December 23, 2002

A Christmas Tree with Snow and an Angel on Top called the meeting to order at the Clubhouse, after Bandanas catered a luncheon and Cindy Neff provided a beautiful, holiday cake, decorated with TREES!  35 attended.
On A Note of Optimism –  $110,111.73 + $132.00 MORE collected today!
*Tree Lot Recognitions -- The CTWSAAAOT recognized all who worked in ANY way on the Tree Lots this year. She then called on the Lot Managers, Red Leighton, Roy Robinson and Ellis Havard of the Grand Lot and Wayne Taylor and Max Miller of the West Lot.  
Weekly Captains were recognized for the attention to service! Thanks to Carol Irish, Jake Jolley, Pat Brown and Ellis Havard.
Ellis Havard worked the most scheduled shifts, followed by Brian Hudspeth and Pat Brown. Pat took off a week of work to manage lots and work shifts.  
Those who worked on Saturday, Dec. 7th were honored for working the day that grossed the highest income. Those who worked December 22 were recognized for the opposite -- they also serve who only stand and wait!
Best Dressed Tree Lot worker honors resulted in a TIE between Gary Meyer and Jim Schwartz -- Gotta love the Elf hat, Jim !  Nice cable-knit sweater, Gary! 
Tallest Salesmen Awards went to those who helped sell the 15' trees [all 3 of them!] 
Happiest Shift Worker honors went to Larry and Valerie Fick and Brian Hudspeth!
Monday Night A Team Award went to the reoccurring team of Lora Honey, Shannon Bruns and Susan Long!  It was noted that Bob Merriman tried to muscle in on this trio, but they shifted him to cashier!
Most Annoying Santa [!] award went to You-Know-Who!
Top Salesman Award went to Red Leighton for selling nuts or candies to customers who didn't even know that they wanted to buy something!
The meeting adjourned with the Creed.

December 16, 2002

Valerie Goodin rang the bell at 12:05PM so that The Rock Bridge Choir could perform and return to school.  They sang a medley of Christmas songs, and did a fantastic job!        Attendance was 96.
*December 30   Meeting cancelled. Happy New Year!
MYSTERY PERSON  - Santa! Funny, he kinda looked like Steve Henderson except for the gray hair and beard?!?  Valerie Goodin and little Sarah Jolley helped Santa draw tickets for the door prizes.  
We closed with the Creed at 12:50 p.m.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a great week!

Monday, December 9, 2002

Valerie Goodin rang the bell at 12:15 PM   A total of 87 attended.
PROGRAM- “Mizzou Money and More!” Nick Benassi – Coordinator of Legislative Relations for the MU Alumni Association. As the link between MU Alumni and Missouri elected officials, Nick is responsible for the legislative advocacy network at MU.  He works as a lobbyist at the state capitol promoting MU’s legislative agenda and he travels the state meeting with MU Alumni and friends cultivating MU’s grassroots network.  Nick was presented with a copy of the Optimist Creed.

Monday, December 2, 2002

Valerie Goodin rang the bell at 12:15 PM   - A total of 89 attended.
*Also, Jim Silsby surprised Valerie by presenting her a plaque, recognizing the work she and & Richard have done through the Club’s mentoring program, with the kids at the Front Door.
PROGRAM Stacy Schroeder of the Missouri High School Activities Association . Stacy mentioned that she spend Thanksgiving in St. Louis at the State Football Championship – a custom related to her job!  She was “born & raised in Columbia” and actively involved in sports in high school and college.  The Association was started in 1926 and is not affiliated with the MO state government.   It’s a not for profit organization funded by it’s members, the Jr. High & High schools of Missouri, both public and private.