Garry Spotts rang the bell at 12:15P.
Dana Busche gave the Invocation.
Jim Greenspon led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our greeter today was Lester Reschly. 58 attended.
GUESTS
Rick McKernan introduced his guests, David Horner, Jr. and Janet Rettenmaier. Spence Turner brought his granddaughter to lunch. Red Leighton introduced our newest membership applicant, Ron Barthels.
MYSTERY PERSON
Karen Aulisa, member #25, was the mystery person. She honored Rick McKernan, the 25^th person to shake her hand.
TAIL TWISTER
Our Sergeant at Arms, Steve Henderson, had jokes that could offend people from Arkansas and blondes. I won't repeat them here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
**Garry Spotts reported on the medical condition of Ron Miller. He is in Boone Hospital with a restriction on visitors and calls. Contact Amy Tripi for updated information.
**Although Pat Brown was not at the meeting, Garry evaluated the Air Show as a great success. We look forward to Pat's official report and results.
**Sign ups for the Jr. Golf Tournament were available on the tables and will be available again next week. Contact Tom Luttrell is you can't sign up at the meetings.
**Red Leighton is recruiting volunteers to help at the Central MO Food Bank the first Wednesday of each month at 6 pm.
**Gary Greenlee announced the upcoming "Shining in the Son" Motorcycle Show benefiting Coyote Hill Christian Children's Home on Saturday, Sept. 21. He passed the hat for contributions to Coyote Hill and raised $185 from our members.
**Larry Fick will be circulating sign ups for the Show Me State Games on Sunday July 21 and 28.
**Garry Spotts followed up with the announcement that Larry Fick will be the OI Foundation representative from our club.
**Copies of the proposed changes to the OI bylaws will be available at the next few meetings or online at www.OI.org. Click on What's New. Ballots are available for all of our members. Please read the proposals and return ballots to Garry by 6/17.
**Garry also announced that Dave Murphy was honored at a recent OI meeting as one of only four presidents to achieve the member per month award for his term.
BIRTHDAYS
Marilyn Bohanon announced that Leigh Nutter and Ann Williams will celebrate birthdays on June 4 and Randy Dunivent and Floyd Hansett will celebrate on June 9.
GREETER
Lester Reschly is a new member who has lived in Columbia since 1966. He worked in Veterinary Medicine until 1985 then was an USDA inspector for the next 11 years. Last summer he was in England because of the hoof & mouth disease outbreak there. He is glad to have the time now to be more involved in community activities.
PROGRAM
Joe Reardon presented the program about the Foundation the Downtown Optimist Club has established with the OI Foundation. By investing our funds through the Foundation we are guaranteed a return of 4 ½% with complete liquidity. The Foundation's 501C3 status allows tax deductibility on contributions which will help to club to increase donations. Members, non-members and businesses can designate the Downtown Optimist Foundation for donations, charitable remainder trusts, memoriums, life insurance and IRA beneficiaries and realize a tax benefit. Anyone interested in such bequests should check with their own financial advisor, tax planner and or attorney. We will invest the Christmas Tree start up funds for 8 - 9 months and be able to use the earnings to fund other programs. The OI Foundation is a new program and the DOC board will continue to monitor the investments and provide more information to help the DOC members understand the value. Garry Spotts acknowledged Dave Murphy and Steve Tripi for initiating the Foundation project.

Garry Spotts rang the bell at 12:12P.     Brian Hudspeth gave the Invocation.
Jim Martin led the Pledge of Allegiance.     Our greeter today was Matt Wilp. 62 attended.
GUESTS
Lili Vianello introduced her guest, Anna Murphy, who just happens to also be Dave Murphy's daughter. Welcome Anna! 
MYSTERY PERSON
Dana Busche, after a valliant effort to literally recruit a new member, chose Dave Murphy for his smiling eyes!  Lunch is on the Club next week, Mr. Lt. Governor!
TAIL TWISTER
Steve Henderson conducted a raffle that was won by Brian Hudspeth -- and OUR CLUB!  Nice going, Steve! Steve also tried to recognize Jack Cruise, but Dave stole his thunder!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
**Jim Greenspon led the singing of "Happy Birthday" to Pete Peters, who is celebrating his 80th birthday!  Way to go, Pete! ...and such a young wife, too! 
** President Spotts called for volunteers for the Soap Box Derby. Sign up sheets were on each table. Your help is needed! 
