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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Notes and notables from the PNW District Optimist Convention

The Pacific Northwest District Optimist Clubs came together on August 25-27 for the annual convention. This year's event was held in Bellevue, Washington with the brand new Lake Washington Optimist Club welcoming us to their community. Charter president Lisa Leo and Governor Ed Murphy made us feel right at home.

Larry Blackburn
As always, a lot of things happen at a district meeting and being there is the only way to really feel the energy. Some of the highlights were:

Larry Blackburn was elected to serve as Governor-elect for 2011-2012. He will become Governor in 2012-2013.

Bill French was sworn into office as Governor for 2011-2012, along with his lieutenant governors and two most recent past governors, to begin service on October 1, 2011.

Sue and Jack Creswell
Jack Creswell, Optimist International President-Designate performed the installation honors and gave us much to think about with the new theme of 100% and then some.

Sue Creswell, Optimist International Certified Trainer and first lady-to-be presented training to incoming officers along with Jack and the PNW Leadership Development team.

A barbecue was held at "Ed's Lake" a mere thirty minute drive from the hotel where the group was mesmerized by the young musicians, the Daus Brothers, and enjoyed boat rides, good food, and great company.

Of course, Governor Ed presided over the official business of the convention leading the shortest Board of Directors meeting in PNW District history.

Teresa and Fred Wallace
MK Mueller, author of 8 to Great led a motivational workshop inspiring participants to use the Optimist Creed to attract and retain members.

Even though the election was already in the bag, Larry Blackburn was caught politicking at the Old Timer's Breakfast where he and Flo gave us a look at what it was like to live 100 years as an Idaho potato farmer. (sometimes you just have to be there)

At the governor's awards dinner, Fred Wallace was honored with the Roy Proctor Award for Lifetime Service to the PNW District.

Bill French, Larry Krangle, Ed Murphy
Larry Krangle, member of the Vancouver BC Optimist Club was recognized for 60 years membership with perfect attendance, nonetheless.

We were honored to meet a number of first-timers to our district convention. We hope they will all return to see us often.

And the final meeting of the year would not have been complete without a missing bell and gavel. First-timer Becky Holm of the Roseburg Optimist Club proved she was part of the district family by holding "Belle" for ransom and texting the governor to prompt a donation to the Optimist International Foundation for her safe return.

"Belle"
Governor Ed turned over the bell and gavel safely to Governor-designate Bill French, but not before thanking those who were there and all others by extension for their service and dedication to their Optimist Clubs throughout the year. With 34 days (now 30) left to achieve your club's goals, he reminded us that it is possible to add more members, including Friends of Optimists, and meet the 20% new member goal set by Optimist International President Danny Rodgers for all Optimist Clubs this year.

Following are a number of photos from the event. We'd love to add your pictures to the album too.  Please mail them to the PNW District Blog. Thanks for sharing!



Friday, August 26, 2011

Getting familiar with social media

The PNW District Convention is in full swing in Bellevue, Washington. Among other topics, today attendees enjoyed a presentation about using social media to promote their Optimist Club.

Like an elevator speech, microblog posts on Facebook and Twitter are designed to get the reader to say tell me more. Your blog and website then deliver your message 24/7. Please review the presentation and when you are ready to learn more, contact Linda Jackson.
Social Media is not a fad
View more presentations from Linda Jackson

Linda Jackson is the social media strategist for the district. She is available to make presentations to your club. Contact Linda here.

Like the PNW District Optimists on Facebook. 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

101 Optimist Club Members and Counting


It's official! This week, the Twin Falls Optimist Club is having more fun!


According to membership records and their newsletter, The Blab, as of August 18, the club has met their own challenge to increase their membership to 101 members. 

President Keleigh Godfrey started out this year with a goal and a plan. Her goal was for the Twin Falls Optimist Club to reach 101 members. "It's more fun with 101," she said. 

The plan was to enlist everyone to help. Membership co-chairs, Barry Knoblich and Danae Klimes provided ongoing motivation and encouraged everyone to bring guests to the meetings (and they did!). 

They also made suggestions every week in their newsletter for where to find potential members including past Optimist Club members, business partners, "the family plan," and even a little target marketing to the Hispanic community to serve the large number of kids that are just out of reach.

The secret to their success lies in the enthusiasm that Keleigh, Barry, Danae and other members of the club brought to the challenge and the orientation and retention efforts to keep new and existing members involved and engaged.

Since October 1, 2010, the Twin Falls Optimist Club has added 38 members and deleted 8. What a great way to serve the community.

