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Thursday, June 23, 2016

Angelina Zhang advances to Optimist International Oratorical World Championships

Angelina Zhang has advanced to the finals of the Optimist International Oratorical World Championships. The finals will be held Friday, June 24, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. PST at St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO.

optimist international oratorical world championships
Screen grab of Angelina Zhang learning that
she has won the West Coast Regional

Angelina is participating remotely from a location in British Columbia. Sponsored by the Vancouver, BC Optimist Club, she won the PNW District Optimist International contest on April 30 and secured a $2,500 scholarship. Her win in the regional contest held June 23 has earned her an additional $5,000 scholarship. In the finals, she will compete against eight other regional winners for an additional $15,000 scholarship prize.

The students competing in the finals are:

  • Northeast & Great Lakes Region - Sean Domencic, Atlantic Central District
  • Southeast Region - Justice Hill, South Carolina District
  • Mid-Atlantic Region - William Zupp, North Carolina West District
  • Middle America Region - Cameron Tyler, East Missouri District
  • Great Plains Region - Grant Caldwell, Southern Wisconsin District
  • Southwest Region - Dawt Sung, North Texas District
  • West Coast Region - Angelina Zhang, Pacific Northwest District
  • St. Lawrence Region - Maryme Auger, Quebec Central District
  • Global Region - Pallovi Romen, Belize

To watch the finals, please go to http://www.optimist.org/stream.cfm, 8:00 a.m. PST, June 24, 2016.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

McCall Optimist Club gets noticed by Stephen Colbert

On June 17, 2016, the McCall Optimist Club got a little national attention from Aaron Paul and the Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert. During its Community Calendar segment, viewers were invited to attend a meeting on Tuesdays, 7:00 a.m. at the Pancake House. That's right Stephen - there are no pessimists in town.

Let this clip serve as a reminder that you never know who is reading the community calendar in your town. Be sure you're advertising and inviting new members to visit and join, right here, right now.


Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Recruit your way to Honor Club

optimist international honor clubSince October 1, 2015, one hundred and two new members have joined Optimist Clubs in the Pacific Northwest District. Those new members have been added to twenty-six of the district's forty-seven active Optimist Clubs. That means that just under half of the clubs in the district have not taken steps to reach Honor Club.

You might remember that the 2014-2015 Optimist Club year focused on the positive benefits of your Optimist Club reaching Honor Club status. Among them was a commitment to fellow club members, the community, youth and ourselves that we were going to be around for a long time.

Honor Club is a minimum achievement with maximum benefits. Here are the requirements for the 2015-2016 Optimist International administrative year:
  • Conduct three or more service projects
  • Meet financial obligations with Optimist International and the District
  • Recognize a community or club member as an outstanding Optimist, Friend of Youth, or other honor. Report the recognition on this form.
  • Complete the President's Pride Report. Complete the President's Pride online at www.optimistleaders.org or by downloading the form here
  • End the year with one or more members than it started with (net +1) 
Currently, as of June 15, 2016, the Optimist Clubs that are on track to receive Honor Club are
Zone 1 British Columbia  
Vancouver, BC +1
Zone 2  Idaho 
Horseshoe Bend, ID +2
Meridian, ID  +1
McCall, ID +2
Nampa, ID +1 
Zone 3 Oregon 
Albany, OR +3
Beaverton, OR +1
Lebanon, OR +15
Portland Northeast, OR +2
Portland Peninsula, OR +6
Roseburg, OR +6 
Zone 4 Washington 
Issaquah, WA +1
Share-a-Smile, WA +1
Optimist International recognizes members who have sponsored 3 or more new members into an Optimist Club. The recent Leadership Hotline recognized the following members for their recruitment efforts:
  • Jim McDaniel, Lebanon Optimist Club
  • Helen Ramsdell, Lebanon Optimist Club
  • John Teuscher, Portland Peninsula Optimist Club
  • William Tucker, Lebanon Optimist Club
  • Linda Vaught Disney, Share-A-Smile Optimist Club

This is your call to action! Follow their lead. Sponsor a new member - or three - into your Optimist Club and help make a difference in your community by being an Optimist Honor Club.


