Timely Christmas Story

Fellow Optimists.

This is a wonderful (and timely) story about how collaboration works.

The Great Falls Uptown Optimist club helped form a JOOI Club.  The JOOI Club then helped the Girl Scouts who in turn helped kids learn about scouting in one of our elementary schools here in Great Falls.

Just look at the smiles on these young girl's faces.  And I bet our JOOI club members received a great deal of satisfaction from their efforts.

Merry Christmas and thanks for all you do.

Governor Dan Petersen
Let's Go !!!   Be the Best !!!

Loss of an Optimist

Fellow Optimists,

 

It is with great sadness that I pass along the obituary of Keith Preddy.  Keith has served as President of the Optimist Club of Lethbridge for many years.  Just think of how many kids have been helped by his efforts over the years.

 

I knew Keith from Optimists and also from his Big Kahuna Karaoke business here in Great Falls.  Our city will have less music as a result of his passing.

 

Please forward this to all who might have known Keith.

 

Sincerely,

 

Dan Petersen

Governor

AMS&NW District 13

New Recruitment Incentive

Optimist International is excited to announce a new Sponsor Pin incentive.  Starting October 1, Members will receive pins when they sponsor their 1st, 5th, 15th, 20th, and 35th Members.  

This incentive was established by the 2013-2014 International Membership Committee to reward those Members who are helping the organization grow and reach more children in our communities. Each Member should be proud of how many people they have brought into our organization and encourage everyone else to continue to promote Member recruitment.

Please note this incentive is cumulative and permanent.  It will not be retroactive before this year.  Please contact the Membership Department at (800) 500-8130 ext. 227 or email membership@optimist.org with any questions. 

Originally published in "Hotline" the "Optimist International Leadership Publication, October 2014

2nd Quarter District Conference & Workshop Invitation

You are invited to the 2014-15 2nd Quarter District Conference and Training Workshop scheduled for February 20-21, 2015 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Enjoy the hospitality of the All Nations Medicine Hat Optimist Club and take the opportunity to meet with the District Team led by our Governor, Dan Petersen.

Early Registration Deadline: February 6, 2015

Hotel: Medicine Hat Lodge Hotel, Casino & Convention Centre, Trans-Canada Highway at Dunmore Road.  Book your rooms by calling 1-800-661-8095 and ask for the "OPTI" rate.

Agenda:  Conference Agenda and Workshop Schedule - TBA
Theme: Come bop at our sockhop.
Children's Program:  To be confirmed.

How to Register:  Just complete a Registration Form and book your room before they are all reserved!

Submitted by Gov Dan Petersen for the All Nation's Medicine Hat Optimist Club

Message from the First Lady

Both Ken and I feel blessed and honored to have this opportunity to serve with you in Bringing out the BEST in our Kids, ourselves and our communities.  Our personal goal for this year is to become healthier physically, mentally and spiritually than we are today - to be the BEST we can be in every aspect of our lives.  

We encourage you to join us on this journey so that we can grow as individuals, Clubs and as an organization. Improving our health and the health of our Clubs will help us serve more children and ensure a lasting legacy of Optimism.

The start of a new year is a great time to give yourself and your Club a health check-up. Take time to consider the following questions:

• Are there areas in your life that need a boost? 
• Does your physical well-being need a lift? 
• Are the projects conducted by your Optimist Club helping kids in your community get up and get moving?

Stay tuned to future issues of The Optimist magazine and The Hotline newsletter for more details. Follow us on Twitter and like our Facebook page for updates and tips.

 

Yours in Optimism,

Patsy Garner

Originally published in "Hotline" the Optimist International Leadership Publication, October 2014

Optimist International Website Receives New Look

If you visited the Optimist International website recently, you may have noticed a fresh, updated look to make both Members and visitors feel welcome.

A showcase of images associated with important Optimist topics such as membership, programs and youth Clubs has been added to the main pages. The images can be clicked on for more information. Social media icons and links are now included in the header of every page, to make following the organization and communicating with other Members easy.

Optimists can go to a special Members section. The website still features an incredible amount of information and resources, but users have more options upfront so they can find what they are looking for quickly.

Another great new feature is automatic display adjusting, allowing visitors to easily view and utilize the website from any desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone device.

If you are unable to locate a piece of information, use the "Search" function, or contact (800) 500-8130 for assistance.

OI President Ken Garner Declares War ... Learn More

Optimist International President Ken Garner Declares War ... Learn more!

Welcome to the 2014-15 Optimist Year ... Lets Go!!! Be the Best!!!

My friends and fellow Optimists.

 
I am so honored to be your Governor for 2014-15. I think about all the great Governors that have preceded me and it inspires me to
BE THE BEST ! ! ! !

I have been an Optimist for many years, but only recently have I spent any time thinking about the benefits of being one.

Obviously helping the kids in our community is a wonderful thing to experience. We all take great pride when we watch them perform in our local variety shows. Or see them playing baseball at the parks we've developed. Or listening to their speeches at the Oratorical contests. We truly believe that offering these kids positive alternatives will help all of our futures.

Another benefit is the fellowship involved. Some of my best friends are fellow Optimists and I believe most of us can say that. Meeting with the same people, working on projects, sharing sense of family.

