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 are Don Roth and Tom Mauro. It’s a cloudy start to the day as the dawn breaks. Jon Wachter is standing in for Casey Funk this morning. Jon asks your editor to read the invocation this morning. Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of love. Help us show those we are closest to, that this gift includes them. We then recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Tom Overton introduces his guest, John Burnett. John recently moved here from Mexico and has been here several times and decided that he likes us, so brought his signed application and check. Welcome aboard, John!
Jon Wachter asks past presidents of Monaco South Optimists to stand, and we have a large contingent with us this morning. We also have a number of prospective candidates for that office, and Jon alludes to the fact that Officer elections are fast approaching, and you may be asked to serve. Think hard about what you can contribute to your club, before you say "No".
Jon then enlists the group to Happy Birthday serenade those who have birthdays this month. This includes Russ Paul, whose Birthday is today (2/10).
Announcements:
Craig Eley takes the mic and lets us in the know he turned 75 a couple days ago. He mentions Sweethearts to Breakfast. The event will feature fun games testing our knowledge of our wives or girlfriends. Tom Mauro says next week’s Sweethearts to Breakfast is a sellout.
Karl Geil, our very own family attorney explains that his experience is that there are many details husbands should know abbot their wives, but many do not. This presents an opportunity to learn about our spouse and become a partner to them. Karl also mentions that "The Brain Bowl is Here!" Tomorrow, Hamilton Middle School. If you signed up-show up! (In spite of the expected snowstorm.)
HONOR CLUBS
Frank Middleton informs us that our own Club along with Littleton-BFT, Windsor Gardens Optimist clubs have been recognized for Honor Clubs from the ’22-’23 year.
SUPER BOWL POOL
Joe Marci has 20 squares left for the Super Bowl pool, $100 for each quarter, and $100 for the final score.
Bryce Slaby talks about the shop he volunteered to help supply back in his Nebraska hometown. Now the school is going to build a Tough Shed structure with hopes of reaching adult members of the community. This is in Redcloud, Nebraska. If you have any excess tools you would like to contribute (or money), see Bryce.
TREE LOT PAYOFFS
Tom Kramis presented a check for $2500 to the Tamarac Optimist Club for their help at the Tree Lot this year. He also paid members of the DTC Optimists $500. Tom Glazier talks about the Tree Lot and how this program has improved with community involvement. This event is the largest fundraiser for our club and helps provide much needed revenue that allows us to help the kids in our community, which is the charter for this club. The more community involvement the more successful it will be. Tom Kramis notes that a new group has asked to help at the lot next year. They are "Hands of Hope".
AMERICAN LEGION HAPENINGS
Tom Yagley has a full weekend here at the Legion Hall, tomorrow is Mardi Gras celebration.
Tom is also recruiting members for the Legion Post, which he commands. You can sign up if you have been in any of the armed services or had a parent or grandparent who served. See Tom if you have an interest. (Several of our members already belong to Post #1.)
MEMBERSHIP
Ed Collins reports on the membership totals for the Tamarac club vs our own. The Tamarac Club is increasing in membership, while our own club has seen numbers decreasing. An opportunity for us perhaps.
Kent Gloor talks about yesterday’s Super Citizen assembly at Holm Elementary. Nick Picucci, Mario Sani, Noel Hasselgren and Don Roth all were in attendance.
Greg Young talks about super Citizen program assemblies for our new members. The program works with 9 elementary and middle schools in southeast Denver, to recognize kids who are acting as “Super Citizens” in their schools. This isn’t about grades, as much as it is about being Super in the classroom, or on the playground and helping their classmates. These assemblies are an incredible event that the kids absolutely love. New members take note and attend or sign up to help the event and you will find your day to be greatly improved.
Don Thomson talks more about the Super Citizen program and what a wonderful program this is. Don continues to raise money and collect clothing for new immigrants arriving in our city. Don also has some totals for football scholarships awarded by state schools which include 3 at CSU, and more at Northern Colorado, but none at CU. Is coach Prime missing an opportunity here?
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
Four new members are inducted this morning: Gary Jerman, Zabih Danesh, Todd Webster and Kevin Dempsey. "I will do my best to support the activities of my club…"
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY
February 17 is "Random Acts of Kindness Day". Acting President Jon Wachter shares several simple Random Act of Kindness, the world can do with a little more kindness. Create our own act of kindness, celebrate good news or create our own good news. Sign up to give blood, donate household items, don’t give up, be kind.
DRAWING
We have a drawing for $40. Russ Paul, Kent Gloor and Vaughn Kendall win cups, Greg Holt also takes a cup, as does Matt Dollarhide, George Buzick draws a card, Ryan draws a card, Karl Geil takes the last cup.
Jon draws Don Thomson’s name from the plastic cup but no winner this morning. Jon asks Larry Pulaski to lead us in the Creed.
NEW BYLAWS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR REVIEW
Casey Funk has updated our Club Bylaws to incorporate changes required by OI. Please review these bylaws and be prepared to vote on them on March 15th.
The Proposed Bylaws can be downloaded from our website. Go to www.monacosouth.org and click on the LINK: Proposed Bylaws. You will be prompted to sign on to view and download. While you are signed on, check your member profile, and update any missing or changed information. Please contact Casey with any questions on the Bylaws.
Please contact Greg Young if you have any questions about the website or need help with logon.
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.
Our greeters this morning are Don Roth and Tom Mauro. It’s a cloudy start to the day as the dawn breaks.
lists the group to Happy Birthday serenade those who have birthdays this month. This includes Russ Paul, whose Birthday is today (2/10).
Bryce Slaby talks about the shop he volunteered to help supply back in his Nebraska hometown. Now the school is going to build a Tough Shed structure with hopes of reaching adult members of the community. This is in Redcloud, Nebraska. If you have any excess tools you would like to contribute (or money), see Bryce.
Tom Yagley has a full weekend here at the Legion Hall, tomorrow is Mardi Gras celebration.
