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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Celebrating Optimist style

Forty-three years ago the Optimist Club of Beaverton, Oregon was chartered and Vern Williams was there. His legacy as a charter member was honored today by his fellow club members as they came together during a regular club meeting to celebrate his 90th birthday.  Writing about the event on Facebook, fellow club member Susan Nordstrom said, "So many turned out to talk so highly about him, he and his beautiful wife Pat had a great time this morning! Just so great to be surrounded by such a great "extended" family of such incredible people!"

Yes, indeed. That is what optimism is all about: sharing our joys and dreams. Happy Birthday Vern from  friends in the Pacific Northwest District. 



Slideshow provided by Beaverton Optimist Club President Alan Zehntbauer.  Thanks Alan!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

PNW Optimists meet in Poulsbo

The first quarter district meeting for the 2010-2011 Optimist International administrative year is now, as they say, in the history books. And of course the Pacific Northwest District has a pretty awesome history to share.

Governor Ed Murphy waited until the end of the evening to pull out his historical Abe Lincoln garb, and in the meantime we got to hear from some pretty awesome people:

  • Our new District Board of Directors, made up of the Executive Board and all Club Presidents, was installed by Rocky Jackson, Optimist International Vice President. 
  • Lorraine Coots and Charlie Kissler explained how to host a successful NOW (New Optimists Welcome) activity. In March, 2010 their clubs Mason County and Pasco Tri-Cities gained 14 and 12 new members respectively. It takes at least 4 weeks to do it right; compile an invitation list, make connections and arrangements, hold the activity and follow-up. It's a great way to make your club feel proud of their accomplishments at the same time. Click here to download the NOW planning guide.
  • Gay Enyeart and Jean Jensen continued their patented training to help club leaders be successful. 
  • Former NBA player Swen Nader, now known as the Coach's Coach gave a rocking keynote presentation on the meaning of SPORTs. He was engaging and funny and in his words the word 'sport' is an acronym for:
    • S - Skill: Proper and quick execution 
    • P - Physical Conditioning: The ability to push yourself one more step
    • O - Obsession: Commitment to become the best you can be
    • R - Repetition: There is no substitute for hard work
    • T - Teamwork: The strength of the wolf is in the pack
  • Ardis Moody and Brett Rosenberger were spot on in a presentation and discussion about Bridging the Generation Gap. According to our new friends from the Nebraska District, Traditionals, Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y must learn to communicate by understanding the personality traits that separate them.  They say that Gen Y's want to be involved in projects, plenty of them, and the bigger the better. We're Optimist Clubs - we can do that! 
In between we found time to conduct PNW District business including passing the budget for 2010-2011 which focused on future meeting planning with extra funds dedicated to a new club building conference to be held in Seattle in January. Finally, we heard from the Lieutenant Governors and Committee Chairpersons for the coming year.

With a nod to the successful year just behind us, Immediate Past Governor Linda Jackson reported that according to the Scoreboard, the PNW District finished the year 3rd in membership growth of all Optimist International districts. For a comparison, our district growth percentage of 107.57% is higher than any districts the previous year.

While it was too early to discuss recognition for all clubs, it was not too early to recognize the Optimist of the Year for 2009-2010. Congratulations to Larry Blackburn, Immediate Past President of the Optimist Club of Caldwell, Idaho.  The Caldwell Optimist Club added 19 members and Larry was personally involved in recruitment, retention, and new club building.

Speaking of new club building, the newest member of our Optimist family was introduced. Welcome to the Middleton Area Optimist Club of Idaho. They were represented at the first quarter meeting by President Patrick Halpin.

Be sure to represent your club at the next district meeting scheduled for January 21-22, 2011. Details will be posted on this site as soon as available.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Find your Leadership Portfolio online

Are you a club or district leader wondering where your leadership package for 2010-2011 might be? For the first time ever, Optimist International elected NOT to send them via the mail, but instead they have uploaded an entire leadership portfolio online for you to access as you need and wish. They save on printing and postage; you save on printing, and most important, the information is downloadable to your own hard drive or available to access online at any time.  Isn't technology wonderful?

Please access the Optimist International Club and District Leadership Portfolios here.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Experience Optimism: What motivates people?

The October edition of the Optimist Leadership Hotline has a short segment describing the Recognition Program for 2010-2011. It explains that the principles come from the book Drive by Daniel Pink. Please click on this link to see a video with a quick synopsis of the book - Experience Optimism: What motivates people?

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Former Nebraska District Governor will share what it means to just do it

Ardis Moody
Will you be joining us in Poulsbo on Friday? I hope so!

The Leadership Development Team has put together some inspirational training for the Pacific Northwest District 1st quarter meeting including a special session about bridging the generation gap. Ardis and Brett from the Nebraska District will be with us to share a presentation they gave at the Optimist International Convention.  Here's what the convention brochure had to say about their presentation:

Just Ask vs Just Do It – Bridging the Optimist Generation Gap
Are you looking for new, younger members to help make your club projects more successful?  While we as Optimists have been inviting people to join our clubs and participate in our meetings (Just Ask), companies like Nike have been appealing to the younger generation to become active and involved in things that make a difference (Just Do It!)  This workshop takes a look at generational differences and how revisiting our attitudes and strategies may provide us with ways to revitalize, strengthen and energize our organization.
 It's not too late to register.  Just do it! 
 

Friday, October 15, 2010

Plan to attend the Optimist International Convention...yes already!

