January 24, 2005

Pat Brown rang the bell at 12:15 P.M.  Connie Howe gave the invocation and Spence Turner led the Pledge of allegiance.  Our Greeter today was Garry Spotts.  There were approximately 45 in attendance for lunch.

GUESTS
Kyle Bowers, the speaker and Mary Gallatin his assistant were guests of Dean Rapp.  Max Miller brought his wife Anne Miller.  Larry “Bo” Bossaller brought a first time guest Steven Klein.  Rick McKernan brought another first time guest, Karla Youtsey. 

MYSTERY PERSON
Our Mystery person this week was Joe Sestak.  Joe selected Spence Turner for a free lunch.  Congratulations Spence.

TAIL TWISTER
Our Tail Twister, Steve Henderson was present and funny as ever, keeping us entertained with humor.  Steve, the Pig’s looking thin.  We need to fatten it up.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our sympathy goes out to Jackie and Jack Cruise and Family
The January Board Meeting is this Thursday 1/20/05 at 7:00 P.M. at the Club House.  All are invited to attend.
The Second Quarter Eastern District Optimist Meeting is on 2/5/05 at the Crowne Plaza in St. Louis.  Location is I-70 and Lindberg.  Let Pat Brown know if you want to car pool.  Leaving at 5:30 A.M. at agreed location.
Second Week Announcement of Optimist Clubs being able to become a Non for Profit Organization.  Club must approve.  There will be a vote on 1/31/05 at the luncheon on approving the change and amending the bylaws to show change.

BIRTHDAYS/FELLOWSHIP
Travis Kempf – 1/19
Greg Schneider – 1/27
Steve Baumgartner – 1/29

GREETER
Garry Spotts, a past President of the club, shared with the club how he was brought into the club by Ed Hampton.  Garry noted how Ed followed up with him to make sure he came to meetings and got involved.  Garry stressed that it is important for our membership to follow up with new members getting them involved in the club

PROGRAM  
Our Program presenter today was Kyle Bowers.  Kyle is a new Chiropractor in town who is getting his practice going.  Kyle presented on stress and how it can be related to the function of the spine.  He shared what can be done to treat stress.

Lunch ended just before 1:00 P.M.  

January 17, 2005

Pat Brown rang the bell at 12:15 PM.     Attendance  = 48                                                       *Invocation Dottie Stoerker-Peters          *Pledge    Dean Rapp

GUESTS: Tim Rappleano introduced his guest, Bob Walthall, Greg Schneider introduced his daughters Colleen and Brittney, and Kelly Buxton introduced his wife Carol Buxton, and his daughters Rachel, Zori  and Sara and Chuck Boots  friend Dawn Boots.

MYSTERY PERSON: Rick McKernan selected Chuck Boots  who was the third person who shook his hand (Three is the number of games the undefeated KU has won in the big 12).

TAIL TWISTER  was absent.

FELLOWSHIP:  No birthdays were announced.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  
The Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, January 20, at 7 PM at the clubhouse.

The East Missouri District Quarterly Meeting is Feb 4 and 5 in St. Louis at Embassy Suites I70 and Lindberg at 8am.  Anyone interested in attending should contact Pat Brown this week.

Discussions with the IRS has led to an opportunity for Optimists clubs to change 501(c)4 to a 501(c)3 organization.  The board is discussing this and welcomes input from members.  This change of status would offer our club the opportunity to receive tax deductible donations from businesses and individuals. The portion of our dues above member benefits would be tax deductible.  We would also be eligible to receive grants from other nonprofits and may be able to purchase a nonprofit mailing permit.

The challenge has been made for our Chili Supper: The best chili recipe will be decided at the Club House on February 17^th at 6 PM. 

PROGRAM   Brittany Schneider, 5^th place world champ and 1^st place national champion shared her experiences racing in the Soap Box Derby, sponsored by our club.  She thanked the Optimists for the opportunity to participate in this great outdoor activity.  Though this 17 year old is recently retired from the Derby, she has appreciated how the Soap Box Derby brought her family together and helped her get to know them better. Colleen Schneider learned the secrets of skillful racing from her sister. She said the ride down the hill is kind of exciting and scary at the same time. Chuck Boots, as a parent, appreciates the family orientation and said his family now has friends all over the country.  The next Soap Box Derby will be June 12, 2005.  Youth under 8-17 can participate by using one of the club’s corporate donated cars for the entry fee of $35 or can build a car from a kit for up to $700.  No child is turned away for lack of funds if they register early.  The different races involve, stock, super stock and master, race cars of increasing in size to accommodate growing children.  Once a car is a champion winner it must be retired and the club currently has 4-5 cars it would like to donate to places that would want to display them.  Club members can help by sponsoring a car or help publicize the Soap Box Derby in the community to recruit new drivers. The Derby also needs volunteers to help at events with weigh-ins, inspections and other race day duties.