Congratulations Twin Falls Optimist Club. Welcome new members. We can't wait to meet you!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Experience Optimism: Shooting for the Olympics

Experience Optimism: Shooting for the Olympics:
Mitchell Van Patten won the sporter division of the American Legion's Junior Air Rifle National Championships on August 6. He earned a $2,500 scholarship and made another step toward his goal of shooting in the Olympics.


The Junior Rifle Program has been sponsored by the Meridian Optimist Club since 1972. In 1997, the club took responsibility for the program, coaches, facilities and shooters and are now raising funds to build a new building as the Meridian Optimist Youth Training Center. Please click on the link to find out more about Mitchell and the Meridian Optimist Club Junior Rifle Club. Please click on the picture to watch a video of Mitchell Van Patten and the American Legion Junior Air Rifle Championships. 

Saturday, August 20, 2011

PNW Optimists - You've been challenged!

Keleigh Godfrey, President, Twin Falls Optimist Club wants you to be a part of history by joining them for the first-ever Wings & Things Ultimate Tailgate Challenge, Saturday, September 10, 2011.
Hey Idaho Optimists!
We're talking to you!


What is it?
A team cook-off tailgate party to show your spirit, creativity and drive to serve the kids in Idaho as an Optimist Club.

What does your Optimist Club need to do?
  • Reserve a space at Twin Falls City Park. (click here for the registration form)
  • Provide and decorate a tent.
  • Cook food for approximately 500 hundred people to sample.
  • Bring the paper products to serve the sample in.
  • Encourage your friends and others to come and have some fun in the park.
Awards will be given in 5 categories:
  • Each category of food (wings, BBQ, chili, Dutch oven cooking and young chefs) 
  • Best decorations
  • Best team spirit
Robin Stanhope and Keleigh appeared on the Rise & Shine program on KMVT/Twin Falls to promote the Wings & Things Ultimate Tailgate Challenge.


Watch, get inspired, and reserve your tent today.

 

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Experience "8 to Great" with author MK Mueller at the PNW District Convention


Optimist Club members first learned of author and motivational speaker MK Mueller at the 2009 Optimist International Convention held in Orlando, Florida where she entertained and engaged the audience with her powerful message of how to find strength and gratitude in our lives. She brought the audience to their feet after her presentation.

Now MK is coming to the Pacific Northwest especially for the PNW Optimist District Convention!  We will be blessed with a full afternoon of her amazing "8 to Great-ness" workshop that is based on the same concepts as our Optimist Creed.  Powerfully practical, MK will give us life-changing ideas on how to grow and strengthen our clubs as well as how to grow and strengthen our own optimism and courage.

Pack your bags, book your flight, load the car and come to Bellevue WA.  August 25th - 27th, 2011.  Please watch MK's presentation about the Optimist Creed. We know it will get you in the mood for this special presentation.


Saturday, August 13, 2011

Optimistic support of the Oregon National Guard

The Hillsboro Optimist Club pledged to support the Oregon National Guard Delta Company before they deployed in 2009. Although the unit returned last year, the Optimist Club's commitment and involvement continues today.

Monte Akers, a leader of the project and member of the Hillsboro Optimist Club provided the following pictures with the description of one of their recent activities with the unit, "Attached are pictures from the Oregon National Guard Delta Company Picnic for soldiers and their families after they had returned from their two week training summer camp. They are also the soldiers that returned from a 1 year deployment in Iraq last year. The Hillsboro Optimist Club teamed up with the Delta Company Family Readiness Group to provide a Bouncy House, Home Depot Pencil Box Projects and Face Painter for the kids. We also, provided a Santa and gifts for the kids while the soldiers were deployed."



Photos courtesy of Monte Akers.


Thank you, Hillsboro Optimist Club, for your ongoing commitment to our servicemen and women and their families.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Students, start writing!

The kids are headed back to school in just a few short weeks! That means it is time to begin communicating with students, parents and teachers about the Annual Optimist International Essay Contest.

The topic this year is "How My Positive Outlook Benefits My Community."

Students under the age of 18 as of December 31, 2011 may compete for a $2,500 scholarship by writing 700 to 800 words on the assigned topic and submitting their entry to the local Optimist Club. 

The contest begins at the club level. First place entries from all clubs are forwarded to the District level where the essay is judged against all other club winning entries to achieve the $2,500 award. 

District winners are forwarded to the international level where the top essay writer is recognized in The Optimist magazine.

This contest has become quite popular in the PNW District. Please be sure to review the rules pad and club chair package because there are some changes to the contest this year. 
Students: to find your local Optimist Club in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington or British Columbia, please use the links on the left side of this page. Please be aware that not all Optimist Clubs participate in this contest. 

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