Introducing the District Youth Programs Team
The District Youth Programs Team is responsible for running the District Scholarship Contests, and supporting clubs with running other OI sanctioned youth programs. We are pleased to introduce the District Growth Team for 2011-12:
Childhood Cancer Campaign Chair: Rod McKendrick (Regina Downtowners)
Rod is returning to the District Team as the CCC Chair. In addition to serving a Club President and Zone Lieutenant Governor, he served as District Governor in 2005-06. Rod has served as Membership, International Ambassador and Candidate Qualifications Chairs in previous years. Rod has a strong passion for Childhood Cancer Campaign looks forward to engaging club leadership to become familiar with the communities’ programs already in existence for childhood cancer, and seek out ways to enhance those programs through Club involvement.
My primary role is to promote the Club/Zone participation in a childhood cancer program. I urge Club leadership to seek out opportunities to serve children with cancer and their families. We have a lot of valuable resources available to you to help with your active participation in the Optimist International Childhood Cancer Campaign.
Find out more about the Childhood Cancer Campaign
CCDHH Contest Chair: Wyn McAra (Edmonton Dinner)
Wyn is returning to the District Team for a third consecutive year as the CCDHH Contest Chair. She has been very active with running the club and Zone Oratorical and CCDHH competitions in the Edmonton area for many years. Wyn is passionate about the power of public speaking and how it helps to give youth the courage to overcome personal obstacles. invites you to become active with engaging local Schools for the Deaf to run local CCDHH contests so that a sizeable field of competitors can participate in the District competition.
It is important for club leadership to conduct a local CCDHH contest, or otherwise sponsor a youth from one of the schools supporting deaf and hard of hearing students into a District Contest if the number of participants are limited at the local level.
My primary role is to promote Club participation in the Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and to conduct a District Competition. I invite you to become active with engaging local Schools for the Deaf to run local CCDHH contests so that a sizeable field of competitors can participate in the District competition.
We have a lot of valuable resources available to you to help with your active participation in the Optimist International Club and District CCDHH Competition.
Find out more about the Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Essay Contest Chair: Dick Mastel (Medicine hat)
Dick is returning to the District Team after serving in 2010-11 as Lieutenant Governor for Zone 6. Disk previously served on the District Team as Achievement and Awards Chair in 1986-87 and Lieutenant Governor in 1987-88.
My primary role is to promote Club participation in the Essay Writing Contest and to conduct a District Competition. I invite you to become active with engaging local Schools for the Essay contests so that a sizeable field of competitors can participate in the District competition.
We have a lot of valuable resources available to you to help with your active participation in the Optimist International Club and District Essay Competition.
Dick joined the Optimist Club of Medicine Hat on July 28, 1979. He has held every position in the Club and most several times with the exception of Secretary/Treasurer. Dick was Distinguished President in 1983-84 and had the opportunity to attend the Distinguished President's convention in St. Louis.
Why did you become an Optimist? I became an Optimist because someone asked me. I was new to the city, recently married, no children, the sort of members we are looking hard for today. I was impressed with the Creed, the activities the Club was involved in and the contact with kids as I was a teacher at the time.
Dick was one of a team of 4 Optimists from Medicine Hat who lead the building of the Optimist Club of Lethbridge, chartered on Feb 29, 1984, leap year.
Why do you conitnue as an Optimist? I continue to be a member for two main reasons, the friendship made in the Club and the District, and the work the organization does with and for kids ... Nobody would stay in any organization if they didn't get something back. My "back" is the fellowship and friendships that have been build in the Club and the District over the last 30 years.
What do you enjoy most about being an Optimist? As an Optimist I see some of the friends more often than ones who live in the same city. We are bonded by friendship and focused on kids and making our respective communities better.
Find out more about the District Essay Contest
Oratorical Contest Chair: Marilyn Bushell (Calgary Dinner)
Marilyn is the last remaining charter member of the Calgary Dinner Optimist Club, formed in 1994. She has served as Club President several times (attaining the levels of Honor and Distinguished) and as Club Secretary. Marilyn is a past Lieutenant Governor for Zone 6 in 2001-02 (Honor) and 2008-09. She is a BOE helping to build the Traditional Optimist of Calgary. Marilyn served as the first District Juvenile Curling Chair and was instrumental in getting Optimist Juvenile Curling started in Alberta. Marilyn served as the Essay Contest Chair for 2009-10 and last year as the District Secretary-Treasurer and Activities & CPA Chair.
