Mission Statement. By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.
Vision Statement. Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential.
Our greeters this morning, doing a great job are Tom Glazier and Josh Li Puma. An overcast morning and a sprinkle this morning, as we gather.
President Larry Pulaski rings the bell promptly at 7 Larry asks Denny Dressman to read the invocation this morning. Dear creators help us adopt the philosophy of Optimism to our life. Denny then leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance. President Announcements: Christmas Party December 2nd at the Assistance League. Installation Banquet will be September 30.
GUEST
Tamara Kirch, a member of Tamarac Optimist Club and an erstwhile worker at the Christmas tree lot, visited us today. Today is her father’s birthday so she thought it would be a great day to join us. She is looking for pictures and stories from the Christmas Tree Lot to document for the history of the Lot. She is looking for videos and stories for a school in Nairobi. These are kids who have dreams of growing up and having a healthy and happy life.
Ed Collins has an update on Brent’s Place. Brent’s Place was founded by Donn and Linda Eley as a tribute to their son, Brent, who was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of thirteen in 1987. The first Brent's Place facility opened its doors in 1988. The 100-year old building hosts five fully furnished apartments, addressing the need in the Denver area for Safe-Clean accommodations suitable for patients following bone marrow transplants. They are undergoing a large remodel, and the place looks great. Hopefully we can do a pancake breakfast for them next year.
SCAM ALERT
Commander Tom Yagley reminded us that there will be a Senior Fraud Prevention Awareness Event at the American Legion Post 1 (our meeting place) on Wednesday, October 4 FROM 2:00 -3:30 p.m. presented by Lynne Lowe of the City of Denver Attorney's office. It is open to the public and has a lot of good information.
PEACHES
Dr. Bob Finkelmeier sold 177 boxes of peaches this year and raised money for both our club and Tamarac Optimist club.
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS/DANCE PARTY
Tom Kramis tells us about the Installation Banquet September 30, at Heather Gardens, beginning at 11:15 a.m. It will be a great time for all. Karl Geil and his wife Lesley will be teaching us to do the East Coast Swing, immediately after the meal. Come on out and enjoy some dancing. There are about 50 people who are signed up for the event. There will be a live trio, a unit of After Midnight, a Denver based swing band. Tom sends us this link to their website: http://aftermidnightjazzband.com
Tom Hoch sends the following message (and web site): Our grandson Jackson just passed his training for the Coast Guard Honor guard in Alexandria, VA. The unit does over 1200 events a year. There are 65 members, officers and enlisted, in the unit. For more info seehttps://www.uscg.mil/Community/honorguard/
JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FUND (JDRF)
Five members of MSOC helped set up the course for the JDRF ONE WALK which was held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Sunday, September 17. From left to right: Mark Metevia, Pat Bush, George Buzick, Ron Gustas, Harry Fegley.
OI FOUNDATION
Craig Boring, Executive Director of the Optimist International Foundation gave a brief presentation regarding the Foundation. Seeking, receiving and managing funds and real personal property for the benefit of Optimist International and its Member Clubs in its charitable, literary and educational activities.
Craig lives in O’Fallon Mo. Optimist International Foundation (OIF) was established in 1971 exclusively for the charitable, literary and educational purposes of Optimist International, a community service-based organization committed to creating a more optimistic future for young people through innovative programs. OIF works with Optimist Clubs located in over 2,100 communities in the United States and the Caribbean. Craig tells us about Dominique and her struggles with speaking due to a stutter. As a young girl she benefits from therapy. Eventually she participates in Optimist Oratorical Contest, eventually goes on to the finals winning a $10,000 prize for her education. Craig received a phone call recently from Domonique’s mom who told him she had been accepted to Stanford. It is this kind of good news that keeps Craig motivated to do this work.
Also joining us this morning is Denver School Board of Education member Scott Balderman representing Southeast Denver. Scott was elected in 2019 and he is running for re election, . Scott grew up in Aurora and attended Rangeview High School, he graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in architecture, and returned to Colorado as soon as he could. Scott’s son goes to high school at South. He believes that there are so many good things going on that are being overshadowed by recent news.
Scott tells us that Denver Public School’s teachers pay increased 59%, which he supports. He focuses on the learning, and how kids are able to learn at school. COVID played a huge impact on the experience kids have at schools. He opens it up for questions.
Scott tells us about the duties of the Board, they are responsible for the operational functions of the schools within Denver. The School Board is essentially a legislative body.
George Buzick asks about School Resource Officers. Scott tells us he is in favor of SRO and of building a relationship within the school. Scott tells us that he believes expelling kids is not the right path to take. The goal is to have the kids change the behavior that is causing the problem. His ideal strategy is to work with SRO and have the relationship be positive.
How is the relationship with Charter Schools? Each Charter School has it’s own board, and is not a part of DPS. Scott worries about the governance model, and how they operate.
Greg Young asks about Teacher turnover ? Scott says we need qualified teachers in front of our kids. Currently the turnover is 20%, and what he envisions is an enhance vision of pay, and workload to help with retention. Declining enrollment, DPS is losing about 1000 kids per year. Less kids means less money coming in. The costs from running a school with less kids has a ripple effect, the need to close schools is real. The school board is focused on running the schools more efficiently. (Right Tom Mauro (a former School Board member) talks with Scott Balderman.)
Karl Geil asks regarding school discipline and mental health of students. Scott says we need to get the funding into the classroom. The School Board does not write discipline policies, they are not equipped to handle this. Regarding poor behavior of students, he would like to see a more specific plan to help teachers know what process to follow when problems do arise.
