Introducing the District Growth Team

The District Growth Team is responsible for fostering a significant growth in District membership by assisting fellow Optimists to recruit new members and build new adult and JOOI clubs, and by enhancing the knowedge and skills of Optimist leaders and members. We are pleased to introduce the District Growth Team for 2010-11:

Leadership Development Chair: Roger Lesofski (Great Falls Uptown)

Roger Lesofski

Leadership Development

Res: (406) 771-7061

Roger is a long serving Optimist since 1984 who is strongly committed to leadership development as part of building a strong District. In addition to serving a the District Governor in 2003-04, Roger has served as Leadership Development, Membership, Retention and New Club Building Chairs in previous years. Roger served as Club President (Distinguished) in 1997-98 and as Zone 1 Lieutenant Governor for 1998-2000.

Why did I become an Optimist?  "Initially to get on a softball team the optimist club had."

Roger just completed a year on the OI Convention Committee that planned and ran the Annual Convention in Denver. Roger enjoys helping the kids and all the great friends he has made because of Optimism.

What is the primary reason I continue to serve as an Optimist?  "I believe in all the aspects of Optimism and the great things we stand for."

As part of the Growth Team, his role is to plan, promote and conduct the training of Club and District leaders making them more effective leaders. Roger believes in all the aspects of Optimism and the great things we stand for and he invites everyone to attend the quarterly District Conferences to participate in the many informative workshops.

What do I enjoy most about being an Optimist?  "Not only helping the kids, but all the great friends I have made because of Optimism, throughout this District and in my own club."

  Find out more about Leadership Development

Membership Chair: Jay Strever (Billings Breakfast)

Jay Strever

Membership Chair

Res: (406) 254-8590

Jay joined the Billings Breakfast Club in 2002 and he is strongly committed to increasing membership in each club throughout the District. He has served as Distinguished Club President (2005-06) and Distinguished and Outstanding Zone 4 Lieutenant Governor (2006-07).

Why did you become an Optimist?  I became an Optimist because I was asked. I had belonged to a service club (Kiwanis) since 1982. When a job change forced me to resign in 2001 because I could not attend the 2 hour luncheon meetings, I felt something missing from my life. I enjoyed giving back to my community and I enjoyed associating with people of true character. When my best friend in the whole wide world, Greg Piper, asked me to become a Breakfast Optimist, I jumped at the opportunity.

Jay last served as the District Junior Golf Chair for 2007-2009 running two very successful District Junior Golf Competitions. Jay enjoys being an Optimist and invites everyone to spread the gift of membership to a friend.

What do you hope to accomplish in your District position this year?  I want to teach my fellow Optimists how to great ambassadors for Optimism. When their enthusiasm and character shine through they cannot help but succeed when they ask a friend to become an Optimist.

Membership is the lifeblood of any Optimist club. Clubs that run one community service project a month, one fund raiser per quarter, ensure that all members are assigned to a club committee, enjoy a strong and active membership. Running a successful new member recruitment drive is vital to the future success of your club. I invite you to attend the quarterly District Conference workshops on membership.

What is the primary reason you continue to serve as an Optimist?  That’s easy. I’m selfish. I get more out of being an Optimist than I put into it. In return for a few hours of my time I get to associate with the finest people in the world. I get the satisfaction of seeing kids realize opportunities that they would never have had if it had not been for our organization. Who wouldn’t want to do this?

  Find out more about Membership

New Club Building Chair: Edie McInnes (Blackfalds)

Edie McInnes

New Club Building

Res: (403) 318-5782

Edie is a Charter President (Distinguished) in Blackfalds in 2002-03 and Zone 3 Lieutenant-Governor in 2003-04. Edie previously served on the Growth Teams for Past Governor Don Morrison (as New Club Building Chair), Norm Sagen (as Membership Chair) and Doug Kirby (as Membership Chair) where she was successful in helping the District achieve Distinguished growth goals.

How did I become an Optimist?  "I saw an ad in our local utility bill that asked 'Would you like to help the kids in your community?'. I went to the information meeting hosted by the Red Deer Optimist Club and I liked what I heard. We are a small community and we did not have a lot for the kids in our town to do. Since the Optimist Club's organization there is a ton of stuff for our kids as well as a JOOI Club and an Octagon Club. I love the friendships I have made! My closest friends are Optimist members!"

Building a new Optimist club in a community without a club is one of the most satisfying projects that you can participate in, and is one of the greatest gifts that you can give to a local community. I really believe that every community needs an Optimist Club! I would like to help start a new club in all the small communities, like my own, because it has helped our little town so much. I invite you to attend our New Club Building workshops at the quarterly District Conferences this year.

  Find out more about New Club Building

JOOI Chair: Lee Weiszhaar (St. Albert)

Lee Wesizhaar

JOOI Chair

Res: (780) 458-3829

Lee has server as an Optimist in St. Albert since the early 90's. She has served as a Distinguished Club President and Secretary-Treasurer. In addition to serving as Distinguished & Outstanding Governor in 2000-01, Lee has served on previous District teams as Club Services, Faculty, Essay and Candidate Qualifications Chairs. Lee is looking forward to meeting fellow Optimists who want to build new JOOI clubs throughout the District.