"I became an Optimist to help serve the youth in my area. I continue to be part of this organization because of the difference my club is making in the Calgary area by helping youth at all levels. What is I enjoy most about this organization is the people that I have met helping youth in the District and beyond."
My primary role is to plan, promote and conduct the annual District Oratorical Contest Finals at the Third Quarter Conference. I invite you to become active with engaging local Schools for the Oratorical contests so that a sizeable field of competitors can participate in the District competition.
We have a lot of valuable resources available to you to help with your active participation in the Optimist International Club and District Essay Competition.
Find out more about the District Essay Contest
Junior Golf Chair: Brent Card (Saskatoon Hub City)
Brent Card
Jr. Golf Chair
Res: (306) 242-8024
My primary role is to plan, promote and conduct the District Junior Golf Tournaments for 2012 and 2013, and to increase participation of youth in the Tournament. Brent invites you to attend the Junior Golf workshops at a Quarterly District Conference nearest to you.
Brent is returning to the District Team this year as the Junior Golf Chair, having served as the Lieutenant Governor for Zone 7 last year. Brent is a long serving member of the Saskatoon Hub City Optimist Club since 1997 and has served as Club President (1998-99 and 2009-10).
What is the primary reason you continue to serve as an Optimist? "I enjoy the fellowship and working with kids and helping to assist childrens programs."
What do you enjoy most about being an Optimist? "Fellowship and being apart of an international community."
Find out more about the District Junior Golf Contest
Juvenile Curling Chair: Reg Lakness (Govan)
Reg is returning for a third year as the District Juvenile Curling Chair and plans on an supporting the Under-18 OI Juvenile Curling Competition this year. Please contact Reg for information on how to support Juvenile Curling in your local community and the Province or State Competitions.
The Optimist International Juvenile Curling Competition started as a partnership between Alberta Optimists clubs and the Alberta Curling Association to form a curling competition for under-18 youth curlers. The first competition was held in Calgary in 2001, and it has grown into an international competition that features boys and girls teams from Canada, the United States and Japan. The Optimist International Youth Programs Committee officially sanctioned Juvenile Curling as an Optimist International Program in late 2009.
My primary role is to promote the Juvenile Curling Competitions and encourage Optimist Clubs throughout the District to participate and assist with local U18 youth curling competitions.
Find out more about the OI Juvenile Curling Program
Internet Safety Chair: Brian Wallace (Edmonton Dinner)
Brian Wallace
Internet Safety
Chair
Res: (780) 487-6241
Brian joined in 1981 and has server as a Distinguished Club President (St. Albert 1991-92) and Honor President (Edmonton Dinner 1996-97). and Zone Lieutenant Governor in 1998-99. Brian has served three terms as District Supplies Chair (2005-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11) and is returning to chair the District Internet Safety activities for the coming year.
Why did you become an Optimist? "We needed 25 members to Charter St. Albert, my Dad Keivin was an Optimist, we were need of a couple more members and suddenly I was an Optimist."
Internet Safety is a relatively new initiative from Optimist International wo partnered with ikeepsafe.org to develop an Internet Safety education program which includes training for youth, adults and adult educators. Suitable for introduction in local schools and youth organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and youth sports teams.
What is the primary reason you continue to serve as an Optimist? "Fellowship and find Optimists are a valubable resourse in serving youth. I am involved with Scouting and would not be able to do as much without the Optimist Club."
The Internet Safety has proven to be a useful program for my home club and timly information for our Scouting group. The internet is a new 'playgound' for kids but it is not supervised very well. All Optimists are urged to consider this program for your club. We have a lot of valuable resources available to you to help with your club's active participation in the Optimist International Internet Safety Program. Mike invites you to attend the Internet Safety Program workshop at a Quarterly District Conference nearest to you.
Find out more about the Internet Safety Program