UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

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,

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,

Here are a few updates for this week:

1)  Our noon meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 1 will feature guest speaker Matt Amundson.  Back by popular demand, this will  be our first of ongoing catered meetings (on Tuesdays).  Just as a reminder, we need to strive to have 15 members in attendance and paying the $7.00 for lunch in order to cover our costs.  Also, please note that we will be voting on our Club budget on Tuesday.  This was emailed last week.

2) Our Warhawk Football team is on a great run.  Frank will be emailing regarding post season ticket taking sometime soon.

3)  Thank you to those who were able to attend the Halloween Fellowship Party last Tuesday.  We were happy to present a $400 check to Mariann Scott from the Whitewater Food Pantry.  The money presented was from the remaining Trivia Night (2016) proceeds.

4)  Please note that Ken and Kate have sent out dues letter–indicating that all dues are due by Dec. 1.

5)  Our next board meeting will by on Monday, Nov. 7 at noon in UC 262.  We will not have a club meeting on Nov. 8.

6)  Kate has encouraged me to share that a student organization (C.H.I.P.​–Communicating Health In Practice) she advises is collecting new or gently used socks for a local shelter.  If you are interested in donating socks, please contact Kate or bring them to the Youth Appreciation Luncheon on Nov. 15 in UC 259A&B.  Also, please let Dave know if you are able to help chaperone the movie on Nov. 12 at 11am or let Therese know if you can assist with the bowling event on Nov. 16 from 4 – 6pm.

7)  Keep an eye out for the Breakfast with Santa sign up list.  Lanora will be organizing the list and emailing folks to sign up in the near future.  We will decorate on Dec. 2, and the event  will be held on Dec. 3.  Last week, I was able to reserve Esker Hall (and the Whitewater Room) for the Breakfast.

8)  We are celebrating a great first month of the new Optimist year as we have added six new members to our club.  We encourage you to keep inviting guests to our meetings and programs.

That’s it for this week.  Happy Halloween–and “just keep smiling!”

Thanks,

Kim and Angie 🙂

Greetings Optimists,

Our Installation Banquet this past Monday was great fun! Thanks to Rick & Jeanine Fassl for hosting. Thanks to Kim Adams, Angie Alesci, Brandon Lindholm and Rachel Sullivan for assisting Rick and Jeanine with decorating. Thanks to everyone who donated food and beverages. I was very content ath the end of the evening, having consumed my yearly quota of Optimist Club gyros.

Welcome to our three newest club members who were inducted at Monday’s Installation Banquet, Stephanie & Cort Hartmann and Chloe Rettinger. We look forward to your efforts helping us in our quest to help and serve the youth of Whitewater.

Our next general member meeting will be Tuesday, October 4, 2016. This meeting will be “bring your own lunch.” Our speaker will be Warhawk Football Head Coach Kevin Bullis. Hope to see many of you there.

Current events needing helpers:

Warhawk Football Ticket Taking. There are still a few time slots (two?) needing workers. Check the Google spreadsheet, “2016 Football Ticket Taking,” for the last few remaining slots. Hopefully, you can use the link in the spreadsheet title in the previous sentence to edit the spreadsheet and add you name in the appropriate cells. If you have trouble entering your name, let me know and I’ll help.

*** Do you have a topic you would like to present to the club? Do you know someone who could speak to the club? Job related? Travel related? Sports related? Youth related? Let me know if you, or someone you know, would like to present. See the dates below where we need speakers. ***

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events:

