The Optimist International Global Spotlight was created to provide another means of communication between Optimist International and the Optimist Clubs outside of the United States and Canada.  The newsletter will be sent monthly. If you have suggestions for improvements, Club projects, articles for inclusion and/or other information about your Club, contact communications@optimist.org. 
Expansion Continuing in Africa
Another African nation will soon be home to the flag of Optimist International. Work is underway in Togo (just west of Ghana) to establish an Optimist Club in the capital city of Lomé. Issac Sabi first reached out to Optimist International more than a year ago, but personal commitments prevented him from moving forward with the project of building an Optimist Club in his country.
 
"We have created a WhatsApp group, OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL DE LOME," said Sabi. "We share Nick's "notes" (a reference to the weekly video remarks from Optimist International President Nick Prillaman), some motivational quotes, and some information related to Optimist International."
 
Sabi reports a core group has formed and recruitment is underway from the nearly two dozen Members of the WhatsApp group. Organization of the Optimist Club of Lomé is expected before the end of June.
New Club Forms in Nigeria

A third Optimist Club established in May in Nigeria. It is the second one that is calling the capital of Lagos home. Optimist Club Eko Ile organized on May 5 and is already generating ideas for projects in its area of influence. President Tony Balou reports the Club Members have already begun to focus on providing sponsorship for a youth sports Club in the area, create a program or a "career talk" to provide young people with options for careers, and to work on development of a debate program in the schools.   Optimist Club Eko Ile will complement the work already being done in Nigeria by the Optimist Club of Lagos and the Igbaja Optimist Club in the northern part of the country.
Optimist Leaders Meet to Exchange Ideas

Two Members from Optimists Clubs in two countries came together last month for a visit, to learn from each other, and to take ideas back to their respective Clubs. Tema District Optimist Club President Kofi Dogbe hosted Tiekoura Traore from the Optimist Club of Bamako, Mali. Traore attended a Tema District Club meeting where officer elections were held. Traore is one of the founding Members of the Optimist Club in Mali.
Spotlight on the Caribbean

This month's spotlight shines on several Clubs in the Caribbean District for an event conducted for Labour Day on May 23. It is a day set aside for people to volunteer their time and energy for beautification efforts on the island. Optimists in Jamaica went out in their communities to complete projects such as cleaning schools and partnering with businesses in the area. Seven Clubs participated in the project: Sunset Annotto, UWI Optimists, Sunset Optimist of Liguanea, Optimist Club of Manor Park, Optimist Club of Kingston, Barbican Pines, North St. Andrew and North St. Catherine.