JOOI clubs are often more active delivering projects in their community. Building a JOOI club goes a long way to helping to train the leaders of tomorrow. I invite you to attend the JOOI club building workshops at the quarterly District Conferences this year.

  Find out more about District JOOI Clubs

Personal Growth & PGI: Jeff Barnhart (Great Falls Uptown)

Jeff Barnhart

Personal Growth

& PGI

Res: (406) 453-5375

Jeff joined the Great Falls Uptown Club in 2001 and has served as Honor Club President in 2003-04 and as Distinguished Lt. Governor in 2006-07. Jeff has been bestowed a life time membership by his club for his work as an Optimist.

"Throughout my military career I believed that only with the help of many can we make a difference. I was introduced to the Club and found that here were many who wished to help a very needy and deserving population of our community. I appreciated the intense meaning of the creed which supports our organization's goals and philosophy and I appreciated the opportunity to give back to my community."

As the PGI Chair Jeff plans to encourage all the incoming Lt. Governors and incoming Presidents to get every member who already has achieved one level of PGI to aspire to move up at least one more level. In addition he hopes that all the new members recruited this year will be enrolled into PGI and as a minimum will complete their first level as quickly as possible.

"Each year that I have enjoyed working with the club, makes me less cynical about where our younger generation will lead us. I enjoy seeing the effort that we do materialize into some greater good that one person alone could not accomplish. Some of our working members I know have their own problems and concerns, but regardless, will take some time off without first thinking of themselves and whats in it for them. It is a pleasure to work with a strong team who see the rewards of their labor without first thinking of themselves."

Running an active PGI program at the club level helps to strengthen an active membership by enabling them to take ownership of their participation. We will continue to run PGI training modules at the quarterly District Conferences. This is an excellent opportunity to train your next club PGI Chair.

"I have found that the best part of being an Optimist is what it has forced me to become ... I realized that the sincerity of those that are in the organization with me is habit forming, and not only brings out the best in kids, it also brings out the best in the adults. I believe I have been better prepared to perform my duties at work and at home with a better feeling of satisfaction and a far better appreciation for our fellow man."

  Find out more about the PGI Program

Great Plains Parallel District Conference Nov. 5-7, 2010

Great Plains Region
Alberta, Montana, Saskatchewan & Northern Wyoming (13), Dakotas-Manitoba-Minnesota (35),
Iowa (40), Nebraska (10), Southern Wisconsin (09) and Wisconsin North-Upper Michigan (23)

November 5-7, 2010
Bloomington (Minneapolis), Minnesota
Holiday Inn and Suites

Special Guests, Keynote Speakers & Faculty Members
Danny & Jill Rodgers - International President & First Lady
Jim Kondrasuk - International Board Member
Jim Nagel - Senior Director of Member Services, Optimist International
Judi Smith - CEO, OI Foundation and OI Foundation Canada
Kai Gansner, Director of Member Services, Optimist International
Ronnie Dunn - Past International President, Certified International Trainer & Wayne Dunn - KYWV Governor
WE WILL ALSO BE FEATURING ADDITIONAL TRAINERS FROM THROUGHOUT OUR GREAT PLAINS REGION,
TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF FIRST-CLASS BREAKOUTS, ROUND TABLES AND TRAINING SESSIONS.
www.optimist.org/form/.../pdc_great_plains-registration_form.pdf

Changes to PGI for 2010-11

PGI, or Personal Growth and Involvement is a learning program for Optimist members that encourages their growth and participation in Optimism as they gain experience.  Optimist International has made some changes to the PGI requirements at various levels, and has released revised versions of the PGI Program and the PGI Passport Requirements.

Jeff Barnhart

PGI Chair

Res: (406) 453-5375

PGI Passport fold-out cards have been revised and are being mailed to our PGI Chair, Jeff Barnhart.  If you would like to receive a replacement set, please send Jeff an email indicating how many passport cards you will need.

Members with existing PGI levels completed will be able to transfer those the new PGI Passport  Members will also be able to transfer completed steps for those PGI levels not yet completed.

Our goal for the 2010-11 year is to officially register as many Optimist members as possible; to ensure that all new members are tenrolled into PGI; and to encourage all registered members to progress one PGI level this year.

Please refer to Personal Growth & Involvement page for additional details.  To register your club members, please contact Jeff for instructions.  We look forward to contributing to the personal growth of our members as part of improving the strength of our District.

