PNW Optimist Clubs will increase to 12 zones

The Third Quarter Meeting of the PNW District-Optimist International was held May 11-12, 2018 in Vancouver, Washington. Twelve past governors and about twenty clubs were on hand for the realignment of zones and the election of lieutenant governors for the 2018-2019 administrative year. Governor-elect Ben DeRemer shared with the group more of the strategic plan that he has been working on, explaining that there are six pillars that he hopes to strengthen during the coming year:

1. Governance
2. Growth
3. Finance
4. Marketing
5. Technology
6. Meetings

In order to provide more hands-on service to Optimist Clubs, the assembled group approved increasing the number of zones and lieutenant governors from 6 to 12. Caucuses were held for the election of lieutenant governors, but without a large representation of club members, the process was delayed. Ben will follow-up in the next weeks to fill the new opportunities created for service in the district.

Ben also explained that he had discovered there are portions of British Columbia that are not included in any existing district boundary. He achieved approval to petition the Optimist International Board of Directors to include these areas in the PNW District. He further explained that Utah, with only one Optimist Club in Salt Lake City, would benefit from outreach from surrounding Optimist Clubs. Tentative approval was given to reach out Optimist International and the Pacific Central District to include this area in the PNW District pending concurrence from the easternmost clubs of Twin Falls and Jerome.

But before any of that administrative stuff could happen, we heard from some of the best and brightest students in the Pacific Northwest during the PNW District-Optimist International Oratorical Contest finals. The topic was "Where are my roots of Optimism" and the winners were:

• 1st place and $2,500 scholarship - Asha Mior, Vancouver, BC Optimist Club
• 2nd place and $1,500 scholarship - Richard Chen, Coquitlam, BC Optimist Club
• 3rd place and $1,000 scholarship - Madison Stephens, West Tacoma Optimist Club

Asha will now move forward to the Optimist International World Championships being held in St. Louis and online, June 28-29, 2018.

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all participants. You were remarkable!

We also send a big thank-you to Governor Bruce and Judy Gilbertson and Secretary-Treasurer Mary White for the planning and execution of a successful event.

Our next gathering will be the PNW District Convention, August 10-11-12, 2018, Lebanon, Oregon. The Lebanon Optimist Club is looking forward to hosting a big group - save the date and make your plans now!