News & Announcements
Revised District Directory Available - New Mar 12th, 2010
OIF Club Grant Applications Due March 15th - New Mar 12th, 2010
IMPORTANT OI Supplies Update - New Mar 11th, 2010
Annual District Convention Invitation - New Feb 6th, 2010
3rd Quarter District Conference and Oratorical Contest Invitation - New Mar 3rd, 2010
Now it's Time for Growth - Feb 26th, 2010.
Club Connect Contest Winners - Feb 25th, 2010.
Ideas for a CCC Fundraiser - Feb 1st, 2010.
2nd Quarter District Newsletter - Jan 31st, 2010.
Revised District Directory Available
I am pleased to announce that a revised District Directory and Darryl's Team Contact Card are now available for download.
Please review the contact information for yourself and your club and email me the revisions.
In addition, we are asking for submissions for changes to District Policies that are published in the District Directory. Please submit your recommended changes to Gov Darryl or DST Patti.
DST Patti Welling 
Mar 12th, 2010
IMPORTANT for US Clubs
OI Club Grant Applications Due March 15th
Webmaster Note - we apologize for the late notice of this information as we have only been able to post this online as of today.
I am Ray Able and I am a member of the Optimist International Foundation's Club Grant Committee. This communication is to request your assistance to promote the Club Grant Program in your respective regions.
As you may know the Club Grant Program was started last year and is continuing this year. The program is an excellent way for a small or new club, or any club, to try a new they may not have all the funding they need. This will hopefully lead to continueing viable for our youth and communities. The Grant Program is open to any US Club and is very easy for which to apply. All a club needs is an idea and a few minutes to fill out a simple two sided form and get it to OIF. The application can be found on the Foundation website and can be completed by hand or online. The forms are due in to OIF by 15 Mar 10 which is fast approaching, but there is still time.
I know that time is short, but if you have any contact with our governors in the next week or two maybe you could ask them to promote the program through their newsletters,websites, district conferences or zone meetings.
I would like to thank you in advance and apologize for the short lead time. I sort of goofed up and thought I had sent this to you about three weeks ago. However,. while going though my sent items looking for something else I could not find my e-mail to you. When I could not find it anywhere I worried that it had not gone out at all. So, thats why your getting it now.
If you should have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Yours in Optimism,
Ray Able
419-238-5086 (H)
419-238-2044 (W)
wrable @ roadrunner.com
Opt Ray Able Mar 12, 2010
IMPORTANT OI Supplies Update
As you know, Optimist International is transitioning to a new official supply vendor. Promotions Corall has been awarded the contract to supply Optimist Clubs with official licensed products. During this transition from the old supplier (Shumsky) to Corall, there have been some concerns over product availability and shipping issues. Corall is working hard to remedy all of these issues. They recently opened a new warehouse/shipping facility in Orlando, Florida, and they are working hard to meet all customer needs. Their new website should be operational by April 1.
On a related note, the Optimist International Board of Directors requests your help in protecting Optimist International's trademarks. The organization has an exclusive agreement with Promotions Corall to sell products and use the Optimist International trademarks. No other vendors are allowed to market or sell Optimist trademarked products at any meeting, event or activity.
We appreciate your help in protecting the integrity of the organization's trademarks. If you have any questions, please contact our District OI Supplies Chair - Brian Wallace or the OI Offices in Montreal or St. Louis.
OI Executive Director Benny Ellerbe Mar 11th, 2010
Annual District Conference
The Breakfast Optimist Club of Bozeman, Montana, is excited about hosting the District #13, 2010 Convention at the Holiday Inn. Our pre-planning and reparation convention committee has developed a program that we are certain you will enjoy and remember for years to come.
You can plan on participating in:
- Meet & Greet with IO President Mark Shriver on Thursday evening.
- Famous Pitchfork Fondue will be held at the Optimist Bozeman Pond on Firday evening.
- Business Meetings and Workshops will be held on Friday and Saturday.
- Saturday Mountain Man Breakfast open to everyone including the kids.
- Saturday Evening Governor’s Banquet - Come celebrate the last official district meeting of Governor Darryl's year and the introduction of Governor-elect Tim and his team for 2010-2011.
- Kids and Companions Programs to keep our family members entertained.
- Annual Golf Tournament get your clubs ready!
Your travels to the Bozeman area will take you through some of the most historic and scenic territory to behold. A mix of prairies, mountains, wildlife, and wild rivers will tempt you to see the Conestoga wagons and buckboards of westward-bound frontiersmen and women.
We have a complete Registration Package with lots of details for you so you can start planning and booking your rooms.
After the convention, stay with us for a while. Visit "www.bozemanchamber.com" to get all the information you need to pre-plan your extra time with us.
Bring the kids, grandkids, the whole family for an experience you won’t forget.
YOU WILL
REMEMBER WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN IN 2010!!
Welcome to Bozeman, Optimists!
Sincerely,
Dennis Farnham, President
Opt Dennis Farnham Feb 6, 2010
3rd Quarter District Conference
and District Oratorical Contest
You are invited to the 3rd Quarter District Conference scheduled for May 14-15, 2010 at the "Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon" in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The District Oratorical Contest will be held on Saturday, May 15th.
