With 47 members present, "Timekeeper Tom" Hoch reminded President Dan Rodriguez that it was time to start the meeting, so Dan rang the bell and asked Tom Kramis to read the invocation "No time to criticize others", and recite the pledge.
Dan reminded us that next week's meeting will be a the Legion Hall and thanked Steve Avery and Larry Pulaski for taking on the responsibility for technical aspects of Zooming the meeting to those who won't be there in person. He also thank Chris Dunphy for arranging for pastries to be served at the first meeting. Dan added that Noel Hasselgren has volunteered to be cashier and will be collecting $3 for pastry and coffee. Phil Perington said that the newly hired caterer for the Legion will be there and is excited about serving us in the future.
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Our "Guest" this morning is Randy Marcove, all the way from Costa Rica, who is back in town for a while. Phil Perington told Randy that he had sent Randy a Christmas card, which he had just gotten back as "undeliverable". Randy said they don't have a regular mail system in the town where he lives
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Frank Middleton announced that Ryan McCollough was honored as Cub Master of the Year by the Frontier District of Boy Scouts of America. Ryan is the pack leader for Cub Scout Pack 8023, Northfield Stapleton Neighborhood. The OCMS assisted in chartering this Cub Scout Pack a few years ago. In Pack 8023 there are currently 28 kids, ranging in age from kindergarten to 3rd grade. The pack draws from four elementary schools in the Stapleton area. Ryan whose day job is as a consultant, has three boys ages 6, 8 and 10 with his wife Michelle. He is originally from Ohio and has been in Colorado for 6 years. The troop was founded by parents who thought their boys and girls would benefit from the scout experience, two-years ago.
Tom Mauro reminded everyone that the club directory is in the final stages of publication. if you want to make any changes, do it now or forever (at least until next year) hold your piece. A reminder, due to publishing costs, the directory will not be printed. Only online copies will be available.
There were some questions about the raffle to be held as an additional fund raiser. Tickets have not yet been printed, but we are probably looking at middle of August for drawing. First prize will be $3,000 ; Second prize = $1,000 and 10 prizes of $100. Break even would be sale of 225 tickets at $25. Anything above that would go to youth fund. Expectation is that each member would be responsible for selling four tickets
Jon Wachter announced that he was offering $5 to any member of the Bradley JOOI Club who could recite The Optimist Creed from memory. So far he has spent $16.(he gave an extra dollar to the first kiddo to do it!). John also reminded us of the upcoming online quarter conference on Saturday, April 24 from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The $10 registration fee will go to Junior Golf. You can pay online at the District website: https://www.optimistcowy.org/conferences/. Winners of District Essay, Oratorical and CCDHH contests will present. The conference is open to all members.