Denny Dressman asks re SRO, what is the corresponding response from schools on this? There is broad support from school administrations regarding the SRO’s and how they handle discipline. How to interact with kids. The district is requiring school principals to attend this training as well. That policy was directed by the School Board Superintendent.
If anyone would like to help Scott Balderman, here is a link for a yard sign:
Do we have a drawing? There is only $20 in the pot this week, The lucky card today is the 4 of diamonds. 6 cards are left from which to choose.
Frank Middleton has a ticket and draws the lucky card and gets the $20 Greg Young takes a cup. Pat Bush takes a cup Mario Sani takes a cup Tom Glazier wins a cup Larry Pulaski wins a cup
We recite the pledge.
We then recite the Creed. Go forth and promote Optimism.
Meetings will be held at the American Legion Hall 5400 E Yale Ave. While there be no two way communication, you may observe (and listen to) the meeting on Zoom
OCMS President Larry Pulaski is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting
PLEASE NOTE: All Friday meetings will be simulcast on Zoom in “listen and watch only” mode. All members are encouraged to attend the live meeting when possible.
Optimist Club of Monaco South 2022-2023 47th Year — Chartered in 1976
2022-2023 Officers
President Larry Pulaski 303-956-1202
Vice President Matt Nelson 720-774-0758
Vice President Steve Kady 303-931-1470
Secretary Jake Baker 412-680-0765
Treasurer Pat Bush 303-750-9409
2022- 2023 Board of Directors
Joe Marci 303-847-7844 Tom Glazier 303-522-5214
George Buzick 303-803-2268 Casey Funk 720-656-2255
Vaughn Kendall 303-910-6590 Ken Jeung 720-849-6241
Kent Gloor 303-880- 5444 Tom Kramis 303-917-5299
Tom Hoch 303-332-9338
Past Presidents
Bob Rhue 1976-77
Jerry Whitlow 1977-78
Bill Kosena 1978-79
Duane Wehrer 1979-80
Curt Jefferies 1980-81
Frank Middleton 1981-82
John Young 1982-83
Pat Bush 1983-84
Bob Hugo 1984-85
Tom Mauro 1985-86
Curt Lorenzen 1986-87
Oscar Sorensen 1987-88
Lupe Salinas 1988-89
Bob Avery 1989-90
Bill Litchfield 1990-91
Bill Walters 1991-92
Kent Gloor 1992-93
Gary Strowbridge 1993-94
Mark Metevia 1994-95
Bob Safe 1995-96
Tom Overton 1996-97
Peter Dimond 1997-98
Ralph Symalla 1998-99
Cy Regan 1999-00
Stan Cohen 2000-01
Don St. John 2001-02
Jack Rife 2002-03
Karl Geil 2003-04
Bryce Slaby 2004-05
Donlie Smith 2005-06
Paul Bernard 2006-07
Greg Young 2007-08
Phil Perington 2008-09
Ron Cisco 2009-10
Ed Collins 2010-11
Randy Marcove 2011-12
Paul Simon 2012-13
Jon Wachter 2013-14
John Oss 2014-15
Michael Chavez 2015-16
Craig Eley 2016-17
Jim Easton 2017-18
Everett Gardner 2018-19
Bob Meyer 2019-20
Dan Rodriguez 2020-2021
Tom Kramis 2021-2022
T H E O P T I M I S T C R E E D — Promise Yourself . . . To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for
anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Our greeters this morning, doing a great job are Tom Glazier and Josh Li Puma. An overcast morning and a sprinkle this morning, as we gather.
ara Kirch, a member of Tamarac Optimist Club and an erstwhile worker at the Christmas tree lot, visited us today. Today is her father’s birthday so she thought it would be a great day to join us. She is looking for pictures and stories from the Christmas Tree Lot to document for the history of the Lot. She is looking for videos and stories for a school in Nairobi. These are kids who have dreams of growing up and having a healthy and happy life..png){kind=logo}
PEACHES
Tom Kramis tells us about the Installation Banquet September 30, at Heather Gardens, beginning at 11:15 a.m. It will be a great time for all. Karl Geil and his wife Lesley will be teaching us to do the East Coast Swing, immediately after the meal. Come on out and enjoy some dancing. There are about 50 people who are signed up for the event. There will be a live trio, a unit of After Midnight, a Denver based swing band. Tom sends us this link to their website: 
Craig Boring, Executive Director of the Optimist International Foundation gave a brief presentation regarding the Foundation. 
Seeking, receiving and managing funds and real personal property for the benefit of Optimist International and its Member Clubs in its charitable, literary and educational activities. 
Also joining us this morning is Denver School Board of Education member Scott Balderman representing Southeast Denver. Scott was elected in 2019 and he is running for re election, . Scott grew up in Aurora and attended Rangeview High School, he graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in architecture, and returned to Colorado as soon as he could. Scott’s son goes to high school at South. He believes that there are so many good things going on that are being overshadowed by recent news.
Greg Young asks about Teacher turnover ? Scott says we need qualified teachers in front of our kids. Currently the turnover is 20%, and what he envisions is an enhance vision of pay, and workload to help with retention. Declining enrollment, DPS is losing about 1000 kids per year. Less kids means less money coming in. The costs from running a school with less kids has a ripple effect, the need to close schools is real. The school board is focused on running the schools more efficiently. (Right Tom Mauro (a former School Board member) talks with Scott Balderman.)