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.
Don't forget, next week's meeting will begin at 6:50 to ensure that both the OI President and Jim Saccamano have time to speak!
On a clear, crisp Friday morning, members were greeted by Gary Strowbridge and Ken Jeung.
President Casey Funk called the meeting to order and Harry Fegley read the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance
It was good to see the smiling face of Brian Williams.
GUEST
Tom Overton introduced his neighbor, John Burnett who recently moved to Denver from Mexico and is retired from the grocery distribution business after 40 years. Hopefully John will join in the near future - Welcome John!
PRESIDENTS CORNER
Casey gave a brief rundown of the Board of Director's meeting, held last Tuesday night.
Reviewed changes to club bylaws, which will be published for members on the website and will be voted on at our March 15 meeting.
There will be no dues increase for this year.
Voted to approve four new members.
The VFW want to honor us along with first responders, nurses and others who serve the community.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BRAIN BOWL
Karl Geilannounced that they are still in need of help at the Brain Bowl on January 20, at Heritage High School. Reader training is over, but you can still perform other functions. Go to http://optimistbrainbowl.org for details and directions. The Optimist International President, Tracy Huxley, will be at the Brain Bowl.(She will also be at our meeting on Friday, January 19.)
Bob Avery announced that there will be a Celebration of Life for Lupe Salinas at Fairmount Cemetery on Thursday January 18, from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Bob also announced that he will be holding his annual Ski Day with Bob at his place in Breckenridge on Monday, January 22. Kent Gloor will be hosting a sleepover at his place on Sunday evening. All are welcome! Check with Kent or Bob for details.
MCMEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Don Thomson dropped by McMeen and noticed that a lot of the kids did not have proper gear for winter, so he went to the thrift store and bought coats, hats, mittens and gave them to the school. He says that the school now has 125-150 migrant children(mostly from Venezuela and made a plea for donations to the school. Help, if you can!
MEMBERSHIP
Frank Middleton says it is great that we have 4 new members, but we need more to serve the kids. With this in mind, he is offering $50 to anyone who brings in three new members.
SPEAKER
Victoria Falls
Harry Fegley, World traveler and City Park Docent for several different kinds of animals, decided to visit some in their natural habitat, so off to Botswana went he and his wife, Linda. While there they saw Victoria Falls.
They also visited Chobe Savana National Park; saw elephants, hippos, rhinoceros, crocodiles, Cape buffaloes and many other forms of wildlife, including various species of birds, but did not get a close look at any lions. He also took an ill-fated ride on a train that ran off the tracks and had some great adventures before he got home. (For a fascinating overview of the Rovos railroad, go to http://rovos.com )
DRAWING
We had a drawing. For only 50 cents you can buy a ticket from Dr. Bob and take a chance at winning. Today's challenge was to draw the 5 of Clubs and win $140! Nick Picucci and Pat Bush both tried for the big money and were unsuccessful. Joe Marci was wearing his name tag but had no luck. Next week's pot = 150 bucks.
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
PLEASE NOTE: Some 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 2023-2024 47th Year — Chartered in 1976
2022-2023 Officers
Officers:
Casey Funk, President
Matt Nelson, Vice President
Tom Glazier, Vice President
Jake Baker, Secretary
Pat Bush, Treasurer
Larry Pulaski, Immediate Past President
Directors:
Second Year: Vaughan Kendall, George Buzick, Tom Hoch, Ken Jeung,
First Year: Carl Brown, Al Gapuzan, Greg Holt, Mario Sani
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
Larry Pulaski 2022-2023
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.
On a clear, crisp Friday morning, members were greeted by Gary Strowbridge and Ken Jeung.
n introduced his neighbor, John Burnett who recently moved to Denver from Mexico and is retired from the grocery distribution business after 40 years. Hopefully John will join in the near future - Welcome John!
announced that they are still in need of help at the Brain Bowl on January 20, at Heritage High School. Reader training is over, but you can still perform other functions. Go to 
b also announced that he will be holding his annual Ski Day with Bob at his place in Breckenridge on Monday, January 22. Kent Gloor will be hosting a sleepover at his place on Sunday evening. All are welcome! Check with Kent or Bob for details.
