UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

Greetings Optimist!!

UW-W students moved into the Residence Halls on Sunday, August 30. You can really tell the difference in traffic volume, among other things, that change when they arrive each year!

Our Wednesday, August 29 evening meeting featured members Dick and Maggie Winz speaking about the volunteer efforts to help rebuild Bay St. Louis, MS after Hurricane Katrina hit there 10 years ago. We forget that even today, rebuilding efforts are still going on along the Gulf Coast to recover from the hurricane. Thanks Dick and Maggie (and other from the club and community) who continue to help the residents of that region recover!

Thanks to the latest club members who have volunteered to help take tickets at upcoming Warhawk Football games!

I had good meeting with Greg Stewart, Whitewater High School Teacher and advisor to the Octagon Club, last night. We discussed some ideas how the Octagon members can help our club at certain events each year, debating the issue of Octagon members attending regular meetings vs. contributing to service projects, and other ideas. As we talk about these items more, we’ll keep you posted. I indicated to Greg that one idea I have is to better promote the Octagon events and accomplishments to our club, and the community, in the future through the web site and Facebook.

No progress since last week regarding a complete slate of officers for 2015-16, 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 has 93 “Likes” now. 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.
• Kim Adams and I will be interviewing UW-W students to determine who will be our fall semester intern(s). We need to have our decision made by September 9 which is the last day for students to add a class for the fall semester.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• 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. Youth of the Month presentation and catered lunch. Any speaker 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:

• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 15, Executive Board meeting. Noon-1pm.
• 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.

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!!

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 had a nice turnout last Tuesday for our first meeting of August. Our speaker was Warhawk Football Head Coach Kevin Bullis and I think he left us feeling very positive about the path and direction of the program and the upcoming Warhawk football season.

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.”

It’s customary at the Annual Banquet to introduce/induct the next Exec Board. With that in mind, 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. Can you volunteer for 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.”

This week there is NO GENERAL CLUB MEETING. However, the Exec Board will hold its August meeting tomorrow at 12 Noon in UC 260. If anyone has any items for me to include in the agenda please contact me ASAP.

The next SWIS District meeting is this week, August 14 & 15 in Brookfield, WI. The general meeting is Saturday, the 15^th, from 9:00-3:30pm. If anyone is interested in attending let me know.

In other Optimist business:

• 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.

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 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!!

A few days with above average temps, then a few days with below average temps. Don’t you just love May in the upper Midwest?

On to Optimist business:

• Tomorrow’s meeting will be held in UC 068, 12 Noon-1pm. This meeting room is located in the lower level (some would say the basement level) of the UC. It is a General Member meeting and Youth of the Month, with catered lunch, $7.00/member. Our speaker will be Greg Swanson, UW-W Director of Facilities Planning and Management speaking about the campus master plan.
• THANK YOU to Teshona Bennett for volunteering to co-chair the Gyro Stand this year with Duane and Barb Dickens.
• 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.”
• I’ve contacted Tom Grosinske, Whitewater Washington Elementary School Principal and Whippet Head Football coach, for possible football team volunteers to help with loading and unloading of products, etc., for the Gyro Stand. He’ll have possible names of helpers for us around June 24-26.
• Thanks to Jeanine Fassl and Kim Adams for their help and leadership in advertising the internships for this summer and next fall. We use the interns to help with promoting the club, it’s activities/events, and other tasks as needed. We haven’t finalized who the interns will be yet. When we do, I’ll let you know.
• Here’s a fund raising idea from a couple of club members for consideration:
  • What about selling up to 100 “Football Crazr” raffle tickets instead of just the usual 25? The club makes $10 on each $20 raffle ticket. Our club’s usual allotment of 25 have already arrived, I’ll bring them to the meeting tomorrow, but perhaps we could order more and sell them until August 28. Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated!! 100 raffle tickets would raise $1,000 for the club!

