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Saturday, August 20, 2016

Party-time with the Portland Northeast Optimist Club

The Portland Northeast Optimist Club recently held a luncheon at the Old Spaghetti Factory. What was the reason? To honor its members.

According to spokesperson Scott Keller, the activity was a way to say thanks for all they do and to share their optimism with others so they might want to join an Optimist Club too.




A magician was on hand to entertain the kiddos, including the big ones, and a great time was had by all.

You can share optimism by joining an Optimist Club today.

Click here to find an Optimist Club near you in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia or Alaska. 

Or send us a message and we'll help you connect with an Optimist Club today.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Add members with the Back-to-School special

Have you heard about the Back-to-School special being offered to teachers from Optimist
International?

It's a great deal. Educators, school administration and even paraprofessionals can join your Optimist Club for only $30 dues now through September 30, 2016. This is an introductory rate to help your Optimist Club build closer ties to our teachers and school systems so that they in turn can help us reach more students. As you know, they'll even get something personally for joining because Optimist Clubs bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.

Here are the details for the Teachers Back-to-School Special:

  • Between now and September 30, 2016, teachers may join an Optimist Club for only $30 due to Optimist International. 
  • Clubs must also pay the $15 processing fee and any dues to districts that are required.

Adding teachers and school personnel to your Optimist Club:
  • Strengthens our connection with local schools
  • Opens doors for attracting more students to our youth projects—including Oratorical, Essay, Sports, Health, Safety and other programs
  • Attracts and builds strong allies from the field of Education
  • Provides the foundation for new Junior Optimist Clubs
  • Allows us to serve more children
Clubs should contact the Optimist International Membership Department (Danny Schuette or Barbara Zurcher) to enroll new teacher members under this plan.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Marc Katz to join the PNW District Optimist Convention

We look forward to welcoming Marc Katz as the Optimist International Representative to the PNW District Annual Convention August 25-27, 2016.

Marc is a member of the Optimist International Board of Directors and the Optimist Clubs of West Branch, Royal Oak and Kalamazoo-Breakfast in the Michigan District.

Because the governor has not shared any additional information with the District website, please click here to learn what we know about the convention as of this writing on August 16, 2016. 

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

2016 PNW District Convention agenda released

The agenda for the PNW District Convention in White Rock, BC, August 25-27, 2016 was released on August 9, 2016.

Convention-goers will notice that the program appears to be theme-happy beginning with "Rosie's Recess" on Thursday and ending with the "Roaring Twenties" on Saturday evening. On Friday, the Old-Timer's Breakfast will focus on "Let the Children Play" and the evening barbecue will be "South Pacific."

Attendees will also notice a different approach to the club and district officer training sessions offered on Friday. Leadership Development Chair 2016-2017 Lynn Viner and Governor 2016-2017 Rick Matkin will discuss "Innovative Tactics for Club Leaders" and "Crucial 2016-2017 Strategic Plans."

The Business/Convention sessions are slated for all day Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with the District Board of Directors Meeting in the morning and governor-elect elections in the afternoon.

Convention registration is $140 US ($150 US after August 17)  and $175 CA ($185 CA after August 17). Registration includes all District business and training sessions, breakfast and dinner on Friday and dinner on Saturday. All lunches and other meals are on your own.

Click here to view and download the agenda.
Click here to register online.
Click here to go to the Pacific Inn website to make your hotel reservations.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Two Optimist Clubs, two projects

Saturday, August 6, 2016, the Tacoma, Washington area was brimming with optimism.


In University Place, the West Tacoma Optimist Club was holding its 21st Annual Pancake Breakfast/Silent Auction/Book Sale.

This activity is as popular with the members as it is with the public as they meet with the members that they see sometimes only this one time a year.

The Sea Scouts of the Verite were there to lend a helping hand and pancakes were enjoyed by all.

As of this writing, we're not sure how well the auction and book sale went, but from the looks of the bids and the happy faces on the customers, I think it was  another successful event for the club.

The top photo shows co-presidents Jim Ferris and Dick Driskell and club photographer Tom Kryger. The bottom photo shows some crew members of the Verite.

Meanwhile, at Narrows Glen, the new Share-A-Smile Optimist Club was holding its first event - a Dog Parade!

About forty pets and their two-legged friends showed off their tail-wagging skills and more.

Mud Bay donated frisbees and scarves for the dogs and the club honored all pets with a prize.

Treats were enjoyed by dogs and people alike as they answered trivia, marched their pets and shared their smiles with one another. Yes, the dogs were smiling, too.

In the top photo, mom and grandma smile with their fur-baby, all dressed for a rainy day. Luckily, the showers held off! Below are a number of the pets posing with their people as they ready for the parade.

Both Optimist Clubs worked on membership during their events with poster that explained what Optimist Clubs do - They bring out the best in youth, community and you.

Click to see more pictures here:
West Tacoma Optimist Club Pancake Breakfast
Share-A-Smile Optimist Club Dog Parade

What projects has your Optimist Club performed this summer? Send us a story and a picture so that we may publish it here.

Monday, August 8, 2016

Help a child reach her dream

experience optimism
One of the most often repeated reasons for belonging to an Optimist Club is to help make a difference in the life of a child.

By promoting a positive way of life, we also make a difference in our communities and in ourselves; but the ability to help a child stands out in all that we do.

Optimist Clubs support schools, coach and fund youth sports, provide scholarships, host parties and youth appreciation events and serve as mentors and friends of youth, among other activities. You might say, youth is our thing.

The only way that Optimist Clubs can continue to do any of the above is with your help. Help a child reach her dream and you'll find that you reach yours as well. Join an Optimist Club today.

If you are already a member, thank you. Won't you please give someone else the opportunity to serve as an Optimist volunteer? Please ask someone to join your Optimist Club today.

Click here to find an Optimist Club near you.
Click here if I might help you start a new Optimist Club in your community.
Click here to be a Friend of Optimists.

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