Developing leadership skills is another benefit. You can see a member's confidence increase significantly after becoming a club committee chair. And members have the ability to hone these leadership skills even further by becoming a President of their Club, getting involved at the District and even at the International level.

And finally, last - but certainly not least - living a life of optimism and focusing on the positive aspects of life is way more rewarding than the alternative.

My theme this year is LET'S GO ! ! ! ! So that's what I want us to do.

---

LET'S GO LET'S GO LET'S GO LET'S GO LET'S GO

start a new project get more members to help more kids build new clubs in new communities to help more kids have some fun at District Meetings BE THE BEST

Message from Governor Glen

Fellow Optimists

We are now in the final weeks of our Optimist year.  The Optimists of this District have worked hard to maintain the programs that they have for our youth and introduced new programs in their communities.  I thank them for that.

Now is the time when a lot of us return to regular meetings after a break for the summer.  This is the time to add new members for our busy fall season. 

At the end of June when I introduced my "Banner Patch" for Service to Youth, there were 48 out of 55 Clubs that could achieve this patch and be an Honor Club in this District by adding 1 to 4 members to their roster and serving more youth in their communities.

I want all Club Presidents to achieve this goal and be recognized for the work their clubs accomplish within their communities.

The Lt. Governors in each Zone should be doing their last visit to their Clubs to promote this and the final reports required to reach this goal (Officer-Elect forms and Pride reports).  The Presidents also needs to recognize an Optimist member within their Club that has gone above and beyond this year.

A number of Clubs are working on building a New Club to achieve Distinguished Club and Distinguished President status.  Let me encourage them by saying that it can be done in the next month.  Both Gary Cross, as NCB Chairman, and myself are more than willing to give or find you the help you need to achieve this goal. 

Let's show Optimist International that the Alberta, Montana, Saskatchewan and Northern Wyoming District is simply the BEST!

My Year of "I Promise"

Glen Kreller, Governor
Alberta, Montana, Saskatchewan and Northern Wyoming District

2014-15 1st Quarter District Conference Invitation

You are invited to the 2014-15 1st Quarter District Conference and Training Workshop scheduled for October 10-11, 2014 in Havre, Montana. Enjoy the hospitality of the Havre Optimist Club and take the opportunity to meet with the District Team led by our incoming Governor, Dan Petersen.

Early Registration Deadline: September 15, 2014

Hotel: Great Northern Inn, Highway 2, Havre, MT 59501.  Book your rooms by calling 406-265-4200:

Agenda:  Conference Agenda and Workshop Schedule - TBA
Theme: TBA  
Children's Program:  To be confirmed.

How to Register:  Just complete a Registration Form and book your room before they are all reserved!

Submitted by Opt Lyle Merriam, Regina Downtowner's Optimist Club

2013-14 Annual District Convention Invite

You are invited to the 2013-14 Annual District Convention and Training Workshop scheduled for August 7-9, 2014 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Enjoy the hospitality of the Regina Optimist Clubs and take the opportunity to meet with the District Team led by our Governor, Glen Kreller.

Early Registration Deadline: July 6, 2014

Hotel: Travelodge Hotel and Conference Center, 4177 Albert Street S., Regina, SK S7K 3H5.  Quote Block ID 1251028 and Block Code CGAMSN.  Book your rooms before July 7th.  Call 1-800-578-7878 or 306-586-3443:

Agenda:  Conference Agenda and Workshop Schedule - TBA
Theme: "Football Boot Camp".  
Golf:  Annual "Optimist Golf Game" is being organized for Saturday afternoon, Aug 9th.  $60 includes cart and green fees.
Children's Program:  $40 per child and must be registered by July 6th.
Hutterite Colony Tour (includes lunch/transport):  $35 (kids free with parent)

How to Register:  Just complete a Registration Form and book your room before they are all reserved!

Submitted by Opt Lyle Merriam, Regina Downtowner's Optimist Club

2013-14 3rd Quarter District Conference & Oratorical Contest Invite

You are invited to the 3rd Quarter District Conference for 2013-14 scheduled for May 16-17 2014 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Enjoy the hospitality of the Saskatoon Optimist Clubs and take the opportunity to meet with the District Team led by our Governor, Glen Kreller.

Early Registration Deadline: April 16, 2014

Hotel: Park Town Motor Hotel, 924 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3H5.  Use Block Code 139916.  Book your rooms before April 16th.  Call 1-800-667-3999:

Agenda:  Conference Agenda and Workshop Schedule - TBA
Theme: To be announced.  
Golf:  An "Optimist Golf Game" is being organized for Sunday, May 18th at the Legends Golf Course in Warman, SK.

How to Register:  Just complete a Registration Form and book your room before they are all reserved!
Programs:  Kids and Companions programs to be announced

Submitted by Opt Brent Card, Hub City Optimist Club of Saskatoon

Farewell to Ted Huber

It is with a great deal of sadness that the members of the Breakfast Optimist Club of Bozeman announce the passing of Past AMS&NW Governor and fellow Optimist Ted Huber last night.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Ellen and her family at this time.

The arrangements for his services have not been finalized but services are planned for next week.  We will update this notice with details when they become available.

Rest in Peace Ted

Glen Kreller, Governor
AMS&NW District 13

and

Ann Gilbert, Secretary
Breakfast Optimist Club of Bozeman