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, May 19, Youth of the Month from Whitewater Middle School and Greg Swanson, campus Director of Facilities Planning and Management, speaking about the campus master plan for the future.
• Wednesday, May 27, Speaker has cancelled. Any ideas? (5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant)
• Tuesday, June 2, any ideas?
• Tuesday, June 16, any ideas?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, May 19, UC 068, 12 Noon-1pm, General Member Club meeting and Youth of the Month, catered lunch, $7.00/member.
• Wednesday, May 27, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Wednesday, May 27, Whitewater High School Scholarship Night.
• Tuesday, June 2, UC 259A, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Saturday, June 6, Fishing Derby
• 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 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.

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 ups and downs of spring weather! At least this past weekend was nice and the upcoming weekend looks pretty good also. That’s my “optimistic” outlook for today.

On to Optimist business:

• This week’s meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21 at 12 Noon.  We will meet in UC 266 due a request from the Chancellor’s Office to use our regular meeting room. Lunch will be catered, cost is $7 for club members. It will also be Youth of the Month. Our speaker will be Deb Weberpal, Senior Coordinator for the Seniors in the Park program in Whitewater.
• Duane Dickens reminded me this morning that the club is in need of a no-cost or low-cost storage location for the Gyro trailer! And we need a new site within the next week!!!! Denise Kaminski and her husband will no longer be able to store the trailer at their home. If you have a location or idea for future trailer storage please let the officers know. Thanks Denise (and Kevin) for storing the trailer for the last few years!
• Need help around the house or yard for spring cleaning? Hire a UW-W Student Optimist!
• A message from the UW-W Student Optimist Club and Kim Adam’s Service Learning Class “ We are still in need of donations for the birthday box project.  Things such as birthday cake mix, candles, streamers, wrapping paper, balloons, party hats, birthday cards, party plates, party napkins, gluten free and sugar free items. We are asking for all donations to be dropped off by April 21st to Kim (Adams).”
• The UW-W Student Optimist club is collecting children’s school playground equipment such as Kick Balls, Soccer Balls, Basketballs, Footballs, Frisbees, and Jump Ropes. If you would like to help donate please review the information flyer at our website.
• It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. 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 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• I have created a Club calendar using Google Calendar. It’s only useful if there is lots of information so feel free to add club related events to the calendar for the future. This includes starting dates to plan/organize club events such as Whitewater High School scholarship reviewing, food ordering for the Gyro Stand, etc.
• Have you looked for the Exec board minutes? Click the “Club Documents” link to find many of uploaded club documents, including minutes of the Exec Board.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, April 21, Deb Weberpal, Senior Coordinator for the Seniors in the Park program in Whitewater.
• Wednesday, April 29, Judy Harms, Whitewater High School Girls Basketball Head Coach (5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant)
• Tuesday, May 5, Cameron Clapper, Whitewater City Manager.
• Tuesday, May 19, Tami McCullough, UW-W Campus Facilities Planner.
• Wednesday, May 27, Karen Wislocki, Director of the UW-W Intensive English Institute. (5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant)

Dates for upcoming club events include:

• Friday, May 8, 1:55pm, Whitewater High School Awards, the Club presents the Optimist Female Athlete of the Year.
• Saturday, May 16, City-Wide Rummage Sale.
• Wednesday, May 27, Whitewater High School Scholarship Night.
• Saturday, June 6, Fishing Derby
• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration.
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Everyone,

For the sports fans in the club, what an exciting weekend we just had!! Whippets and Warhawks and Badgers, Oh My!!

• Tuesday, March 17 (tomorrow) we’ll meet at 12 Noon in UC 259A for our Youth of the Month meeting. Lunch will be catered and cost is $7.00 each.
  • FYI, I let the UW-W catering chef pick our menu for the Youth of the Month meeting dates. I’m not sure what the menu is for tomorrow. I’m hoping for an Irish theme.
  • Also at tomorrow’s meeting, there will be a short, 10-15 minute, presentation/wrap-up of Trivia Night 2015.
  • Our speaker for tomorrow’s meeting will be Dr. Beverly Kopper, UW-W Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
  • THERE IS NO MEETING NEXT WEEK 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 31 at 5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant. Our speaker will be Tom Grosinske, Washington Elementary School Principal and new Whitewater High School football coach.

