UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

Greetings Optimists,

Our next general member meeting will be tomorrow, March 15, at 12 Noon, University Center 259A. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00). There WILL be a Youth of the Month presentation at this meeting. We’ll have two shorter presentations, one from Bunny Schoen speaking about Delta Kappa Gamma, an international group of educators.  This group does a lot for kids, and the teachers who teach them, similar to Optimists.  The other speaker will be Whitewater High School Principal Doug Parker speaking about the alternative graduation program.

City-wide Rummage Sale. We are in need of a co-chair/co-leader for this event. Michele Filip has volunteered to co-chair/co-lead. Would we do this Saturday May 14 or 21? Therese Kennedy has already received a call wondering when the event would be. Please let me know ASAP if you’re willing to co-chair/co-lead this event.

A Call for 2016-17 Club Officers. It’s time to begin planning for the slate of officers for 2016-17. What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held  in the past? Please begin thinking about volunteering to be an officer for 2016-17. “Many hands make light work.”

THERE IS NO MEETING NEXT WEEK, MARCH 21-25 OF ANY KIND for the club. UW-W and the Whitewater School District are on spring break which will mean some/many people will be on vacation, including me.

Our final meeting for March will be an evening meeting on TUESDAY,  March 29 at 5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant. I’m still looking for a speaker.

The February Exec Board Minutes were approved at last week’s Exec Board meeting. I’ve posted them on the web site for your reading.

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, March 15, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 259A. Youth of the Month presentation. Speakers will be Bunny Schoen and WHS Principle Doug Parker.
• Saturday, March 26, Easter Egg Hunt???????
• Tuesday, March 29, Evening meeting, 5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant.
• Tuesday, April 5, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 259A. Speaker needed.
• Tuesday, April 12, Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Tuesday, April 19, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 259A. Youth of the Month presentation. Speaker needed.
• Tuesday, April 26, Regular club evening meeting, 5pm, Jessica’s Restaurant.
• Tuesday, May 3, Regular club meeting
• Tuesday, May 10, Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Saturday, May 14 or 21, City-wide rummage sale?????????
• Tuesday, May 17, Regular club meeting
• Tuesday, May 24, Regular club evening meeting, 5pm, Jessica’s Restaurant.
• Tuesday, May 31 (5^th Tuesday of the month). Fellowship Meeting? Other type of meeting? When/where?
• Saturday, June 4th, Annual Fishing Derby????? (DNR Free Fun Weekend)
• July 1-4, 2016, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration.
• Jefferson County Fair ticket selling, Wednesday, July 6, 2016.

That’s all for tonight.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimists,

NO GENERAL MEMBER MEETING THIS WEEK. The Club Exec Board will meet at 12 Noon, on campus in the University Center, room 069 in the lower level of the UC.

Linda Kinson and I will be the contacts for the Fund Crazr Basketball Sweepstakes raffle be organized for the SWIS District by Fred Dorn. If we can sell the 50 tickets I’ve requested we should receive $600 back for support of the club’s events and programs. You can find more info on the www.fundcrazr.com website.

Bev Bonge-Ganser has the following info to share from the Whitewater Middle School JOOI Club. “The middle school Junior Optimist Club will be hosting a blood drive Friday, Feb. 12 from 1-6 at the middle school (401 S. Elizabeth St.).  You can find our drive on the red cross website http://www.redcross.org/blood and enter code 0324027 or our zip code 53190. Our students are always helpful and friendly and chatty so you will have a wonderful donation experience if you join us. We also decorate like crazy, so it will be festive as well.  Hope to see you on the 12th.”

Trivia Night is coming up soon. Here are the latest updates and requests:

• You can now signup to help out in various ways for the 2016 Trivia Night. Lanora Heim has created an online sign up form. Click this link to see the various tasks and dates that help is needed. Like the Gyro Stand and Breakfast with Santa, the more helpers, the lighter the load for each.
• Do you have gift cards that could be donated to Trivia Night? If so, please contact club member Kate Ksobiech.
• Do you have items or ideas for silent auction items? If so, please contact Kate Ksobiech.
• The Trivia Team Registration form is available from our web site. Click this link.
• Contact Kim Adams if you or someone you know is interested in being a sponsor for this event. There are 5 different sponsorship levels. A form with more details is available upon request.

