June 2, 2003
 
Valerie rang the bell at 12:20 PM.                                                               
Invocation  =Cindy Neff           Pledge = Christine McGraw       Attendance = 63

A note of Optimism:  It was noted at Prez Valerie’s table that every time Christine White comes to a Monday meeting, it always rains!  Prez Valerie encouraged her to please continue to come, especially in July and August!

GUESTS:  Jack Cruise’s guest was his wife Jackie; Cindy Baker’s guest was Ashley Tyler; and a welcome was given to returning member,  Bill Drummond.

MYSTERY PERSON:  Jake Jolley said he didn’t have a mathematical formula, and so he talked about people who have a “quality hand shake”.  He chose Bill Drummond, based on his quality handshake.  Bill, next week’s lunch is free and you can ‘shake on it’!

TAIL TWISTER:  Steve Henderson was dressed in camoflague wear and helmet but his clothes were all shredded and torn!  He said that’s because he went out with a bunch of friends and ‘got bombed’ (yes, that’s what he said!) He also said the W.O.W. is ‘life’ and quoted a phrase by Helen Keller.  He also told a ‘banker’s joke’ … you had to be there for the full effect of his presentation!

FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanon said no birthdays last week, but this week we have one: Leigh Nutter’s birthday is on June 4^th.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Connie Howe announced that the next Central Missouri Food Bank DOC volunteers’ time to help would be between 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday, June 4^th.  The DOC volunteers for this month are Pat Brown, Julie Cupp, Shannon Bruns, and Travis Scott.

*Air Show – Pat Brown –reported there was a very good turn out for the Air Show.  DOC staffed three booths.  He gave a special thanks to Steve Winters, Garry Spotts, Mike Russell, and Wayne Taylor for staying the whole day to help out!  Pat said the estimated total sales to be about $18,000 which means DOC would receive around $1,800.  Pat said he would have the final numbers later.

*Show Me State Games – Larry Fick announced that this year, DOC would be helping to hand out medals to the winning soccer teams on July 20^th and 27^th.  He asked for volunteers to help.  The times will be from 8:00 am till about 6:00 pm, and he will have sign up sheets going around today and sign ups will also be posted on DOC’s website.

*Jr. Golf Sign ups - Tim Elliott mentioned there were three other golf tournaments going on the same week, and that’s something we ought to remember next year when setting a date.  Tim mentioned that he needed help in finding sponsors for the event, so please contact him if you know of an interested business or organization. Sign up sheets were passed around. Your help is sincerely needed.

*Scholarships – Sid Sullivan stood in for Kerry Bramon and introduced the two scholarship recipients in attendance at today’s meeting:  Kristine Batson with her mother Linda.  Kristine said she will be attending Truman State University and her major is Accounting.  Blake Arney was also introduced and said he will be attending Drake University in Des Moines Iowa, and his interest is Pharmacy.  They both expressed their thanks to DOC!

Special Announcement:  * 2003 Dues Proposal from OI.  As you know the OI Board of Directors has approved a dues restructuring plan to be voted on at the 2003 Convention in Kansas City. We will have 6 votes.  Therefore those who are attending and voting on behalf of this Club need to know how our members feel about these proposals. They are on pp 20-21 of the Spring 2003 OPTIMIST magazine. In a nutshell here are the options, in the order in which they will be presented:

A.  Each Club will pay an administrative fee of $400 and each member’s dues will be $17, a $9 DECREASE.  It breaks down to:

PROPOSAL #1 = $400 Administration Fee plus:

$17 Dues
$4.50 Magazine
$.50 Office
$9.00 Insurance
$1.50 Currency Exchange
$.80 Rose Bowl
$33.30 per person    This change may not affect our Club’s dues’ structure.

******
PROPOSAL #2 = Each member would pay $30 annual dues, a $4 increase.

$4 Membership dues increase:

$30 Dues
$4.50 Magazine
$.50 Office
$9.00 Insurance
$1.50 Currency Exchange
$.80 Rose Bowl

$46.30 per person   This change may affect our Club’s dues structure.

