Valerie rang the bell at 12:05 PM.  Invocation  = Christine McGraw  Pledge = Jessica Boyer      Attendance  = 58
GUESTS: Rick McKernan brought Keith Gregory, Dave Murphy brought Melody Forrest, Red Leighton brought James Henderson, and a special welcome back was given to Bill Lloyd and to Gary Greenlee .
MYSTERY PERSON: Susan Long, was the mystery person, but Valerie forgot to call on her. Susan had already decided to award the free lunch to Charlie Langrader, so next week, lunch is on the Club!
TAIL TWISTER: Steve Henderson aka the travelin’ man is back from Russia and had fines on his mind.  He fined Joe Reardon and Luke Chase for being on TV, and Bo Bossaller for wearing his hat during the pledge.
FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanan  announced birthdays for Matt Peiter, Richard Ellsworth, John Sanders and Charlie Langreder – all on the same day! September 9^th!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:  
*The East Missouri District meeting was held in St. Louis on August 22-23. From this Club, 4 members attended: myself, Jake Jolley, Red Leighton and Luke Chase. Reports were given in the morning and the afternoon included training sessions for president-elects and secretary/treasurer-elects. *Membership contest: Everyone who recruits a new member has their name entered in a drawing for $300, FIRST PLACE; $100, Second Place.  So think about this idea…. Consider giving someone you know a membership! It could be a Birthday gift, an anniversary present, or an early Christmas gift!
          When your name goes on the line as the new member’s sponsor that is how you get entered! And, THREE new members, enters you to win an all-expense paid trip to the 2004 OI Convention!
*DOC Steak and Chicken Cookout, [Jess/Max] scheduled for Wed. Sept. 24^th at 6:00 PM at the Clubhouse. Cost is $10/person ~ $15/at the door! Guests are welcome, so give your money to Jess or Max.
*A new Optimist Club is forming in Holts Summit, Missouri. The Charter Banquet is Wednesday, Sept. 17^th. Tickets are $15/advance and $20/at the door. It will be at Key West Café & Wine Bar, 275 Karen Drive in Holts Summit. Our Club is presenting this new Optimist Club with a Name Badge case. So far, we have 4 from our Club attending. Please let me know at the end of this meeting if you will be able to attend this banquet in Holts Summit.  We will be able to “Pay at the door.” 
*InterClub Visitation with the Hallsville Optimist Club will be Saturday, Sept. 20, 7:00 AM, and coincides with their SECOND anniversary as an Optimist Club. Remember our Club started the Hallsville Club 2 years ago. If you can attend, please raise your hand. They meet at the Red Top Church Fellowship Hall – not the same place we visited them last year. Directions will be in the BULLETIN.   Take Route B North to 4-Way in downtown Hallsville, turn left, go approximately 1 mile to Rt U, and turn right.   The church will be on the left...can't miss it!  It has a big red roof.   The fellowship hall is adjacent to the parking lot on the lower level.
*Shannon Bruns reported on the Charity Day opening of Famous*Barr.  She gave instructions on how to sell and disperse the tickets and she had posters for us to use to sell the tickets.  She reminded us that DOC receives 100% of the funds we collect! And our sales receipts and $$ are due back Monday, October 20^th.
*Gary Greenlee - Saturday October 13^th , Shining in the Son -motorcycle show at Wal-Mart SuperCenter to benefit Coyote Hill Christian Children’s Home. He took up a collection.
*It was announced that Phyllis Nichols had suffered a heart attack, but we are glad to say she is recovering.    Please take a minute to drop her a note and wish her well.
*Next Week’s program -- On September 15^th our program will feature our own member, Dr. Les Reschley, talking about some exotic animal diseases and issues he has encountered in a 30+-year career as a veterinarian.
PROGRAM:    Our program today has TWO parts: Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center and our introduction to the KOEZE Gift selling part of our Holiday Sales Program!
   Karen Grindler, the Director of Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center said the center was started in 1988, and then she showed us a video of the riding center and how it benefits so many people.   They have about 90 riders each week, and about 15 horses at the farm now.  She thanked DOC for their support of their drill team and a big thank you for the ramp!  They are not supported by the United Way and depend on groups like DOC to fund their operation.  Their drill team will be appearing next at Horse Show in Sedalia in November.
   Prez Valerie presented her with a check to pay for a ramp that allows riders to be able to mount their horses. She also presented Karen with a copy of the Optimist Creed.
  Valerie then introduced Jess Weaver, the Chair of the Koese Nuts Holiday Sales Program, who made his ‘smiley chocolate face’ when talking about how popular the Chocolate Puddles are in his family.  He reminded us that DOC sold over $97,000 worth last year and commended Red Leighton for his total sales of approximately $30,000.  He encouraged us to buy a jar of KOEZE nuts to help us sell them and to pick up our sales materials after the meeting.  Pickup date is November 13^th at the DOC Clubhouse.
  Red Leighton gave us some sales tips:  Show the jar – the size of the nuts amaze people!  Use the colorful brochure and point out the products.  Remember that a positive attitude brings positive results! Remind folks that DOC serves 37 different agencies and the proceeds go directly to our youth!  Remember, persistency and consistency is important – it brings results!
  Prez Valerie gave us some suggestions to help her maintain the sales report:   Use the same name as on last year’s list.  Example: If you used MO instead of Missouri, use MO again this year.  Write the word ‘repeat’ on repeat customers.  Remind folks that these products are not only good through the holiday season, but will last until Valentine’s Day, too, so show them the chocolate!
We closed with the Creed at 1:00 pm.

