UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

Greetings Optimist!!

Remember, this week’s meeting is Wednesday night, August 26, at 5pm at Jessica’s restaurant!!

UW-W students move into the Residence Halls on Sunday, August 30. Plan your shopping at Sentry and Walmart accordingly for that weekend!! Also, remember that traffic increases dramatically in town.

Today was the “Faculty & Staff Involvement Fair” at UW-W, a time for new faculty and staff to learn about various offices on campus and opportunities to become involved in campus and community. Kim Adams represented our club at the fair and talked to many of the individuals who came to the event. She reports that 11 people signed the interest sheet, 6 of whom expressed a strong interest in the club. Furthermore, one new staff member completed an application for membership and returned it to Kim today. A couple of the new staff members live in Whitewater and indicated to Kim they are looking for ways to meet people and get involved. I’ll work with Kim to have follow up conversations with the staff members who indicated an interest in the club. Thanks Kim for your recruitment efforts!!

We are slooowwwllly getting a slate of officers put together for 2015-16. However, we’re still in need of a President and President-elect. Or perhaps we are in need of Co-Presidents?! Either way, please contact me if you are willing to be President, President-Elect, or Co-President for 2015-16. It would be really good for the club to have the exec board in place before the banquet on September 29.

In other Optimist business:

• Our Facebook page still has 92 “Likes!” So close to 100.
• Progress continues on updating the club’s Policies and Procedures. Thanks to Kim, Jeanine, and Lauren for continuing work on the document.
• Jeanine Fassl has been in contact with two UW-W students who are interested in possible fall semester internships with the club. This program has really helped our club in the last 2-3 years. The energy and ideas the interns bring is very refreshing.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant. Dick and Maggie Winz will speak about the Gulf Coast recovery from Hurricane Katrina that hit 10 years ago this week.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm. Robin Fox and Katy Heyning from the UW-W College of Education and Professional Studies will speak about “Whitewater Leads.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, October 6, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas? This will be the first meeting of the new Optimist Year!
• Tuesday, October 20, 12 Noon-1pm. Youth of the Month. Any ideas?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch and Youth of the Month.
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.
• Tuesday, October 6, noon meeting.
• Tuesday, October 20, noon meeting. Catered lunch and Youth of the Month.

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!!

Hope everyone is doing well this week!!

We will have a general business meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, August 18, at 12 Noon-1pm, UC 069 (lower level of the UC, near the UW Credit Union).

In other Optimist business:

• The Board met last week, Tuesday, August 11. Jan Olson has sent me the minutes to review. Once the Board has reviewed and approved, I’ll post them on the web site. I did add the April, May, and July Board meeting minutes for your review.
• Lou Zahn forwarded me an invitation from the Jefferson County Fair Park Committee inviting all volunteers of the fair to an appreciation dinner on Thursday, August 20 at 5:30pm in the Activity Center on the fair grounds. If someone would like to attend on behalf of the Club, please feel free to do so.
• I could still use help contacting possible speakers for the next 2-3 months. If you have speaker ideas or would be willing to make calls for the club, please let me know.
• Kim Adams and I have been working with the summer intern, Lauren Hageman, on the Club’s Policies and Procedures manual. Jeanine Fassl got us started on reviewing and updating the manual. Lauren has helped insert new sections related to Trivia Night, the intern program, and other sections that needed to be added and updated. We (the four of us working on this) hope to have an updated manual to present to the Exec Board, and all members, soon. We’ll keep you posted.
• Connie Murray and Teshona Bennett volunteered to help with the upcoming End-of-Year Banquet (or should we call it the Beginning-of-the-Year banquet?) Anyway, it would probably help to have one more person assist with planning. Please contact me if you can be that “one more person.”
• Our Facebook page still has 92 “Likes!” So close to 100.
• I added a link to the Club’s Facebook page to the web site last week. Kim Adams, Lauren Hageman, and I discussed how to better use the Facebook site and came up with the following ideas: “Through Back Thursday” pictures from past events, periodic “Save the Date” announcements about Trivia Night 2016, and uploading of many more of the pictures that have been taken at past events.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, October 6, 12 Noon-1pm. Any ideas?
• Tuesday, October 20, 12 Noon-1pm. Youth of the Month. Any ideas?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm. Business meeting
• Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch and 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!!

Well, after vacation the week of July 20 and business travel the first half of last week, it’s time for me get back in the Optimist mode.

We WILL have a regular club meeting  August 4, 12:00 PM, in the University Center, room 264. (Our normal meeting room is closed for carpet cleaning.) This will be a “bring your own lunch” day. Our speaker will be Warhawk Football Head Coach Kevin Bullis!! Hope to see many of you there.

In other Optimist business:

• It’s time to organize 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.”
• I could use help contacting possible speakers for the next 2-3 months. If you have speaker ideas or would be willing to make calls for the club, please let me know.
• Our Facebook page still has 92 “Likes!” So close to 100. Check the new cover photo with a picture of Al Hutchinson at the Fishing Derby.
• Did you see the SWIS district 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.
• Minutes from the May 2015 Board meeting have been posted. Here is the link.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• 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, 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.

Also, the University Center is hosting the 3^rd and final “Summer on the Mall” event Thursday, August 6 from 11:00 am – 1:00pm outside the UC. More details can be found on the UC web site. The philanthropy project is the Whitewater Food Pantry. The public is welcome!

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!!

The Fishing Derby was this past Saturday at Cravath Lake Park. Thanks to Al & Joyce Hutchinson, Rick & Jeanine Fassl, Greg Stewart, Joe Lynch, Sue Hiscox, and Linda Kinson for organizing and/or assisting. The turnout of kids was smaller than last year but the blue gill fish were biting so it was fun for the anglers who came out to join us. I posted a few pictures on the Facebook page and will attempt to post more pictures this week on the web site. Thanks to Greg Stewart for sending me some of the photos he took.

Thanks to Lou and Don Zahn who are coordinating workers and signup for ticket selling at the 2015 Jefferson County Fair. I’ve attached the work schedule signup sheet that Lou sent me this morning. 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 hour that we have a club member working at the various gates. One day of work with all of the shifts filled can really help the club budget.

On to Optimist business:

• NO REGULAR CLUB MEETING AT 12 NOON THIS WEEK!!
• 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.”
• A reminder that we are now doing Gyro Stand work shift signup online. Here 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.
  • HELPERS ARE STILL NEEDED JULY 3, JULY 4, AND, JULY 5.
• I’ve added the Doodle calendar link for Gyro Stand signup to the web site.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, June 16, Kim Adams and Angie Alesci about their recent trip/vacation to Australia.
• 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.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749