PROPOSAL #3 = none of the above

These options have varying degrees of affect on Clubs, related primarily to their size.  I am asking you to consider their affects on our Club’s membership.  Please discuss this with fellow Optimists, not only in our Club, but throughout mid-Missouri.  On June 16^th at our regular meeting, I will ask for your vote on this matter. 

**Next Week’s  program will be Colonel Dick Rice with an interesting program on the American Revolution. Through last fall’s program survey Buck Rikli recommended this program. Since school will be out, please consider inviting a young person to join you.

GREETER:  Barry Williams said he moved to Columbia from Texas about seven years ago with “his lovely wife” (good man) and his daughter and son.  He said he was pleased to be a member of DOC and looks forward to ‘helping out’ in many future DOC events.

PROGRAM:   Prez Valerie gave a Power Point presentation about the DOC Flower Bulb Fund raiser this past spring, with the help of her “lovely assistant,” Christine McGraw. Prez Valerie went gave an overview of the bulbs that were sold this year, and awards were given to  outstanding DOC members who made it a success.  Congratulations to:
Largest single sale:  Karen Aulisa
Largest total sales:  Kelly Buxton
Greatest Variety sold:  [3-way tie!] Karen Aulisa, Jake Jolley & Christine McGraw
Most Thoughtful Salesman:  Tim Elliott
Customer with the cutest assistant: Rick McKernan
Prez Valerie then introduced next year’s ‘Chairwoman”, Christine McGraw!!
We closed with the Optimist Creed at 1:00 pm

June 9, 2003

Valerie rang the bell at 12:15 PM.                                                               
Invocation  =  Rick Guilford                   Pledge =  Jake Jolley                  Attendance = 73

On a Note of Optimism:  A Father’s Day tribute to Optimism: Prez Valerie asked that all the fathers in attendance be recognized and to please stand. Prez Valerie also read an email she received and the emails that followed it.  As our ‘drippy” President, she had difficulty reading that last email – a set of events to help a daughter in Spain get a container of Koeze Nuts to her dad in New York for Father’s Day. Please see below this bulletin for the series of emails that unfolded, and pass the tissues to Prez Valerie!

GUESTS:  Wayne Taylor brought his grandson, Cody; Susan Long brought her roommate Jessica Beauvier, Dottie Stoerker-Peters brought her husband E.J., Kelly Buxton brought his wife Carol, and Steve Winters brought Scott Stager.

MYSTERY PERSON:  Ellis Havard was thinking about all the retirees in our Club, and decided to give the free lunch to the most recent retiree, Jim Schwartz!  Prez Valerie commented that now that Jim is retired, he could use a free lunch!

TAIL TWISTER:  Steve Henderson was not among us today

FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanon announced three birthdays this week: Randy Dunivent on June 9^th; Jim Schwartz on June 12^th and Neal Sprick on June 15^th.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*Soap Box Derby – Greg Schneider mentioned that June 22^nd is just a couple of weekends from now, and he needs volunteers to help in the clinics in the evening to check out the cars.  He also can use some help on the day of the event.   A sign up sheet was passed around. If interested, please contact Greg.

* Jane Alexander, President of the Hallsville Club -- The 3rd Annual Hallsville Optimist Club BBQ will be Saturday, June 14, 2003, 4:00p.m. -8:00p.m. at the Hallsville Fairgrounds--Carry out available. 

The meal will include BBQ Chicken, Hamburger or Hotdog, Seasoned Cottage Fries, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Dessert, and drink.  Also join us for a Washer Tournament that starts at 3p.m. $10/team, contact Boo Cathey @ 696-3507.  The winning team gets prize money!!    The cost is $8.00/kids 5 & under eat free.  

*Show Me State Games – Valerie Fick asked us to remember the last 2 Sundays in July and mark our calendars to help out.  Those who have already volunteered are listed on our Club’s  website.  A few more volunteers are needed, so check your calendars and offer to help.

*Jr. Golf Sign ups –  Prez Valerie said Tim Elliott mentioned that we still need businesses to help sponsor the event.

*Countdown to Kickoff, in the Tiger Lounge @ Faurot Field, June 10, 6:00 PM Tickets are $30. RSVP, Rebecca Gordon, 874-3677, at. 209. Co-sponsored by the Mizzou Tiger Quarterback Club, this event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Boone County.  These details will be included in the Bulletin.