• September 30, 5:00pm. 2016-17 Exec Board meeting.
• October 4, 12:00pm, speaker will be Kevin Bullis, Warhawk Football coach.
• October 8 & 22; football ticket taking
• October 11, Exec Board meeting.
• October 18, 12:00pm, speaker TBD.
• October 25, Halloween Social hosted by Kim Adams and Angie Alesci
• November 1, 12:00pm, speaker TBD
• November 5; Football ticket taking.
• November 7, Exec Board meeting. (New date to avoid conflict with the Presidential election on November 8)
• November 15, 12:00pm, UC 259, Youth Appreciation Luncheon.
• November 22, 5:00 pm. Speaker – Dr. Greg Cook, UW-W Associate Vice Chancellor.
• November 29, 12 Noon, UC 259A, stuff goody bags for Breakfast with Santa.
• December; Mitten tree, Toys for Kids
• December 3; Breakfast with Santa
• December 6, General member meeting, 12:00pm, speaker TBD
• December 13, Executive Board meeting
• December 19, Toys for Kids
• December 20, General member meeting, 12:00pm, speaker TBD

I want to close with a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to each and every one of you for your support of the club over the past two years while I’ve been president. I was nervous when I first assumed the role, but quickly learned, and appreciated, that everyone in the club is indeed an “Optimist” and was willing and able to help out in the various events that keep us going and support the youth of Whitewater. I look forward to working with the new exec board, and all of you, in the next Optimist Year. IT’S BEEN A HOOT!!

That’s all for tonight.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimists,

Our next general member meeting will be tomorrow, Tuesday, September 20, 2016. The meeting will feature “Youth of the Month” with catered lunch at $7 for each club member. Speakers will be Mark Elworthy (New School District Administrator) and Nathan Jaeger (Business Manager) regarding the upcoming Whitewater Unified School District referendum.

 I’ll be bringing a guest/potential new member to our September 20 meeting. Will anyone else bring a guest? Let me know for catering purposes.

Planning for our installation banquet on Monday, September 26, 2016, is progressing. One thing to share/remind everyone who submitted their RSVP, we want the event to be fun and encourage you to wear beach-type attire. It will be a fun evening of celebration of the 2015-16 year and looking forward to the 2016-17 year.

The August 2016 Exec Board minutes have been uploaded to the web site.

The Trivia Night 2016 committee continues to meet regularly.

Current events needing helpers:

Warhawk Football Ticket Taking. There are still a few time slots (two?) needing workers. Check the Google spreadsheet, “2016 Football Ticket Taking,” for the last few remaining slots. Hopefully, you can use the link in the spreadsheet title in the previous sentence to edit the spreadsheet and add you name in the appropriate cells. If you have trouble entering your name, let me know and I’ll help.

*** Do you have a topic you would like to present to the club? Do you know someone who could speak to the club? Job related? Travel related? Sports related? Youth related? Let me know if you, or someone you know, would like to present. See the dates below where we need speakers. ***

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events:

• September 20, 12:00pm, speakers will be Mark Elworthy (New School District Administrator) and Nathan Jaeger (Business Manager) re: the upcoming school district referendum.
• September 24, football ticket taking
• September 26; Installation Banquet hosted by Jeanine and Rick Fassl.
• October 4, 12:00pm, speaker will be Kevin Bullis, Warhawk Football coach.
• October 8 & 22; football ticket taking
• October 11, Exec Board meeting.
• October 18, 12:00pm, speaker TBD.
• October 25, 5:00 pm. Speaker TBD.
• November 1, 12:00pm, speaker TBD
• November 5; Football ticket taking
• November 7, Exec Board meeting. (New date to avoid conflict with the Presidential election on November 8)
• November 15, 12:00pm, UC 259, Youth Appreciation Luncheon.
• November 22, 5:00 pm. Dr. Greg Cook, UW-Whitewater Associate Vice Chancellor.
• November 29, 12 Noon, UC 259A, stuff goody bags for Breakfast with Santa.
• December; Mitten tree, Toys for Kids
• December 3; Breakfast with Santa
• December 6, General member meeting, 12:00pm, speaker TBD
• December 13, Executive Board meeting
• December 20, General member meeting, 12:00pm, speaker TBD

That’s all for tonight. (I better hit the send button before the next power outage!)

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimists,

Remember, NO GENERAL MEMBER MEETING this week!

The Exec Board will have their final 2015-16 meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 12 Noon in UC 268.

Our next general member meeting will be Tuesday, September 20, 2016. The meeting will feature “Youth of the Month” with catered lunch at $7 for each club member. Speakers will be Mark Elworthy (New School District Administrator) and Nathan Jaeger (Business Manager) regarding the upcoming Whitewater Unified School District referendum.

I’ll be bringing a guest/potential new member to our September 20 meeting. Will anyone else bring a guest? Let me know for catering purposes.

Current events needing helpers:

Warhawk Football Ticket Taking. There are still a few time slots (two?) needing workers. Check the Google spreadsheet, “2016 Football Ticket Taking,” for the last few remaining slots. Hopefully, you can use the link in the spreadsheet title in the previous sentence to edit the spreadsheet and add you name in the appropriate cells. If you have trouble entering your name, let me know and I’ll help.

*** Do you have a topic you would like to present to the club? Do you know someone who could speak to the club? Job related? Travel related? Sports related? Youth related? Let me know if you, or someone you know, would like to present. See the dates below where we need speakers. ***

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events:

• September 13, Exec Board meeting.
• September 20, 12:00pm, speakers will be Mark Elworthy (New School District Administrator) and Nathan Jaeger (Business Manager) re: the upcoming school district referendum.
• September 24, football ticket taking
• September 26; Installation Banquet hosted by Jeanine and Rick Fassl.
• October 4, 12:00pm, speaker will be Kevin Bullis, Warhawk Football coach.
• October 8 & 22; football ticket taking
• October 11, Exec Board meeting.
• October 18, 12:00pm, speaker TBD.
• October 25, 5:00 pm. Speaker TBD.
• November 1, 12:00pm, speaker TBD
• November 5; Football ticket taking
• November 7, Exec Board meeting. (New date to avoid conflict with the Presidential election on November 8)
• November 15, 12:00pm, UC 259, Youth Appreciation Luncheon.
• November 22, 5:00 pm. Speaker TBD.
• November 29, 12 Noon, UC 259A, stuff goody bags for Breakfast with Santa.
• December; Mitten tree, Toys for Kids
• December 3; Breakfast with Santa
• December 6, General member meeting, 12:00pm
• December 13, Executive Board meeting
• December 17, General member meeting, 12:00pm

That’s all for tonight.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimists,

It’s a little toasty outside today! But the forecast 7 days from now is temps in the upper 60’s or low 70’s, yes fall is coming at us faster than we want.

Did anybody notice that there is a little more traffic in Whitewater since Sunday?

Our next general member meeting will be Tuesday, September 20, 2016. The meeting will feature “Youth of the Month,” catered lunch at $7 for each club member, and speakers will be Mark Elworthy (New School District Administrator) and Nathan Jaeger (Business Manager) regarding the upcoming Whitewater Unified School District referendum.

Current events needing helpers:

Warhawk Football Ticket Taking. There are still a few time slots (two?) needing workers. Check the Google spreadsheet, “2016 Football Ticket Taking,” for the last few remaining slots. Hopefully, you can use the link in the spreadsheet title in the previous sentence to edit the spreadsheet and add you name in the appropriate cells. If you have trouble entering your name, let me know and I’ll help.

*** Do you have a topic you would like to present to the club? Do you know someone who could speak to the club? Job related? Travel related? Sports related? Youth related? Let me know if you, or someone you know, would like to present. See the dates below where we need speakers. ***

Looking back one year, at this time last year we had 95 “likes” on our Facebook page. Today we have 123!

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events:

• September 10, & 24; football ticket taking
• September 13, Exec Board meeting.
• September 20, 12:00pm, speakers will be Mark Elworthy (New School District Administrator) and Nathan Jaeger (Business Manager) re: the upcoming school district referendum.
• September 26; Annual Banquet hosted by Jeanine and Rick Fassl.
• October 4, 12:00pm, speaker will be Kevin Bullis, Warhawk Football coach.
• October 8 & 22; football ticket taking
• October 11, Exec Board meeting.
• October 18, 12:00pm, speaker TBD.
• October 25, 5:00 pm. Speaker TBD.
• November 1, 12:00pm, speaker TBD
• November 5; Football ticket taking
• November 7, Exec Board meeting. (New date to avoid conflict with the Presidential election on November 8)
• November 15, 12:00pm, UC 259, Youth Appreciation Luncheon.
• November 22, 5:00 pm. Speaker TBD.
• November 29, 12 Noon, UC 259A, stuff goody bags for Breakfast with Santa.
• December; Mitten tree, Toys for Kids
• December 3; Breakfast with Santa
• December 6, General member meeting, 12:00pm
• December 13, Executive Board meeting
• December 17, General member meeting, 12:00pm

That’s all for tonight.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimists,

At our Tuesday evening meeting last week, August 23, we discussed:

• Receiving the plaque at the “Golf Fore! Whitewater Kids” on behalf of the club from the Whitewater Unified School District as 2016 “Friend of Whitewater Kids.” Pictures from the event are on the Whitewater Banner web site, about halfway down the page.
• We met our two new UW-W student interns for fall 2016, Rachel Sullivan and Brandon Lindholm.
• Reviewed the discussion from the Exec Board meeting on August 9 regarding plans for the 2016 Installation Banquet.
  • Rick and Jeanine Fassl have offered to host this year’s banquet at their home on Monday, September 26.
  • Rick suggested having gyros as part of the evening’s meal which received MANY positive responses and affirmative head-nods.
  • Social time will begin about 5:30.
  • Dinner will begin about 6:30.
  • The program will end about 8:00pm
  • Watch for more info in the upcoming weeks.
• Reviewed the Trivia Night planning meetings held this summer.

NFL “FUND CRAZR” RAFFLE TICKETS!!  Ticket sales were concluded on Thursday, August 25. In all we sold 192 tickets, returning only 8 unsold tickets. Eighteen club members sold between one and 32 tickets each!! The top sellers were Kim Simes (32 tickets), Dave Halbach (29), Jim McLernon (28), Hans Hahn (16) Duane Dickens (13), Lanora Heim (12), Jan Olson and Kate Ksobiech (10 each).  Thanks to everyone who bought and/or sold one or more tickets. As mentioned many times, the proceeds from this raffle will help our community.

Current events needing helpers:

Warhawk Football Ticket Taking. There are still a few time slots (two?) needing workers. Check the Google spreadsheet, “2016 Football Ticket Taking,” for the last few remaining slots. Hopefully, you can use the link in the spreadsheet title in the previous sentence to edit the spreadsheet and add you name in the appropriate cells. If you have trouble entering your name, let me know and I’ll help.

*** Do you have a topic you would like to present to the club? Do you know someone who could speak to the club? Job related? Travel related? Sports related? Youth related? Let me know if you, or someone you know, would like to present. See the dates below where we need speakers. ***

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events:

• September 3, 10, & 24; football ticket taking
• September 6, NO MEETING!
• September 13, Exec Board meeting.
• September 20, 12:00pm, speakers will be Mark Elworthy (New School District Administrator) and Nathan Jaeger (Business Manager) re: the upcoming school district referendum.
• September 26; Annual Banquet hosted by Jeanine and Rick Fassl.
• October 4, 12:00pm, speaker will be Kevin Bullis, Warhawk Football coach.
• October 8 & 22; football ticket taking
• October 11, Exec Board meeting.
• October 18, 12:00pm, speaker TBD.
• October 25, 5:00 pm. Speaker TBD.
• November 1, 12:00pm, speaker TBD
• November 5; Football ticket taking
• November 7, Exec Board meeting. (New date to avoid conflict with the Presidential election on November 8)
• November 15, 12:00pm, UC 259, Youth Appreciation Luncheon.
• November 22, 5:00 pm. Speaker TBD.
• November 29, 12 Noon, UC 259A, stuff goody bags for Breakfast with Santa.
• December; Mitten tree, Toys for Kids
• December 3; Breakfast with Santa

That’s all for tonight.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749