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Cougar Says!
A Message from Governor Fred Wallace:
"Happy September everyone. We have 9 days till the end of 2013/2014. We are down 46 members, and if each club brought in just one new member ea. along with the new club it appears will be brought in and NO deletes. YOUR DISTRICT and all your hard work will pay off and you can tell the world you helped the Pacific NW District become Distinguished for the first time in a long while. It has been one of the greatest thrills of mine and Teresa's life to be able to work with all of the awesome Optimist Members this year. Foo's count as members too. I have signed 4 new members and 2 Foo's. So lets do it big. Fred."
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A Report on the Convention from Linda Jackson
The PNW District - Optimist International convention kicked off on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville, Oregon. During the opening ceremonies we learned there were two candidates for the position of governor-elect: Michael Gray, Nampa Optimist Club and Rick Matkin, Caldwell Optimist Club. Cheers and good wishes met the candidates as a real election was on!
About 65 Optimists enjoyed the hospitality of the Roseburg Optimist Club. We learned that its president, Olga Keith, was at a photo shoot and couldn't join us for every activity, but when she was there, she was lovely and funny with a Russian accent and vodka. (Was she really at a photo shoot? You had to be there to find out!)
Convention chair Becky Holm and Peter Sudduth, among others, treated the cadre of Optimists to a fun weekend full of golf, wine, a little gambling, and fellowship. The hospitality room was shut down only once by hotel security. (Is this true? You had to be there to find out!)
Optimist International Representative Mike Allen was charming on his second visit to the PNW District and he was made an honorary PNW Optimist Club member. (Was he really? You had to be there to find out!)
Mike also led the officers-elect training and inspired all to do more by adding new members on our return to our local clubs. He became just a little tickled at a few kids say the darndest things stories and before long, we were all in stitches. Again, you needed to be there, if for nothing more than the laughs!
Scott Keller, member, Portland Northeast Optimist Club, facilitated a group discussion about how to make your club meeting more relevant by getting to know your fellow members. Using a survey format, attendees interviewed one another and then, in small groups, they created and shared a work plan for meetings and projects that focused on specific information gleaned from the surveys. Scott has promised to make the survey available online and we will provide a link here when received.
Finally business was at hand and Governor Fred Wallace led the district in the governor-elect election process and we learned that Michael Gray will be the governor in 2015-2016.
The Governors Banquet brought more fun an frivolity as Governor-designate Dick Disney led the band.
Donning mouse ears, we learned to sing to the Mickey Mouse tune, "FRI-END of YOUTH." Give it a try! It's our motto for the coming year.
 In honor of her service to the district, the Roy Proctor Award was bestowed upon Mary White, member,Vancouver, WA Optimist Club.
Following a series of resolutions, where we learned that Rose Brodie, Terry Farnsworth and Dyan Graybeal were the people who let the dogs out and that Past Governor and Golfer Dick Brodie's balls were officially retired, we adjourned, determined and inspired to bring more friends to optimism.
As of the close of the PNW District Convention, the District stood only 48 members below the beginning of the year. If every club were to add just one more member, the PNW District might just grow its way back to Distinguished. Even if you couldn't join us at the convention, you can join us in this goal. Let's do it, Optimists.
For an official look at the business of the weekend, click here for the minutes of the executive committee meeting followed by the minutes of the board of directors meeting.
Thanks to Rick Matkin for helping with pictures!
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Club Ideas and Inspiration
Hillsboro Club - The Hillsboro Optimist Club is working hard to increase club pride and visibility by ordering new shirts for members! This is a great way to help rejuvenate your club. To look into getting apparel for your club, check out the great ordering interface on the PNW District's website here.
Boise Club - The Boise Optimist Club is working with the District Curling Committee to host an 'Optimists Day' at their local curling club this November. Cooperative events like this help to raise awareness of Optimists in your community! For a run-down of how to put on this kind of event, look at this flyer for more information.
Twin Falls Club - Twin Falls is taking their pulse! Club leaders created a short online survey to garner information about the preferences of their club members at club events. A great way for leadership in your club to see their strengths and weaknesses. To take a look at their survey, visit here: SURVEY.
Albany Optimist Club - The Albany Optimist Club is honoring the work done by their members by remembering to get club patches for those that earned them in their club. Recently their 2012-2013 Club President Grady Silverthorne was given his Honor Club President patch. For information on where to order patches, check out the Optimist International website.
Salem Optimist Club - The Salem Optimist Club has decided to listen more closely to the needs of their members. After a trial period during the summer months of members only meeting twice a month for meetings, a vote has been taken, and club members decided to embrace this change. Let's hope this works!
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