**Ron Miller is home from the hospital and would welcome your greeting by phone. He is recuperating. We are with you in thought and prayer, Ron.
**Pat Brown thanked all those who helped with the Air Show, especially that financially gifted, Steve Winters. Pat will be receiving our check next week.  
**Dave Murphy announced that the Pave the Way Banquet will be scheduled in early August.  Details next week. He also explained the upcoming redistricting of Zone 2 into 2 zones. Our current zone of 8 clubs will be split into 2 zones. We will remain in Zone 2. Dave also recognized Jack Cruise for being named Outstanding Ambassador!  Congratulations, Jack! 
Dave also donated $1 to the pig in honor of Red Leighton being his date at the Chamber event!
**Jack Cruise indicated that sign ups would be available next week for Jr. World of Golf Tournament in Columbia on the 25th
**Gary Greenlee announced a correction: last week our Club raised $207 for the "Shining in the Son" Motorcycle Show benefiting Coyote Hill Christian Children's Home on Saturday, Sept. 21. He passed the hat for contributions to Coyote Hill and raised $185 from our members.
**Larry Fick will be circulating sign ups for the Show Me State Games on Sunday July 21 and 28.
**Garry Spotts handed out proposed changes to the OI bylaws for member review and voting. Please consider these changes and let Valerie or Garry know how you want them to vote at the international convention. Or go online at www.oi.org/ Click on What's New. Ballots are available for all of our members. Please read the proposals and return ballots to Garry by 6/17.
**Garry presented Steve Tripi with a citation as an East Missouri Distinguished Treasurer last year.  Your deserve it, Steve! The Prez also gave Dave Murphy his Excellence in Leadership award. Murphy was one of only four presidents to achieve the member per month award during his term. 
BIRTHDAYS
Marilyn Bohanon announced that Jim Schwartz would be celebrating on the 12th and Neal Sprik on the 15th.  
GREETER
Matt Wilp was the greeter. Matt is a new member to our Club. He hails from Silex, Missouri, by way of St. Louis. He is glad to be in Columbia and we are glad he joined us!  Thanks, Matt!
PROGRAM
Joe Reardon introduced Mary Stampley, Marketing Coordinator for Boone County National Bank. However, Mary's presentation was first-person in support of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the United Way.  
  From the personal experience of a single parent who "can do everything, right?" Mary shared her story of the benefits of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, through the United Way.  If you ever question the value of your donations to the United Way, then just designate your gift for use in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and contact Mary at the Bank to learn... "the rest of the story."
Thanks, Mary, for bring home to us the real meaning of sharing. 

Garry Spotts rang the bell at 12:15P.
Gary Greenlee gave the Invocation.
Neal Sprick led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our greeter today was Karen Aulisa. 68 attended.
GUESTS
Travis Scott introduced his returning guest, Shannon Bruns.
MYSTERY PERSON
Steve Olson was the Mystery Person. Citing that Phil Mickelson lost the US Open by 3 strokes, he honored John Sapp, who was the third member to shake his hand.
TAIL TWISTER
Steve Henderson fined Buck Rikli for arriving at the meeting "lit up". He was sporting a blinking earring. He fined several members for not wearing name badges, including him.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Valerie Goodin would like to establish a bulletin committee for next year. Please let her know if you are interested.
  The Board of Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, June 20 at 7 pm at AG Edwards, 2100 Forum Blvd. The clubhouse is full of Soap Box Derby Racers! Please sign up to help at the Soap Box Derby this Sunday and Jr. Golf on Tuesday, June 25. Check the website for times.
A chaperone is needed to escort the Jr. Golfers to Miami in July. Anyone wanting an all expense paid trip to Miami, contact Red Leighton.
Garry Spotts requested that all OI ballots be returned today.
Dave Murphy announced that the Pave the Way Banquet would be held Sunday, Aug 11 at 5 pm at the Ashland Clubhouse.
Pat Brown presented the club with a check for $1,800 for the souvenir sales at the Memorial Day Air Show.
BIRTHDAYS
Valerie Goodin led the group in singing 'Happy Birthday 'to Pete Bakutes, Brian Phifer, and Dave Philippe. Valerie Fick, Ed Hampton, Al Jones, and Tammy Reynolds will celebrate their birthdays later this week.
