District Website Update

I'm pleased to advise that I have been able to update the "Members" page so that the forms links work and links to CPA materials have been added.  In addition, the "Zones and Clubs" have been updated to match the contact info from the latest version of the District Directory.  As a reminder ... Zone Contact Cards are now available.  In addition, the District twitter page is now available at twitter.com/AMSNWOptimists.

YIO - Optimist Gord
District Web Services

Notes for Club Membership Chairs

Less than two months left to take advantage of "Free for Four" membership drive.  Read about "Tribes" words of wisdom from Seth Grodin and other delightful news for club membership chairs.

Originally submitted by Opt Ruth Nelson (Past Gov District 37), OI Membership Committee

2010 District Junior Golf Championship

The 2010 AMS&NW Optimist Junior Golf Championships in Redcliff were a huge success. The parents and kids had a good time and enjoyed the Family BBQ mixer put on by the All Nations Optimist Club on Monday night, as well as the Riverview Golf Club course. The highlight of the tournament was a hole-in-one by Tom Swanson, a 15-year old boy from Missoula, Montana.

We lucked out with the weather. It rained a lot on Monday, making a mess of the Practice Rounds. But it cleared up around five o'clock in time for the BBQ. And although Tuesday was cloudy, it never did rain; making it a comfortable day for golfing.

I want to thank both the All Nations and the Medicine Hat Optimist Clubs for their help in conducting the District Tournament.  I want to again thank the Edmonton-Dinner Optimist Club for their financial support.

Colin Gunstream from Missoula won the Boys 16-18 division and was tournament low-score with a 69. Tom Swanson's hole-in-one won him the Boys 14-15 division by one stroke over Huner Anderson from Billings. Katelyn Frank, from Sydney won the Girls 16-18 division and Kortney McNeil won the Girls 10-14 division. The sole winner from outside of Montana was Nolan Mastel from Medicine Hat who won the Boys 12-13 division.

We experienced a lower than normal turnout this year. We had 25 young people registered and one of those didn't get his passport soon enough to cross the border and compete. Normally, we get 45-50 contestants from 5 or 6 qualifying tournaments around the District. But this year, both Great Falls and Davidson had to cancel their qualifying tournaments; and neither Saskatoon, Prince Albert, or Bozeman scheduled tournaments.
 
I'll be conducting a workshop about Junior Golf at the District Convention in Bozeman, MT. I hope you and/or someone from your club will be able to attend it. We'll talk about running local qualifying tournaments and ask for your opinions regarding rewarding the winners and runnerups at the District Championships.

See you in Bozeman!

Mike DeNicola
Chair, District Junior Golf

Why attend the District Convention

Our District Convention will be starting in a few weeks in Bozeman, Montana hosted by the Bozeman Optimist Clubs.

So here are three solid reasons to attend:

1. Meet OI President Mark Shriver and his wife Patricia who are our guests. As Optimist members, we do not often get a chance to meet the president of Optimist International and engage in a conversation on the burning topic that is near and dear to our heart. This would be your chance.
2. Attend Quality Workshops hosted by some of our District Committee Chairs. If you are club president elect or a secretary/treasurer designate, the best training outside of the OI Annual Convention is always provided at the District Annual Convention. If you are an incoming Lieutenant Governor, you get the opportunity to spend an entire day in workshops covering all the information that you’ll need to enjoy a successful year. There is usually a wide assortment of interesting workshops held on Friday for regular members to attend … all provided to enhance your ability to deliver quality, fun-filled projects and programs in your local communities.
    
3. Meet the Incoming District Team who will be introduced by incoming Governor Tim Bell and sworn into office by OI President Mark.

The most important reason to attend the District Annual Convention is that it is usually a enjoyable mini vacation where you get a chance to enjoy the fellowship with the members from other clubs throughout the District. There is ample time to share experiences and pick the brains of the more experienced Optimist members who will be there.

I’ve been attending District meetings for years and I especially look forward to District Conventions as I always feel recharged as we head into the final six weeks of the current Optimist year and we start to plan for the coming year.

If you haven’t registered, I ask that you consider attending the District Convention this year.  To register and book accommodations, call Kat ... she can be reached at 406-587-4561 ext. 402. For more registration information ...

Gov Darryl, Gov-Elect Tim and I are looking forward to seeing you at this year's District convention.

YIO - Patti Welling, DST 2009-10