Introducing the District Executive Team
The District Executive Team is responsible for running an effective District that fosters growth in membership and clubs, delivers fantastic youth projects and programs, and delivers services that support the Zone Lieutenant-Governors, and Clubs. We are pleased to introduce the District Executive for 2011-12:
District Governor: Ted Huber (Bozeman Breakfast)
My primary role as the District Governor is to encourage and engage our members to grow our District by recruiting more members, building new clubs in smaller communities that need an Optimist club, running more community service projects for youth and sponsoring Optimist youth scholarship programs like Oratorical, Essay and CCDHH competitions, and the Junior Golf and Juvenile Curling competitions.
I became an Optimist because someone asked me to join. However, I have been volunteering and working with kids since becoming a Boy Scout many years ago. This experience increased my awareness of the needs of youth and the Optimist organization's ability to reach out to this younger population.
Governor Ted is a long serving Optimist with the Bozeman Breakfast Optimist Club. Ted has served as Club President and Zone 2 Lieutenant Governor in 2007-08 and 2008-09 (Distinguished). Ted returned to the District last year serving as Governor-Elect and Internet Safety Program Chair.
This is a year of review, renewal, and Spiraling Upward for the District. I encourage each Club to step out of the club room, review your mission statement, review how many kids you are directly serving and how many kids in your community are still to be served. I am confident you will experience a renewal of enthusiasm for many current programs and find a new vision for future opportunities for service to our District.
Deeply committed to ensuring that OI grows in strength and commitment to supporting youth, Governor Ted invites everyone to renew your individual Optimist passion to "Bring out the best in kids".
Find out more about the District Governor
District Secretary-Treasurer: Connie Plenke (Bozeman Breakfast)
My primary role as the District Secretary-Treasurer is to provide administrative and financial management support to Governor Ted and the rest of the District Team and Lieutenant Governors throughout the Optimist year. I encourage all clubs to file their reports and pay their OI and District dues in a timely manner.
Connie joined the Breakfast Optimist Club of Bozeman in 2006 and has served as Club Secretary since 2007. She received an Honor Club Citation and Distinguished Club Citation for 2008-2009.
Why did you become an Optimist? My husband was a member and I always helped out with the fundraisers and Kid's Fish Derby so thought I might as well become a member myself
We have some excellent resources for Club Presidents and Secretary-Treasurers in our 'Members' section of this website, where you will find forms, information sheets, and other important information.
What do you enjoy most about being an Optimist? Working with the kids, meeting new people and getting to know my fellow optimists.
Find out more about the District Secretary-Treasurer
District Governor-Elect: Nick Markowsky (Prince Albert High Noon)
My primary role of the Governor-Elect is to act as the eyes and ears of the District so that I can prepare for a successful year. One of my key goals is to build a dynamic team that can continue the work of Past Governor Tim and Governor Ted as we meet the challenges of serving the needs of our communities.
Why did you become an Optimist? I enjoy helping children and hope that I can make a difference in their lives.
Gov-Elect Nick has been an optimist all his life. He joined the Prince Albert High Noon Optimist Club in 1999. He has served as Club President in 2001-02 and 2007-08, and as Honour Club Treasurer in 2004-05. Gov-Elect Nick served as Lieutenant Governor for Zone 7 in 2002-03 and served as District Supplies Chair for three consecutive years during 2006-09.
Why do you continue to serve as an Optimist? I enjoy making a difference in a Childs life. Without us (OI Club Members) there would not be anyone out there that are "Optimists" helping Children.
Find out more about the District Governor-Elect
District International Ambassador: Tim Bell (Airdrie)
Immediate Past Governor Tim returns this year to promote member attendance to the Annual OI Convention, scheduled for July 2012. Tim is a long serving member with the Airdrie Optimist Club. He has served as Club President and Secretary-Treasurer several times, and is a past Lieutenant Governor for Zone 6. Tim has a passion for fund raising for Cancer related projects in Calgary region. He served as the District PGI Chair for 2007-09 before serving as Governor-Elect and Membership Chair last year.
The 2011-12 Optimist International Convention will be held in Milwaukee, Winconsis, in July 2012. Past Governor Tim invites anyone who can attend to register for the convention and take advantage of the excellent training workshops that are provided. Refer to our meetings page for more details as they become available.
Find out more about the District International Ambassador
Candidate Qualifications Chair: Darryl Sim (Red Deer)
Past Governor Darryl joined the Optimist Club of Red Deer in 1999 and has served as Club President (Distinguished) in 2004-05. He was a Distinguished President for having increased club membership by Net+ twenty-five and starting a new club. For that year he was honored to receive the District Alex M. Wilson Award and the Over and Above Award.
Darryl served as Governor in 2009-10 and Zone 3 Lieutenant Governor in 2007-08, receiving a Distinguished Lieutenant-Governor Citation from the District and from International Past President Theo Golding he received the Presidential Above and Beyond Award as one of the top ten Lieutenant-Governors in all Optimist International.
Darryl served as the New Club Building Chair and Governor-Elect in 2008-09 prior to serving as Governor in 2009-10.
Continuing to build strong and dynamic District Teams each year relies on finding suitable candidates for the position of District Governor. As your Candidate Qualifications Chair, my role is to present a slate of candidates for the position of Governor Elect for 2012-13, to serve as Governor in 2013-14.
Find out more about the Candidate Qualifications Chair