GREETER – No greeter today, but Prez Valerie announced that over the weekend, Joe Reardon and his wife had a little girl, Abigail Nicole Reardon.  Mom and baby are doing fine, but not sure about Dad!     

Bryan Pfifer announced that about 25 years ago, Ed Hampton flew over Europe, and Ed Helm walked the shores of the Normandy Beach.  Applause was given for all of our members who served in foreign wars to protect our freedoms.

Next week’s program features the First Christian Church’s trip to Mexico and Prez Valerie will be asking us to vote on the O.I. dues issues.

PROGRAM:   Buck Rikli introduced our speaker, Col. Dick Rice. Col. Rice spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a Colonel.   For 10 years he was the Director of the MO Dept of Public Safety under two Governors.  He thanked the DOC for the “Respect For Law” programs, done every year in May.  Some interesting facts he mentioned were that on July 4^th we will be celebrating the 227^th year of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Plus, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest written constitution in the world.  It was adopted in September of 1787 and the Bill of Rights in 1789.  However, Maine, Georgia and Connecticut did not ratify the Bill of Rights until 1939! A very interested speaker! Prez Valeire presented him with an Optimist Club plaque and we closed with the Creed at 1:00 pm.

A Father’s Day Optimist Story

Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2003
To: Valerie Goodin

Hello Ms. Valerie,

This is getting fun! I am sure the nuts will be delicious! Don't worry about a card - I will send him one from Spain which he always gets a kick out of - and will tell him to be expecting a surprise in the mail at his office. Perhaps you can just put a small note inside saying "Happy Fathers Day --- Love, Jellybeans". Again, thank you SO much!

By the way, I am not sure how you have the time for this at all! I have seen that you are the president of what appears to be such an incredible organization! I have looked at the Optimist Club web page and was so impressed! I have to say, it really made me feel homesick for the States - I have been out of the USA for 11 years now (London first, then Barcelona) and have had two beautiful children (Gian Marco - 4 years and Sofia 7). How I WISH I could have my children involved with bike safety classes and the other wonderful activities that your organization is offering. We are so aware of children and their needs in the States (safety and emotional needs). Children are very loved in Spain and there is a very strong emphasis on family (which is so nice), but there are few services offered to them. So GOOD WORK!

OK - when you find out the postage cost just let me know and I will have my mother send a check out to you right away and will repay her when I see her in August.
Have a nice day,
Jill

Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2003
  You have made my day – heck, my week!  The story of this communication and your gift will be the Father’s Day ‘story’ at my Club next Monday. So, by Wed. of that week you should be able to log onto our site and click on BULLETIN and read about our program, which will include you!
  Please hug Gian Marco and Sofia for me!   My daughter delivered our first grandchild in March and we try to go over and hug him every day.  In August, they will move to Philadelphia, so the hugging will have to go to 5 times a year when we visit them or vice versa.  That probably sounds like a lot to your parents!
  Keeping you in my heart and in my rolodex –- we really do plan to visit Spain some day, and we will definitely look you up!  Thanks for thinking of us and for remembering your Father. Off to the post office with a prized gift!
Yours in the Promise,
Valerie Goodin

June 16, 2003
Valerie rang the bell at 12:20 PM.                                                       Monday, June 16, 2003

Invocation and Pledge = Steve Henderson               Attendance  = 76

On a Note of Optimism: The Rest of the story… an additional Father’s Day remembrance. Valerie shared the response she heard from Jill Jenkins on the Father's Day KOEZE nut gift.

GUESTS:  A special welcome back to Dr. Les Reschley who has been on a sabbatical in southern California, Steve Winters brought Scott Stager for a 2^nd visit and Scott completed a membership form! Last, but not least, Red Leighton brought George Clemmons who made an announcement about the his new business's grand opening this coming Sunday, and the door prizes.

