Hillsboro Optimist Club Monthly Social

The monthly social meeting was held Tuesday, January 28th at the Reserve in Hillsboro. Mike Ware and Bill French were speakers.

              

 (L to R:Club Member Bill French, club members enjoying the buffet at The Reserve).

Photos by: Jack Thornton

    Mike Ware, owner/CEO of MyBinding*, spoke of his relationship with the Optimists and the history of his corporation. Ware and son started MyBinding in 1998. They began by selling to print shops and school systems and launched a website in 2003. Today, less than a fifth of their sales are made in Oregon. For more information, refer to the company website or their OregonLive listing.

    Bill French spoke about a local family that provides a training program for young boxers. They practice outside in a canvass tent, attracting as many as 25 kids in a class. Bill has been instrumental in providing leadership and financial support. He is currently helping them locate a more permanent training facility. Club members with Hillsboro connections are encouraged to help.

    One member of the family, Efrain Estrada, is a light welterweight contender. Another, ninth grade Hillsboro Online Academy student Diana Estrada Diaz, just earned the gold medal in her division at the 2014 USA Boxing Junior and Youth Open Championships held in Reno, Nevada, January 6-11. Diana was also awarded the Outstanding Female Boxer of the Tournament honor and will be training and competing as part of the USA Boxing Traveling Team both nationally and internationally. For more information, refer to this article covering the youth.

Membership Attendance Promotion for November

As part of the PGI Program through Optimist International, club member Sarah Newton is promoting attendance at club events for one month. She has chosen to do this with a raffle for November.

    At each meeting attended, members can purchase a $1 raffle ticket. At the Nov. 26th evening social at Izzy’s, one of the tickets collected over the month will be selected, and will win not only half of the money collected, but a gift basket! The gift basket has dried fruits, a hat, a CD of Columbia Gorge hikes, a calendar, pie server for the holidays, and much, much more.

    The other half of the prize money will be deposited into the Optimist International Childhood Cancer Campaign on behalf of the club.

District Meeting Holds Exciting News for New Year

The last week in October, members of the Pacific Northwest District of Optimist clubs met in Hood River to kick off the 2013-2014 Optimist year. From round-table sessions, to board meetings, great information was presented!

    Here are just a few of the great things to keep in mind for our new year:

Leaders at the District Meeting
(during the Halloween Party!)

• Our leaders have been chosen! The District Meeting was a great place to meet almost all of the District Committee Chairs as well as the Board of Directors. Members can contact these District leaders by visiting the District Website.

• The next District Meeting is a Regional Meeting taking place in Clackamas on February 1, 2014, attendance is $35 and includes lunch. Find out more here.
  
  
• Membership Challenge! Join other club members across the district in reaching 151 new members for the year against the current District Board of Directors! The prize is to be served by the losing team at the 4th Quarter Convention in Canyonville, OR.
  
  

• 

  'Dollar a Day' patch!

  Visiting from California, Vice President of the West Region - Bill Meyers - spoke at length on the importance of remembering why we are Optimists. Memorable words to live by, “In the end, what we do [as Optimists] is create memories.” and “Optimism is nothing if it’s not a call to action.”
  
  
• Our club also received a banner patch for donating ‘A Dollar A Day’ to the Optimist International Foundation. The ‘365’ patch was presented to President Kathy Jungels at the meeting.

Installation Banquet Heralds a New Year

      The 45th Annual Installation Banquet for the Hillsboro Optimist Club went off

beautifully with the installation of the new year’s officers and board members.

      Visiting District Governor Fred Wallace inducted the officers and board members

and several club members were honored for their service to the club in the last

year.

      Incoming President Kathy Jungels spoke about her goals for this next year

including recruiting new members, revitalizing our current members, and getting

existing club members to consider “Why am I an Optimist?”.

     The club officers will be sending out a questionnaire to club members reassessing their interests in the club, and seeing what committees they’d like to be on, and what projects they’d

like to help out with for the coming year. Another plan to boost involvement will be

to assign a date for each club member to bring in a guest speaker to the Tuesday

morning meetings.

2013-2014 Calendar and Committees to be selected

At last night’s Board Meeting, it was decided that the October Board Meeting would include committee member selection. If you are interested in spearheading one of our club programs, please contact incoming President Kathy Jungels for more information.

    The calendar for the year will also be reviewed, and a renewed search for a weekly meeting space is beginning. It was also reconfirmed that the monthly Board Meetings will now take place on the 2nd Wednesday of every month.

