PNW District Optimist Clubs: A quick review of the PNW Optimist District Fall Board Meeting

Monday, November 26, 2018

A quick review of the PNW Optimist District Fall Board Meeting

The First Quarter District Meeting for the Pacific Northwest District - Optimist International was held November 16-18, 2018. Renamed the Fall Board Meeting, there were fewer attendees than the meeting has seen in the past, but we believe that was due to the scheduling change that moved the meeting too close to the Thanksgiving (US) holiday.

Six first-timers were there, as was Optimist International Certified International Trainer Tracy Huxley. Together they helped bridge any perceived generation gap as Tracy reminded those assembled, "We and Them IS Us."

During a special convention session, authorized by International President Rebecca Butler Mona, several important decisions were made for the Optimist Clubs in the Pacific Northwest District.

First was an increase in dues. Beginning January 1, 2019, regular members in Optimist Clubs in the PNW District will pay $20 annually to the District coffers. College members will pay $5 annually. Any members added with an Optimist International incentive such as Homecoming, $30 Under 30, or the Recruit a Teacher Incentive are exempt from District dues.

The second decision was the adoption of an entirely new set of PNW District Policies. The policies are different than we have seen before, and according to Governor Ben DeRemer, bring the District in closer alignment with the policies and bylaws of Optimist International.

Governor Ben appeared confident and prepared with the changes he has proposed and will now enact for the PNW District. One of the changes that might cause confusion is the creation of 6 separate Assistant Governor positions. Each Assistant Governor will chair a standing committee and oversee a number of subcommittees that we would typically believe to stand alone. Please click the link below to review the standing committees on page 2 of the November newsletter.

We hope that you will save the date for the Spring Board Meeting. It will be held April 12-14, 2019 at the Holiday Inn Suites, Bellingham, WA. This meeting will feature the District Finals for the Optimist International Oratorical Contest and Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH). A Certified International Trainer has been requested to lead the Catch-A-Rising Star program, among other things, and of course, the District Board Meeting will be held as well.

Regional meetings will be held in March to facilitate the second level of competition in the Scholarship Contests on the following dates and locations: