UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

Greetings Optimists,

April showers bring May flowers. We are hopeful that May will bring some Spring-like experiences, including warmth!

There is a Club meeting on Tuesday, 5/2/2017 at 12:00 PM in UC 259A. It is with great excitement that will induct both Robin Fox and Lori Heidenreich as new members. Let’s have a terrific turnout and demonstrate that “Optimism” is alive and well. Also, Dave has lined up Kristine Wallace of the Rock River Free Clinic as our guest speaker. It is always good to hear about community-based services.

At our Wednesday evening meeting this past week our two interns shared their goals and the progress they made in their personal learning as well as highlights from their experience as Optimist interns. Thank you Anne and Kayla for your great work! Announcements about summer and fall interns will be made later this week. At our Wednesday meeting, we discussed at least five other topics—the Fishing Derby, the Gyro Stand, Baseball Playoffs, Jefferson County Fair, and upcoming Optimist scholarships/awards.

Al is requesting help from our membership for the Fishing Derby. Shopping for hot dogs, chips and soda as well as staffing the event are among the tasks. Please check in with Al and let him know how you would like to be involved. (I, Angie, have signed up to grill the hot dogs and to make sure participants get fed. Rick has contacted the DNR for fishing pamphlets, etc. Mike will assemble our participant “Goody bags.” Our intern Anne designed our flyer. Thanks one and all!).

The Gyro Stand will be staffed by our Club at the Fourth of July community celebration. Thank you Duane, Rick and Dave for launching the ordering, sign-ups, etc. We now have the dates and hours for the event. Please watch for details soon. It’s not too early to check your schedules! Thank you to Jan and Jeanine for working on a news release about our Club and the Gyro Stand.

We have been asked to staff the Baseball Playoffs held at UW-Whitewater in May. Signup sheets will be made available soon. Mark your calendars for May 17-21. This is an unexpected opportunity to raise funds to assist with our youth programming. “Take me out to the ballgame . . . “ See you there! Therese is also asking for Optimist Award/Scholarship presenters for May 15 at 8:25am (at WHS) and May 23 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm (also at WHS). Can anyone help out?

Our Club has agreed to staff the Jefferson County Fair on Wednesday, July 12 for “Kids’ Day.” Watch emails for further details—and again, make your calendars.

One other item of discussion this past Wednesday was Club officers. Are you willing to serve in a leadership role? Who could you invite to join our Club—or to take a leadership role in the Club? In the film “The American President,” the character Lewis says to his president: “People want leadership . . . They’re so thirsty for it, they’ll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there’s no water, they’ll drink the sand.” It is a strong statement about what happens in the absence of leadership. Would you consider taking a role in our Club leadership? We are still looking for a president for 2017-18. That said, we are very excited that Janay Alston has agreed to serve as President Elect in 2017-18! Thank you, Janay!

That is “This week in Optimism.”

Angie & Kim 🙂

Happy Sunday, Optimists,

Thank you to all Club members, Student Optimists, Kayla (our intern), and other community volunteers who helped to facilitate our Annual Optimist Easter Egg Hunt yesterday at the Middle School. A special thank you to Connie Murray for chairing the event and to her stepson for serving as our Easter Bunny. We had beautiful weather, a record turn out, and three news photographers there to cover the event. Watch for a story on the Whitewater Banner and in local papers. In the meantime, enjoy the group photo I have attached.

We do not have a Club meeting this week. Rather, we have a Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 11 at 12pm in UC 268. I will send an agenda by tomorrow evening. Please let me know if you can not participate (in person or via phone). Right now, I know of only one member who can not be there.

Angie and I are starting to work on the slate of officers for next year. Thank you to those who have said YES so far and to those who are considering a position on the Board!

In addition, thank you to those who contributed to the Birthday Box Project for the Whitewater Food Pantry. If anyone is interested in helping to stuff and label the boxes, we will be working with the Service Learning and Leadership students tomorrow from 8:30am – 10:00am in UC 259A&B. Many hands make light work–so please know we would gladly take any member’s assistance.

Another volunteer opportunity for Community Optimists, Student Optimists and Service Learning students will be to help with landscaping work sessions at Lakeview Elementary on April 25 and April 27, May 2 and May 4 from 4pm to 8pm. More information to come soon. In the meantime, feel free to contact Angie or me if you are interested in helping.

Our meeting schedule for the next few weeks is as follows:
Tuesday, April 11–Board Meeting, UC 268
Tuesday, April 18–Cub Meeting, 12pm, UC 259A (Guest Speaker: Courtney Nelson, Discover Whitewater; Youth of the Month)
Wednesday, April 25–Club Meeting, 5pm, Jessica’s Restaurant (Guest Speakers: Anne and Kayla on their work as Optimist Interns)
Tuesday, May 2–Club Meeting, 12pm, UC 259A (Induction of New Members; Guest Speaker TBD)

Angie and I will share key points from our Board meeting within the next week. There are a few important decisions that the Board will need to make this week.

Lastly, please note that our Club is the featured business for the Whitewater Chamber this week. Check out the Chamber’s web site for more details! They promoted our Easter Egg Hunt and offered to feature several Club photos.

Thank you for your commitment to being Optimists, and as always–“Just keep smiling!”

Kim and Angie 🙂

Good Evening, Optimists,

Well…April Showers bring May Flowers! And…so far the weather looks to be good for the Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday, April 8. Please let Connie know if you would like to help out with our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Set up will begin at 10am, the hunt will start at 11am (complete with the Easter Bunny and McGruff), and all goodie bags will be handed out by 12:00pm!

Speaking of goodie bags, we will be stuffing 200(ish) bags on Tuesday April 4 at our noon meeting in UC 259A. Mike Flanagan will also be our guest speaker at this meeting.

There will not be a Club meeting on April 11. Instead, the Board will meet in UC 268. We have many topics to address at this meeting. Board members, please let Kim know if you can not attend.

Therese has indicated that the NCAA Division III Regional Baseball Tournament will be hosted by UW-Whitewater and that they are hoping the Optimist Club would be willing to take tickets. This would be an additional fund raising project for our club, in addition to being a nice service for us to offer. The dates of the tournament are May 17-21, and the hours look to be from 10am – 7pm on most of the days. We will need three members per shift. We will start a sign up sheet on this project very soon. By the way, Happy Opening Day tomorrow!

We are still collecting items for the Birthday Box Project for the Whitewater Food Pantry. If you are interested in contributing items, please drop them off to Kim’s Office by 8:30am on Monday, April 10. Members are also invited to help with the wrapping and stuffing part of the project on April 10 from 8:30am – 10:00am in UC 259A & B. The items will be delivered to the Pantry immediately following this wrapping session.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 3 for the Optimist Fishing Derby. Thank you to Al Hutchison for leading this project. The event will likely take place at Trippe Lake Park. A flyer and other promos are being designed by our interns.

That’s it for now. Have a great week–and “just keep smiling!”

Kim 🙂

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 🙂

Hello Optimists,

We hope you had a nice Thanksgiving weekend.

Please note the following 10 important notes regarding our Club and activities.

1)  Thank you to our ticket takers yesterday.  Thanks to Dick Winz who was staffing the visitor gate (and didn’t make the photo).  While it was still cool and breezy, it was a step up from the previous week.  And, of course, it was a great win for the Warhawks!  

2)  Tuesday, Nov. 29 we will stuff goodie bags for Breakfast with Santa (BWS) at 12:00pm in UC 259A.  Also, our interns will be giving a brief presentation about their highlights from the semester.

3)  Please consult the BWS list that Lanora is coordinating.  Together, let’s make sure all of the slots are filled.  Email reminders will go out  this week from Lanora.  We are grateful that James Lanouette will be serving as Santa at BWS.

4)  The Student Optimists and Frosty will be in the parade on Friday to help promote BWS.  Many flyers and candy will be distributed.

5)  Decorating at Esker for BWS will take place this Friday.  Thank you to Kate, Duane, Jan, and Wes for getting things started at 11:30am.  Many hands make light work.  If you can show up for even an hour to help decorate on Friday, that would be helpful.

6)  BWS will run from 8:00am – 11:00am on Dec. 3.  Workers should note the necessary time times for various positions.  I have sent out several press releases to local newspapers.  The story about the event is on the Whitewater Banner, dated Nov. 25.

7  Frank will be following up with folks about ticket taking for the Warhawk’s next playoff game–which will be on Saturday at 12:00pm.    A few ticket takers will be needed by 10:00am.

8)  Dues are due by December 1.  Several members still need to pay for the quarter or year.  Our Club’s budget is counting on folks to pay dues on time in order for us to balance our budget and to carry out the many activities for youth in our community.  Please connect with Kate or Ken for paying dues–and THANK YOU!

9)  “Gifts with a meaning” and the mitten tree will take place at our noon meeting on December 13.  For new members, this meeting is a fun way for members to learn more about each other.  You are encouraged to bring a gift that represents you–your interests or hobbies (music, sports, playing games, books, gardening, animals, etc.).  Participating members guess who brought in which gift.  We then bag up the gifts and they are contributed to the toy wrapping activity for the Whitewater Food Pantry on December 19.

10)  Our next Executive Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm at Second Salem.  Board members, please let us know if you can not attend this meeting.

That’s it for now.  Hope to see many of you this week!

Just Keep Smiling,

Kim and Angie 🙂

Optimist Club ticket takers at UW-W football playoff game, November 26, 2016

Hello Optimists,

 As we gear up for Thanksgiving week, Angie and I want to let you know we are grateful that you are a member of our Club.  Thank you for the ways in which you contribute to our community.

 We had a successful Youth Appreciation Week!  The movie, luncheon and bowling were all well attended.  Thanks to all who helped to chaperone and who attended the luncheon.

 Tuesday’s meeting (Nov. 22) will feature guest speaker Dr. Greg Cook focusing on the importance of a liberal education at UW-Whitewater.  Next week (Nov. 29), we will be stuffing goodie bags for Breakfast with Santa and hearing from our Optimist interns.

 If you haven’t had a chance to sign up for Breakfast with Santa, please check out the online list Lanora sent out.  We are happy to announce that James Lanouette has agreed to be Santa this year—yeah!  We are also pleased that Brenda will serve as Mrs. Claus and that Jim M. will serve as Frosty!

 Also, here is the link to sign up for football ticket taking:  (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oYPqDg34tliwozxpT4uNHbhg9ToQW8JW30dmVyTJJZk/edit?usp=sharing).  Our Warhawks will be hosting the second round of playoffs this coming Sunday against Wittenberg.  Hopefully it will be less windy—and that our Hawks will add another win to their season!

 As I mentioned at the meeting last week, we will go caroling at Fairhaven on December 9 at 4:30pm, have our “Gifts with a Meaning” and Mitten Tree on December 13, and gift wrapping for the Whitewater Food Pantry on December 19 from 4:00pm-6:30pm at the Old Armory.

 Lastly, Therese reminded us last week that she is starting to look for judges and essay readers for the Academic Decathlon.  The competition is set for Friday, January 6.  Please email her if you are interested and available. 

 That’s it for this week.  Hope to see some of you at the meeting on Tuesday.

 Thank you—and just keep smiling!

 Kim and Angie 🙂

Hello Optimists,

This weekend saw the Warhawk football team wrap up an undefeated season, which will lead to hosting the playoff games for the next several weeks.  This Saturday, November 19, the Warhawks will host Lakeland College at 12:00pm.  Go Hawks—and thank you ticket takers!  Frank will be sending out updated sign up sheets.

Speaking of sign up sheets, Lanora is coordinating our Breakfast with Santa (BWS) sign up sheet.  We are in need of cooks.  Please check your schedules and see if you are able to assist—even if for a few hours.  I meet with a couple of the Student Optimist executive members tomorrow, and we will be talking about staffing BWS, as well as the Holiday Parade.  Our Club will stuff goodie bags for BWS at our meeting on Tuesday, November 29.

Saturday, November 12, was the kickoff event for Youth Appreciation Week—with seven of us serving as chaperones for the movie “The Secret Lives of Pets.”  There were around 130 participants, and two theaters were opened to excited viewers.  Sue from the Theatres of Whitewater seemed pleased with the attendance, as they were busy with concessions.  Thank you to Ken, Duane, Barb, Chloe, and Ben (Student Optimist) for helping to chaperone.  Angie and I were there to support the event, as well.

Tuesday will bring a large turnout for the Youth Appreciation Luncheon in UC 259 A & B.  We hope you can join us for lunch and to hear the presentations from the various school councils, JOOI Club, and Octagon Club.

Wednesday, November 16, will be the bowling event for kids at Hawk Bowl.  Thank you to Therese, some of our members, and a handful of Student Optimist who will serve as helpers for this annual event.  A report will be shared next week!

Please note that our calendar of events is posted on our Club web site.  We will run updates on a regular basis as new information about speakers and times for future events are confirmed.  Please check your schedules to see if you will be available to participate in caroling at Fairhaven on December 9, our “Gifts with a Meaning” meeting on December 13, or in wrapping gifts for the Food Pantry on December 19.

That’s it for now.  Have a great week!

Always with Optimism,

Kim and Angie

Greetings, Optimists,

Our Warhawks pulled out a nail-biting win on Saturday, which brings us one step closer to hosting the post-season playoff games.  Frank sent out an updated ticket-taking schedule last week.  Please check your calendars to see where you might be able to help out in the coming weeks.

We do not have a club meeting this week.  The board will meet on Monday is UC 262 at noon.  An agenda will be sent yet today.  Our 2016-17 Club budget has been approved by the board, as well as the Club members (finalized on Nov. 1).

Our next club meeting will be our Youth Appreciation Luncheon on November 15 from 12pm-1pm in UC 259 A & B.  We hope you can join us to support the councils and Optimist groups from the five schools within the Whitewater Unified School District.  They will each give a short presentation at our luncheon.

Please also follow up with Therese if you are able to assist with chaperoning the movie (Nov. 12, 10:30am – 12:30pm) or with bowling (Nov. 16, 4:00pm – 6pm) during Youth Appreciation Week.

If anyone knows of any businesses we can approach for serving as sponsors for Trivia Night, please contact Kim.  A few of our regular sponsors have pulled out for the 2017 event.  We could use some good leads!  Thanks.

Lanora has sent out the Breakfast with Santa sign up sheet.  Please consult the various tasks and how they might match with your schedule.

Our most up-to-date version of the Optimist calendar is attached here: new_optimistclubcalendar_updated_2016-17 Please refer to this version of the calendar going forward for club meetings and locations. This version also includes which club meetings are catered so that we can plan to keep up great attendance for the catered meals.

That’s it for this week.  In this time of transition for our government, please help to keep Optimism going strong.

Thank you,

Kim and Angie 🙂