Welcome to South Carolina’s Home for OPTIMISM!

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True story: Several years ago, I was sharing the Optimist Creed with a group of colleagues in a staff meeting, and one team member reacted in shock, “You mean there’s a club for people like you??” YES, and thank goodness!!  There’s a whole international organization, regional and district affiliations, and active clubs that exist for the purpose of making the world a better place – and they are all the place where I found my home!

 

As I begin the 2026-2027 year as your Governor, it is my hope that each of you find your home in the South Carolina Optimist District.  We have clubs in a variety of areas around our beautiful state, and members who hail from places both near and far. Our years as Optimists range from the brand new to 40 or more! Our backgrounds and experiences are equally vast. And yet, in the words of the great Maya Angelou, “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” We are like-minded folks, with hearts for serving others and making our Optimism come true.  I am honored and humbled to lead such a remarkable group!

 

Throughout this year, I also hope that we can connect with each other and build relationships that will impact us now and in the future.  The SCOD leadership team exists to serve all of our clubs and members.  Of course, we are here to provide information and to be a conduit for Optimist International.  But for me, our purpose as a District and my goal as Governor is to be that place that is like home…where members feel accepted, leaders feel supported, and everyone can do what needs to be done to bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves.  #whatyoudomatters

 

If you’re curious about the rest of the year, keep looking through our website and visit our Facebook page.  We’ll update both with important dates, deadlines, events, and information that will help us stay connected with members, clubs, and OI.  You’ll also see more about what it means to be an Optimist, and if you are a guest to these pages, something that piques your interest or touches your heart.  Our conference and convention dates have been set, and the First Quarter Conference will be here before we know it! Tickets are on sale now!  Please see the Conference and Convention page on our website (or click the link below) to get yours by October 22.  I can’t wait to see you all in Manning on Saturday, October 24!

https://www.scoptimist.org/event-details/2026-27-1st-quarter-conference

Please reach out to me anytime with your questions, concerns, and invites!  It will be my pleasure to travel and visit with your club, participate in a project, or attend an event.  Let’s make this a fabulous and fun year! #BeAnOptimist  #jointhemovement

Yours in Optimism,

Lisa

704-773-9948

lisa.justice70@gmail.com