45th Annual Installation Banquet Set!

The 45th Annual Installation of the Hillsboro Optimist Club will take place on Friday, Sept. 27th. Once again our club will be filling the lovely halls of the Meriwether National Golf Club.

    Nominations for Board Members for the 2013-2014 Optimist year are still being accepted, but the 2013-2014 officers have been selected and are as follows: President, Kathy Jungels. Secretary, Tammi Hilp. Treasurer, Christine Knight.

    Please join us in welcoming our new officers and board members and celebrating the ending of a productive year and the beginning of a new one.

    RSVP on our Facebook page to let club officers know that you will be attending or e-mail Monte with the number of guests who will be in your party. The event will cost $25 per person and will begin with cocktails at 6p.m.

McCall Convention a Success

At the beginning of August, club members Chris & Neal Knight, Kathy Jungels, and Bill & Evelyn French attended the District Convention in McCall, Idaho.

         

(L toR) District Board Meeting underway, photo by Linda Jackson. Kathy, Chris, Evelyn and Bill in costume for the convention.

    A few business items were discussed as well at the convention that will impact the Hillsboro Optimist Club:

• A motion was passed that the PNWD define the CCDHH as a combined contest for those contestants who sign and a second for those who are oral. Each winner will receive a $2500 scholarship. The signing scholarship will be provided by the OIF, and the oral scholarship will be funded by the PNWD.
• Every club is challenged to add at least one member between now and September 30, 2013 in order to earn a banner patch.

News in Brief:

• Judge Gayle Nachtigal is retiring from the Bench, after 22 years, on September 1.  She is a member and longtime guest of the Hillsboro Optimist Club.  A retirement party will be held on August 23 from 4-6:30pm at the Sheriff’s Office and all members are welcome.
• More sponsors and teams are still needed for the Annual Golf Tournament. Contact Kathy or George for more applications or donation request flyers.
• The 2013-2014 Officer Installation will take place on Saturday, September 28th. The location and time are yet to be determined. Those interested in helping may contact Club President Monte Akers.

July Bursts with Activity!

This July, members of the Hillsboro Optimist Club hit the streets, the backyard and the park to celebrate Optimism!

    On July 4, members participated in the City of Hillsboro 4th of July Parade, with their ‘float’ once again the truck of Chris and Neal Knight. Other Optimist members volunteered at the Senior Center tent, setting up a tent for the elderly to sit under, and handing out refreshments during the parade.

     On July 10, club members came together for the 2013 NOW Event and Summer Picnic hosted at John and Rennia Meek’s home. Prospective members were asked to join the festivities, including horseshoes and door prizes. Also in attendance was Governor-Elect Fred Wallace for the PNWD.

    On July 17, Hillsboro club members joined Beaverton club members at the recognition ceremony of Vern Williams, a long-time Beaverton club member by the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District.

             

Bob Arneson at the Vern Williams Dedication.    Monte Akers at the Summer Picnic.

2013­2014 District Meeting Locations and Dates Announced

• Oct. 25­-26, 2013 ­ Hood River, OR
• Feb. 1, 2014 ­ Evergreen Airpark, McMinnville, OR
• May 16­-17, 2014 ­ Kaiser, OR
• Aug. 14­-17, 2014 ­ Canyonville, OR

Learning and Motivating, PNWD Meeting Productive

     The 3rd Quarter District Meeting, held in lovely Richland, WA and hosted by the Tri­Cities Optimist Club was a success for all who attended.
     Governor Larry Blackburn formally welcomed members Friday night, but eager Optimists had already been busy during an Executive Committee meeting.
     Welcoming remarks continued from Tri­Cities Optimist Club President Terry Ashworth, Governor Elect Fred Wallace of the Gresham Optimist Club.
     Steve Skodak, the Executive Director of the OI Foundation, reminded members that “You have a wonderful message to tell, if you tell it.” highlighting the importance of sharing our stories and success with not only each other but our communities.
     Hillsboro Optimist Club’s own Sarah Newton was asked as a ‘First Timer’ to begin the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, and later read her PGI Passport speech on “How Optimism Makes for a Better World” a reprise of her February 19th speech to the club.

Sarah during her speech at the meeting.

Renew your interest in Optimism, join District Meeting

This year, the lovely Tri-Cities Optimist Club will be hosting will be hosting the 3rd Quarter District Meeting for the Pacific Northwest District in Richland, WA.

