We love stories about your Optimist Club. Please tell us one and we'll add it to the website.
Click here, email, or post to Facebook. Thank you!

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Meet the President at the PNW District Convention

optimist international ken garnerEach year, Optimist International sends representatives to Optimist District Conventions throughout the organization. This year, the PNW District is especially honored to have as the official guest Optimist International President Ken Garner. Ken will be joined by his wife Patsy.

Ken is a member of the Optimist Club of Fort Worth-Breakfast East, Texas. He has served as  Governor of a Distinguished District, Optimist International Vice President and a member of the Optimist International Board of Directors. Professionally, Ken is an executive director in Ernst & Young LLP's Tax practice with more than 21 years of public accounting experience.

Don't let that CPA title fool you! Ken is a dynamic and motivational speaker. He and Patsy are Certified International Trainers for Optimist International and both will be assisting with education and outreach throughout the weekend convention.

Come and meet the President of Optimist International at the PNW District Convention, August 13-15, 2015 in Tacoma, WA. Find out more and register at this link. It will be a great weekend of fellowship and inspiration.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Optimist International announces themes for 2015-2016 Scholarship Contests

pnw dististrict optimist club scholarship contestsThemes for the Optimist International Scholarship Contests have been announced for 2015-2016.

Optimist Clubs are encouraged to share the theme and contest rules with schools and teachers early, as school is getting started, in order to get the greatest participation. All contests must begin at the Optimist Club level.

More information about the new Optimist International Oratorical Contest where students may win up to $22,500 will be discussed at the PNW District Convention.

Also new this year for the Oratorical and Essay contests, students must be under the age of 18 as of September 30 October 1 of the Optimist International administrative year. The Optimist International administrative year runs from October 1 to September 30.

The Optimist International Essay Contest takes place between September and February.  The official topic for 2015-16 is "Lead by Example: Reality or Fiction." Download the entry form. 

The Optimist International Oratorical Contest takes place between January and May. The official topic for 2015-16 is "How My Best Brings Out the Best in Others." Download the entry form. 

The Optimist International Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing takes place between January and May. The official topic for 2016-16 is "How My Best Brings Out the Best in Others."  Download the entry form.

Updated July 30, 2015. 

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Right here, right now!

right here right now optimistTwenty-four PNW District Optimist Club members gathered with more than 1,000 others in New Orleans, LA for the 97th Annual Optimist International Convention, July 9-11, 2015.  They came from all points of the district, British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon and Washington and were inspired by the urgent call to action to bring Optimist Clubs to our communities, right here, right now.

Ratified by a resolution submitted by Santa Barbara Northside Optimist Club, International President Ken Garner and International President Designate Dave Bruns were joined in introducing a new branding statement for the organization: Optimist Clubs bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.

In addition to the great turnout of members, the PNW District was well represented by West Coast leaders as well. The PNW District is home to a trio of Optimist International Vice Presidents: 2014-2015 - Ed Murphy; 2015-2016 - Linda Vaught; and 2016-2017 - Bill French.

Led by Governor Dick Disney, the PNW District was recognized as one of 17 districts that currently have net membership growth, helping the organization inch ever closer to its goal of 100,000 members by the 100th anniversary.

Convention attendees are energized and will bring their enthusiasm and new ideas to their home clubs and to the PNW District Convention, August 13-15, 2015 and President Ken, First Lady Patsy and Governor Dick are looking forward to seeing you there.

pnw optimist district
PNW Optimist District Dinner at 97th Annual
Optimist International Convention

Sunday, July 5, 2015

What do Baseball, Pioneers and Optimists have in common?

The latest issue of Governor Dick Disney's March to Honor Club message hit emailboxes today. If you haven't already, please click here to read "It's Hot to Be an Honor Club."

Some highlights from his message include 15 Optimist Clubs who are on track to receive Honor Club status including the Lebanon Optimists who are leading the way with +20 net new members to date. The Lebanon Optimists were striving to reach 80 members this year and they did it. Let's see if they can make it to 90 very soon - challenge on!

In Idaho, the Middleton Area Optimist Club continues to lead the pack with +10 net new members. Growing club membership has proved to be the greatest challenge to making Honor Club, but in recent years, the amount of new members needed has dropped to net +1. That's doable for every club and part of being a sustainable organization that will serve its community today and far into the future. That's why the upcoming PNW District Convention will focus on Honor Club, membership growth sharing optimism far and wide, but most of all with your community, members and you.

Optimist International President Ken Garner and first lady Patsy will join the PNW District for the convention weekend, August 13-15, 2015 and both will be involved with the education sessions for incoming officers, current officers, and current members. You especially won't want to miss the final session with President Ken, "Start with why," where we will look at why we belong to an Optimist Club and this crazy organization that we call Optimist International.

Other convention highlights, besides training opportunities, are the opportunities for fellowship with other Optimist Club members from around the PNW District. At this meeting, we'll have premium opportunities from golf with Past International President Ron Thompson, to Baseball & BBQ with the Tacoma Rainiers and the ever-popular Old-Timers Breakfast featuring real PNW old-timers at Pioneer Days.


Fun and fellowship go hand-in-hand with Optimist Club membership. Register today for the PNW District Optimist Convention, call 253-383-0146 to make your hotel reservations at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites and share your optimism today.




Popular Posts