Results from the Optimist Junior Golf Championships Qualifier in BC

The PNW District has both a US and Canada qualifying tournament for the Optimist Junior Golf Championships. The Canada qualifier was held May 23-24 at the Swan-e-Set Bay Resort Club.

The event was a combination tournament for the Canadian Junior Golf Association and the Optimist International Junior Golf program. Qualifiers were determined to advance to both The Optimist at the PGA National Resort and Spa and the Junior World of Golf Championships at Torrey Pines.

Taking first place honors for The Optimist qualifier were Curtis Chan, Boys 14 and under, Jared Hundza, Boys, 15-19 and Jae Hee Choi, Girls division. See the complete results of the tournament here.

The US qualifier for the PNW District will be held on June 22 in Hillsboro, OR.

Gresham Optimist Club sponsors PNW District Oratorical winner

The Pacific Northwest District of Optimist International held their third quarter meeting in Hood River Oregon, May 15-16, 2009. Six fabulous contestants competed for college scholarships in the Optimist Oratorical Contest. Each had advanced from their club, zone and regional competitions. All spoke on the same topic, "To me, Optimism is..." Our top contestant and the recipient of a $1,500 scholarship was Ryan Niezgoda.

Congratulations Ryan!

Coos Bay Optimists donate bicycle helmets

The Bay Area Optimist Club of Coos Bay, Oregon has donated 350 bicycle helmets to the Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston Fire Departments. The Fire Departments keep them on hand and distribute to children as they need them.

According to Optimist board member Jill Hanson, the idea to donate helmets came from a visit she took to a fire station in Douglas County a few years ago. She saw a youngster come in and ask for a helmet. The fireman helped the child pick out the size and color that he wanted.

An idea was born! As an Optimist Club member, she saw that an opportunity existed to start a great program within the community. She spoke to Fire Department Chief Gibson who said they didn't have such a program so she explained to him, I belong to the Optimist Club , we're for youth, [let's do] it together."

The club has donated 1,250 helmets over six years. Free helmets are available at the Coos Bay Fire Department every day between 9 am and 7 pm.

Jerome and Twin Falls Optimist Clubs share their busy calendars

The Optimist Clubs in South Central Idaho are busy folks! You know who you are - those crazy Jerome and Twin Falls volunteers. This weekend they are spreading themselves a little bit thin. According to Angie Bridge, email updater extraordinaire for Jerome, this weekend they will be:

• Hosting the Special Needs Fishing Derby on Friday, May 15 at Martin Farms
• Participating in the Relay for Life "There's No Place Like Hope" event at Twin Falls County Fair Grounds in Filer on Friday and Saturday (it runs through the night)
• Sending representatives to the PNW District Meeting in Hood River, OR on May 15-16
• Getting ready for the Jerome HS Senior Lock-in
• Electing club officers
• Sharing optimism and enthusiasm with every person they meet

And how do they do all of this? With a smile, of course! Thank you so much for all you do in your communities!

New Optimist Club officers have extra time to register for the Intl. Convention

This just in from the Optimist International Executive Office in St. Louis, MO... Presidents-elect and lt. governors-elect will have until June 5 to register for the international convention. They will need to use this link:
http://www.optimist.org/default.cfm?pageURL=//reg/ConvReg_Member.cfm&page=member

The issues that will be debated at the business sessions are now available at:
http://www.optimist.org/Documents/Hotline-May09.pdf

Find out more about the candidates running for international offices and discuss the proposed amendments with your club. As Optimist Club members, we determine the direction of our organization. It's our responsibility to read up and act on the issues.

Time for Optimist Club officer elections

Has your Optimist Club nominating committee recommended a slate of officers for the 2009-2010 administrative year? Has the club asked for nominations from the floor? Has the voting been concluded?

Following Optimist International protocol, all club elections should be completed and reported to the District and International offices by May 20. Your club can make the report online at the PNW District website or by mail, fax or email with the Optimist International officer elect form.

Early elections allow the incoming officers to receive training and orientation at the International and District Conventions. It also helps provide a smooth transition from one year to the next. Make sure your future leaders are part of the team. Recognize them early and get them involved.

Optimist International Convention only two months away

Have you made your plans to attend the Optimist International Convention? It is being held in Orlando this year - a real family vacation destination - on July 8-11.

Highlights include orientation and training sessions for all incoming officers for clubs and districts, personal development workshops, and terrific Optimist fellowship for all to enjoy at all functions.

Of course the overarching purpose of our gathering is to participate in the governance of the organization. Every club should consider sending their club president and president-elect so they may represent your club at the business sessions and participate in all voting that will take place.

One issue that has been proposed is to increase Optimist International due by $10 per member. Other issues will be announced soon and may be found at www.optimist.org or www.optimistleaders.org.

Talk about it at your next club meeting and make your plans to attend. Early bird registration has been extended to May 11.

La Grande Optimists host fishing derby

It's a whopper! This young man caught the big fish - a catfish no less - at the 2009 Morgan Lake Fishing Derby on April 25. The fishing derby is coordinated by the Optimist Club of La Grande, Oregon and sponsored by Bi-Mart.

One hundred and eighteen young anglers participated and awards were given to the top three fishermen in categories 6 and younger, 7 to 10 and 11-16 age groups for the heaviest fish.

According to Optimist fishing derby officials, all other fish caught were trout that had been stocked in the lake a few days earlier. The catfish was 1 lb 8 oz. and the top trout was 1 lb 6 oz.

Optimist International website gets a makeover

Optimist International got a makeover today. Embracing the purple and gold colors and placing our Octagon right on top of the page, you can feel both the history and the vision of our respected and loved organization.

Take a look: http://www.optimist.org/. If you haven't scanned our official "home base" in a while, please take some time to tour the website while you are there and refresh yourself about the great programs and projects that Optimist International promotes on behalf of your Optimist Club.