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Friday, July 30, 2010

It's time for our Optimist family reunion

Danny Rodgers, President-Designate
Current officers and officers-elect are both encouraged to attend the PNW District Convention being held this year in  Richland, Washington. Pasco, Richland and Kennewick - the Tri-Cities - are truly a center point for the majority of our clubs.

The Pasco-Tri-Cities Optimist Club is looking forward to welcoming you on August 19-21 and Lt. Governor Charlie Kissler has provided a very comprehensive list of things that you will want to do on  your visit.  Please read all about them here. 

Mark Weinsoff, Vice President
We are really very honored this year to welcome President-Designate Danny Rodgers and Vice President Mark Weinsoff to our convention.  Both are excited to join us, participate in our learning activities and just get to know you and the Optimist Clubs in the Pacific Northwest District a little better.  

During the weekend we will have learning and social activities for all members, motivational sessions for our current officers and special training for our incoming officers. The district leadership team, with the extra sparkle from our international representatives will make this a convention for you to remember.  Don't miss out!  Register now.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Update from The OPTIMIST

Just in from the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, representing the PNW District:


Robert Justi Tallud, Maple Valley, WA, has advanced to Round 3, Boys 14-15, and will tee of at 7:50 Monday morning on the Championship Course. Robert made the cut with 80-76, and stands at +12 after two rounds.


Connie Zhou, Lake Oswego, OR, has advanced to the final round, Girls 14-15, Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. She tees off at 8:30 Monday morning. Connie posted 83-84 for rounds 1 and 2 and stands at +23. 


Donald Qiu, Surrey, BC, Boys 12-13, is tied for 3rd place entering Round 3.  He has posted 76-69, to finish at +1 for the first two rounds. 


Alex Wrenn, Lake Oswego, OR, Boys 12-13, posted 84-77 to finish +17 after two days play. This division will play a shotgun start from the Palmer Course at 8:30 am Monday. 


Please follow the Leader Boards for the tournament at http://www.optimist.org/e/juniorgolf/optimist1.cfm.


Round 1 tee times for Boys and Girls 16-18 will be available Wednesday, July 27, 12:00 p.m. at  http://www.optimist.org/e/juniorgolf/optimist1.cfm

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Mark Baer advances to Optimist International Junior Golf Championships

Mark Baer is representing the Pacific Northwest District – Optimist International and the Meridian Optimist Club this week, July 29 to August 1, at the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, taking place at the PGA National Resort and Spa in Florida.  He earned the right to advance by taking first place in the 16-18 year old division in the Pacific Northwest District Qualifier for junior golfers in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

Mark will join approximately 600 participants from 43 states and 33 countries including the United States and Canada.  One hundred and forty golfers are competing in the Boys 16-18 year old division.

Optimist International has been involved in promoting junior golf programs since 1978 when they joined the Junior World of Golf program in San Diego, California as the major sponsor of the event, thus creating “Optimist Junior World.”

 Seeing a need to provide opportunities for more children, Optimist International moved the event to South Florida in 1995 and renamed the event the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. The plan proved so successful that it has become commonly known in golfing circles as The Optimist.  The tournament was the first junior program to be televised nationally on ESPN.

The Meridian Optimist Club began hosting the Optimist Junior Golf Championships pre-qualifying tournament in 2009 as a way to increase awareness for this great event and to provide opportunities for young golfers in Idaho.  Mark represented the Meridian Optimist Club at the district wide tournament last year and this year.  Not only did Mark win the tournament, he also became the first junior golfer to represent Idaho at The OPTIMIST. 

Mark graduated from Mountain View High School, Meridian, Idaho in 2010 and will attend the College of Idaho in the fall. 

Find out more about the Optimist Junior Golf Championships and follow the action online at www.golf.optimist.org.  

