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 the first Friday of 2024; a cold but not snowy day, members were greeted by Craig Eley and Greg Holt. President Casey Funk called on Greg Young to read the invocation. On a sad note, Joe Marci announced that long-time member Lupe Salinas, who was President of MSOC in the 1998-99 year recently passed away. While we haven't seen Lupe at meetings for the past few years, he will not be forgotten. Services are pending.
Also included is the obituary notice for Phil Perington's mother at this link:
Gary Jerman is our newest member. For those of you who missed it in last week's GUMS, Gary is in Oil Property Management/Mineral Evaluations/ Lease Negotiations. Originally form Southeast Denver, Gary recently moved back after a ten-year hiatus. Gary turned in his application last week and gave us a check at Friday's meeting. Gary is a fan of DU Hockey and CU Basketball and loves to to travel and fish. Welcome aboard!
SHIRTS
Tom Glazier announced that he still has a couple of shirts with MSOC logo, but no name. See Tom, if you are interested.
DENVER ART MUSEUM FLOWERS
Greg Young asked for some more volunteers who own a van to pick up and deliver flowers left over from Denver Art Museum functions to various senior centers around the city. Call Greg for more information on this. (303-886-1110).
OPTIMIST INERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
Andy Towt said that he had received a number of Dime-a-Day donations, after last week's pep talk by Bob Hamblin, the District Foundation rep. Andy recognized the following individuals for their participation in the Dime-a-Day during the past year: Tom Mauro, Michael Chavez, Andrew Towt, Pat Bush, Greg Holt, Dick Nickoloff, Harry Fegley, Tom Glazier, Craig Eley, Ron Gustas, Mark Metevia, Mike White and Paul Stratton. In addition four members who contributed $250 or more became members of "The President's Club". They were Pat Bush, Harry Fegley, Bob Avery, Curt Boell.
TREE LOT
No final tree lot report, since some people have not turned in expenses, they incurred on behalf of the tree lot. Pat Bush cannot complete final report until he has them. Tom Kramis did report that 66 members worked on the lot. Sixteen members worked 20 or more hours, including Carl Brown (38), Pat Bush (80.5), Denny Dressman (36), George Buzick (46), Michael Chavez (25), Craig Eley (25.5), Casey Funk (29), Al Gapuzan (31), Tom Glazier (51.5), Greg Holt (122.5), Kent Gloor (28.5), Ken Jeung (28.5), Tom Kramis (105.5), Tom Mauro (21.5), Mark Metevia (24.5),Phil Perington (60.5), Don Roth (33.5), Bryce Slaby (79).Thanks to everyone for your support of this major fund-raising project! And thanks to the Tamarac ladies (and Charlie Neumann) for their help with pricing, cashiering and cleaning.
MCMEEN SCHOOL CRISIS
Don Thomson says that McMeen Elementary, one of our Super Citizen schools, had increased enrollment by 90 students because of the bussing of migrant students from the Texas border. Many are from Venezuela and do not speak English. Classrooms are overcrowded and teachers are overworked. Don will stay in touch to see if there's anything we can do to help.
Crowded Classroom
Welcome Poster
BRAIN BOWL SPEAKER
Our own Karl Geil, Master of the Brain Bowl, was our speaker this morning. Karl gave a brief history of the Brain Bowl and reminded us that all readers (regardless of past experience must attend a training session before they can read tom participants. The President of Optimist International will be attending the Central/South Competition at Heritage High School on Saturday, January 20. They still need more non-reader volunteers. You may sign up for any of the three tournaments by going to http://optimistbrainbowl.org. All information regarding the competition is available at this website, including the PowerPoint presentation given by Karl at this morning's meeting.
DENNY DRESSMAN
DRAWING
Ken Jeung, Karl Geil, Joe Marci, Ed Collins, Jake Baker and Greg Young all had a shot at drawing the Six of Clubs and winning $120, but none was successful. So, the pot just keeps getting bigger. But it a matter of fact that, if you don't buy a ticket, you cannot win.
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 the first Friday of 2024; a cold but not snowy day, members were greeted by Craig Eley and Greg Holt. President Casey Funk called on 
Greg Young to read the invocation. On a sad note, Joe Marci announced that long-time member Lupe Salinas, who was President of MSOC in the 1998-99 year recently passed away. While we haven't seen Lupe at meetings for the past few years, he will not be forgotten. Services are pending.
Greg Young asked for some more volunteers who own a van to pick up and deliver flowers left over from Denver Art Museum functions to various senior centers around the city. Call Greg for more information on this. (303-886-1110).
Andy Towt said that he had received a number of Dime-a-Day donations, after last week's pep talk by Bob Hamblin, the District Foundation rep. Andy recognized the following individuals for their participation in the Dime-a-Day during the past year: Tom Mauro, Michael Chavez, Andrew Towt, Pat Bush, Greg Holt, Dick Nickoloff, Harry Fegley, Tom Glazier, Craig Eley, Ron Gustas, Mark Metevia, Mike White and Paul Stratton. In addition four members who contributed $250 or more became members of "The President's Club". They were Pat Bush, Harry Fegley, Bob Avery, Curt Boell.
Crowded Classro
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