Introducing the District Executive Team

The District Executive Team is responsible for running an effective District that fosters growth in membership and clubs, delivers fantastic youth projects and programs, and delivers services that support the Zone Lieutenant-Governors, and Clubs. We are pleased to introduce the District Executive for 2010-11:

District Governor: Tim Bell (Airdrie)

Tim Bell
District Governor
Res: (403) 660-4060

Tim is a long serving member with the Airdrie Optimist Club. He has served as Club President and Secretary-Treasurer several times, and is a past Lieutenant Governor for Zone 6. Tim has a passion for fund raising for Cancer related projects in Calgary region. He served as the District PGI Chair for 2007-09 before serving as Governor-Elect and Membership Chiar last year.

My primary role as the District Governor is to encourage and engage our members to grow our District by recruiting more members, building new clubs in smaller communities that need an Optimist club, running more community service projects for youth and sponsoring Optimist youth scholarship programs like Oratorical, Essay and CCDHH competitions, and the Junior Golf and Juvenile Curling competitions. 

  Find out more about the District Governor

District Secretary-Treasurer: Marilyn Bushell (Calgary Dinner)

Marilyn Bushell
District
Secretary-Treasurer
Res: (403) 248-9181

Marilyn is the last remaining charter member of the Calgary Dinner Optimist Club, formed in 1994. She has served as Club President several times (attaining the levels of Honor and Distinguished) and as Club Secretary. Marilyn is a past Lieutenant Governor for Zone 6 in 2001-02 (Honor) and 2008-09. She is a BOE helping to build the Traditional Optimist of Calgary. 

Marilyn served as the first District Juvenile Curling Chair and was instrumental in getting Optimist Juvenile Curling started in Alberta. Marilyn served as the Essay Contest Chair last year and this year has volunteered to serve as the District Secretary-Treasurer and Activities & CPA Chair.

"I became an Optimist to help serve the youth in my area. I continue to be part of this organization because of the difference my club is making in the Calgary area by helping youth at all levels. What is I enjoy most about this organization is the people that I have met helping youth in the District and beyond."

My primary role as the District Secretary-Treasurer is to provide administrative and financial management support to Governor Tim and the rest of the District Team and Lieutenant Governors throughout the Optimist year. I encourage all clubs to file their reports in a timely manner and ensure that OI and District dues are paid in a timely manner.

  Find out more about the District Secretary-Treasurer

District Governor-Elect: Ted Huber (Bozeman Breakfast)

Ted Huber
District
Governor-Elect
Res: (406) 587-3482

Ted is a long serving Optimist with the Bozeman Breakfast Optimist Club. Ted has served as Club President and Zone Lieutenant Governor in 2008-09. He is returning to the District Executive to serve as District Governor-Elect and Internet Safety Program Chair. Deeply committed to ensuring that OI grows in strength and commitment to supporting youth, Governor-Elect Ted invites everyone to renew your individual Optimist passion to 'Bring out the best in kids'.

My primary role of the Governor-Elect is to act as the eyes and ears of the District so that I can prepare for a successful year. One of my key goals is to build a dynamic team that can continue the work of Past Governor Darryl and Governor Tim as we meet the challenges of serving the needs of our communities.

  Find out more about the District Governor-Elect

District International Ambassador: Darryl Sim (Red Deer)

Darryl Sim
District Ambassador
Past Gov 2009-10
Res: (403) 346-3279

Immediate Past Governor Darryl returns this year to promote member attendance to the Annual OI Convention, scheduled for July 2011. Darryl joined the Optimist Club of Red Deer in 1999 and has served as Club President (Distinguished) in 2004-05. He was a Distinguished President for having increased club membership by Net+ twenty-five and starting a new club. For that year he was honored to receive the District Alex M. Wilson Award and the Over and Above Award.

Darryl served as a Lieutenant Governor in 2007-08, receiving a Distinguished Lieutenant-Governor Citation from the District and from International Past President Theo Golding he received the Presidential Above and Beyond Award as one of the top ten Lieutenant-Governors in all Optimist International. 

Darryl served as the New Club Building Chair and Governor-Elect in 2008-09 prior to serving as Governor in 2009-10.

The 2010-11 Optimist International Convention will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, for early July, 2011. Past Governor Darryl invites anyone who can attend to register for the convention and take advantage of the excellent training workshops that are provided. Refer to our meetings page for more details as they become available.

  Find out more about the District International Ambassador

Candidate Qualifications Chair: Doug Kirby (Billings Breakfast)

Doug Kirby
Candidate Qualifications
Past Gov 2008-09
Res: (403) 660-4060

2008-09 Past Governor Doug is hunting and searching for our next Governor-Elect and invites qualified candidates to submit the nomination papers as soon as possible. Doug is a long serving member with the Billings Breakfst Optimist Club and has served as Club President and Zone 4 Lieutenant Governor. Doug has served as Membership and New Club Building Chairs before his year as Governor.

Continuing to build strong and dynamic District Teams each year relies on finding suitable candidates for the position of District Governor. As your Candidate Qualifications Chair, my role is to present a slate of candidates for the position of Governor Elect for 2011-12, to serve as Governor in 2012-13.

  Find out more about the Candidate Qualifications Chair