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.
Greeters today were Karl Geil and John Burnett.
Larry Pulaski joined us by way of Zoom.
President Casey Funk called the meeting to order at 7:15a.m. and called for Jake Baker to do the invocation.
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
President Casey, looking dapper with his new hairdo, talked about his favorite subject: Breakfast! As previously reported, as of the April 5 meeting we will be having the trial run of a new breakfast concept. Breakfast price will increase to $15. There will be a Rotating Breakfast menu forthcoming form the New York Deli. #1: Continental Breakfast #2: Egg sandwich and #3: Breakfast burrito + traditional accoutrements. Our financial agreement is based on 20 diners.
Tom Hoch shared a joke(?) about a spoon and a zipper You'll have to ask him about it.
Joe Marci explained that the Rockies were only one game out of first place and that he had four really good tickets available for future games at a reasonable price. Call Joe at 303-847-7844.
Mike White reported that Don Thomson is recovery from the surgery but is anxious to get back on his feet and at it again. Mike also said he needed a replacement for Don at the McMeen Elementary Super Citizen awards. Pat Bush graciously volunteered.
Tom Mauro reminded us that elections are coming up and that the nomination committee is still looking for another vice president candidate to serve in Harry Fegley's year as President beginning October 1. If interested, talk to Tom or Joe Marci.
Karl Geil asked for some help in finding one of our newest members, Zabih Danesh, a used car. He is currently using RTD to get his kids to school and then himself to the Friday morning meeting.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRAIN SHOW
Greg Hurd heralded the upcoming Rocky Mountain Train show which is coming up next week. Greg promises that, as always, the show will be one of the biggest and the best you will ever see.
SPEAKER
Mark Metevia introduced Christopher Sherry, PE| Chairman and CEO of Merrick & Company. Chris was both fun and extremely informative as he explained the functions of Merrick and Company:
Merrick is the largest engineering firm headquartered in Colorado
1000 employees
26 offices across the US, Canada, Mexico and the UK
$250M in annual revenue
100% employee-owned
Merrick operates in 4 distinct markets: 1) National Security, 2) Life Science, 3) Infrastructure, 4) Manufacturing
National Security: DoD, NASA, NNSA (National Nuclear Security Administration)
Life Science: bio-containment research labs worldwide
Chris said that he had worked for General Colin Powell when he was the United States Secretary of Defense and that General Powell had left him with the following Principles of Leadership:
It ain’t as bad as you think! It will look better in the morning.
Get mad - then get over it.
Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
It can be done.
Be careful what you choose. You may get it.
Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.
Check small things.
Share credit.
Remain calm. Be kind.
Have a vision. Be demanding.
Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
DRAWING
There was a drawing. Nobody drew the Four of Diamonds. Nobody won the $30. I lost my notes!
What do dentists call their x-rays?
Tooth pics!
Did you hear about the first restaurant to open on the moon?
They had good food, but no atmosphere.
Why aren't Koalas considered bears?
They don't have the right koala-fications
What do get when you cross a dyslexic, an insomniac and an agnostic?
Someone who lays awake at night wondering if there's a dog.
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.
President Casey, looking dapper with his new hairdo, talked about his favorite subject: Breakfast! As previously reported, as of the April 5 meeting we will be having the trial run of a new breakfast concept. Breakfast price will increase to $15. There will be a Rotating Breakfast menu forthcoming form the New York Deli. #1: Continental Breakfast #2: Egg sandwich and #3: Breakfast burrito + traditional accoutrements. Our financial agreement is based on 20 diners. 
Tom
Hoch shared a joke(?) about a spoon and a zipper You'll have to ask him about it.
Greg Hurd heralded the upcoming Rocky Mountain Train show which is coming up next week. Greg promises that, as always, the show will be one of the biggest and the best you will ever see.
It ain’t as bad as you think! It will look better in the morning. 
There was a drawing. Nobody drew the Four of Diamonds. Nobody won the $30. I lost my notes!