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, January 12, Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Tuesday, January 19, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 068 (basement level of the UC). This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater High School. Our speaker will be Jim Mead from the UW-W University Housing Cable TV Office.
• Tuesday, January 26, evening meeting, 5pm, Jessica’s Restaurant. No speaker yet.
• Tuesday, February 2, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 259A. Speaker is Bunny Schoen.
• Tuesday, February 9, Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Tuesday, February 16, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 259A. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater Middle School. Our speakers will be Kirby Mills and Kristina Navarro talking about the Warhawk Leadership Academy.
• Friday, February 19, 2016, Trivia Night!! 7:00 pm, University Center Hamilton Room.
• Tuesday, February 23, 5pm, Jessica’s Restaurant.

That’s all for tonight.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

Another good weekend if you’re a Warhawks, Badgers, and/or Packers football fan!!

This week’s notes:

• Please review Therese Kennedy’s emails from earlier today asking for volunteers to staff the various locations at the schools and Hawk Bowl for Youth Appreciation Week. Please respond directly to Therese if you can help.
• Who can help find speakers for our January and February meetings? All speaker ideas are welcome and appreciated. Members have shared ideas with me, we just need to confirm who, when, and where for the next couple of months.
• Speaking of December, who would like to help organize Breakfast with Santa for December 5^th? A lot of work was done last year writing down the various actions and timelines needed to complete this event so that will help get things started. I have already reserved Esker Dining Hall for that morning with the campus reservations office and notified campus Dining Services staff.
• I received and email from the Whitewater Middle School Principal’s Office (no, I’m not in trouble), asking if the 2015 Miss Whitewater Queens and Court could join the Optimists at Breakfast with Santa, helping with breakfast and letters to Santa station. Any thoughts, pro or con?
• Thinking of December also reminds me of the “mitten tree.” If we want to do this project this year we need a coordinator. Please let me know if you would be interested in coordinating this project.
• Thanks to Duane Dickens (and Al Hutchinson by default) for volunteering to lead the “Toys for Kids” program this year.
• Thanks to Duane Dickens, Jim McLernon, and Bob Sweet for putting the gyro stand into storage this past Saturday!!
• The last Wednesday of the month has become our traditional evening meeting date. However, in November and December these dates fall right in front of holidays. What are your thoughts about having the evening meeting for November either the 18^th or 24^th and in December the meeting could be either December 16^th or 22^nd? Should we “vote” with an online Doodle poll, like we used for the Gyro Stand scheduling last summer?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, October 20 regular club meeting, 12 Noon, UC 259A. This is a “catered lunch” day ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater Middle School. Speakers will be Mareta Hale, Art Teacher at Washington Elementary School, and Tom Grosinske, Principal at Washington Elementary School. They will be speaking about a Washington Elementary School mural project.
• Tuesday, October 27 evening meeting/social event at the home of Kim Adams and Angie Alesci. See the attached invitation.
• Tuesday, November 3, noon meeting, UC 259 A&B. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) and Youth Appreciation Luncheon with student leaders from all 5 Whitewater School District buildings. The youth leaders will be our speakers.
• Week of November 2-6, Youth Appreciation Week.
• Tuesday, November 10, Exec Board meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 260.
• Tuesday, November 17, noon meeting. Youth of the Month from Whitewater High School. UC 259A. Speaker will be Shawn Werner, Young Auditorium Staff member.
• Wednesday, November 18 or Tuesday, November 24 evening meeting?
• Tuesday, December 1. Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 069 (basement level of the UC). This is a “bring your own lunch” meeting. Stuffing of “Goody Bags” for Breakfast with Santa.
• Saturday, December 5, Breakfast with Santa!! Esker Dining Hall, UW-W.
• Tuesday, December 8. Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Tuesday, December 15. Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, UC 259A. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater Middle School.
• Wednesday, December 16 or Tuesday, December 22 evening meeting?
• Friday, February 19, 2016, Trivia Night!! 7:00 pm, University Center Hamilton Room.

