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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Fundraising with a bang

It's time to celebrate the birthday of the United States of America. And yes, we do that with fireworks.

If you or your friends are in Southern Oregon, I hope that you will stop by the Roseburg Optimist Club Fireworks stand, June 28 through July 4, 9:30 am to 9:00 pm, on the Wal-Mart parking lot.

If you are travelling through Southwestern Idaho, possibly on your way to McCall, don't miss the Horseshoe Bend Optimist Club Fireworks stand from now until July 4, next to City Hall 112, Adams Street.

These Optimist Clubs can really show you how to ignite your optimism!

Please be safe to yourself, others around you and the environment. See fireworks safety tips here. 

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Bike Camp for Kids in Burnaby, BC

The Burnaby Optimist Club and the Burnaby Mountain Biking Association are teaming up for a Bike Camp for Kids.  It will be held Saturday, July 24, 2010 at Mountain Air Bike Skills Park on the Barnet Highway, Burnaby, BC.

Certified coaches and bike mechanics will be on hand for training and bike inspections and experienced riders will provide a safety orientation program. Topped off with lunch and free t-shirt, kids from 8 to 16 are guaranteed a great time!

Please help the Burnaby Optimist Club spread the word by sharing this post.  Thank you!

Experience Optimism: Gresham Optimist Club and Oregon Beat the Heat to hold cruise-in

Today is the day for one of the Gresham Optimist Club favorite events and fund raisers. Please click on the link to find out more.

Experience Optimism: Gresham Optimist Club and Oregon Beat the Heat to hold cruise-in

Following the event, Steve Andersen, Past Governor, and Gresham Optimist Club member (r) wrote on his Facebook page that he had uploaded a lot of pictures on the Oregon Beat the Heat Racing page.  Please enjoy them here.

Nice pictures Steve!  Thanks!  

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Time for some new members?

Need some more hands to help you with your summer Optimist Club projects?  Then it's time to start adding a few new members to your roster!

The Beaverton Optimist Club installed a new member last week.  Joan Anderson Wells joined the group and it looks like she was inducted in style by President Bruce Buffington. The group also welcomed a guest to their meeting that day, Bud Wells.  Another new member perhaps?  We hope so.


Thanks to Lt. Governor Alan Zehntbauer for the pictures.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Mark Baer wins PNW District Optimist Junior Golf Qualifier


The qualifying tournament for the PNW District - Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (US) was held on June 21, 2010 at the Meriwether Golf Club, Hillsboro, Oregon.  Forty-one golfers competed to qualify for the International championships held annually at the PGA National Resort and Spa at the end of July.

Mark Baer, 17, of Meridian, Idaho was the overall winner with a score of 73. His win provides fully paid entry into the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships.

Mark was sponsored by the Meridian Optimist Club.

Others earning the right to advance and partial sponsorship this year are:

Boys 16-18 
Mark Baer
Nick Jarrett
Boys 14-15
JT Tallud
Blake Netter
Boys 12-13
Alex Wrenn
Boys 10-11
Javier Singh
Girls 14-15
Connie Zhou

Please click on the picture to enlarge the results. More pictures will be added to this post. 

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” -Jim Valvano

Thank you to the dads and near-dads who encourage us to do our best, be our best and never stop trying.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

My visit to Horseshoe Bend

Meeting new people is part of the fun of being governor of the PNW District - Optimist International.  Being consistently inspired by the actions of  Optimist Clubs is a bonus.

It's not really a surprise to learn that Optimist Clubs do great things for their communities, but the magnitude of their involvement, and level of care and concern is remarkable.  Take the Optimist Club of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho for example.

The Horseshoe Bend Optimist Club was formed in 1993 when a different Jackson (Rocky)was governor.  Many think of them as a football club because they do participate in the Boise Valley Optimist Club football leagues.  However, it would probably be wiser to call them the recreation district for their community.  In addition to football, the Horseshoe Bend Optimist Club sponsors t-ball, baseball, softball, co-ed league softball, and basketball.  They sponsor cheer and dance.  Coordinating that many activities with volunteer leaders and coaches is a big chore and they add to it teaching and inspiring good sportsmanship among the players, coaches and parents.

