UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

Good afternoon, Optimists!

Introducing, REMOTE PLAYERS: A fun way to play trivia and compete for prizes without having to attend the event!

Read all about it here: Trivia Night 2017 Remote Player Flyer. It is also viewable under our “Helpful Links” category on the right side of the blog.

Don’t forget that Trivia Night is NEXT FRIDAY at 7pm in the University Center Hamilton Room on the Whitewater Campus! Doors open at 6pm. Can’t wait to see you all there for all of the fun! 🙂

Optimists,

Today is the LAST DAY that you can submit your Trivia Night Teams!! For more fun, get creative and have your team dress up as a fun theme! Movie characters, animals, superheroes — the possibilities are endless!

Just a reminder that the event starts at 6pm on Friday, February 17th, in the University Center Hamilton Room on the Whitewater Campus! Can’t wait to see you all there!

With Optimism,

Anne

Happy Monday, Optimists!

I know this note is reaching you later than usual.  I hope many of you enjoyed the exciting events of Super Bowl LI.

Here are some Optimist updates for this week:

Our Club meeting is tomorrow at 12:00pm in UC 266 with Josh Duesterbeck from Thrivent Financial serving as our guest speaker.  He has some interesting information regarding ways of partnering with community organizations.

Please see the list of speakers that Dave has shared for the next month:

February 7, 2017, Josh Deusterbach, Thrivent

February 21, 2017, Brenda O’Beirne, Counselor Ed Dept award

February 28, 2017, Jeremy Lade & Christina Schwab, Wheelchair basketball

March 7, 2017, Jan Bilgen, Campus Memory Garden

Jenny is trying to finalize a first-round clothing order for Club members.  She has 13 folks on the list and is planning to place the order very soon so that we have the items here in time for Trivia Night.  If you ordered an item, please bing your money to the Club meeting, or get it to Jenny, Kate or Kim within the next 10 days.

Next week, we do not have a Club meeting.  The board will meet from 5:00pm – 6:00pm at Jessica’s on Wednesday, February 15.  Brandon and Kim will share updates regarding where we are at with the Club Policies project (3 sections will be shared).  It will also be good to touch base on the Easter Egg Hunt, Fishing Derby and the Gyro Stand.  Also, we have had some folks in the community asking about the Optimist/City-Wide Rummage Sale.  We will add this item to agenda to confirm our decision.

Lastly, we could still use some help with Optimist Trivia Night on Friday, February 17.  Please email Lanora or Kim if you are able to volunteer a few hours during the evening.  We have 30 teams signed up and lots of great Silent Auction items.  Our goal is to raise $11,000–and it seems reasonable to reach our goal (based on number of participants and items available).  Now, we just need the helpers!  Please double-check your availability.  Thanks so much!

Late last week was International Optimist Day.  Thank you for all the ways you serve our community as Optimists and engaged citizens.  Your commitment to serving our youth and local/regional community is greatly appreciated.

See many of your soon!

Kim and Angie 🙂

Happy Sunday, Optimists,

Here is our Optimist news for this week:

1)  We will meet this Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 12:00pm in UC 259B (next to where we usually meet).  Frank Bartlett (Optimist member and Director of University Housing) will be our guest speaker.  We will also recognize Youths of the Month from the Middle School.

2)  Please contact Lanora or sign up on line to help out with Trivia Night if you are able.  Last Friday, Lanora indicated that we only have 27% of the slots filled.  We are now less than three weeks away from hosting the event.  Please remember that we would welcome gift cards, homemade items and other donations for the silent auction.  We also could use extra clothes baskets/wicker baskets for the silent and bucket auctions for the event.  Please contact Kim if you are able to assist.  Jan has sent out a note to team captains for Trivia Night.  We welcome your assistance in helping to recruit teams for the event.  We are nearing 20 teams, but would still like to recruit 10 more teams.  Last Friday, Kim was interviewed on WFAW regarding Trivia Night, and a story appeared on the Whitewater Banner.  Many news outlets have been contacted.  We are grateful for all of the support.

3)  We will be organizing the Optimist Storage Room this Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 4:30pm – 6:00pm in Starin Hall.  If you are able to help out, please contact Kim (we will need to let people into the hallway area).  Kim’s cell is 608-201-2151.

