A haunting good time

The Twin Falls and Jerome Optimist Clubs are without a doubt some of our favorite ghouls.  Every year at Halloween they set up the premier haunted house experience for the community with all funds going to benefit the popular Optimist Coat for Kids Program.  Take a look at the scary stuff happening at the old Kruzer's Bar in Twin Falls this weekend. 

Abbotsford Optimist Club nominated for Business Excellence Award

The Optimist Club of Abbotsford, British Columbia has been nominated to receive a Business Excellence Award by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce in the "Social Responsibility" category.  What an honor!  And it comes right at the time of the 25th Anniversary of their club. 

The nomination came from a chamber of commerce member who is still anonymous at this time.  In order to accept the nomination, the Abbotsford Optimist Club had to prepare a 250-word narrative with pictures for consideration.  It was a challenge for them to summarize 25 years into 250 words, but you can click here to see that they did an excellent job with the essay.

The next step in the process was a personal interview in front of a panel of judges.  And now, they know that they have been chosen as a finalist, but they must wait until November 18 to see if they come in first place.

Current president Gerry Morrison and Charter president David Morrison will be representing the Abbotsford Optimist Club at the Awards Banquet.  I can't wait to hear the results, but according to Presidents Morrison, it is an honor to be nominated and win or lose, they are spreading the mission and purpose of the Optimist Club in their community. 

That is certainly true. Thank you for that and good luck!

Photo and essay provided by Gerry Morrison, President, Abbotsford Optimist Club.

Burgerville donates to Gresham Optimist Club

Once a month, the  Optimist Club of Gresham, OR celebrates a night out. They meet in the evening allowing members who may not be able to attend at the regular time an opportunity to share in club fellowship and catch up on the programs.  It is also a social opportunity involving spouses and guests. 

This month the Gresham Optimists will meet on October 29, 6:30 pm at Burgerville, 2975 NE Hogan, Gresham.  In addition to being the evening meeting location,  Burgerville will donate 10 percent of all sales plus 25 cents for every pumpkin or caramel apple smoothie that is purchased between 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm to the Gresham Optimist Club.

Come on out for a fun and rewarding Optimist good time.

Boise Noon Optimist Club football program recognized in USA Football News

Jerron Moore will be stepping down as the executive director of the Boise Noon Optimist Club Football Program this year.  Along with other Optimist Club members and friends, he has been a major motivation and inspiration for expanding the program and developing the the Youth Sports Complex that serves Boise and Ada County. Read more about Jerron in a great article in the USA Football news. 

Check out the first quarter agenda

Have you made your reservations for the District Meeting in Coquitlam?  We have a dynamic first session planned for you.  Check out the First Quarter Meeting Program now.  And then cruise on over to the registration page and make your reservation today. 

Optimist Clubs come together four times a year for District Meetings to share ideas and resources, receive training specific to Optimist Club administration and share fellowship.  Optimist Club presidents are members of the District Board of Directors and help guide the activities and mission of the district.

This year we plan to provide on-the-ground assistance to clubs to help you build your membership and generate awareness for all that you do. We hope to hear from you about how we can help you at home in your local community.     Please click to enlarge. 

Beaverton Optimist Club members help build a playground

On Saturday, October 11, the Optimist Club of Beaverton, Oregon participated in a playground project with the Tualitin Parks and Recreation Department.  One afternoon, one playground.  Enjoy the photos from Alan Zehntbauer, Lt. Governor, Zone 4, PNW District - Optimist International and Beaverton Optimist Club member. 

PNW District Governor makes a quick trip to Coos Bay, Oregon

On Wednesday,  I set out to make my first official visit as the governor of the Pacific Northwest District, a journey that took me more than10 hours away from home.  The twist to the story is I had to be back in the Boise area by Saturday morning in order to fulfill my "real" work commitments.  It was a whirlwind tour, but it was fun!  Sue Thompson, Lt. Governor, Zone 7 joined me on the trip.  She was the official photographer and I will follow up with pictures when I receive them from her. 

Our first stop was in the Portland area where we visited the Gresham Optimist Club led by President Don Weston.  It was a busy morning for the Gresham group as they had two guest speakers and me!  I very quickly said hello, presented Zone 5 Lt. Governor Bertie Slauson with her official lt. governor pin and then sat down to enjoy the program. Student of the month Nche Omyima explained that her success as a student was largely inspired by her parents encouragement to do her best.  She was followed by another well-spoken young woman Kayla McGannon, Advocacy Director for Stand for Children who discussed solutions for keeping children in school. 

We left Gresham enroute to our primary destination of the Bay Area Optimist Club of Coos Bay to attend a NOW activity.  It was so hard to drive by the Optimist Clubs of Albany, Lebanon and Salem, but I was too afraid that I would be late for my commitment in Coos Bay at 5:00 pm. It turned out that we made a wise choice as we we arrived just in time to prepare the presentation and create some enthusiasm with the Coos Bay Optimists.  We hope our efforts will garner 3 or 4 new members. 

The next morning we were on to the Optimist Club of Roseburg where they graciously allowed me to speak to my heart's content.  It was so much fun meeting with them.  Led by President Kelly Jantzen, they were by far the youngest group of Optimist Club members that we had the honor to meet on this trip and truly represent the upcoming leadership of our district.  I hope to see them and all of my new Optimist friends at all of our district meetings. 

How did our trip end?  Right at 60 hours later we were home after a whirlwind of Optimism. I promise to spend more time on my next visits and I am looking forward to meeting more Optimist Club members very soon.  Until then it is up to you to Inspire Optimism in your community and in your club.  ~ Linda Jackson, Governor, PNW District - Optimist International

Optimist Clubs are my favorite thing!

Hello world! Does it look different to you today? Did you wake up grateful and full of positive energy?

In the Pacific Northwest, our seasons have changed.  Yesterday there was a touch of snow, 9 inches, in Eastern Idaho and there were tsunami warnings along the Oregon Coast.  It was even the day where we went from air conditioning in the morning to the furnace at night.  Today, the sun is shining brightly heralding a beautiful fall day.  We know the seasons are marching on.  Our lives are moving forward.  Our passions are glowing brighter.

Over the past couple of weeks and for a few days more, we've had the pleasure share our love of Optimist Clubs as we welcomed new officers to their respective leadership positions within our Optimist Clubs.  Today, we share that same spirit with the new officers and  district chairpersons of the PNW District .  We offer our assistance to you and your club as you lead your community to do great things. We offer you encouragement as you inspire children to reach for their full potential.  And most of all, we wish you joy as we move forward into a new year of positive actions and deeds with our Optimist Clubs. 

Thank you for giving of yourself in service through your Optimist Club.  As you go forward in the new Optimist year, inspire others with your enthusiasm; make your Optimist Club your favorite thing.