September 15, 2003  -- Valerie rang the bell at 12:15 PM.
*Invocation  =  Jay Ketchie              *Pledge =  Shannon Bruns             Attendance  = 53                                
GUESTS: Luke Chase brought Rebecca Gordon; Red Leighton brought Barbie Lindner and James Henderson.  James turned in his application (with a check!) hooray!  Red also brought his better-looking brother, Wesley Leighton who is visiting him from Ohio. (Just kidding, Red!)
MYSTERY PERSON:  Garry Spotts thought he would pick a person, based on the MU football score, but that was too high, so he picked the first Optimist to shake his hand and that was Dennis Funk!  Dennis gets a free lunch next week! 
APOLOGIZES to Susan Long! She was last week’s Mystery Person who didn’t get recognized, so Charlie  Langreder gets a free lunch, too thanks to Susan! 
TAIL TWISTER: Steve Henderson was handing out fines right and left today!  He fined Gary Greenlee 25 cents for being in the paper.  Gary said that’s the first time he’s been fined two bits to put in his two cents worth!
FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanan announced that Chuck Pease has a birthday on September 21^st and that Christine McGraw wrote in her birthday on September 16^th on Marilyn’s birthday card – hey, it’s hard turning 39 (again)!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:  
*Shannon Bruns – Famous Barr Charity Ticket sales update: next week Sharon needs to send a report to St. Louis so she asks that we bring in the money we’ve collected so far, then to keep selling!  A reminder that Famous Barr does not use the name/address information for solicitation purposes nor does it sell the list to any other business.  They use it just for the $3,000 shopping spree contest to notify the winner! And, that husband & wife each need their own ticket to get in the door. Sell, sell, and sell!  100% of the money collected stays with DOC!
*Membership contest: Everyone who recruits a new member has their name entered in a drawing for $300, FIRST PLACE; $100, Second Place.  So think about this idea…. Consider giving someone you know a membership! It could be a Birthday gift, an anniversary present, or an early Christmas gift!  When your name goes on the line as the new member’s sponsor that is how you get entered!  And, THREE new members, enters you to win an all-expense paid trip to the 2004 OI Convention! Contest ends September 30^th, so line ‘em up real quick!
*DOC Steak and Chicken Cookout, [Jess/Max] scheduled for Wed. Sept. 24^th at 6:00 PM at the Clubhouse. Cost is $10/person ~ $15/at the door! Guests are welcome, so give your money to Jess or Max.
Koeze Nuts Sales: Jess asked us to pick up new green sheets, because the green sheets we picked up last week had a slight error on them.  So, toss the old and pick up the new green sheets!
*A new Optimist Club is forming in Holts Summit, Missouri. The Charter Banquet is Wednesday, Sept. 17^th. Tickets are $15/advance and $20/at the door. It will be at Key West Café & Wine Bar, 275 Karen Drive in Holts Summit. We will be able to “Pay at the door.”   From this club, Garry & Ruth Ann Spotts, Jake Jolley, Red and Dorcus Leighton and Richard and Valerie Goodin are going.  Please let Valerie know today if you can attend.
*InterClub Visitation with the Hallsville Optimist Club will be this Saturday, Sept. 20, 7:00 AM, and coincides with their SECOND anniversary as an Optimist Club. Remember our Club started the Hallsville Club 2 years ago. IF you can attend, please let Valerie know today. They meet at the Red Top Church Fellowship Hall – not the same place we visited them last year. Directions will be in the BULLETIN.   Take Route B North to 4-Way in downtown Hallsville, turn left, go approximately 1 mile to Rt U, and turn right.   The church will be on the left!  It has a big red roof.   The fellowship hall is adjacent to the parking lot on the lower level.
*Next Week’s program will be induction of New Members and a brief performance by the KOEZE Theatre Company, a small, but local troupe of talent!
GREETER -- Scott Smith did a great job and will give his introduction next week, after the induction.
PROGRAM: Today our program featured member, Dr. Les Reschley, who talked about some exotic bird diseases and his recent adventures in epidemic control in California.. Red Leighton introduced Dr. Reschley who told us about his experiences in helping with disease eradication both in Great Britain and in the U.S.  He told us about his experiences in Great Britain in 2001, and his experiences in southern California in 2002 and 2003.  His main focus in southern California was helping to eradicate the New Castle Disease, which was spreading in birds of all types from chickens to parrots to ostriches!  It was interesting to hear how the process worked, the organization and costs involved in eradicating the disease.
President Valerie thanked him and we closed with the OI Creed at 1:10 pm.

