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Friday, January 28, 2011

PNW District Optimists have new experiences at the Second Quarter Meeting

With a big push for starting new Optimist Clubs in the Seattle area, the Second Quarter District Meeting had a different format than the Pacific Northwest District has experienced in the past. Governor Ed Murphy invited a team of new club builders to visit the district to identify communities ripe for starting an Optimist Club.

Led by International President Danny Rodgers and First Lady Jill, about 20 people, including Essie Johnson, Optimist International New Community Growth Chair; Mark Weinsoff, New Community Growth Committee Member; Chris Jernigan, Board Member, Optimist International Board of Directors; Ron Graves, Southwest Region Vice President; and Krista Grueninger, Maggie Fairchild, Aaron Kaskowtz, Optimist International Staff members;  participated in the growth conference that took place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

After three days of walk 'n talk in the community, the group has focused their efforts and will work on starting Optimist Clubs in Kirkland and Renton, Washington. Weinsoff committed to see the efforts in Kirkland through to start-up. A club or individual will need to come forward to help with follow-up.

The District Meeting had some other firsts as well:

  • Steve Andersen, Internet Safety Program Chair, presented the Internet Safety Program. The public was invited to attend. 
  • Linda Jackson, Immediate Past Governor presented an Annual Report for the District, highlighting the achievements of 2009-2010 and goals for 2010-2011 emphasizing that we work together from year-to-year to help our Optimist Clubs serve our communities. 
  • Ed Murphy, Governor, played host to the community for a second time on Saturday as the public was invited to join the District for an evening of jazz entertainment and dancing featuring two excellent student groups: Seattle JazzEd and the Roosevelt Jazz Band

Of course Optimist fellowship was enjoyed by all as we heard about three exciting programs conducted by clubs in the Seattle area: Auburn Optimist Club Santa House, N. Kitsap Optimist Club Tri-Star Basketball, and Issaquah Optimist Club's Bicycle Safety Fair; and spent time making friends in the hospitality room.

In District business, it was moved and approved that all funds currently on account and any money raised by the District in the future on behalf of the Childhood Cancer Campaign would be forwarded to the Optimist International Foundation for inclusion in the Optimist International program. The PNW District Childhood Cancer Campaign account is to be dissolved immediately.


We were inspired by the words of President Rodgers, learned about Optimist International insurance policy from Director Jernigan, and Past Governor Jackson honored the special achievements of our Optimist Clubs and District leaders in 2009-2010. See more about our awesome District achievers here.

Many thanks to Herbert Tsuchiya for the pictures. 

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Vancouver Washington Optimist Club: Vancouver WA Optimist Club Youth Camp

Vancouver Washington Optimist Club: Vancouver WA Optimist Club Youth Camp: "With 43 Acres on the East Fork of the Lewis River north of Battleground WA (just North of Lewisville Park), the camp is available for all yo..."

North Kitsap Optimist Club: Celebrate Mardi Gras in Poulsbo

North Kitsap Optimist Club: Celebrate Mardi Gras in Poulsbo: "Looking for some fun in Poulsbo? Want to support youth activities in N. Kitsap? Then join the Optimist Club for a Mardi Gras celebration on ..."

Coquitlam Optimist Club: $5,000 Prize - Raffle Supports Young Curlers

Coquitlam Optimist Club: $5,000 Prize - Raffle Supports Young Curlers: "The Optimist Clubs of British Columbia in partnership with Curl BC are offering a $5,000 cash prize in a raffle to support youth curling de..."

Saturday, January 22, 2011

New Optimist Clubs coming to the Seattle area

Yes, the Pacific Northwest District has taken the Seattle area by storm, starting with a Growth Conference on Wednesday, January 19 and concluding with a youth jazz performance on Saturday evening, January 22.

Danny Rodgers, Optimist International President, led a team of volunteers from across the US and British Columbia to introduce Optimist International and Optimist Clubs to the surrounding communities. The cities of Kirkland and Renton have responded positively and Optimist Club members from the region will follow up to help establish two new Optimist Clubs in their communities.

Plan to participate in the excitement.  Helping start a new Optimist Club is a great way to ignite your optimism and remind you why you belong to your Optimist Club.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Meridian Optimists combine causes for fundraiser

The Meridian Optimist Club began marketing efforts today for the 3rd Annual Luck o' the Irish Casino Night.

This event is co-produced by the Meridian Firefighters and the Optimist Club. What began as a way to raise money for the Firefighters Pipes and Drum Corps has now blossomed into an annual fundraiser for the Meridian Food Bank and the Meridian Optimist Club Youth Training Center. It also continues to provide support for the Corps as it provides entertainment with a social conscience for the community.

