Proud to be an Optimist Day

The Caribbean District - Optimist International has declared that March 27, 2103 will be "I am proud to be an Optimist" Day. PNW Optimist Clubs, let's join them!

According to organizer Patrick Prendergast, some simple ideas to let the world know that you are an Optimist Club member are:

• Place an advertisement in your local newspaper or write an article or letter to the editor that gives testimony to the benefits of belonging to an Optimist Club
• Create an Optimist Corner at your office/workplace with pictures of a project, a previous CPA book, the Optimist Magazine, bulletins from your club or anything that will help your colleagues take notice of our cause. 
• Wear your Optimist attire and trappings with even more pride on that day; share your elevator speech and offer promotional material including an application to join. 

Another simple, soft-selling message, and one that will gather a great deal of attention among our Facebook friends and family is to change our profile picture for one day of solidarity and awareness. Please right click on the picture provided and save the image as a picture on your local computer. On March 27, upload this picture to your Facebook profile and proclaim to the world that you are "Proud to be an Optimist."

Thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving to Optimists everywhere

Today, in the United States, families and friends will gather for the first feast of the holiday season. They know that they aren't gathering merely to eat. They are coming together to share stories, their spirit and culture with others so that it may continue far into the future.

Giving thanks is respectful. It is good to celebrate the human spirit with gratitude. Thank you, Optimist Club members, for all that you do every day to share your spirit of service and hope.

Click here to read about the first Thanksgiving (celebrated in September) at history.com. 

Jerome Optimists host Fishing Derby

No words are needed when the joy is present on the faces of so many. Thanks to the Jerome Optimists and Project Coordinator Sheri Mitchell for a job well done!

Click here to read all about it in the Magic Valley Times.

Optimists recognized for sharing the spirit

Steve Andersen, District Governor, challenged all members of the PNW District to recruit new members during the March for Members campaign. Three outstanding Optimists claimed their prizes at the recent PNW District Meeting. Recognized for sharing the spirit of optimism by adding new members were:

• Lorraine Coots, Mason County Optimist Club
• Earl Pollack, Optimist Club of Coquitlam
• Mary Chappell Borden, Mason County Optimist Club

Don't wait until next March to share the spirit of Optimism. All you have to do is "just ask."

PNW District Oratorical Contest completed

The PNW District of Optimist International hosted the District Oratorical Contest in Newport Beach, Oregon on April 26. Eight wonderfully poised contestants from ages 10 to 15 each spoke on the topic "Why Me? Why Not?"

Following their performances, district oratorical chair John Bareis dismissed the judges to deliberate with the caution, "I'm glad it's not me that has to make the decision." But the judges did decide and emerging victorious was Clareesa Jones from Vancouver, WA. You can watch a recording of her speech at the club level here.

Ms. Jones receives a $1,500.00 college scholarship from the Optimist International Foundation for her victory. Earning second place and a $1,000 scholarship was Arianne Melton from Gresham, Oregon. Austin Lundin from Hillsboro, Oregon placed third and will receive a $500.00 scholarship.

Other finalists were Bengt Freepons, Pasco-TriCities; Emma Walter, Pasco-Tri-Cities; Mackenzie Hoff-Bell, Mission , BC; and Rabeel Jaweed, Vancouver-North Shore.

Christmas tree sales fund year-round Optimist Club projects

The Meridian Optimist Club has completed a successful season of Christmas tree sales. Through this major fund raising effort the club supports a Junior Air Rifle Club and Shooting Range, all Optimist Scholarship Programs, the Meridian Food Bank and more than twenty-five other special projects in the community. That's at least two projects per month! Go MOC!

Participate in an Optimist Scholarship Contest

Every year, Optimist Clubs around the world participate in Optimist International sponsored scholarship programs for writing and speaking. All begin at the club level and have different criteria to progress through zones, regions, and district judging. The topics for 2008 and a PNW District Contact email address for each contest are as follows:

Essay Contest - "Today's Choices Shape My Future" Email

Oratorical Contest - "Why Me? Why Not?" Email

Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDH) - "Why Me? Why Not?" Email

Find out more, including entry requirements, at newoptimistclub.com.