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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Keep smiling, keep serving


As another Optimist International administrative year comes to a close, we thank our Optimist Club leaders, members, and volunteers for helping us bring out the best in children.

We especially thank you for sharing your positive attitude. In the words of Helen Keller, optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

May you continue to serve in the coming year and beyond. Thank you.

Photo credit: Care.com.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Recognition program benefits the kids

It's that time of year when Optimist Clubs scramble to add and delete members. The goal set by President Jack Creswell and Optimist International was for every club to strive to end the administrative year, September 30, with a net gain of at least one new member.

Every club that completes that requirement is eligible to receive $100 credit towards the next dues billing from Optimist International. To complete the requirements, the club must also be current on dues, complete 3 projects and report them on the President's Pride report, and recognize an individual for their optimistic service.

Sounds like a pretty easy way to earn a quick $100 to me!

I often hear people say that they don't do what they do for awards. But it's not about the awards; completing those minimum requirements help ensure your Optimist Club's longevity and Optimist International is so committed to this process that they are putting up hard cash to recognize its importance.

If you want to raise that amount to a $250 credit all it will take is 15 net new members.

Don't worry; if you can't make it to 15 this year, the same program is in place for 2012-2013. End strong and begin strong. It's all for the kids.

Friday, September 21, 2012

There is always time to achieve your goals


There are nine days left in the 2011-2012 administrative year for our Optimist Clubs. That's nine days for club presidents to inspire their peers and achieve their goals. Was there something that you wanted to achieve? Now is the time to make it happen. You can do it!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Yes, it's time to register for the First Quarter Meeting

Optimist Club and District leadership run a race every year. It's a relay race and it's almost time to hand over the baton to the next runner. In a matter of two weeks, club presidents, district lieutenant governors, and our district governor will all change. That's why it's time to make plans now to attend the PNW District First Quarter Meeting

I can't think of a better way to kick the new year into fast forward than to join your Optimist friends in Hood River on October 19-20, 2012. Larry Blackburn, Governor 2012-2013 is promising to make the event both informational and fun. Some activities will include:

  • Find out how PNW District Optimists have made a love connection through optimism
  • Review and accept the district policies and budget
  • Learn about membership recruitment ideas and district growth strategies that impact your club
  • Discover what your club needs to know to hold outstanding Optimist Club scholarship programs - Essay, Oratorical and Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Contests
  • Find out how your club can host a junior golf tournament
  • Receive continuing education from the leadership development team
  • Greet your new district officers 
  • Network with other Optimist Club members who share your interests
  • Practice public relations with new media platforms
  • Participate in a talent show or enjoy those who do

We'll also discover how to put the new district theme to work in your life. Larry says, "You get more out of life when you put more into it." And with that, he has chosen the theme, "Get more out of life...help a child," to inspire us to do more in our communities in the coming year. 

Will we see you in Hood River? I hope so. Hood River a favorite location and the district meeting is an event you will enjoy. Register now for the PNW District First Quarter Meeting.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Portland Peninsula Optimist Club cooks chicken dinner

PDX Peninsula Optimist Boy Scout
AJ - Boy Scout and volunteer
Sharon Speer of the Portland Peninsula Optimist Club shared a story and pictures from a recent activity at their club. Find out, in Sharon's own words, what happened.

Dick Merck is flanked by the chefs
                                                         










A satisfied customer!

"On September 9th, the Peninsula Optimists held a Chicken BBQ fundraiser for the first time. We learned a lot and have ideas on how to make it even more successful next time. 
Dick Merck did an excellent job organizing the event. The day prior, a group went out to a farm on Sauvie's Island and picked corn and Dick's son did a bang-up job cooking the chicken and shucking all 300 ears of corn! 
Boy Scout Troop 52 volunteered to help serve meals and help with clean-up after. All I can say is YUM!"
Thanks for sharing your story, Sharon! If your Optimist Club wants to tell the world (and other clubs in the PNW) what's happening, please send it now.  

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Wings & Things fundraiser in Twin Falls, Idaho today

The Wings & Things Ultimate Tailgate Challenge takes place today in Twin Falls, Idaho. The pet project of Twin Falls Optimist Club's Immediate Past President Keleigh Godfrey, last year, the Wings & Things allowed the Optimist Club to donate $20,000 to the O'Leary School Track Fund. Proceeds from this year's event are earmarked for the same cause.

Wings & Things is being held at Twin Falls City Park, Saturday, September 8, 2012, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. There is also an online auction. Visit now to register and bid on your favorite items.


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

A race to the finish

As we reach the end of the Optimist International administrative year, Executive Director Benny Ellerbe and International President Jack Creswell are reminding the district governors that they started strong and  they must finish strong. To that end, the governors are participating in a membership race and receiving weekly updates from the Optimist International office.

Governor Bill French is leading the way in Lane 1. He asked that we share that information with the district via a blog and Facebook post. Here it is:

7th Update on Race to the Finish!! 25 Days to the Finish Line!


