Opportunities for Involvement

There was a full house at the PNW District Second Quarter Meeting in Portland.  This great picture from DFR Steve Andersen represents about two-thirds of our Optimist Club members present. To the right of the post was a another full group of friends and Optimist volunteers.

The theme of the day was  Opportunities for Involvement. Governor Linda Jackson facilitated the program and presided over the District Board Meeting.  Some highlights included:

• A presentation on club foundations from Vancouver, WA Optimist Club member Lisa Joerin
• Leadership Opportunities were presented by the LD team training duo Gay Enyeart, Vancouver, WA and Jean Jensen, Gresham, OR
• Seventeen first-timers found out about Optimist Club and District Fellowship from Angie Bridge, Jerome, ID and Wayne Bohrn, Twin Falls, ID
• David Morrison and Gerry Morrison and the Optimist Club of Abbotsford, BC were presented a 25-year Anniversary certificate from International President Mark Shriver IV 
• Membership Chairs Lorraine Coots, Mason County, WA and Adele Heinrich, N. Kitsap, WA, led a  forum on membership development with an emphasis on attitude, participation and the importance of relationships
• Mike Gray, Nampa, ID received a fifty member pin
• Gretchen Brown and Mike Harris of the new Eagle, ID Optimist Club were presented certificates as charter co-presidents 
• Rocky Jackson, Jerome, ID and Ron Petersen, Meridian, ID were presented Builder of Excellence Awards
• An Optimist Club story from each zone was shared to provide ideas and inspiration for every member to take home
• Our District Chairpersons told what was happening in their committees and gave us of important dates to remember
• Immediate Past Governor Peter Smith presented Honor Club awards and 2008-2009 DFR Don Heavirland presented recognition patches for club donations to the Optimist International Foundations.
• The Mountain View Middle School Jazz Band performed
• Four students from the Clackamas and Grant High School JOOI Clubs joined us for lunch
• Scott Keller, President, Portland-Northeast challenged us to survey our community to build mutually beneficial programs and develop our membership
• DFR Steve Andersen hosted a Basket Auction for the International Foundations and shared the spotlight with the Chair Marlean Stevens and the Childhood Cancer Campaign

Many thanks to our participants and presenters.  We hope that you returned to your home clubs inspired to do more wonderful things in your communities.