Welcome to 2015, the year of the Honor Club

At the beginning of the new year, many will make resolutions to live healthier, manage debt, take a trip, and help others, among other things. As Optimist Club leaders, advocates and fans, Governor Dick Disney challenges you to make and keep one more resolution on behalf of your beloved organization.

In 2015,  resolve to make your Optimist Club an Honor Club. 

The requirements are simple and they help ensure that Optimist Clubs are always THE BEST service clubs in the world:

• Complete at least three service projects this year (submit President's Pride Report)
• Recognize a Club member or local community individual
• Grow Club by net plus 1
• Be current on District and OI dues

The PNW District - Optimist leadership team wants to help you achieve this goal. Please contact an officer or committee chair  and find out more about their commitment to make your Optimist Club THE BEST. 

Portland Peninsula Optimist Club celebrates the season with Christmas trees

The biggest and longest-running Optimist Club Christmas Tree lot in the PNW District is just about to wrap up another season and according to club member Sharon Speer, it's been a good one.

Sharon sent us a few pictures of the Portland Peninsula Optimist Club that included Santa and his elves at work. (left)




She explained that Mario's, a men's clothing store in Downtown Portland, helped them advertise the tree lot this year. It created a window display with trees and coats that sent their shoppers to the Portland Peninsula Optimist Club tree lot. (right)

Shoppers found a well stocked and well-lit tree lot from which to choose their centerpiece for the Christmas season. (left)








Sharon also explained that the Optimist Club took time at its December 15, 2014 meeting to recognize a past president for his service to the Portland Peninsula Optimist Club. Reverend Bill Van Nostron was celebrated with cake and gratitude during this festive time of year. (right)

Thanks to Sharon Speer, Portland Peninsula Optimist Club, for the photos. 

It's Christmas Party time in Lebanon, OR

The Lebanon Optimist Club took time out from its Christmas party to pose for a Merry Christmas greeting. It looks like it should be a Facebook cover photo to me. Just sayin'....

Please send your Christmas photos - and more - to the PNW District webmaster so that we might share your adventures with others. Thanks!

Post by Lebanon Optimists.

Chehalis-Centralia Optimist Club hosts Student-of-the-Month presentations

Governor Dick Disney visited the Chehalis-Centralia Optimist Club on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 for Student-of-the-Month presentations and a delicious ham dinner. President Emma Ball with the assistance of her husband, Don, and Monique Connors provided the potluck enjoyed by Optimist Club members, students and parents. The activity was held at the Chehalis Senior Center.

A signature event for the club, the program recognizes students each month and asks them to make an oral presentation about their background and their future ambitions and desires. Club members then ask questions of the students while four Optimist Club members scorethem. The results of the evening will be tabulated with other Students-of-the-Mont and scholarships are then provided to the winners to establish a College Fund they may add to in preparation for college.

According to Governor Dick, it was an engaging evening, enjoyed by all, including the proud parents of the special Student-of-the-Month honorees.

Photo, left to right: Olivia Rodriguez, Adna School; Emma Ball, Club President & District Sec/Treas;Ruby Bower, Adna School; Monique Connors, Lt. Gov. WA Zone; Chase Conaway, Chehalis Middle school; Dick Disney, PNW District Governor

Bring in the New Year with your Optimist Club friends

The Optimist Club of Albany, Oregon is hosting a new fundraising event this year: a New Year's Eve Party!

It will take place at Wheelhouse, 421 NE Water Avenue, Albany, Oregon, December 31, 2014, 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

For only $50 per person, you'll receive 2 drink tickets and appetizers and dessert bar plus live music from the 70s and 80s by Mach Six.

Click here to purchase your tickets online: www.nodinx.com/new-years-eve-cocktail-celebration.

Post by PNW Optimist District.

Twin Falls Optimist Club promotes "Scardust"

Donna Bohrn, member of the Twin Falls Optimist Club, wrote in this week to tell us about a strong young lady that has caught the attention of the Optimists and others in the Twin Falls, Idaho community. Her name is Jennifer Devine-Hatch and she has suffered with cystic fibrosis all of her life, spending countless days in hospital and many undergoing surgery.

This Christmas season finds Jennifer struggling for perhaps her last time as she waits for surgery on December 19, 2014.

Donna explains that the Twin Falls Optimist Club "has bought this small book for children with scars and painful scars to their souls, Scardust." Written by Ms. Devine-Hatch, the 28-page book serves as an inspiration and advocate for those who, like she, are surviving and coping with chronic illness.

Ms. Devine-Hatch has a Christmas wish: to put more of these books in the hands of children in hospitals and available to read in physicians' offices. Donna thought perhaps the PNW District might help. If each Optimist Club bought one book - or more - to distribute in their community, the Optimist Clubs in the Pacific Northwest, and around the world, can help this young lady's dream come true and help others suffering in similar ways as well.

The book can be purchased at the Girl with Scars website, on Amazon (affiliate link) or by contacting Donna Bohrn at 208.539.1836.

The Chilliwack Optimist Club shares some holiday cheer

The Chilliwack Optimist Club has been busy this week celebrating the holidays and other end of year activities.

On Friday, December 5, 2014, the club hosted its second Annual Circle of Friends Dinner. According to club champion and event chairperson Glenda Standeven, it was a sold-out event that secured friendships and commitment to service in the community all in an entertaining setting. They collected canned goods, children's gifts and other donations to be used for families in the community.

The next morning, the Optimist Club met for its monthly meeting and recognized many for their service to the club and community including Lily Ross and LucyAnne Carruthers, among others.

Continuing in its festive mode, Secretary Coralee Lord Holmes and President Peter Holmes  were invited to help make pizzas for the residents of Heritage Village. Donning reindeer antlers and coin belts, it was a festive atmosphere for all.

The Chilliwack Optimist Club invites you to see more pictures and to follow its activities on Facebook. 

Holiday wishes and a holiday gift

Optimist International President Ken Garner mailed his Christmas wishes to all Optimist Clubs via the December Leadership Hotline.

He included a desire for more Optimist Club members among his wishes and offered a present to all Optimist Clubs for bringing new friends to their groups in December: no registration fee. The $15 administration fee will be waived for all new members in December 2014.

Please watch the video to hear more from President Ken.





The Leadership Hotline also included information regarding the Reel Optimism contest, Optimist Leadership Academy nominations, Club Fitness Advisors and a new program for May called Optimists in Action.

Please click here to learn more about these exciting opportunities to be involved as an Optimist Club member.