I was a little surprised to hear Christmas music as I was shopping at the mall last week, but I guess I shouldn't have been. After all, Optimist Clubs that sell Christmas trees have had trees on order for months. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Optimist International is already heavily promoting how every Optimist Club member should celebrate the 4th of July in 2011 - with fireworks and friends at the Optimist International Convention!

The Optimist International Convention will be held in Baltimore Maryland, July 3-5, 2011.  It's a great time to meet with people who think a lot like you, find out about the great things that are done around the world by other Optimist Clubs and learn how to develop and share your leadership skills with others. Find out all about the location, activities registration and travel at http://www.optimist.org/e/Member/convention1.cfm.

Make your vacation plans today. Let's show the PNW District Optimist spirit in Baltimore. Contact International Convention Ambassador Carol Murphy to find out more.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Question of the day

Are you wondering where to find Governor Ed's hat? Well, look no more.  Here is your link to PNW District Optimist and Optimist International logos. We will be adding more to this marketing page as the year progresses so be sure to check back occasionally.

If you are just interested in the hat for now, please click on the picture to save it to your computer.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Attention bulletin editors

The photographer doesn't usually get to be in the picture. That's why I wanted to share a picture of the Boise Noon Bulletin Editor with you.  Please meet Barb and Walt Callahan, editors of "The Nooner." Walt is a prolific photographer and shares pictures of the Boise Noon Optimist Club every week with an ever-growing email list.  Thanks Walt and Barb for your dedication!

If you are the editor of your club's bulletin this year, please be sure to add the following folks to your email list:
If you would like to try out some contemporary technology, please consider using the Optimist Club blogs attached to this website as a new way to tell your story.  Email Linda to get started with your club's blog today.   

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

An open letter to all Optimist Club members

Dear Optimist:
 
Isn’t it great to be an Optimist? Aren’t you truly happy that one day, someone thought enough of you to invite you to join an Optimist Club? I know that being an Optimist has been a tremendous blessing to me. It has been great for my heart. What a privilege it is to serve you and all other Optimists as President of Optimist International. Wow!

Chances are that you, too, are an Optimist leader. Congratulations! I think it is awesome that we have the opportunity to lead together this year. Leadership is many things. It is setting the example. It is making decisions. It is building and maintaining a team. Leadership is about listening – with your heart. Leaders are inspiring – with words well delivered, and the silence of fierce determination. Leadership is staying in the arena. I promise you that I will do all of these things every day as your President – and I invite you to do the same.

It is very important that you and I develop new ways of service and membership so that we can attract those we have not yet reached. All of us as Optimists have an investment in this organization and should be a part of the solution. Our growth must be real and sustained. Together we can make this happen. 

I hope that your Club is easy to join and easy to belong to while also providing amazing opportunities to bring about positive change in the youth of your community and in your Members. I urge you to embrace all of the available technology to facilitate meaningful communication. Stay on the lookout for new ways to respond quickly and effectively to our ever-changing and increasingly challenging world.

I look forward to the opportunity to meet you face to face so that I can say, “Thanks for all that you do.” I am excited that we are on this journey together. I promise that it will be an exciting year. While we can’t know everything that will happen, we can be assured that in the end, every heart we touch and every life we change will know that Optimists do indeed bring out the best in kids.

Very truly yours,
Danny Rodgers
2010-2011 Optimist International President

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Meet Coach Swen Nater in Poulsbo


It's hard to believe that the First Quarter District meeting is less than three weeks   away! That's right, we get to come together very soon - October 22-23 - to kick off another new year of optimism.

The first quarter meeting of the 2010-2011 administrative year will be held in Poulsbo, Washington at the Sons of Norway. Your registration includes all workshops, dinner on Friday, lunch and dinner on Saturday. The Poulsbo Inn and Suites offer a complimentary breakfast.

Click  to enlarge and print
Governor Ed has arranged for a special luncheon address from Swen Nater, former professional basketball player, coach, author, poet and motivational speaker. Coach Swen will talk to the group at lunch and share his "Lessons Learned from John Wooden." Known as the coach's coach, he specializes in youth sports. Find out more about Coach Swen at this link.

Don't miss out on this exciting weekend of Optimist learning. If you have not yet registered, please click on this link to do so now.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Happy New Year

Ed Murphy, Governor 2010-2011

As we celebrate a new Optimist administrative year, I want to thank each and everyone of you for all of the hard work that you have done in the last year to make the Pacific Northwest District one of the top districts in the entire Optimist organization.  Congratulations to Linda Jackson on such a great year as Governor of our district.  We are so grateful for all of your hard work, it has paid off.

As we enter a new year, I look forward to serving as your Governor.  Thank you for the opportunity and trust that you have placed with me.  I am wise enough to know that it is really all of the hard work in the background that makes a district successful.  Whatever I can do to help you achieve your goals to help more kids - please let me know. 

I hope to see all of you in Poulsbo on October 22nd and 23rd.  We have a great program in store for you.  Come hear Swen Nater - 2 time National NCAA champion and 12 year NBA pro.  Swen teaches coaches how to train kids to be not only great athletes, but also great citizens.  Swen learned from the greatest coach of all time playing for Coach Wooden and the UCLA Bruins.  You will not want to miss Swen speak.  

Looking forward to a great year and to continue the success that we have had this last year.

In Optimism,

Ed Murphy
"How are the children?"

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