Optimists go green

Optimist Clubs around the world are encouraged to celebrate the first annual Optimist Earth Day on June 7, 2008, in connection with World Environmental Awareness Week. What better way is there to show our support for our youth than taking care of the world around them?

Please consider holding an environmental club project on June 7 and reporting your activities to the PNW District and Optimist International.

While your project might be as simple as planting a tree, here in the Pacific Northwest, there are also great opportunities to partner with the US Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management for restoration projects that restore natural habitat on fire-ravaged lands.

"Green" projects can also be held indoors. Does your workplace have a recycling program in place? Do you encourage email or intranet over paper for office communications? Or how do you commute to work daily? Why not try an office carpool or take public transportation to work for the week and see if it can become a regular practice.

Being environmentally conscious is a choice. Please choose to make Optimist Earth Day an annual event for your club and help promote awareness all year long.

Old news is Good News

Immediate past governor Gay Enyeart was successful in inspiring others in the PNW District of Optimist International to achieve great things in their own communities. For her leadership, the District was recognized as Distinguished for the 2006-2007 administrative year and Gay earned the title of Distinguished Governor. According to Gay, it is a humbling experience.

We are often reluctant to beat our own drum. That is why so much of what Optimist Clubs do falls off of the radar screen. However, the achievements of our members allow us to tell the Optimist Story in a different way, through additional outlets. Gay's local and regional newspapers both chose to run a story that explained how one person can make a difference through their affiliation with an Optimist Club. Read the article from the Hillsboro Argus here.

The next time your club president or another member of your club earns an award for being an Optimist or puts forth extra effort for an Optimist project, try making him or her the story. It takes caring adults to conduct and promote Optimist Club activities. Such a story will not only show your appreciation, but will also quietly remind others that it takes volunteers - real people, just like them - to coordinate the projects that make a difference in the lives of others.

Future champions are future Optimists

It's an AARP commercial championing children and grown-ups. How I wish it said Optimists...let us show you how.

Dates announced for Optimist Oratorical Regional Competion

John Bareis, Oratorical Chairman, PNW District, has announced the dates and locations for the Optimist Oratorical Regional contests. The regional competition is the final qualifying round for your speakers to advance to the District Finals in Newport, Oregon on April 26. Listed by date:

April 12

• Region B - includes Zones 10, 11, 12 - Contest at 1:00 pm, Meridian City Hall, 33 E. Idaho, Meridian, Idaho. Contact: Bill Garcia.
• Region D - includes Zones 5, 8 - Contest at 1:00 pm, Shutes Park Library, 8th & Maple St., Hillsboro, Oregon. Contact: John Bareis.

April 19

• Region A - includes Zones 1, 13 - Contest at 1:00 pm, ABC Restaurant, 6500 Hastings St., Burnaby BC. Contact: Ken Ryan.
• Region C - includes Zones 2, 3, 4, 6 - Contest at 10:00 am, Gresham Library, 385 NW Miller Road, Gresham, Oregon. Contact: Ed Beaver.

The Optimist Oratorical Scholarship Contest allows students to express their opinions on a single topic. This year's theme is "Why me? Why Not?" To compete at this level, participants have won their club and zone contests. Join us at contest near you and learn more about what is on the minds of youths today.