Accommodations are in limited supply, so you are urged to book your rooms as soon as possible. Room rate and availability is guaranteed until April 14th, but book soon just to be sure. Call the Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon reservation number at 1-800-325-3535.
Both a "Kids & Companion Programs" are available so you can bring the entire family. Just complete a Registration Form and book your room before they are all reserved!
The Annual Meeting & District Convention will be held in Bozeman, MT - Aug 19-21, 2009
Opt James Yachyshen Mar 3rd, 2010
Now it's Time to Grow
Club Presidents and Fellow Optimists
Thank you for your commitment this year to improve what we do, how we do it and when we do it, for the betterment of our clubs, both now and for the long term. You are doing a great job! See how well you have done when you look at our District Goals. You care about the kids we serve and you care about your fellow Optimists.
So now we are ready to take the next step---growth. Together we will add new clubs, new members, new FOOs, new JOOI clubs! The third attachment has our incentives to get all of us together to do this and have fun too. International President Mark's new plus 4 incentive plan is a great addition to our tools for success. Here is a brochure to send to members and an FAQ that explains the free membership dues opportunity.
Our District growth Incentives. Make sure you add a new member or FOO member for each quarter. Catch up if you are behind. Make that commitment now and especially when you consider the power of all of you doing that this year. I pledge to do the same.
We will be net plus 125 members, form 4 new clubs, and add 50 new FOOs by July 7, 2010!
Thank you,
Darryl Sim
Governor - AMS&NW District
Gov Darryl Sim Feb 26th, 2010
Club Connect Contest Winners
And the Winners are…
Congratulations to the Riverside Optimist Club of Billings and the All Nations Optimist Club of Medicine Hat, our first and second quarter winners in the Club Connect Contest! The Riverside Club submitted a club brochure front page and back page as their entry, while the All Nations Club entered a number of promotional tools: a brochure, photo frame, banner, and A-frame signage.
Other clubs’ entries include:
- Heights Business Club of Billings – Brochure
- Dinner Optimist Club of Calgary – Brochure and Bookmark
- Optimist Club of Medicine Hat – Pamphlet
- Optimist Club of Prince Albert – Club Website, Facebook Page, and Placemat
- • Red Deer Optimist Club - Club Brochure
How does your Club Connect…with potential members, partner groups, the community? Do you have a brochure, a poster, a bookmark, a website etc.? If so, enter it in our contest and you could win. If not, why not create one? If you need help getting started, visit the Optimist International website for a brochure template and other ideas. We’ll make a prize draw each quarter. Send all entries to Activities Chair Lisa Wilson-Sturm:
- By mail: 2747 Helmsing Street, Regina, SK S4V 0X1
- By e-mail
Lisa-Wilson Sturmg Feb 25th, 2010
Ideas for a CCC Fundraiser
Hello Fellow Optimists:
Here we are already in the year 2010, can you believe it? We hope that the Christmas season has been good to all.
Here is a suggestion on how we raise money for Childhood Cancer at our meeting; we do a 50/50 draw every meeting. We sell 10 double sided tickets for $5.00. Half of the monies will be given to Childhood Cancer, and the other half to the potential winner. The draw is a two part, first from the tickets sold, and then from a deck of cards you pick out 12 cards, starting with 2-3’s, up to 2-8’s divide into two piles of six. One of the members will pick a card from the first six, and the winning ticket will pick a card from the second set of six. If the cards match, the winner gets the 50/50 monies. If not the pot just keeps building until someone wins.
I also do at least 2-3 draws from the tickets for door prizes, we all have little items at home to donate, and the members quite like this idea. In reality I have found that more members are coming out to our meetings. This gives the membership the opportunity to get to know each other better, so please ask your membership if they like these ideas, it’s certainly a good way to generate monies for Childhood Cancer.
On March 5, 6 and 7, our club (the All Nations Optimist Club of Medicine Hat) are also doing the 50/50 tickets at the Spring Tradeshow for Childhood Cancer; we also have about 12 members that are willing to shave their heads at the Tradeshow to raise more money for this “Fundraiser”
Again as mentioned these are just suggestions, maybe your Club can direct ideas to us, let’s spread the word, after all we are noted for being friends of youth. “SEE YOU ALL IN FEBRUARY”
Yours in optimism:
Addy Charette (Childhood Cancer Chair)
District CCC Chair Addy Charette Feb 1st, 2010
2nd Quarter District Newsletter
Our 2nd Quarter District Newsletter is now available for download. You'll find seven pages of information including an update from Gov Darryl, a copy of District Goals, and info about the upcoming Essay & Oratorical contests.
Membership Chair Tim Bell recognizes those clubs with increases to their membership. Mike DiNicola passes along info about Junior Golf and Fred Verzani passes along some thoughts about building JOOI clubs.
DST Patti has a few words on the upcoming 2nd Quarter Conference, Dennis Farnham has a few words about the Annual Convention and Lyle Merriam extends thanks for contributions to the OI Foundations. Brian Wallace provides some advertising for Optimist Supplies and Lisa Wilson-Sturm highlights the Club Connect Contest.
District Bulletin Editor Myrna Sieben Jan 31st, 2010