• Speakers for upcoming meetings are:
  • Tuesday, April 7, Kat Shanahan, UC Promotions Coordinator
  • Tuesday, April 21, Deb Weberpal, Senior Coordinator for the Seniors in the Park program in Whitewater.
  • Wednesday, April 29, – no speaker yet (perhaps a fellowship event?)
  • Tuesday, May 5, –  Cameron Clapper, Whitewater City Manager
  • Tuesday, May 19, Tami McCullough, UW-W Campus Facilities Planner.
  • Wednesday, May 27, Karen Wislocki, Director of the UW-W Intensive English Institute.

•  Other dates coming up for club events include:
  • Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 4 at the Whitewater Middle School.
    • Helpers are needed for this event.
  • City-Wide Rummage Sale, Saturday, May 16.
  • Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration, July 2-5, 2015.
  • Jefferson County Fair ticket selling, Wednesday, July 8, 2015.

That’s all for today.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Everyone,

After being very busy two weeks ago and out of state for a conference last week, I’m back and ready to get caught up on most/all things Optimist.

• A “shout-out” to club member Jim McLernon!!! Jim organized a “Super Bowl Squares” event for “The Big Game” this past February 1 and was able to make a $100 donation to the club at our Tuesday, February 3 meeting.
• Tuesday, February 17 (tomorrow) we’ll meet at 12 Noon in UC 259A for our Youth of the Month meeting. Lunch will be catered and cost is $7.00 each.
• Our speaker for tomorrow, February 17, will be Jan Bilgen, Associate Director, UW-W Career and Leadership Development. Jan will be speaking about the value of joining student organizations, how to find out about student organizations, general categories of student organizations at UWW, and (if time permits) basic overview of career development and those related services from C&LD.
• Friday, February 20 is the second annual Trivia Night. We presently have 23 paid teams for the evening with the possibility of one more team. Helpers are still needed for setup and cleanup on the 20^th. The team putting this together has been outstanding! Further updates will be provided at our Tuesday meeting.
• Speaker for upcoming meetings are:
  • Wednesday, February 25 – no speaker yet
  • Tuesday, March 3, UW-W photographer Craig Schreiner
  • Tuesday, March 17, UW-W Provost, Dr. Beverly Kopper
  • Tuesday, March 31, Tom Grosinske, Washington Elementary School Principal and new Whitewater High School football coach
  • Tuesday, April 7, Kat Shanahan, UC Promotions Coordinator
  • Tuesday, April 21, Deb Weberpal, Senior Coordinator for the Seniors in the Park program in Whitewater.
  • Wednesday, April 29, – no speaker yet
  • Tuesday, May 5, –  no speaker yet
  • Tuesday, May 19, Tami McCullough, UW-W Campus Facilities Planner.
  • Wednesday, May 27, – no speaker yet

• Other dates coming up for club events include:
  • Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 4 at the Whitewater Middle School, pending approval from the school district.
  • City-Wide Rummage Sale, Saturday, May 16. (The one and only planning meeting will be Thursday, February 19.)
  • Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration, July 2-4, 2015 (based on calendar but still to be confirmed)
  • Jefferson County Fair ticket selling, Wednesday, July 8.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimists,

• Today, Tuesday, January 20^th will be a Youth of the Month meeting. We’ll meet in our usual location, UC 259A. Lunch will be catered that day, $7 per club member.
• Wednesday, January 28 will be our evening meeting for the month. 5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant.
• I would appreciate any help lining up speakers for our January 28 meeting and the February 3, 17 & 24 meetings. I have a list of ideas for consideration along with any ideas you may have for speakers/topics. Your help in making one or two phone calls to secure speakers will be greatly appreciated by all.
• Please note the information I sent out regarding Trivia Night on Feb. 20. Please help spread the word about the event, and to feel free to form a team.
  • Also, we are still looking for more helpers from 6:30pm – 10:00pm that evening. Please let me know if you are able to help out for even a portion of the evening.

That’s all for now.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749