September 22, 2003 

Jake rang the bell at 12:15 PM. 

*Invocation  =  Carol Irish                     *Pledge =   Rick McKernan               Attendance  = 58

GUESTS:  Pete Bakutes brought his fiancé Janie Mauzy (congratulations to you both!); Red Leighton brought Shelley White Mitchell, and Harold Warren, Sr. who became a new member today!  Meredith Donaldson, also a new member today, brought her husband Joe F. Donaldson.

MYSTERY PERSON:  was Pete Bakutes who said he’s been seeing Janie for 8 months, so he picked the eighth person to shake his hand.  That turned out to be Bob Merriman who shook his hand twice!
TAIL TWISTER: Steve Henderson could not be here today.
FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanan announced birthdays for Tim Elliott on 09.22; Brian Moegling on 09/23; Dave Murphy on 09/28.  Scott Smith was the Greeter today and he announced his birthday on 09/24.  Have a happy day, guys!
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 
*Shannon Bruns – Charity Ticket sales –Sharon asked us to list on the sheet provided on each table our names and how many we’ve sold.  And, she provided extra tickets to those who needed them.
*Membership contest: Everyone who recruits a new member has their name entered in a drawing for $300, FIRST PLACE; $100, Second Place.  So think about this idea…. Consider giving someone you know a membership! It could be a Birthday gift, an anniversary present, or an early Christmas gift!
          When your name goes on the line as the new member’s sponsor that is how you get entered! And, THREE new members, enters you to win an all-expense paid trip to the 2004 OI Convention!  [So far Red is in the running for an all-expense paid trip!]
*DOC Steak and Chicken Cookout, Jess Weaver reminded us that the Cookout is scheduled for this Wednesday, Sept. 24^th at 6:00 PM at the Clubhouse. Cost is $10/person ~ $15/at the door! Guests are welcome, so give your money to Jess or Max. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO GET YOUR NAME/MONEY TO JESS.
*Next Week: --  On September 29^th we will host our annual meeting and installation of officers and board members.  Please invite your spouse, partner or significant other to join you.
GREETER: was Scott Smith who mentioned he was from Raypoint, MO and came to MU for his Accounting Degree.  After finding that “numbers are not his thing”, he returned to get his Bachelors of Fine Arts and Photography.  Since his father was an Illustrator for Hallmark, he said he “was brought up surrounded by art”.  He works for Columbia Photo and is married to Julie Ann, and has two boys Justin who is 9 and Patrick who is 7.  Scott said he has been a member for a long time, but Red Leighton “coaxed him back”. He said that “Faith, Family and Community run his life” and he thought DOC “ helps with” his philosophy of life.
PROGRAM: Today we will install our newest members, who are James Henderson, Harold Warren and Scott Smith sponsored by Red Leighton; plus Meredith Donaldson sponsored by Dottie Stoerker-Peters. After an introduction to DOC by Membership Chair, Brenda Gibbs-Brown, Jake asked us all to stand and repeat the new member pledge along with our new members. After the Induction of new members, Red Leighton and Jess Weaver talked about selling KOEZE nuts.

We closed with the OI Creed at 12:45 pm.

September 29, 2003

2003 Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers

Valerie rang the bell at 12:08  PM. 
*Invocation  =  Jake Jolley  *Pledge =  Garry Spotts    Attendance  = 78
                                                             
GUESTS:  Richard Goodin, hubby of Prez; Anthony Wilson; Todd Coleman, Valerie’s boss; Jane Alexander, Hallsville Club President; Bill Lloyd, past Doc President, Don Salcedo, Fulton Optimist Club, Tony Estrada, Fulton Optimist Club, Eric Pahl, Lt. Gov. Zone 3, Jessica Boyer brought Ann McIntosh and Shannon Bruns brought Mark Hudson.  Welcome to our guests!
FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanan announced birthdays for Larry McDaniel on Sept 29^th, Bob Merriman & Steve Hudson on October 5^th. Larry McDaniel on Sept 29^th, Bob Merriman & Steve Hudson on October 5^th.  
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 
*Shannon Bruns – Charity Ticket sales –Shannon reported that to date, we have sold 85 tickets. We only need to sell 15 more to be considered in the running to share in the $3,000 prize!  Go, Optimists! *Membership contest: Everyone who recruits a new member has their name entered in a drawing for $300, FIRST PLACE;  $100, Second Place.  So far Red is in the running for an all-expense paid trip with FIVE new members recruited!
  *New Fund raiser – Karen Aulisa - Latasia Jewelry Party at the Clubhouse on Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 PM.  Something for everyone! Bring friends and neighbors. Click here for an invitation!
Annual Meeting:   Club members were thanked for their service this year. Click here for a photo review of the presentations.
          Jake Jolley, newly installed president, addressed the Club. He presented Valerie Goodin with a Life Membership, in appreciation for her service as president. See photos!

            We closed with the Creed at 1:00 PM.