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.
Early this morning Tom Hoch was busily getting the ZOOM online while Bryce Slaby methodically and carefully was hanging Club banners for all to see and enjoy. Our Greeters-Kent Gloor and Al Gapuzan were wide awake and happily welcoming the morning arrivals. Bob Avery, another early arrival, was making nice and getting a quick start on taking attendance. Gary Strowbridge rounded out the early arrivals and assisted the Café de France delivery gal with the buffet set up and delicate toaster management.
MORNING ACTIVITY
Past President and traveling guy Everett Gardner, looking like new man, was enjoying friendly conversation with our Greeters and others coming through the door. Gary Strowbridge, Mike White, Don Thomson, and Bryce Slaby were seen conducting a roundtable of animated conversation. “Funhouse” Ed Collins always full of laughter shared time with Tom Kramis catching up, talking of recent ski adventures. Allan Malask had a breakfast plate piled mile high & Bill Morgan was cruising the room with a big smile. Tom Mauro was earnestly working the room soliciting members for candidacy to the upcoming officer and Board Elections. It was a great day to be an Optimist and among friends.
President Casey Funk gaveled the gathered to attention at 7:01 sharp and asked Vaughn Kendall to present the Invocation: “Giving of Oneself to the Service of Others, whereby we can as a person be the pebble in a pool spreading good tidings, fellowship, kindness and service one to another. The echo of what we do, and share remain, long after the pool has disappeared, and life goes on. It is a privilege to help others by making optimism a part of their day.” The Pledge of Allegiance followed with a rousing call of “Play Ball!” The boys will soon be back in town.
GUESTS
Jeff Cole, recruited by Steve Kady (not in attendance sadly) is a retired firefighter looking for something useful and affirmative to participate in after finishing up with all the "Honey do's" I think we have a keeper, welcome aboard Jeff. grabbed a seat with Pat Bush, Karl Geil,Mike McMahon and others, including Ron Gustas, all of whom were engaged in rousing and entertaining conversation. Guest Speaker, Mark Wolff was escorted in and took a seat at the celebrity table where they immediately became engaged in conversation with assorted friendly members.
Steve Welch, returning after his first visit 4 months ago, spoke of enjoyment and his interest in becoming a regular member. Sign him up Gentlemen!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President emeritus Larry Pulaski was awarded Honor Club designation at the District Conference. Larry thanked Frank Middleton, Club Membership Chair for his diligent work including other members who helped generate this prestigious award. George Buzick, Larry Pulaski, Bill Morgan, Pat Bush, Frank Middleton and Kent Gloor attended the Conference. Monaco South received a patch for being a $30 per member contributor to the Optimist Foundation. Also, Bob Avery was awarded and received a Benefactor pin for his accrued financial contributions to the Foundation as well. One topic of discussion at the Conference centered on the importance of every Club having a Membership Chair.
President Casey announced there will be a vote on the amended by-laws at the Board meeting on March 15th. He also reported there has been an increase in the cost of the morning buffet to $14. Breakfast burritos have been added and there will be a rotation of choices, including breakfast sandwiches and the continental breakfast. Steak and eggs can possibly be pre-ordered for perhaps $75. A suggestion of changing our meeting times to 7:30 or 8:00 was mentioned. Discussion will be conducted in the future.
Tom Hoch: Attended an Exciting Super Citizen at Holm with 18 students receiving awards.FYI: Teachers nominate candidates in their respective classroom and then the students vote for the winners. The Kids and Families love it and know how important this program is them now and in the future. Past member Charlie Korsoski endowed this program with a generous contribution upon his passing.
Tom Mauro:The Elections are just around the corner in April. Any member interested in Leadership positions please let him know as soon as possible. Board members serve for 2 years. President & 2 Vice Presidents serve a 1-year term.
Paul Stratton: Is proud to announce that the 20th year anniversary of Super Citizen occurred at Lowry Elementary. They had a tremendous amount of fun and excitement. Of Note, The Jimmy Brown perfect attendance awards were suspended due to COVID protocol but may once again be considered.
Harry Fegely: The Denver Chorale featuring 50 voices in celebration of Cole Porter will be featured. At Bethany Lutheran Church on May 4th. Harry has the details, and more information is forthcoming. More info at:
Tom Glazier: Announced we are not so busy as a club at this time of the year. However, TLC planning and Super Citizen events are very active. He noted that RandyMarcove, Jon Wachter and Tom, all past presidents of the U-Hills Neighborhood Association are active in the planning of the annual Easter Bunny event event. (Speaking of Randy Marcove: From Randy's Facebook page: Blood donation #228 is in the books, on 2/29!
Thank you #carterbloodcare in Longview, TX for your professionalism and kindness. It didn’t hurt a bit either!