MYSTERY PERSON: none today

TAIL TWISTER: Steve Henderson waved the DOC piggy bank around and wanted to know if everyone was wearing a name badge, especially his or her own name badge! (It can get kinda rowdy around the ole name badge box)…  Anyway, Prez Valerie had forgotten to put hers on, so she donated a quarter to the cause. Steve announced that at NEXT Monday’s meeting, there would be a raffle for dinner at Jack’s with a movie at Forum, so please bring your 20’s and 50’s! No bill is too large for this raffle! Of course now, he might not be able to make change …(?) The W.O.W. this week was ‘laugh’.  Steve tried to use it in a sentence with the old saying ”He who laughs last …”

FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanan announced June birthdays for Pete Bakutes on 06/17; Bryan Phifer on 06/17; Dave Phillippe on 06/17; Valerie Fick on 06/18; Ed Hampton on 06/19 and Al Jones on 06/20.  Happy Birthday to everyone!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*Soap Box Derby – Greg Schneider announced there is a sign up sheet going around the tables to help with the Derby.  He also mentioned that the earliest help can be used will be at 6:00 am at the Clubhouse that day!  So, come on out and support the Derby!

*The Board will meet Thursday at the Clubhouse at 7:00 PM. There will be NO Holiday Sales Committee meeting this month, normally held before the DOC Board Meeting.

*Show Me State Games – Valerie Fick – Sign ups, please! Valerie reminded us that the dates are July 20^th and July 27^th and the sign up sheets are on the back tables at each Monday meeting.  For more info, just go to DOC website.

*Jr. Golf Sign ups – Tim Elliott reminded us it was this Wednesday and Thursday and we have about 28 players.  The schedule of services is on the DOC website, so please check it out.

* Optimist International will present 2 dues proposed changes in KC this summer at the convention. Please use the voting sheets at your table to express your position on this matter. Feel free to include your comments as well.  Thanks!

*Next week at Club the program will Advent Youth Mentoring Partnerships.

GREETER -- none today     

PROGRAM:   First Christian Church Youth Mission to Mexico.   Amy Pavlovich, Associate Pastor, with Ellie Miller and Tom Yonker presented a PowerPoint presentation of their trip to Aguascalientes, Mexico. About 14 college students joined them on their 36 hour drive to Mexico. The group meets on Wednesday evenings at the Church to plan community projects, and this project was in the community of Aguascalientes, Mexico.  Just like Columbia MO is in the center of the U.S., Aquascalientes is in the center of Mexico.  The $500 donated by DOC was used to buy cement and supplies to pour a floor and a sidewalk at a new Youth Building.  The floor is in the “Columbia Room”, named after Columbia, MO to honor their work.  They will also be doing further fund raisers throughout the year to support ‘Y Comedor’ , which is ‘and the dining room’ literally in Spanish, but it’s a kitchen and place to go for two meals a day (when possible) and adult support & guidance for the neglected children of the community.  Neglected because their parents are drug users or single parents who can’t afford to provide proper care. It is sad to hear about poverty and starvation, but even sadder to learn that it involves so many innocent children!
President Goodin thanked them for their presentation and gave Pastor Pavlovich a plaque with the O.I. Creed.

June 23, 2003

Valerie Goodin rang the bell at 12:15  PM.     Pat Brown gave the invocation. Steve Henderson led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. 58 members and guests attended.

On a note of Optimism: Thirty kids soared down Broadway yesterday as part of the 66^th annual Mid-Missouri Soap Box Derby.

In Memoriam: Valerie Goodin asked for a moment of silence to honor Jim Greenspon, who passed away in his sleep last night.

GUESTS:
Dick Calhoon, Governor Elect, joined us for lunch.  Buck Rikli introduced his guest and new
member, Sam Schultz.  Tim Elliott introduced Mike Mendelson and Meredith Donaldson accompanied Dottie Stoerker-Peters.  Valerie Fick introduced her fiancé, Ed Harry. Congratulations, Valerie.

MYSTERY PERSON:  Tim Elliot was the mystery person.  He awarded Red Leighton with a free lunch next week.

TAIL TWISTER: 

Steve Henderson fined Jerry Carrington for not having a name badge.  Susan Long had helped Steve sell raffle tickets for dinner at Jack’s Gourmet and 2 tickets to the Forum Movie Theatre.  Susan drew her own ticket first and politely declined the prize.  Steve Henderson drew again and the Lucky Aulisa’s (as they shall be known) won again – they, too, declined and Steve finally awarded the prizes to Brian Hudspeth.