Saturday, June 11, 2016

West Tacoma Optimist Club celebrates 60 years of optimism

optimist club tacoma west

On May 17, 2016, the West Tacoma Optimist Club celebrated its 60th anniversary. On hand were Linda Vaught Disney, Vice President, West Coast Region, Optimist International and Ron Thompson, Past Optimist International President, many Optimist Club members and spouses and special guest Waldo Stone, a charter member of the West Tacoma Optimist Club.

waldo stone west tacoma optimist clubThe group celebrated its many years of success with stories of fundraisers - emphasis on fun - and service for 60 years in the Tacoma community. Past members attended to enjoy the day with their peers. See more in the 60th Anniversary Edition of the club's bulletin, the West Tacoma Oracle.

The club honored Mr. Stone with an Optimist International Foundation print.

See more pictures and watch a video at the West Tacoma Optimist Club's Facebook page.


Friday, June 3, 2016

Two candidates announced for PNW District Governor-elect

ben deremer pnw district optimist
Ben DeRemer
Candidate Qualifications Chair and Immediate Past Governor Dick Disney has announced that two Optimist Club members have indicated their intention to run for Governor-elect 2016-17 of the Pacific Northwest District.

The two candidates and their respective Optimist Clubs are:

  • Ben DeRemer, Gresham Scouters and Gresham, Oregon
  • Teresa Wallace, Gresham, Oregon
An interview was held with each candidate and the  questions with their responses follow:

Why do you wish to run for PNW District Governor-Elect?
Teresa Wallace
Ben: “I want to be able to create value to the district that has a meaningful impact for the clubs and the programs they support.” 
Teresa: “I was asked. I’m honored. I helped Fred his year & I believe I can do it.”

What do you wish to accomplish during your term? (Goals etc.)

Teresa: “Find a solution to the question, why should I pay to volunteer? So our clubs can grow.” 
Ben: “– To create best practices training the new members that join our clubs so that they feel more engaged/active to continue with their clubs;
- Make the district and its functions transparent with their duties and responsibilities so that even a brand new member can understand their purpose.”

List at least three leadership positions you have held in the district? (Club president, zone, committee chairperson, district office, etc.
Ben: “Club President – 2x, District Committee Chair – 3X, Lt. Governor – 1X” 
Teresa: “Leadership Chair (District), President 3 times, Lt. Gov. 2x’s”

Do you commit to a three year service (Gov.-Elect, Gov., and Immediate Past Gov.)?

Teresa: “Absolutely” 
Ben: “Yes, I commit to the minimum of three years, plus any additional asked of me.”

Do you commit to attending all district conferences, 2nd quarter super zone (If selected) meetings and the annual convention meetings?

Ben: “Yes, I will attend all district functions, meetings and conferences if I am selected.” 
Teresa: “Yes!”

Can you afford financially to meet the demands of this office even if reimbursements are delayed or reduced because of the district’s budget? (This includes, transportation, lodging and meals on your own)
Teresa: “Yes” 
Ben: “Yes, I can afford to cover expenses for the duties in which I am in charge of if the district cannot afford it.”

Do you have someone to officially nominate you?
Ben: “Yes, I have approached several people who would nominate me.” 
Teresa: “Yes”

Do you have someone to speak to your qualifications and to the positive contributions you can provide as governor of the PNW District? 
Teresa: “Yes” 
Ben: “I have some who can speak to my qualifications as well as backups for convention.”

Have you approached anyone to serve as Secretary/Treasurer?
Ben: “Yes I have, and I will look for several potential candidates.” 
Teresa: “Not yet”

Nominations remain open until the PNW District Convention, August 25-28, 2016.

Optimist Club members in good standing who have served as an Optimist Club President may contact
Dick Disney  for an interview to  be officially declared a qualified candidate.

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