GREETER
Karen Aulisa was the greeter today. As she approaches her first anniversary with the group, she enjoys the friendship and fellowship of the Optimist Club. She has also enjoyed volunteering for some of the club's projects. Her business is thriving and she is also offering training in QuickBooks. She noted that Steve Henderson's humor is often directed at blondes. She countered by pointing out that dumb blonde jokes are always short so that dumb men can remember them. Touché!!
PROGRAM
Steve Tripi introduced Ron Kelley, Director of Student, Alumni, and External Relations for the MU School of Journalism. Established in 1908 by Walter Williams, a Boonville native, the School of Journalism continues to use his "Missouri Method" to provide the necessary training to insure professionalism. A Masters program was added in 1921 and a Doctorate program in 1934. Two professors have won Pulitzer Prizes. Admission to the School of Journalism follows 2 years of study in the College of Arts and Sciences. There are 700 juniors and seniors in the program that includes print media, television, and photojournalism. Columbia may have the distinction of having the highest per capita ratio of reporters. The School of Journalism offers 118 scholarships for undergraduates and 120 scholarships for graduate students.

June 24, 2002

Garry Spotts rang the bell at 12:15P.
Kerry Bramon gave the Invocation.
Bo Bossaller led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our greeter today was Dave Phillippe. 67 attended.
GUESTS
Dave Holtgraewe introduced his returning guest, Brian Moegling, who has submitted his application. Rick McKernan introduced his returning guest, Dave Horner.
MYSTERY PERSON
Joe Sestak decided to reward the first person that noticed he was wearing an Optimist T-shirt. Larry Fick was the first to acknowledge his "good uniform".
TAIL TWISTER
Steve Henderson levied some badge fines and had to pay up again for wearing a badge with no name in it.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
**The DOC Board met on Thursday, June 20, and approved $1000 for the Voluntary Action Center for Youth Enrichment Fund and sent $150 to the Midway Optimist Club for their help at the Air Show.
**At least 10 Optimists volunteered at the Soap Box Derby yesterday. They received a much deserved round of applause. The winners of the Soap Box Derby were Eric Carlson in the Stock Division, Brittany Schneider in the Super Stock Division, and Krystal Stone in the Masters Division. The winners will compete in Akron, Ohio on July 27. The Best Decorated Cars went to Sally Lindsey, Brittany Schneider, and Stephanie Thomas. Kyle Walters won the Sportsmanship award.
**Jr. Golf competition is Tuesday, June 25. No more volunteers are needed for the event, but Tom Luttrell still needs a chaperone to take the winners to Miami July 23-28. All expenses paid!
**No more volunteers are needed for the Show Me State Games either.
**Garry Spotts announced the results of the OI balloting. Issue 1 & 2 failed, issue 3a passed, issue 3b failed, issues 4, 5 & 6 passed, issues 7 – 11 failed. A 2/3 majority was required. Garry or Valerie Goodin will vote on our behalf at the OI Convention.
**Kerry Bramon announced the winners of the scholarship awards for this year. They are Trent Hubbard and Kelly Timmons from Hickman High, Jonathon Barnes and Jennifer Gemming from Rock Bridge High, and Alonzo Wright and Ashley Davidson from Douglass High. Each graduate received a $1000 scholarship from the Downtown Optimist Club.
**Red Leighton has tickets for the Boone Co. Citizens for Good Government event Thursday at Twin Lakes.
BIRTHDAYS
Marilyn Bohanon announced that Keith Neese, John Daly, Darryl Dudley, James Harmon, and Linda Ellingsworth are all celebrating birthdays this week.
GREETER
  Dave Phillippe, a native of Columbia and long time member was the greeter today. He claims to have been out of work for the past 10 years and is thankful for that. He and Luke Chase graduated in the same class from Hickman High School. He had a long career with the University of Missouri retiring as Assistant Vice Chancellor of the St. Louis campus. He joined the Twilight Optimist Club is 1957 and served in all of the offices. He is a past Lt. Governor of Zone A. He acknowledged his mentors and encouraged newer members to interact with the long-time members.
PROGRAM
Steve Tripi introduced Gary Leonard from A.G. Edwards who spoke to us about the history of the stock market. In the last 60 years the Dow Jones Industrial Average has gone from 200 to over 9000, so how can anyone not make money in an asset class with that kind of growth? They either don’t participate or they don’t stay invested. His advice is to that optimism is the only mindset to have as the DJIA goes through these murky waters.