would like to stress the importance of full participation in conferences and training sessions. While optimism remains the same, the contents and processes of our international organization change. Each year the thematic thrust differs according to needs and according to the increased knowledge of our needs. In a few weeks we will meet the Tennessee District for the first time in the 2008-2009 year. We will have as our guest Vice President Ron Lackey from the North Carolina West District. He will come to give us the motivation to get the year off to a good start. The Leadership Development Committee has made plans for leadership training. This training is mandatory if we are to meet the needs of the NOW generation.

Again, thank you for the role you will play as we work with the ends in mind: Growth, Management, Communication, Leadership, and Participation for a glorious year.

Wilma