For seventeen years the Horseshoe Bend Optimist Club has been a force for athletics in their community, but they also sponsor colleges scholarships, share fellowship and arranged outings, inspire leadership in their club and community and are always there to  help when volunteers are needed to further an important cause for the community.  It was such a pleasure to meet President Shelby Miller, Secretary Debra Miller, Treasurer John Williams and other members.  Keep up the great work in your community.  And please, consider coming to a District activity so others can experience your upbeat attitude and the Horseshoe Bend way to "get 'er done."

Watch this short video of Shelby's "bell and gavel" and I think you will agree that she is a PNW District Optimist member through and through. 

If you live in the Horseshoe Bend area and want to be involved in the community, please join the Optimist Club. Click here to send an email and let them know you want to learn more or join.  Thank you. 

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Youth leaders honored at picnic

The Boise Noon and Caldwell Optimist Clubs of Idaho combined forces last Saturday to host the annual HOBY Picnic for students involved in the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership program in the Boise Valley area.

Coordinated by Boise Noon members Kevin Kluckhohn and Stub Clarkson and Caldwell member Connie Ensign, the picnic took place at the Caldwell YMCA.  Both clubs had a number of adult volunteers cooking for and serving the youth leaders.  Find out more about HOBY here.   Enjoy the slideshow!

Photos contributed by Walt Callahan, Boise Noon Bulletin Editor.  

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Friendships and fun

According to Abbotsford Optimist Club president and bulletin editor Gerry Morrison fun is the key to lasting friendships.
" Fun is a difficult word to define and yet we know when we are having it. It is a difficult thing to predict and yet there are some friends that we have fun with almost every time we get together," writes Gerry.  
And with that heartwarming sentiment, the Abbotsford Optimist Club and members from other clubs in Zone 2 wished a fond farewell to their lt. governor and friend Stephen Poirier.   Read the special edition of the Abbotsford Opticom complete with party pictures of all those crazy Canadians here. 

Stephen announced last month that he would be moving to Saskatchewan before the end of the Optimist administrative year.  On behalf of the PNW District, we wish you well Stephen.  Please stay in touch via Facebook and email and whenever possible join us for a meeting and let us know how you are doing.

On a personal note Stephen, thank you.  I also want you to know that it is good to see you holding the cake instead of wearing it.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Can you recruit four?

The Optimist magazine was released online today and I like the front cover.  What a great call to action!

There are four months remaining in this administrative year.  That means there is time to share your optimism with others and earn free membership in your club to boot.

It's a great deal and an even better cause.  Invite someone to join your Optimist Club today.

Find out about the Recruit 4 and You're Free program here. 

Read the summer the Optimist here. 

Monday, June 14, 2010

Presents between presidents

Bill Wardy (L), Immediate Past President of the Sandy Optimist Club recently bestowed a gift on the President of the Gresham Optimist Club Don Weston.

The gift was a brand new lectern to conduct business from. Decorated with the Optimist International logo, it is a very nice gift.The Gresham Optimist Club sends a hearty thanks to Bill for sharing his talent with them.

Find out what else is going on in Gresham by reading the Gresham Optigraph.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Another club heard from

Thanks to Becky Holm, Board Member and bulletin editor for the Roseburg Optimist Club, I was able to add another entry to our bulletins section today with the addition of The Rock.

Today the Roseburg Optimist Club is busy celebrating their charter date with a picnic at Becker Winery.  Happy Anniversary!

The Roseburg Optimist Club has been rebuilding this year and they are full of optimism and enthusiasm.  Please take a look at The Rock and see how they are encouraging members to be involved with programs and even with the Optimist International PGI Program.  According to Becki, the PGI Program is an easy way to build professional skills for free or to be exact, for the cost of membership into an Optimist Club.

I am so excited to have Becky Holm, Kelly Janzen, Fran Bounds and others engaged with the District on behalf of the Roseburg Optimist Club.  My thanks go out to every member for all you do in your community to bring out the best in children.

Middleton Optimist Club underway

The Caldwell Optimist Club has renewed their effort to start a new Optimist Club in Middleton, Idaho.  According to Larry Blackburn, President, Caldwell Optimist Club members will join Governor Linda Jackson and Lt. Governor Sue Thompson for a Walk 'n Talk in the community on Monday, June 14 and then follow up with an informational meeting on Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Middleton Sunrise Cafe.

