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.
On this crisp and clear Spring Day, members were greeted by Pat Bush (our illustrious Treasurer) and Roy(Bud) Olsen The meeting was called to order by President Larry Pulaski at precisely 7:00 a.m. and George Buzick read the invocation regarding the importance of Respect for Law.
GUESTS
We had a couple of guests today, includlng Randy Condit, who came with application and check in hand and is sponsored by Dan Rodriguez: Frank Symoms, a Christmas Tree Lot invitee
ANNOUNCEMENTS
3RD QUARTER DISTRICT GATHERING
President Larry announced that the District Gathering would be at the Shiloh Pavillion on
Saturday, April 29. Finalists for the District Oratorical contest present their speeches, as well and the winners of the Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH). In addition, the District Essay Contest winner will also read her essay. Itavia Brown (shown here), was the winner of our club Oratorical contest and will be one of six competitors for the District contest.
ESSAY CONTEST
Wyatt McCallie announced that the winner of the Monaco South Essay Contest will be here next week to read her prize-winning essay. Wyatt mentioned the longtime associated with Thomas Jefferson High School in conducting this contest.
ROCKIES HANDOUTS
Michael Chavez announced that we are schedule for a weekday game at the Rockies on Thursday, June 8. We need about 40 people to report at 10:30 a.m. for this 1:00 game.
BRAIN BOWL COMPETITION
This just in from Craig Eley:
The two largest clubs in the Colorado-Wyoming District will square off in a Brain Bowl-like contest at our May 12 meeting. Yes, the scholars of Tamarac Optimist Club will face off against the intellectual behemoth that is Monaco South. Tom Mauro, the coach of the Monaco South team, promises a ruthless effort during which no prisoners will be taken. We even have an official buzzer box and an actual judge as quiz master to ensure that no shenanigans take place. You won't want to miss it!
SUPER CITIZEN
Dr. Bob Finkelmeier provided some statistics on our Super Citizen Program:
Back in 1982 MSOC handed out 180 certificates to Holm, Samules, & Southmoor
During this school year, we have given out 642 certificates to Bradley, Ellis, Hamilton, Holm, Lowry, McMeen, MPB, Samuels, & Slavens
Since then to the 2021-2022 academic year = 19,582 With this current academic year we will be over 20,000.
Each May, our Super Citizen Schools commemorate Charlie Korsoski, one of the founders of our Super Citizen program in 1982. The annual CHARLIE KORSOSKI AWARD is given out for the best super citizen of the year. Here’s a look at the past, with fond remembrance for Charlie, for such a proud tradition for Monaco South.
BRADLEY ELEMENTARY
On April 14th and April 28th Super Citizen Presentations were made to a Total of 28 students from the first to fifth grades at Bradley Elementary School. The first program was to make up for the missed opportunity in March. Jon Wachter and Vaughn Kendall shared master of ceremony responsibilities. As usual, there was a discussion about the meaning of certain parts of the Optimist Creed, but as an addition to this, Jon asked Vaughn what he liked most about being a doctor. Vaughn responded that when people come to him, they do not feel good, but usually when they leave they feel good, which makes him feel good.
JOI CLUB
Bradley's Helping Hands JOI club, led by the intrepid Jon Wachter went on an expedition to a senior citizen's complex and had a pizza delivered lunch and a lot of fun with a number of residents. Included in the activities were a robotics demonstration by some students, some game playing activities; playing the piano and a mini Brain Bowl competition. The group of students walked the 6 blocks from the school, accompanied by Jon, Al Gapuzan, Casey Funk, Phil Perington, Pat Bush, and George Buzick
SPEAKER
CHIEF RON THOMAS DISTRICT 3 COMMANDER
CARLOS ARAGON
Our speaker today was Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. Born and raised in Denver and its public schools, Thomas is a 33-year veteran of the Denver Police Department who has worked on patrol, investigations, special operations and administration. He served as the commander of police for District 2, District 5 and the department’s internal affairs division before he was appointed as the division chief of patrol.
Chief Thomas said that his priorities as chief are:
Reduce Crime
Decrease response time
Improve public relations
He stated that, although the number of violent crimes against persons has decreased, property crimes, especially auto thefts, continue to be a problem. The Chief said that the DPD has initiated a program by which citizens can volunteer to allow police to use tracking devices to locate stolen vehicles, using GPS systems that are already built in to most newer vehicles. Of the two thousand cars registered in this program, none have been stolen. (They have a sticker which notifies would be thief that the vehicle has a tracking device.
Someone asked about the lack of visibility of patrol cars and the Chief responded that DPD is currently significantly understaffed but is working hard to increase the number of patrol officers.
When asked about the use of technology in policing, he said that DPD is using a lot of things, like cell phones tracing and "Shot Spotter", which can pinpoint where gunfire is coming from by triangulating with devices placed throughout the city, which allows more immediate response to calls regarding shots fired.
The Chief said he is working hard on using scientific methods and analysis to improve the crime statistics in Denver, especially in the area of auto theft and handguns in the hands of the youth of our community. The Chief said that Commander Aragon was a good resource and that the club should contact his office with any questions.
DRAWING
Find the Ace of Clubs and win $100. NOT! No big winners today! More money next week!
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.
WL COMPETITION
BRADLEY ELEMENTARY
Bradley's Helping Hands JOI club, led by the intrepid Jon Wachter went on an expedition to a senior citizen's complex and had a pizza delivered lunch and a lot of fun with a number of residents. Included in the activities were a robotics demonstration by some students, some game playing activities; playing the piano and a mini Brain Bowl competition. The group of students walked the 6 blocks from the school, accompanied by Jon, Al Gapuzan, Casey Funk, Phil Perington, Pat Bush, and George Buzick