 
September 5, 2012

Good Morning Governors and Vice Presidents,
Hope you all had a great and wonderful Labor Day Weekend! College football is back, the NFL starts up this weekend and we have 25 GREAT Days to give 100% and then some!

Time is getting more urgent, and much work is left to be done!

Question….what do you need to be successful for the kids?
Answer………….a new Optimist in your Club! 


Before we get to the Race, let me express to you and your team the appreciation and thanks for the work, efforts, leadership and caring you have given this year. Together, we have added over 8,834 new Optimist, over 700 new Friends and 47 new Clubs! You have made a difference! History tells us that these new members will conduct hundreds of new projects and positively impact the lives of thousands and thousands of Children. 

 
From these 8,834 new Optimist will come hundreds of Club Presidents, Lt. Governors, Governors, Board members and maybe even an International President. Our future was built on your work and efforts. THANK YOU!

To the RACE:
Governor Bill French continues to lead in Lane One, beginning to look as Bill and the Pacific Northwest Team may go “wire to wire”! Benny may have something to say about that in the next few weeks……..!


Governor Ray Finocchio from Michigan District increased his lead in Lane Two again, now +69 since July, and Plus 46 for the year! Michigan is only 5 members behind Cal South for the most net growth for the year. Cal South +51, Georgia + 47 and Michigan +46 YTD Growth Leaders! Lane Two is getting very competitive……four Districts are looking great…..a determined stretch run looks exciting for these four.

Governor Gerri Barnett and her Iowa Optimists continue to build a huge lead in Lane Three. Iowa District is a HUGE + 68 net growth since July 1, 2012. 
  
Governor David Jordan and the Georgia Optimists held the lead in Lane Four, first time in 6 weeks for a repeat leader in Lane Four. 

Again, Remember Governors, You have two great tools no Governor has ever had before to motivate and excite your Clubs………the new $100 and $250 Credits for Honor and Distinguished Clubs and the 30 for $30 Program for Clubs to engage and involve an individual under 30 years of age! TWO GREAT TOOLS for Your Clubs to succeed!
Best regards,
Benny

CURRENT STANDINGS: July 1 to September 5, 2012
LANE ONE:
Pacific North West “Governor Bill French” +39 (Holding First….Arizona closing in?)
Arizona “Governor Benny Benson” +24 (New Club in the offerings !)
Quebec West “Governor Michael Geoffroy” +4 (Quebec West, 3rd and holding)
South Texas, “Governor Joe Smith +2 (3 members and STX takes Bronze!)
Atlantic Central -6
Quebec Central -10
East Missouri “Governor Sherry Nappier” -12 (Tigers slipped again this week)
North Texas -13 (Plus 19 in one week!)
South Florida -19
Caribbean -30 (PLUS 33 in one week!)


LANE TWO:
Michigan “Governor Ray Finocchio” +69 (Big Blue padding it’s lead!)
North Carolina East “Governor Jerry Medlin” +42 (Another strong week for NCE!)
SWIS “Governor Bonnie Spindler” +29 ( Plus 26 this week!)
Oklahoma “Governor Judy Evans +24 (Big jump this week! Sooners Rule! Cornhuskers ?)
Nebraska “Governor Dick Raasch” +5 (Holding pattern!)
Indiana North “Governor Mike Fisher” +1
MDSD -1
Pacific Central -1
Quebec South “Governor Alain Metivier” -3
NYNE -7
Alabama Louisiana Mississippi -18
Mid-West Ontario -21
WIMUN -36

LANE THREE:
Iowa “Governor Gerri Barnett” +68 (Plus 38 this week, Big Week! )
Kansas “Governor Larry Drbal” +16 (Go Jayhawks! )
Indiana South “Governor Charles Curry” +11 (Needs to step on the gas!)
West Missouri “Governor Carl Hoglund” +10
Arkansas “Governor Barb Perrigo” +8
Pacific Southeast “Governor Doc Molthen” +7 (USC #1?)
Pacific Southwest “ Governor Alan Wykoff” +7
Illinois Even
Quebec East-Acadie -2
Kentucky-West Virginia -6
Alberta, Montana, Saskatchewan & NW -8
Colorado Wyoming -12
New Mexico-West Texas -14


LANE FOUR:
Georgia “Governor David Jordan” +26 (Bulldogs take the lead!)
DMM “Governor Larry Pelzer” +15 (Vikings move to Silver!)
East Ontario “Governor Giles Belanger +11 (Still looking strong)
North Carolina West “Governor Kathy Howard” +9 (Tar heels are still in the Race !)
Cal South “Governor Charles Pease” +6 (Don’t count Cal South out to soon!)
Ohio “Governor Jerry Stahley” Even
Central Ontario “Governor Anne Donkers” -2
South Carolina -6
Quebec East North Shore -6
North Florida -6
Southwest Ontario -15
Tennessee -24 (Vols are plus 20, 2nd week in a row!)
Capital Virginia -25


12 WINNERS ON STAGE IN CINCINNATI!!! 33 days! Still plenty of time for a new Club, new Friends, NOW Programs, 30 for $30, New Optimists for our Kids!

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