If you have questions or would like to recommend someone for membership, please send us a message so we can follow up with them.

If you are available to participate, please call Linda at 208.861.2310.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Chilliwack Optimist Club hosts most successful auction ever

With a goal in mind of raising $10,000, the Chilliwack Optimist Club beat all expectations at this year's Feed the Children Auction by raising $11,425 in cash and receiving a donation of a van bringing the total income to more than $26,000.

Well done Chilliwack Optimists!

The auction is the primary fundraiser for the Feed the Children Program adopted by the Chilliwack Optimist Club five years ago.  Approximately 500 children at 12 schools receive free lunches with the program.  According to Optimist Club president Irene Wesenberg, the club started the program with a $750 donation and have increased their giving each year reaching $10,000 for the first time in 2009.

The Feed the Children Program meets a need in the community, serving children who would otherwise arrive at school hungry.  According to the Chilliwack Optimist Club, the program also meets one of the purposes of Optimist International: To aid and encourage the development of youth in the belief that giving oneself in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world.

The program uses volunteers and school staff to deliver the meals. Community partners help with gathering the supplies and preparing the food.  It is a community effort and the Optimist Club is leading the way.

Read more in the Chilliwack Times.

Monday, June 7, 2010

McCall Optimist Club hosts party for graduates

The McCall Optimist Club hosted one of their annual events, the Senior Party on Saturday, June 5.  Club Secretary Jim Thackeray forwarded the following pictures along with this note:

The event was a huge sucess!  Approximately 46 graduates and guests attended, and all seemed to have a wonderful time enjoying the amenities of the Sports Club, casino activities, bingo, walleyball, basketball, swimming events, jacuzzi, sauna, pizza, drawings, ping pong, contests, and more.  Kudos to Co-Chairmen Paul Gullickson and Flint McDaniel for their excellent leadership.  And, thanks to the many, many volunteers who stepped up and contributed to the effort in various ways.  The Class of 2010 is an outstanding bunch of young people, and they seemed truly appreciative of our efforts.
Jim also included a more formal press release describing the partners and people that contributed to the event.  Thanks for the story Jim.  We agree! These pictures show a great time being enjoyed by all.  

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Shout out to the West Tacoma Optimist Club

Help me send a big shout out to Dick Disney.  Yay Dick!

Every week, I receive a new missive from him.  As bulletin editor of the WesTac Oracle, he records and distributes all of the great happenings from the West Tacoma Optimist Club.  I have learned about fundraising activities, club events, weekly meetings and the important happenings in the lives of the members recorded as donations made in Happy Dollars.

I so appreciate your efforts Dick. Thank you for keeping your club members on top of everything optimistic in your corner of the PNW District.

Read the June 1, 2010 edition of the WesTac Oracle here.

Read more Optimist Club bulletins at this link.  

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Issaquah Optimist Club hosts two bike safety fairs

It's been five years since the Issaquah Optimist Club first brought bicycle safety to their community.  They are doing it again next week on Saturday, June 12th and Sunday, June 13th. Click on the picture to enlarge and learn more.

As you are looking, please take time to notice all of the partners that are engaged with this project.  Imagine how you might do the same in your community.  Imagine how your Optimist Club can share the slogan, "Together, bringing out the best in kids."

Club members Ed Murphy and Bruce Pflaumer have promised to help all clubs interested in learning more about holding such an event. For more information call 425-829-7864.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Beaverton student awarded scholarship


The Beaverton Optimist Club observes Optimist International Respect for Law month by awarding a scholarship to a student who plans a career in law enforcement. 

Beaverton Optimist member Marv Thompson reports that the recipient of this year's Dean Mitchell Scholarship was Conner Gilfillan.  Conner plans to attend college at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri to major in criminal justice and minor in theology. He also hopes to play football for Culver-Stockton.  


According to Marv, Conner is a very qualified student who has participated in various activities during his high school career and has a long list of accomplishments.  He aspires to some day become a police officer and at retirement become a chaplain for a police agency.  

Conner is shown here with Marv Thompson (l) and President Bruce Buffington (r). 

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