Optimist Newsletter

Its April and half way through the Optimist year. I want to make sure everyone knows how much I appreciate their work on our fundraiser and youth projects. Many hands make light work. Our most recent project was the local Oratorical Contest, headed by Roger Heatwole. Our next project is the Special Olympics, co-chaired by Anne Fiscus and Theresa Walton. The committee met last week to organize the effort. We have entry forms arriving at our house each day. Be sure to let Anne know where you'd like to work at the event. As has become tradition, we will be having pizza at Zeno's Saturday night after the event for all the workers.

On April 12th, Optimist International President Bill Teague will be making his annual visit to the Iowa District. The event will take place in Amana. It'll be a fun time.

The Iowa District is repeating the very successful Iowa District Service Project. We will again be collecting non-perishable food items, personal care items, and toilet paper for the Food Bank of Iowa. See the article elsewhere in the newsletter for more information. Last year, we half filled my Suburban. Let's fill it this year!

The Optimist International Youth Golf Championship District Qualifying Tournament (try saying that 5 times fast) will be taking place in early June. Later that month, we will put a new roof on the shelter at Optimist Park.

By the end of the month, we need to have next year's slate of officers decided. Bob Wenner is chairing the Nominating Committee. If you would like to serve as a club officer or on the board of directors, please let Bob know.

Thanks again for supporting the youth of our community with your energy and enthusiasm!

Schedule of Events

Board Meeting

May 7 – Wed, Noon, at DIB’s

Programs

Apr 3 – Betsy Mackie, New Quakerdale building

Apr 10 – Floyd Harthun & Mark Smith, DC Summit

Apr 17 – Pam Swarts, Iowa Valley Leadership students

Apr 24 – Barb Jennings, Bianiaca Geazel, MCC youth for understanding

May 1 – Youth Appreciation

May 8 – Mary Ann Tordson, Art Dept. MCC

Other Events

Apr 17 – BRING A GUEST to the Noon meeting

July 22 (Tue) – Push Riders (no Thurs meeting, July 24)

Projects

Apr 13 – Zone Oratorical contest

Apr 26 – Special Olympics

May 1 – Youth Appreciation

May 4 – Regional Oratorical contest

May 17 – District Oratorical contest

June 5 – Jr. World Golf tournament

District Schedule

Apr 12 – International President’s Visit, Amanas

May 17 – 3^rd Qtr District meeting, Des Moines

July 13-17 – International Conv, Kansas City

Aug 6-10 – 4^th Qtr District meeting, Coralville

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor." -Hubert H. Humphrey

Special Olympics is only 3 weeks away. We’ve been busy getting ready for this event. Teresa Walton has sent letters to the coaches. We’ve had an organizational meeting and we now need volunteers to make this another success for the Optimist Club. Please sign up to volunteer at a meeting or on the web site or call Anne Fiscus at 753-7563. – Anne Fiscus

The Iowa Valley Leadership class of 2003 developed the Timeline panels and celebration for Marshalltown’s 150^th celebration. Our club is sponsoring the 1950’s decade time panel. That’s the decade our club was chartered, specifically 1954. There are sixteen time panels that will be on display through out the city. Once a week, a new time panel will be shown at a different business. Our decade, 1950’s, will be displayed the week of July 6^th, which is the last week for the displays. You can view it the lobby of the Regency. For more details, contact Bob Wenner. – Bob Wenner

It’s that time of year again! We have until April 30 to elect our new slate of officers for the leadership of our club for the next year. Our new year begins October 1^st.

Your involvement in the organization and operations of this great club are an optimistic way to show your commitment to our community. Our club has a great deal to offer the youth that we impact throughout the year.

We are looking for a new Secretary/Treasurer to assist Pete Peterson in his year as president. There is still plenty of time to train for the position.

Wouldn’t you love to be intimately involved in some part of this process? Our club is brimming with past officers for the club. Just ask one of them about getting involved and feel free to contact me if you have questions or just want to step up to volunteer! – Sean Ervin – Club Sec./Treas. Phone: 753-4976

The Oratorical Contest is for youth that have not yet reached the age of 16 by January 1, 2003. The 4 to 5 minutes speech will have the topic of “United We Stand in Optimism”. The District Winner for the boy’s and girl’s contests will each receive a $1,500 college scholarship

Growing Optimists

‘Every farmer knows that you can’t sow and reap on the same day. There is a timetable for your harvest that requires both working and waiting. Patience is a small price to pay for what you will receive.’ – Neil Eskelin

As you look outdoors, new growth is everywhere. The time is also ripe for new growth in our organization. A campaign called "Growing Optimists" is underway, with a goal of 10% growth by June. That's 7 new Optimists!

April 17th has been targeted as a special day to bring prospective members to our luncheon; the program will feature the MHS student participants in Iowa Valley Leadership. Of

Let's be honest about two key concepts: First, the primary reason why people join an organization is because they were invited to join. (Profound, isn't it?) Second, the membership committee can devise a campaign, plan incentives, and provide the tools, but inviting prospective members is EVERYONE'S job.

So -- subcommittees are being formed AS YOU READ! Members themselves are building their teams, with a life member as team "coach" and a network of others who will

Cheers to three membership subcommittees who are ready to plants seeds and cultivate growth in our organization:

The Crop Dusters: Bob Beard, Bill Martin, Mike Wickham, Gene Taylor & Glen Ytzen;

A Thorn Among the Roses: Cyndi Barber, Jean Campbell, Connie Feldman, Nancy Harris, Andrea Warren, & Bob Wenner.

Golden Trellis: Chris Brodin, Maureen Devine, Debi Estabrook, Rachel Iverson & Larry Park.

Remember, we are at our best when we have a strong club to help us support all the youth activities we provide for our community. They need our help! To help us be a stronger club, we need to attend weekly meetings, to find out what is going on and how we can help. Each member needs to see themselves as a recruiter for a fantastic club.

Look for prospective members among your other networks, be on hand April 17, and plan to celebrate our membership growth at an after-work party on Thursday, June 26!

ALL Iowa Optimists are asked to participate to HELP the Food Bank of Iowa. Items are distributed through 265 agencies in 44 counties in Iowa to missions and shelters for the homeless, domestic violence shelters, centers for low-income senior citizens, programs helping disabled people, infants and children’s day care and residential centers, and more!

4 Personal health and hygiene items (deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, etc.)

Please help the Iowa District Optimists help Iowans in need! Collect these much-needed items (within your own club or as a special project drive) and bring them to the 3^rd Quarter District Conference. We will have a special truck there to load all of the items (and some PR coverage, too!).

Questions? Contact Urbandale Optimist Club Board Member Lynn Hiatt at 515-224-8738 (office) or email to: hiatt@coldwellbanker.com.

I spoke at the Morning Optimist club here in Manitwoc and they reminded me of our group. Lots of great youth projects throughout the year. I thought you'd enjoy some photos of our lake this spring, it is just starting to act spring like now. I know we are behind Iowa, no tulips are up yet here, but no snow is great too! The last photo is our summer project, wanted you to see us coming when we are in Iowa!
Take Care, Mary