12-23 - Tree Lot Clean Up luncheon included a catered luncheon for workers and presentation of several Tree Lot 'awards'.
12-16 - The Rock Bridge Choir performed a holiday medley
12-9 - “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.  
12-3 - Stacy Schroeder of the Missouri High School Activities Association. The Association, a not for profit organization funded by it’s members, the Jr. High & High schools of Missouri, both public and private, was started in 1926. It is not affiliated with the MO state government. MSHSAA oversees state contests. 
11-25 - Dr. John Yonker of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Columbia, with  a Thanksgiving message.  
11-18 - Youth Appreciation Program, honoring Mr. Robert Jones, a Hickman High School Student, who received the 2002 Youth Appreciation Award. In addition the young men from the Front Door who are mentored by our Club were also recognized: Brandon Avery, Derrick Barrett, Tim McWilliams, Mike Suitt and Anthony Wilson.
11-11- Major Tim Scherrer, U.S. Army Intelligence Officer and Assistant Professor of Military Science at MU. Major Sherrer has a B.A. and Master from Truman State University and is currently working on a PhD in History at MU. “Every Generation has its heroes” was the theme of his speech. 
11-04 - Cindy Mustard, Assistant Director of the Voluntary Action Center (VAC). VAC has been in existence since 1969 and she’s been the Assistant Director since 1991.  It is a central agency to coordinate volunteers & organizations plus information with people who need help. 
10-28 - Ralph Duren, with the MO Dept. of Conservation, presented his program, “Talkin’ to the Animals”.  
10-21 - Melinda Wrye-Washington, Head Coach of the Columbia College Cougar Volleyball team. Her team had a 44-2 finish last season, and this year they won the NAIA National championship in their division.  Melinda was   named NAIA Coach of the year! 
10-14 - Cindy Stein, Head Coach, Women's Basketball at the University of Missouri.  She said the team’s philosophy this year is “we want speed”.  She also proudly shared with us that her team has the highest GPA in the Big 12!   
10-07-  Wayne Richards, a Social Worker at University Hospital & Clinics Children’s Hospital, presented Pascale’s Pals, an organization that sponsors fund-raisers -- bake sales, dinner auctions & a “Fun Run” -- to benefit children with Leukemia.  
09-30- Garry Spotts presented plaques to the new Board Members: Steven Hudson, Steve Baumgartner, Jim Silsby and Rick McKernan;  plaques to Vice Presidents: Valerie Goodin and Jake Jolley; plaques to Secretary Karen Aulisa; plaque to Treasurer, Joe Reardon; plaque to Senior Board Member, Brenda Gibbs-Brown; and to retiring Board Member, Carol Irish.
  A special “thank you” went to Marilyn Bohanan, She received a copy of ‘Of Dreams and Deeds’.  Special recognition for their contributions was also given to Dave Murphy, Amy Tripi, Red Leighton, Brian Hudspeth, Steve Olson, Jake Jolley and Steve Henderson.  A President’s Appreciation Award was given to Ed Hampton, our most senior Past President. Garry Spotts then gave his closing speech (with a standing ovation!) and introduced EMO District Zone 2 Lt. Governor Ernie Wren, III, who said kinds words about our organization. 
  East MO Gov. Barrett Glascock, presented his Charge, and conducted the installation of Officers. New president, Valerie Goodin,  gave her opening address, and then awarded Garry Spotts the President’s Plaque.
09-23- Kevin Brown, presented a very inspirational program.  Although paralyzed in an accident 9 years ago, he focuses on the positive aspects of life, enjoys all of life's events and treats every day as a gift and miracle.  He told us of his hero, who miraculously rescued him after his accident. 
09-16-Paul Stickney, vice president of Putnam Investments.  The basis of his presentation is that the time to be an investor is when no one else wants to be! 
09-09-It's time to sell KOEZE Nuts.  Jess Weaver explained that the profits from Koeze Nuts sales is one of our most important fundraisers.  Our goal is to sell $105,000 this year. A second presentation was by Valerie Goodin, outlining the Club's Computer Lab project. 
08-26-The Downtown Optimist Club, 2002 Community Service Award was presented to Tom & Linda Atkins. 
08-19-Susan Kreklow, Head Coach and Melissa Everitt, Assistant, from MU women's volleyball gave a presentation about their program.
03-04-Dana Busche, who will be training the mentors for the Front Door, presented the program. The Front Door is a residential placement facility for children age 12 - 21. This program became part of the Boys & Girls Town of MO in April of 2000.
02-25-Pete Bakutes spoke to us about Camp Hickory Hill and residential camping experience for pre-teens and teens with juvenile onset diabetes. 
02-18-David White from the Missouri Symphony Society came to give us an update on the progress of the restoration of the Missouri Theatre. 
02-11-Grady DaVolt, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club. He gave an overview of programs and outlined the 5 areas in which the B & G Clubs help kids.
02-04-Georgalu Swoboda, Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Boone County. She announced a recent coalition with Optimist International and reported that since the 60’s BB&BS of Columbia has been involved in a one-on-one mentoring program with positive results.
01-28-Stephanie Browning, Director of the Boone County Health Department. The BCHD is a joint city/county effort that has grown since 1974 to about 55 employees.
01-21-Dr. Clenora Hudson-Weems describes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as the Father of the Civil Rights Movement and Mrs. Rosa Parks as the Mother of the Movement. But the true catalyst of the Civil Rights Movement was the lynching of a 14 year old black boy which occurred three months before Mrs. Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man.
01-14-Erin Keys of WaterPartners International, a charitable organization that addresses the water supply and sanitation needs of people living in developing countries, presented an overview of her work.
01-07-Mentoring - A mentoring program through the Chamber of Commerce was announced and Jim Silsby, Director of Development, presented the Club's new mentoring program with kids at The Front Door.