That’s all for the moment.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

No club meeting this week on Tuesday! The next general club meeting will be Tuesday, July 21 at 12 Noon.

There WILL BE an exec board meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14 at 12 Noon in the University Center, room 260. If you have any agenda items for the board, please get them to me ASAP.

Lou and Don Zahn asked me to share the following with all of you. “Thanks to all of you who worked at the Jefferson County Fair. We had a good weather day and everything went smoothly. Thanks, especially to those who worked two shifts. It is greatly appreciated.”

On to other Optimist business:

• It’s that time of the Club year to begin organizing the slate of officers for 2015-16. At this time no one has yet volunteered for any of the exec board positions. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held in the past? Please consider volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• Our Facebook page now has 92 “Likes!”
• Hopefully you saw the announcement from Southern Wisconsin District about JIM KONDRASUK who was elected 15-16 Optimist International President Elect and who will be the future 2016-17 Optimist International President. The link to the SWIS district web page is at the bottom of this email if you would like to follow up.
• Also from the SWIS district was the email announcement about Optimist Day at Miller Park! Saturday, August 15th Brewers take on the Phillies – 6:10PM. Again check your email or the SWIS district web site for details.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, July 21, 12 Noon, Lee Murray, friend of Hans Hahn and Carla Cheek, will speak about his “Honor Flight” experience.
• Wednesday, July 29, to be determined. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, July 21, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, July 29, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch??? Youth of the Month??
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.

That’s all for the moment.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

No club meeting this week on Tuesday! With last weekend’s gyro stand and this week’s Jefferson County Fair ticket selling, we could all use one less meeting.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED WITH THE GYRO STAND!! From initial cleaning to selling to final cleaning, it was once again a whole club effort for this event. With the last minute volunteering efforts of Bev Bonge-Ganser and Kate and Ken Ksobiech, we were able to have a full staff on Saturday evening from 8pm to close. We also had 2 UW-W students work for the club at the stand. Also, Kate and Ken bought assorted candy for selling that we added to our menu. The stand ran out of gyro meat about 10:15pm on Saturday evening which was great timing!

Our next fund raiser is this week, the Jefferson County Fair. While we are in good shape overall, there were a few slots left to be staffed according to Lou and Don Zahn. If you haven’t already signed up to work the Fair on Wednesday, July 8, please contact Lou and Don by email to find out times and locations where we could still use workers. One day of work with all of the shifts filled really helps the club programming budget.

On to other Optimist business:

• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Club year to begin organizing the slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held in the past? Please consider volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• Tuesday, July 7, NO CLUB MEETING.
• Our Facebook page now has 90 “Likes!”
• The Exec Board will meet next week, Tuesday, July 14, at Noon.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, July 21, 12 Noon, Lee Murray, friend of Hans Hahn and Carla Cheek, will speak about his “Honor Flight” experience.
• Wednesday, July 29, to be determined. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, July 7, NO MEETING!
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.
• Tuesday, July 21, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, July 29, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch??? Youth of the Month??
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.

That’s all for the moment.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

We’re getting closer to having all shifts filled for the Gyro Stand but still need individuals to fill in the gaps for:

• Friday night, July 3 from 9pm-12 Midnight (need 2 or 3 more people)
• Saturday, July 4, 4-8 PM (need 2 more people)
• Saturday, July 4, 8-Midnight (need 3 or 4 more people)

Here is the link to sign-up.

PLEASE, even if you plan to “just show up” and help as needed, sign up on the Doodle form so we can rest assured we have enough help.

