A note from Governor Larry

Our district s/t asked me to remind everyone it is time to hurry up and get your reservations for the 3rd quarter meeting to be held Friday and Saturday, May 17-18, 2013 in Richland, Washington. The Tri-Cities club will serve as hosts and many people are working on the agenda to make this session not only educational, exciting, thrilling, time-well-spent, and whatever adjective one can think. Plus it will be super fun; plan now to attend. Our room block will end May 4; in other words, if your reservation is not made by then, you may not get a room. So please hurry and make your reservation.

As we all know, the main feature of the 3rd quarter is our fantastic Oratorical and CCDHH contests; what great Optimist fun to attend. Our featured speaker this year will be our own OI Foundation executive secretary Steve Skodak; you will learn about our foundation, and can ask questions.

The hotel will be Shilo Inn and Suites, (509) 946-4661; rooms reserved for $74; $84 and $94. This years’ registration is only $85 and that includes all three meals on Saturday. Please go to pnwdistrictoptimist.com for more information.

Our tentative agenda is as follows:

Friday May 17
Registration Desk opens at 3 pm
Combined district business meeting and executive session starts at 4 pm
Opening session: 7 pm
Hospitality room at 9 pm

Saturday May 18
Registration opens at 8 am
First timers, 8 am
Business session, election of lt. governers 8:30 am
Workshops 10 am to noon include
OI Executive Director of our Foundation, Steve Skodak
Education in Risk Management for Youth Activities featuring Rick and Lynne Matkin
OI Insurance, presented by Mike Kohout
Tom Hoppell, grant writing
Teamwork presented by Governor TG Thomas, Pacific Southwest District, Bakersfield, CA

Lunch: noon to 1:15 pm, Caldwell Idaho Optimists

1:30 pm to 4 pm
Oratorical contest conducted by Chair Ray Hilts
CCDHH conducted by Chairs Ken Ryan and Myrna Harris

5:30-6:30 pm, cocktail hour

6:30 pm: Banquet, Tri-Cities Optimist

I so look forward to seeing each and every one of you; thanks for supporting our super organization and helping all the children in the PNW; please feel free to contact me at any time.

Best wishes everyone,
Larry Blackburn, Governor