Please make time to donate blood and save a life! #DonateBlood !!!)
Pat Bush: Passing around a thank you card for our donation and support of the East HS
Constitutional Scholars team.
Tom Yagley Presented a flyer announcing the Free Veterans Luncheon on March 19th at 10am-1pm. At the Lakewood ELKS CLUB-1455 Newland Street. Seats are limited so please RSVP. You can Pick up flyers from his office.
NEW BYLAWS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR REVIEW
Casey Funk has updated our Club Bylaws to incorporate changes required by OI. Please review these bylaws and be prepared to vote on them on March 15th.
The Proposed Bylaws can be downloaded from our website. Go to www.monacosouth.org and click on the LINK: Proposed Bylaws. You will be prompted to sign on to view and download. While you are signed on, check your member profile, and update any missing or changed information. Please contact Casey with any questions on the Bylaws.
Please contact Greg Young if you have any questions about the website or need help with logon.
HISTORY DAY COLORADO
The Denver/Aurora Regional Contest for History Day in Colorado will be
held on March 16 at Denver's East High School. The contest currently
is short of judges; they only have half the number they need. Most
judges will be done after lunch. Judges, in teams of three, will be
evaluating either historical research papers, original performances
written and presented by students, documentaries, exhibits, or
websites. Training will be provided the morning of the competition,
but there are resources online you can review before then.
Randy became a member of MSOC in April 2023. His sponsor is Dan Rodriguez. Randy and wife Diane have two children: Adam (44) who is a manager in a restaurant and studying to be a real estate appraiser and Traci Carpenter (41) - Mother, 3 kids (Ella, Rylan and Will) who is a medical transcriptionist. Diane is retired after running a cleaning business. Both Randy and Diane are avid antique collectors.
Randy grew up in SE Denver. He went to University Park Elementary School in kindergarten and still fondly remembers his first teacher. He then went to Slavens Elementary School and then to Thomas Jefferson High School. Class of 1969. He played basketball for coach Gaston Sandi, the “raisin riddle,” and teammates John “Bad Dude” Stearns and Kelly Bass (son of Rockets coach, Bob Bass). You may remember Randy as the 10-year-old who ran the Wellshire driving range for four or five years. He drove around in the boat collecting the floating golf balls. After high school, he went off to U of A in Tucson to seek the sun and girls.
He returned to Denver to work in the family business of designing and building 3D models for exhibits at various trade shows. His products included a 30-foot replica of the Hindenburg, and a model of an MX missile design at the request of President Ronald Reagan. Condit Exhibits designed and built The Heritage Exhibits at Cherry Hills Country Club and The Colorado Golf Club. He proudly boasts that his company never did the same thing twice.
Randy is now retired. To keep busy, he is passionate about golf and the traditions and values of golf ---honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. He is a member of the Golf Heritage Society https://www.golfheritage.org/ and regularly plays at various events where it is required to play in knickers and swing only hickory staff golf clubs. The next “tournament” event will be held in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He will be a speaker in June. He is a self-proclaimed gym rat who still enjoys playing golf and racquet ball.
He joined Optimist because our club shares the same values as the Golf Heritage Society. He spoke with President Tracy Huxley when she was here to see if there are any joint programs our organizations could sponsor. He would attend more meetings if the meeting were held later. The 7:00 a.m. starting time for a retired guy is somewhat brutal and would like us to consider an 8:00 a.m. starting time and holding one evening meeting a month. He thought an evening meeting may bring in more members.
Thank you, Randy. Hope to see you, if not at our morning meetings, at least at some of our activities including junior golf.
SPEAKER
Denny Dressman, a 25-year veteran reporter for the Rocky Mountain News (Closed in 2009), introduced friend and fellow worker, Mark Wolff (10 years). Mark is now a member of National Conference of State Legislators. NCSL represents the legislatures in the states, territories and commonwealths of the U.S. Its mission is to advance the effectiveness, independence and integrity of legislatures and to foster interstate cooperation and facilitate the exchange of information among legislatures. Mark opened with “I Applaud your volunteerism and Project Angel Heart-like 1900 scoops of mashed potatoes.” This is a Member organization for 7476 legislators, and over 30,000 staff members. He noted His Mother served 16 years as a legislator and that Colorado and Nevada have a majority of female legislators. Their HQ is located adjacent to Wings over the Rockies. The Group had been conducting business as three separated organizations since the 1950’s. They were merged in 1974 and relocated to Colorado. Nobody wanted them in DC. Denver became their new home. They are the #1 Nonpartisan lobby in congress on behalf of states. With a Staff of 24 in DC and 125 in Denver they research issues nationwide. The receive 20,00 inquiries per year. Policy papers are published by his specific department identity: Education. The Scope of policy research is pretty staggering, but no discussion on any DEI policy research was given. Hoboken NJ was given as a study example for traffic elements. The Organization strives for party balance and the basis for nonpartisanship reporting.
