We love stories about your Optimist Club. Please tell us one and we'll add it to the website.
Click here, email, or post to Facebook. Thank you!

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Bruce Gilbertson elected to PNW District - Optimist International Governor 2017-2018

Bruce Governor Elect PNW Optimist ClubsThe 2016 PNW District Convention brought a touch of surprise to the assembled Optimist Club members when Bruce Gilbertson, Salem Optimist Club, threw his name into the hat for the position of governor-elect.

You know Bruce - he's friendly, but quiet and always seems to think things through and make wise comments and decisions; but did you know that he was a charter president of the Optimist Club of Laramie, Wyoming before moving to Salem, Oregon where he has served as president of the Salem Optimist Club three times? He's been a lieutenant governor and District supporter because that's what you are supposed to do when you are or have been an Optimist Club president.

On August 27, 2016 Bruce added a new Optimist title to his name when he became Governor-elect of the Pacific Northwest District. Following a thorough supporting nominating speech from Peter Sudduth, President, Roseburg Optimist Club, Bruce raised the confidence of the District with a speech that outlined what he hopes to accomplish as Governor. He said,
"Besides building on what Gov. Rick Matkin gets started I want to:
  1. Find out what we need to do to attract our regular club members to our district meetings so they can get fired up along with their officers.
  2. Focus our efforts on helping our struggling clubs. There is too much invested in them to let them slip away.
  3. Increase our membership and find a meaningful way to get younger people involved so we can continue to serve our kids in the future.
  4. See if there is some way to get a larger number of clubs in the voting process on making changes to our policies, dues, and who will serve them as Governor-elect."
With such goals already defined, the PNW District - Optimist International is in good hands with our new Governor-elect.

Congratulations, once again, to Bruce Gilbertson, PNW District Governor 2017-2018.

Popular Posts