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Sharing optimism is the way to better health

Sharing optimism is the way to better health. Morgan Morton, diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in the fall of 2009 explains how optimism made a difference in her treatment and recovery. The Optimist International Childhood Cancer Campaign made a difference in her life.


Friday, July 16, 2010

Danny Rodgers to attend the PNW District Convention

We received exciting news this morning. Danny Rodgers, Optimist International President-designate will be joining us for the PNW District Convention on August 19-21, 2010.

He has requested that we keep him busy as a trainer. We will be adjusting our tentative program so that everyone has the opportunity to experience Danny's enthusiasm.

Please click on the following link to read more about Danny's dynamic presentation style:  Experience Optimism: International President-Designate Danny Rodgers rocks the 2010 Optimist International Convention

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Experience Optimism: Friendship builds community

While other clubs are juggling meeting dates to encourage attendance, the Caldwell Optimist Club has added an extra meeting to their monthly schedule to accommodate extra attendees. On the last Tuesday of the month, they meet for an evening meeting.

Kudos to President Larry Blackburn and his fellow club members for generating so much excitement for their projects and increasing their membership. Please click on this link to read more:
Experience Optimism: Friendship builds community

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Gresham Optimist Club to sponsor new JOOI Club

By Don Weston, President, Gresham Optimist Club   

Elections for a new JOOI club sponsored by The Optimist Club of Gresham will be held Wednesday, July 14th.

The JOOI club is made up of kids who attend the Police Activities League Club and will consist of middle school kids--a Junior Optimist Club.

Bill Wardy of the Sandy Optimist Club has made a podium complete with a full color JOOI Torch emblem which will be presented to the club after elections.

"We were surprised at how easy this was to get going," said Don Weston, Gresham Optimist President. "We already provide snacks on a regular basis for students there during the school year and now we hope to work closer with them on some of their projects and some of ours. An invite has already been extended to them for our Hamburgers, Hotdogs and Horses Barbeque on July 18th."

The Optimist Club of Gresham has also targeted the PAL club for their first Internet Safety presentation later in the year.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Make plans to attend the District Convention

The PNW District Convention is a great time to connect with old Optimist friends, make new Optimist friends, and share stories about the fantastic year that your Optimist Club is having.  It is also the time that we provide training for our new district and club officers-elect about leading an Optimist Club and how to share their optimism in the coming year.

The tentative agenda is here for you to review.

Many plan to arrive early and participate in Thursday activities. Those activities will be posted on the District Meetings page as more information becomes available.

Celebrate your optimism with other PNW District Optimist Clubs. Register online today. 

Share optimism with guests!

Dick Disney, Bulletin Editor for the W. Tacoma Optimist Club says:

It's that time of the year to bring guests to meetings to share our great Optimist Club activities. New members at this time will:

  1. Add to the membership to maintain & increase Youth Activities.
  2. Get new members oriented for the New Optimist Year.
  3. Keep President Shirley smiling.

Insert the President of your Optimist Club into line 3 and join in the fun and friendship that new members bring to your club. Just Ask!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy Fourth of July

The McCall Optimist Club flag-up crew was busy on Saturday morning making sure that the community was ready to usher in the Fourth of July weekend in style.  

Thousands of visitors from SW Idaho travel to the McCall-Donnelly area for holiday celebrations.  Part of the reason for visiting is the mountain air and outdoor activities, but what makes it special are the amenities of a small town and the simple touches of the local service clubs.  Thank you McCall Optimist Club for your service. 

Happy Birthday USA.  May everyone enjoy the day safely, with patriotism and pride.

Thanks to Jim Thackeray for the picture. Read the July 3, 2010 McCall Optimist Club update here. 

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Celebrate Canada

July 1 - Happy Canada Day!

I've been told that the Abbotsford Optimist Club started the day off with a pancake breakfast and parade, but I was wondering what other Optimist Clubs might be doing to show pride in their country?

Please share your comments or your wishes for our Canadian friends here.

Photo credit: wondercliparts.com
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