Rick McKernan announced the Chamber of Commerce had honored Red Leighton with its Spirit  Award.  Rick thought that should cost Red a quarter and challenged every member of our club who had been recruited by, sold something by, or asked to sell something by Red should also match that contribution to the Pig.  A lengthy line developed and this may have been one of our more productive fundraisers!

FELLOWSHIP: 

Marilyn Bohanon brought fellowship announcing the following birthdays: Keith Neese, Jim Harmon, and Daryl Dudley will celebrate their birthdays this week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*Soap Box Derby – Greg Schneider announced the winners and asked all volunteers to stand and be acknowledged by the club.

*Jr. Golf Tournament – Tim Elliott reported that 25 young golfers participated in the event and thanked the volunteers.  He will chair this event again next year and hopes to involve more youngsters.  Valerie Goodin presented a crystal golf ball and tee to Tim for his leadership of this district-wide event.

*Show Me State Games – Valerie Fick reminded the club that our participation is needed at the Show Me State Games on July 20 and 27 with the busiest times between 1/5 PM.  Sign up sheets were passed around the room.

*Spence Turner announced that the bass boat raffle raised $4000 for scholarships.  The boat unfortunately went to Texas.

*For the daredevils of the group, Bob Merriman and Susan Long are planning a skydiving event for July 12.  Contact them if you are interested.

**Next Week’s program will be the initiation of our new members.

PROGRAM:

Joe Reardon introduced Brenda Overkamp from Advent Enterprises.  It is a private non-profit employment center working with dislocated workers, people with disabilities or economic disadvantages, those who are unemployed or underemployed and youth from 15 –21 years old.  They have a 75% success rate in finding employment, 80% of their placements have stayed employed for at least 90 days and they experience a 99% customer satisfaction rate.

Monday, June 30, 2003

Valerie rang the bell at 12:15 PM.    Invocation:  Bo Bosaller          Pledge = Jim Becket              Attendance  = 58  

GUESTS:  Jim Silsby introduced James Fox and Rebecca Veith, as his guests.

MYSTERY PERSON: Christine McGraw mentioned that since this weekend is the fourth of July, she would honor the 4^th person who shook her hand and that was Brenda Gibbs-Brown.  A free lunch for Brenda next week!

TAIL TWISTER: Steve Henderson enlightened us with some jocular (that means funny) anecdotes (that means jokes) then mentioned that the W.O.W. is laughing with the quote “you don’t stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing”!

FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanan announced we had no birthdays this week, then Steve Henderson said “Wait a minute!  My birthday is July 3^rd?!?”  … so we made him drop a quarter into the piggy bank. Yep, sometimes birthdays can be costly!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*Show Me State Games – Valerie Fick said she needs volunteers or she will be “fired”!  So, help Valerie out (and the Show Me Games) and sign up at the next meeting.

Central Missouri Food Bank – DOC member help out the first Wednesday of each month. Connie Howe announced that he had four members signed up to participate from 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday.

Monday, July 14^th – Dulaney Hall has a “previous engagement”, so we can’t meet there that Monday.  We voted on whether to meet in the Gym or to not meet at all that day.  “Not meeting” won, so no meeting on July 14^th

*Next week at Club the program will be Conservation Federation - Charlie Langreder & Dave Murphy

GREETER – Dottie Stoeker-Peters.  As Brenda Gibbs-Brown said “If DOC ever decides to do a commercial, Dottie should be in it!”  Dottie said that “The Optimist Club meant the world to our family” and told us about Rock Bridge State Park which was founded in memory of her daughter who was killed in an auto accident in the 1960’s.  She mentioned how DOC Board Members Red Leighton, Mark Foreman and Dottie’s deceased husband, Lou, worked hard to make it happen.   She then entertained us with the story of how she and her present husband met and married.  She ended by talking about how being an Optimist was a great way to live.

PROGRAM:   New Member Initiation – Brenda Gibbs-Brown, Membership Chairperson introduced Jessica Boyer, hosted by Steve Hudson; Scott Stager, hosted by Steve Winters; Doug Tarwater hosted by Valerie Goodin and Christine White, hosted by Red Leighton. Welcome to our newest members!

We closed with the creed at 1:00 pm.