Currently the States struggle with having enough poll workers. Their focus of study is absentee ballots and ballot harvesting. Who can and cannot collect ballots is the key issue. It is a very intense subject. Another hot issue is social media funding and the Requirements for disclosure. Additionally, the removal of college degrees in numerous states, navigating Medicare and Medicare APPRENTICESHIPS are all big issues. They cover a lot of ground and supply non-bias data as reasonably sought by their membership. It was a very interesting presentation on what could possibly referred to as “Inside Political sausage making”. We hope Mark will visit again and become part of the optimist family. More info at: ncsl.org
Is there a Drawing? $100 in the pot
Cups: Lucky Mark Wolff gets 2 and donates winnings to the Club! Dick Nicoloff--Guest Jeff Cole- Bob Avery and Steve Welch
Card Draw: George Buzick Nope. Greg Holt Nope
Chips: Everett Gardner Not today.
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.
Early this morning Tom Hoch was busily getting the ZOOM online while Bryce Slaby methodically and carefully was hanging Club banners for all to see and enjoy. Our Greeters-Kent Gloor and Al Gapuzan were wide awake and happily welcoming the morning arrivals. Bob Avery, another early arrival, was making nice and getting a quick start on taking attendance. Gary Strowbridge rounded out the early arrivals and assisted the Café de France delivery gal with the buffet set up and delicate toaster management.
Past President and traveling guy Everett Gardner, looking like new man, was enjoying friendly conversation with our Greeters and others coming through the door. Gary Strowbridge, Mike White, Don Thomson, and Bryce Slaby were seen conducting a roundtable of animated conversation. “Funhouse” Ed Collins always full of laughter shared time with Tom Kramis catching up, talking of recent ski adventures. Allan Malask had a breakfast plate piled mile high & Bill Morgan was cruising the room with a big smile. Tom Mauro was earnestly working the room soliciting members for candidacy to the upcoming officer and Board Elections. It was a great day to be an Optimist and among friends.
President Casey Funk gaveled the gathered to attention at 7:01 sharp and asked Vaughn Kendall to present the Invocation: “Giving of Oneself to the Service of Others, whereby we can as a person be the pebble in a pool spreading good tidings, fellowship, kindness and service one to another. The echo of what we do, and share remain, long after the pool has disappeared, and life goes on. It is a privilege to help others by making optimism a part of their day.” The Pledge of Allegiance followed with a rousing call of “Play Ball!” The boys will soon be back in town.
President Casey announced there will be a vote on the amended by-laws at the Board meeting on March 15th. He also reported there has been an increase in the cost of the morning buffet to $14. Breakfast burritos have been added and there will be a rotation of choices, including breakfast sandwiches and the continental breakfast. Steak and eggs can possibly be pre-ordered for perhaps $75. A suggestion of changing our meeting times to 7:30 or 8:00 was mentioned. Discussion will be conducted in the future.
Tom Hoch
Tom Glazier: Announced we are not so busy as a club at this time of the year. However, TLC planning and Super Citizen events are very active. He noted that RandyMarcove, Jon Wachter and Tom, all past presidents of the U-Hills Neighborhood Association are active in the planning of the annual Easter Bunny event event. (Speaking of Randy Marcove: From Randy's Facebook page: Blood donation #228 is in the books, on 2/29!
ndy became a member of MSOC in April 2023. His sponsor is Dan Rodriguez. Randy and wife Diane have two children: Adam (44) who is a manager in a restaurant and studying to be a real estate appraiser and Traci Carpenter (41) - Mother, 3 kids (Ella, Rylan and Will) who is a medical transcriptionist. Diane is retired after running a cleaning business. Both Randy and Diane are avid antique collectors.
Mark opened with “I Applaud your volunteerism and Project Angel Heart-like 1900 scoops of mashed potatoes.” This is a Member organization for 7476 legislators, and over 30,000 staff members. He noted His Mother served 16 years as a legislator and that Colorado and Nevada have a majority of female legislators. Their HQ is located adjacent to Wings over the Rockies. The Group had been conducting business as three separated organizations since the 1950’s. They were merged in 1974 and relocated to Colorado. Nobody wanted them in DC. Denver became their new home. They are the #1 Nonpartisan lobby in congress on behalf of states. With a Staff of 24 in DC and 125 in Denver they research issues nationwide. The receive 20,00 inquiries per year. Policy papers are published by his specific department identity: Education. The Scope of policy research is pretty staggering, but no discussion on any DEI policy research was given. Hoboken NJ was given as a study example for traffic elements. The Organization strives for party balance and the basis for nonpartisanship reporting.