Share optimism with guests!

Dick Disney, Bulletin Editor for the W. Tacoma Optimist Club says:

It's that time of the year to bring guests to meetings to share our great Optimist Club activities. New members at this time will:

1. Add to the membership to maintain & increase Youth Activities.
2. Get new members oriented for the New Optimist Year.
3. Keep President Shirley smiling.

Insert the President of your Optimist Club into line 3 and join in the fun and friendship that new members bring to your club. Just Ask!

Experience Optimism: Boxing program helps keep youths out of trouble

Governor Linda Jackson and Lt. Governor Sue Thompson were invited to the Caldwell Optimist Club Silver Belt Invitational Boxing Championships on February 27, 2010. Together with their spouses they were treated like VIPs and even participated in presenting awards to the boxers who competed in weight classes 70 lbs. to 185 lbs.

The Caldwell Optimist Club has developed quite a program with the Police Activities League and together they give children a path to a life away from gangs and crime. Please read more here: Experience Optimism: Boxing program helps keep youths out of trouble

Plan ahead for the Optimist International Convention

It may seem early, but did you know that right now is the best time to start planning your trip to the Optimist International Convention?  The 2010 Convention will be held in Denver, Colorado making it one of the closest and most affordable conventions for Optimist Club members in the Pacific Northwest District.

All events will take place at the Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel on July 8-10, 2010.  Convention registration will be open soon, but just to get you into the spirit, please take a look at the photo gallery of the 2009 Optimist International Convention.  You'll see a lot of eating, walking across the stage, and "speachifying," but look closely at the smiles, cameraderie and hope that you gain from sharing your Optimist spirit with others who share similar stories and ideals.  It's refreshing.

Photo: Optimist International President Don and Anita Sievers perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the 2009 Optimist International Convention at the Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, FL.

Rocky Jackson elected as Optimist International Vice President

A small but mighty contingent of PNW District Optimist Club members made history at the Optimist International Convention in Kissimmee, Florida today when they rallied to help elect Past District Governor Rocky Jackson as Optimist International Vice President for the 2010-2011 administrative year. He will serve the West Region.

Rocky is the first candidate to ever be elected at large from a nomination from the floor. "It was an honor to be nominated," Rocky explained. "It is a joy to be asked to serve. Thank you for the outpouring of support, " he concluded.

Rocky has been a part of the Optimist Club of Jerome, Idaho since 1977. In addition to leadership positions in the PNW District, he has also served as Optimist International District Foundation Representative, Optimist International Convention Representative and as a member of the Optimist International Rose Parade Float Committee.

Congratulations Rocky Jackson! The PNW District is proud of you.

Why do Optimist Clubs have Bulletins?

Some people prefer to call them newsletters, but many Optimist Clubs cling to the term bulletin for obvious reasons. A bulletin is a regular missive that tells you what is going to happen. A newsletter usually tells you what has happened. A bulletin arrives in a timely enough manner that you can participate. A newsletter arrives after the fact so that you find out what you missed.

So what's the best solution? How about a little of both.

Make your club bulletin a call to action. Invite people to participate in whatever is happening: club meetings, club fund raisers and club projects; and tell them how to do so. Include phone numbers and email addresses. Don't forget to give directions to the activity, tell them where to park and what day and time to be there.

Make your club bulletin a promotional tool. In newsletter fashion, be sure to tell your readers what happened, who participated, and what they missed by not being involved. Create excitement for the next time your club gathers for an activity.

Make your club bulletin available. Post it online, send it via email and offer to send it through regular mail. Don't be stingy with your mailing list. Include everyone that might benefit from knowing what your club is doing. That includes non-members too!

Looking for some ideas for your club bulletin? Visit http://www.pnwoptimist.org/Bulletins.php and become inspired.

Experience Optimism

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