We can also use assistance stocking the trailer each day, and probably 2-3 times on the 4^th, with gyro meat, pitas, soda, etc. If you (or someone in your family?) are able to lift those types of items, please let me know.

The ticket taking at the Jefferson County Fair is almost full. Please contact Lou or Don Zahn regarding latest open slots for working the Jefferson County Fair on July 8. One day of work with all of the shifts filled really helps the club programming budget.

On to other Optimist business:

• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held in the past? Please consider volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• Tuesday, July 7, NO CLUB MEETING.
• Our Facebook page now has 89 “Likes!” Can we get to 100 by July 6^th?

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, July 21, 12 Noon, Lee Murray, friend of Hans Hahn and Carla Cheek, will speak about his “Honor Flight” experience.
• Wednesday, July 29, to be determined. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4th of July Celebration.
• Tuesday, July 7, NO MEETING!
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.
• Tuesday, July 21, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, July 29, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch??? Youth of the Month??
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.

That’s all for the moment.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

Please contact Lou or Don Zahn regarding latest signups and open slots for working the Jefferson County Fair on July 8. The Club receives payment from the Jefferson County Fair for each club member for each hour working at the various gates. One day of work with all of the shifts filled really helps the club programming budget.

On to other Optimist business:

• This week’s meeting will be Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5:00 pm. We’ll discuss club business, including the Gyro Stand.
• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held in the past? Please begin thinking about volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• Tuesday, July 7, NO CLUB MEETING.
• Did you see the pictures I posted on the Club’s Facebook Group page from Saturday’s work session on the Gyro Stand trailer?

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, July 21, 12 Noon, Dr. Hank Mol and Lee Murray speaking about their respective “Honor Flight” experiences. (Thanks Hans and Carla for arranging these speakers.)

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4th of July Celebration.
• Tuesday, July 7, NO MEETING!
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.
• Tuesday, July 21, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, July 29, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch??? Youth of the Month??
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.

That’s all for the moment.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

Don’t you just love the contrast in the upper Midwest between mid-January weather and mid-June weather? From arctic cold and dry to rain forest warm and muggy. We should be able to enjoy the buzz of mosquitoes pretty soon also.

Have you checked out the new SWIS District web site? Great new updated look.

A reminder that we are doing Gyro Stand work shift signup online. We are still in need of workers on July 3, 4, & 5. If you haven’t signed up for a shift (or two) yet, please do so soon. The more work shifts filled, the less stress as the celebration nears. Below is the link and instructions from Teshona.

• http://doodle.com/mr7hq55mpzgwgncx
• It is fairly easy to operate.
• Type in your name.
• Check the days/time slots you are available to volunteer your time.
• Click Save button.
• Tell all your friends and family/ Send them the link to participate.
• All Done J
• Teshona will receive emails when signup (and changes?) have been made.

I’ve added the Doodle calendar link for Gyro Stand signup to the web site.

Please review Lou Zahn’s email from this morning with the latest signups and open slots for working the Jefferson County Fair on July 8. If you can’t help with the Gyro Stand, perhaps this is the event you can help with. The Club receives payment from the Jefferson County Fair for each club member for each hour working at the various gates. One day of work with all of the shifts filled can really help the club budget.

On to other Optimist business:

• Regular club meeting tomorrow, June 16, is a “Bring Your Own Lunch”. We’ll gather at 12 Noon in the University Center, room 259A (our usual room location on the second floor). Our speakers will be Kim Adams and Angie Alesci sharing with us their recent trip to Australia.
• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held  in the past? Please begin thinking about volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, any ideas?
• Tuesday, July 7, NO CLUB MEETING.
• Tuesday, July 21, Dr. Hank Mol and Lee Murray speaking about their respective “Honor Flight” experiences. (Thanks Hans and Carla for arranging these speakers.)

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, June 16, UC 259A, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration.
• Tuesday, July 7, NO MEETING!
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.
• Tuesday, July 21, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, July 29, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch??? Youth of the Month??
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.

That’s all for the moment.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749