According to co-chairman Rod Shaul, an Optimist, Firefighter and business owner, "We feel that being active in our community and community events are what brings people together, instills positive attitudes and promotes business."

The Luck o' the Irish Casino Night will be held on Saturday, February 26, 6:00 p.m, Redline Recreational Toys, 5353 N. Locust Grove Road, Meridian, Idaho. To find out more about the event, purchase tickets or donate an item for the raffle, please contact Rod at 208.850.9886 or Kim at 208.888.2663.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Congratulations to our Honor and Distinguished Optimist Clubs

Optimist International released the special edition Awards Hotline for 2009-2010 today and we are proud to announce the clubs that earned special recognition for their community service and administrative excellence last year.

Optimist Clubs that earned Distinguished Club recognition are:
  • Boise, ID
  • Caldwell, ID
  • Jerome, ID
  • Meridian, ID
Optimist Clubs that earned the Honor Club recognition are:

Susan Thompson

  • Albany, OR
  • Burnaby, BC
  • Chehalis-Centralia, WA
  • Hillsboro, OR
  • Lebanon, OR
  • Pasco-Tri-Cities, WA
  • Twin Falls, ID
  • Nampa, ID
  • Mason County, WA
  • Eagle, ID 

Susan Thompson was recognized as the Distinguished and Outstanding Lt. Governor for the PNW District.

Linda Jackson was recognized as Distinguished Governor for the PNW District and Outstanding Governor for the West Region.

Mark Weinsoff, representing the West Region, was recognized as the Vice President with the Highest Percentage of Membership Growth in Optimist International.

Optimist Clubs are encouraged to participate in the Honor Club program. Achieving Honor Club is like a seal of approval, or a recognition that the club is taking all the right steps to serve their community today and in the future. For the 2009-2010 administrative year, in addition to completing all reports to Optimist International and meeting all financial obligations, clubs had to add five members over and above their starting membership roster on October 1, 2009 and complete no less than three service projects in their community.

Distinguished Clubs had to meet Honor Club requirements and sponsor a new Optimist Club or add twenty-five new members over and above their beginning roster.

Congratulations to all on your achievement. You are a blessing to your communities and the children we serve.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

New Optimists are always Welcome, especially NOW

Charlie Kissler and Lorraine Coots led a great presentation at the First Quarter Meeting in Poulsbo on recruiting new members with a New Optimists Welcome Dinner. Charlie also shared the presentation that the Pasco Tri Cities Optimist Club used in March 2010 to add 12 new members to their club. Please take a look and plan a NOW activity for your Optimist Club soon.

Find the timeline and step-by-step instructions here.

This presentation was created by Charles Kissler.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Optimist International Scholarship Contest dates announced for the PNW District

Optimist International Scholarship contests are underway and the chairpersons for the Essay and Oratorical Contests have provided the dates that Optimist Clubs need to know for their club planning.

Essay Contest
Topic: "How my Education is the Key to a Successful Future"
Click here for information and entry form. 
DEADLINE: Clubs must have their contest completed and first place entry to Fred Wallace, Chair no later than February 28, 2011. Call 503.668.1145, 503.704.7388 or email cougar_17047 [at] msn.com for more information.

Oratorical Contest
Topic: "If I were leader of the Free World, the First Issue I would Address Would be..."
Click here for information and entry form.
DEADLINE: Clubs should complete the club level contest by March 19. Lt. Governor should hold the zone level contest by April 2. Regional contests must take place on or before April 16. Contact Cathy Cena, Chair at  778.329.5584 or ccena [at] shaw.ca for more information.

The District Oratorical Contest and Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) will be held on April 30 in Salem, Oregon. More information is forthcoming on the CCDHH contest.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

PNW District Optimist Clubs offer free Internet Safety Program

The public has been invited to attend the PNW  District Second Quarter Meeting to learn how to keep their kids safe with the Optimist International Internet Safety Program. District Chairman Steve Andersen will facilitate the program. Please listen to the PSA for full details.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Celebrate the new year with your Optimist friends

Governor Ed Murphy invites you to celebrate at the Second Quarter District Meeting on January 21-22 in Bellevue, WA.

Click here for the registration form. 

Click on the program to enlarge and print.

Don't forget, if you can arrive a few days early, you can also participate in a Targeted Growth Conference to start new Optimist Clubs in the Seattle area. The Growth Conference is being led by Optimist International President Danny Rodgers and New Community Growth International Committee member Mark Weinsoff. Click here to learn more. 

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