January 10, 2005

Pat Brown rang the bell at 12:15 PM.       Attendance: 59   *Invocation: Jay Ketchie      
*Pledge:  Sid Sullivan

GUESTS Meredith Donaldson introduced his guest, Alicyn Boehmer. Rick Guilford introduced his daughter, Jennifer.

MYSTERY PERSON Neal Sprick selected Joe Sestak as the seventh to shake his hand, choosing him to receive a free lunch next week.

FELLOWSHIP  It was announced that Carl Scott has a birthday January 10th.

ANNOUNCEMENTS  
Pat Brown asked us to keep Red Leighton and his family in our thoughts and prayers.  He and Dorcas are in Mississippi helping his son who is ill.

There will be a call-a-thon at the club House on Tuesday, January 11 at 6:30 to call those who signed up for a free tree and invite them a free lunch to learn more about our club.  

Pat Brown reported that Jake Jolly and Gary Spotts estimated tree sales at around $24,000 and Jess Weaver and Ed Harris estimated Kozee sales at $30,000.  Thanks to Karen Aulisa who made sense of the reports in Quick Books.

The Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, January 20, at 7 PM at the clubhouse.

The East Missouri District Quarterly Meeting is Feb 4 and 5 in St. Louis at Embassy Suites I70 and Lindberg at 8am.  Anyone interested in attending should contact Pat Brown or Dean Rapp before January 24.

Meredith Donaldson reported that teachers at all the public and private schools have been notified of the Oratorical Contest.  She asked members to help by promoting the contest through personal contact with teachers and youth we know. She has a poster, letter and application forms. The committee will meet following this meeting.

PROGRAM
Christine White introduced two scholarship recipients, Jennifer Kidd and Ann Case Haferty.  Jennifer, spoke on behalf of the scholarship recipients saying how much she appreciated the financial support from Downtown Optimist that allowed her to focus on her studies and not worry about how she was going to pay for it.  She is a freshman at MU in English and Journalism and is also on the MU Track and Field Team.

Pete Bakutes introduced Nathan Stephens who told us about the Youth Empowerment Program under the umbrella of the Boone County Partnership. This program, which provides youth with job opportunities and additional support programs such as tutoring, leadership and community service training, financial management, was formed as a result of a town meeting organized by Almeta Crayton.  The program is targeting 30 youth each quarter of the year and hopes that with support of caring adults, the participants will become the future leaders of the program.  Presently 5 youth continue to be employed after placement in this new program.  Nathan, a masters student at Columbia College, is the program director and is an important role model for the youth he serves. He told us he grew up in Columbia, living in public housing and credited the caring adults, such as his mother and a teacher, who helped him get to where he is now.

January 3, 2005

Pat Brown rang the bell at 12:15 PM.       Attendance =48                                                       
*Invocation Bob Merriman                *Pledge    Rick McKernan

GUESTS
Rick McKernan introduced his guest, Jeff Pewitt.  Rick Guilford introduced his daughter, Jennifer.

MYSTERY PERSON
Connie Howe thanked Bob Merriman for volunteering on such short notice for this week’s Food  Bank service by choosing him to receive a free lunch next week.

TAIL TWISTER was not present.

FELLOWSHIP
Marilyn Bohanan announced Roger Ballard is celebrating his birthday today.  Susan Clark’s birthday is January 4, Jake Jolley on January 6, and Jack Cruise on the 7th.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 
**Pat Brown thanked everyone for the efforts in tree lot sales and Koeze Nut sales.  **Jake Jolley announced that the money deposited during the sales period was down slightly from last year.  There were 300 trees left but the Koeze Nuts sold out.  There will be a complete accounting available soon.
**Jess Weaver announced that there are a few outstanding payments on Koeze Nut orders.  He urged all members to complete their sales.  He also needs all order books returned to be used again next year. 
**At the December Board Meeting, It was agreed that our club will partner with Q106 in raising funds for local schools.  The Optimist Bowling League funding was approved for $75.00.  A new club logo was approved and club members will be able to get embroidery on single items in either white or navy.
**The Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, January 20, at 7 PM at the clubhouse.
**The East Missouri District Quarterly Meeting is Feb 4 and 5 in St. Louis.  Anyone interested in attending should contact Pat Brown or Dean Rapp before January 24.
**There will be a call-a-thon on Tuesday, January 11 at 6 PM at the clubhouse to follow up with all the people who left their contact information at the tree lots.
**Meredith Donaldson distributed information about the upcoming Oratorical Contest.  She asked the members to pass this information on to any educators, parents or school officials.

PROGRAM
Brenda Gibbs-Brown introduced Marco Tapia, Executive Director of the Missouri Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.  Mr. Tapia gave a slide presentation entitled “Terrorism Training for Law Enforcement.”