4)  Thank you for participating in the Optimist meeting survey that Brandon Lindhom sent out.  We discussed the results at last Tuesday’s evening meeting, and will be making some decisions at our next board meeting on Feb. 15.

5)  Thank you to Wes Therrian who has already built one buddy bench for the Lakeview Elementary School Landscaping Project.  More news to come on that project in the coming months.

6)  Watch for more FaceBook posts by our Optimist Interns.  Also, our most recent Club calendar is updated on our Club website.  More updates will be added regarding guest speakers as Dave works on his list.

We are grateful for your Optimism!  As always– “just keep smiling!”

Kim & Angie 🙂

Good Morning Optimists!

The deadline for creating a Trivia Night team has been extended to FEBRUARY 10TH! Get some friends and/or family together and compete for amazing prizes at our 4th Annual Trivia Night on February 17th!! 😀 Hurry and sign up NOW for great fun!

Team sign up sheet: Trivia Night Team Registration 2017

The 2016-17 Optimist Club Calendar of events has been updated, and is now viewable here, on our blog! To view it, click on the calendar link on the right side of the page, or find it in our “Club Documents” section, above.

It is also viewable here: 2016-17 Club Calendar of Events

Have a lovely and optimistic day! 🙂

Good Evening, Optimists,​

Here are just a few Optimist tidbits for the coming week:

1)  This Tuesday’s meeting will be held at Jessica’s Restaurant, starting at 5pm.  Marie Koch (Chamber Director) will be our guest speaker.  We will also chat about Trivia Night, the Easter Egg Hunt, and the Gyro Stand.  We hope you can join us.

2)  We will also have a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 12:00pm in UC 259B (next to where we usually meet).  This was not originally on our calendars.  Dave is waiting for a confirmation on our guest speaker.  Catering will be provided, and we will recognize Youths of the Month from the Middle School.

3)  Lanora has sent out the sign up list for Trivia Night.  We are three weeks away from hosting the event.  There are many slots that need to be filled yet.  Please check your schedules and sign up if at all possible.  Our goal is to raise $11,000.  We need many hands to help make this happen.  We could also use help with food contributions for the volunteer room at Trivia Night, gift cards and other items for the silent auction, and extra clothes baskets/wicker baskets for the silent auction.  Please contact Kim if you are able to assist.  Jan has sent out a note to team captains for Trivia Night.  We welcome your assistance in helping to recruit teams for the event.

4)  We will be organizing the Optimist Storage Room on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 4:30pm – 6:00pm in Starin Hall.  If you are able to help out, please contact Kim (we will need to let people into the hallway area).

5)  Please remember to complete the Optimist meeting survey that Brandon Lindhom sent out this past Tuesday.  It takes less than a minute to complete.  Your feedback is important to us.

We are grateful for your Optimism!  As always– “just keep smiling!”

Kim & Angie 🙂

Happy Sunday, Optimists!

We do just have to say–“what a Packer game!”

On to Optimist business.  Please note the following:

1)  We will begin the University semester with our Club meeting on Tuesday at noon in UC 259A.  Catering will be provided, and Artanya Wesley (our new Dean of Students at UW-W) will be out guest speaker.  

2)  Please watch for a survey to be sent out by our Intern Brandon Linholm.  It should take less than two minutes to complete.  The board has approved the survey–which will help us to learn when the best times are to hold meetings for our members.  Please share your feedback.  Your input is important!

3)  We received a check for $1650 from UW-W Athletics for Football Ticket Taking.  Thank you to Frank for coordinating the sign up list and to all members who assisted with taking tickets during our regular season and post season home games.

4)  Trivia Night Planning will be going strong during the remaining 4 1/2 weeks before the event (Friday, February 17).  Our next planning meeting will be this Friday at 11:45am in UC 268.  If you are interested in helping with the planning or in helping to staff the event, please contact Kim or Lanora.

5)  Thank you to Connie Murray for saying “yes” to chairing the Easter Egg Hunt.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 8 to welcome kids of all ages, the Easter Bunny and McGruff.  The event will be held at the Whitewater Middle School–rain, snow or shine!

6)  We are sad to say goodbye to Teshona Bennett and Josh Tepps as members.  They have both submitted their resignations.  PLEASE keep inviting potential new members to our meetings.

Thanks so much–and “just keep smiling!”

Kim & Angie 🙂