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Editors Note:  Pat Bush recently assumed his new position as Club Treasure and has regretfully resigned as one of the five rotating newsletter editors.  If you have the time and the inclination to join the elite group of "chief reporters", including Paul Stratton, Phil Perington, Robert Wardlaw and myself, please contact me by e-mail at: gtbuzick@comcast.net, or call me at 303-803-2268. Thanks! George Buzick
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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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Member picture
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
 
 
May be an image of 2 peopleFrank 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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks to Dr Bob Finkelmeir  Baseball Memes and Quotes
Dr. Bob Finkelmeier
 
Subject: Your Friday Baseball Quote - April 9, 202
“If you’re the best catcher on the team and you’re left-handed, the coach will play you.”
Ben Whitley, 11
 
Editor’s Notes
From an MLB post making a pretty persuasive case as to why maybe it’s not so crazy to consider left-handed catchers,  here:   https://www.mlb.com/news/why-there-are-no-left-handed-catchers-in-mlb?partnerId=zh-20210204-156906-MLB&qid=1026&bt_ee=X7n7jb71f8DH47ewkQXlWPLEJEzuqCptc%2
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SPEAKER

Our speaker today was Izzy McCarragher from Defy Colorado.  According to Izzy  Defy Colorado transforms the lives of people with criminal histories and community members through their collaboration along the entrepreneurial and employment journey.

20,000 Men and women currently incarcerated across the state of Colorado

9,000People released from Colorado prisons every year

"We believe that not only do people deserve a second chance — they deserve a first chance, no matter how late in life that comes. We all deserve the chance to shape our own lives, but not everyone is afforded the same opportunities. We believe in paying it forward by utilizing the privileges we have been given in order to drive personal and economic growth for people with criminal histories.

It has been found that people who participate in prison-based education or vocational prison programs have higher employment rates and are less likely to return to prison after being released than nonparticipants. Of the roughly 9,000 people released from Colorado prisons every year, approximately 54% return to prison within three years, with many citing barriers to employment as a significant reason.

By harnessing the talents of the state’s currently and formerly incarcerated individuals as well as community and business leaders, Defy Colorado helps individuals with criminal histories to create legal business ventures and careers, ultimately defying the odds.

There are currently 3 Department of Correction facilities (of the 22 total facilities working with Defy Colorado:

  • La Vista (Women's Facility)
  • Colorado State Penitentiary 
  • Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility
The Feeling You Get From Defying the Odds!
 
The core curriculum is centered on four elements:
  1. Entrepreneurial Skills
  2. Employment Readiness
  3. Character Development
  4. Reentry Preparation
With projected increases in incarcerated individuals the cost per person of $38,000 annually, it makes sense that programs like Defy Colorado are a benefit, not only to the individuals involved, but to society as a whole.  Thanks to Izzy for a great presentation. More information on Defy Colorado: http://DefyColorado.org
 
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MEMBER CHALLENGE
 
Greg Young issues challenge to Greg Hurd (Our very own model train expert):
                                                       "Can you do this?"
 
See the Online Events Calendar @http://www.monacosouth.org/Events/Calendar
Due to Covid-19 protocol Friday meetings will be held on Zoom only until further notice.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 811 1860 7098
Passcode: 354081
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Meeting ID: 811 1860 7098
Passcode: 354081
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbIPuFknO5
 
 
Optimist Club of Monaco South 2020-2021 45th Year — Chartered in 1976
 
                   2020 - 2021 Officers                                      2020 - 2021 Board of Directors
President           Dan Rodriguez    303-521-512           Perry Allen            303-521-3453 
Vice President   Tom Kramis        303-917-5299         Stephen Avery       720-775-7700
Vice President   Chris Dunphy     720-297-3111          George Buzick      303-803-2268
Secretary            Bill Morgan        303-868-4384          Allen Malask         303-726-3700 
Asst. Secretary  Phil Perington    303-832-4578          David Peck            925-890-2531
Treasurer           Pat Bush             720-747-5482          Larry Pulaski        303-956-1202 
Asst. Treasurer Greg Young         303-759-3921          Bob Meyer            303-919-4532
 
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
Mark Metevia 1988-89
 
 
Bob Avery 1989-90
Bill Litchfield 1990-91
Bill Walters 1991-92
Kent Gloor 1992-93
Gary Strowbridge94-95
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 Reif 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
 
 
 
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.