     From May 17-19th, join other Optimists in learning how to keep their club up and running, increase membership, and hear the Oratorical and Essay Contest winners speak.

    Steve Skodak, Executive Director, Optimist International Foundation will also join us the meeting addition to other special student guests.

    For more information, including pricing of the hotel and conference fees, please visit the Pacific Northwest District blog post here. Members interested in attending the conference can contact Sarah Newton to coordinate possible carpooling scenarios.

Scholarship season continues, join us at Regionals!

Two contestants from the Hillsboro Optimist Club’s 2013 Oratorical Contest have been invited to Regionals in Newport this year. First place winner Emily VanVleet and Second place winner Luke Berdahl will be attending the Regional competition with other youth from around the state. Members interested in joining the students to show their support for the program and the host Optimist Club, should contact Kathy Jungels. The regional competition will take place on April 27th at 1128 28th Avenue, Albany, Oregon.

    The Ross Mathews Scholarship continues it’s long tradition as well this year, with students once again being eligible for the $1,000 scholarship. Applications from Hillsboro High School seniors interested in attending school on a medical science or mortuary studies path are encouraged to apply. Applications can be found on the Hillsboro Optimist Club website and Facebook page.

Club Officer Election Time Approaches

 It’s that time of year again! Time to put your name in the hat for leadership positions within the Hillsboro Optimist Club!

    Officer-Elect Reports are due to Optimist International by May 20th - allowing those running for office to attend summer training. An elections committee will be appointed by the Board of Directors to review applications. 

Read an update from the PNWD blog about elections to see the importance of deciding early.

Contact Kathy Jungels for more information on the following positions:

• Club President - Coordinate implementation of club programs/policies, preside at club and board meetings, represent club at community and OI engagements, make necessary appointments, serves on District Board.
• Vice President -  Liaison between Board, the President, and committees, serve on Board of Directors, counsel committees appointed by President, perform duties assigned by President.
• Director - Determine policies, make long/short term plans, edit and delete members, supervise club activities, activate club committees, supervise budget and provide annual audit of club books, determine causes of member loss, fill offices that become vacant during the year.
• Secretary - Appointed by President, maintains minutes of club and board meetings, handles club correspondence, prepares and files club reports, maintains membership, awards and attendance records.
• Treasurer - Appointed by President, receives and disburses all club funds, keeps financial records.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

March Birthdays and Anniversaries Celebrated

     March's evening social was hosted at Reedville Cafe, where club members celebrated the birthdays and membership anniversaries of club members.
     Anniversaries for this month included:

• Member Bruce Rumsch - 11 years
• Member Chris Ternon - 1 year
• Member John Schmerber - 1 year

     This month the club also celebrates the award of one of our very own, William French, for his receipt of the PNWD Executive Director's Excellence in Leadership Award.

PNWD Governor Larry Blackburn visits Hillsboro

     Today's meeting brought a special guest, Governor of the Pacific Northwest District, Larry Blackburn. Blackburn and his wife Florence have been visiting clubs in the district, and today was our turn!
     Blackburn expressed his excitement at the work that the Hillsboro Optimist Club does, noting our banners filled with awards. He also talked about the amazing work that other clubs are doing in the District. An Oregon Optimist club bought a derelict school and used $100,000 in funds to turn it into a community center, another club in Idaho was able to purchase land and create "Optimist Island" on a local river. The club uses it for youth events and activities.
     Blackburn then made sure everyone knew how exciting the 3rd Quarter District Meeting would be in Richland, WA. Many speakers would be present, including the Executive Director of the Optimist International Foundation.

St. Patrick’s Weekend of Volunteering a Success!

Optimist Club members showed support for their community, with volunteers at the Shamrock Run Registration Event on Friday, and then club building at the Murphy’s Furniture St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hillsboro.

  

Treasurer Chris Knight with Award for Most Irish Vehicle! (L to R): Board Member Tony Montes, Treasurer Chris Knight, Club Member Sarah Newton, Club President Monte Akers, and Club Member Neal Knight at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. (L to R): Board Member Dennis Sprague, Board Member Tony Montes, Club Member George Young, and Club Member Harold Baesler.

PNWD Meeting Offers Information

Today's guest speakers, Club Vice President Kathy Jungels and Club Treasurer Chris Knight, gave a report on the District Meeting that they attended at the end of February in Las Vegas.

Kathy, Chris, Bill and Evelyn French and Neal Knight all were in attendance on behalf of the Hillsboro Optimist Club. Classes included great ideas for the group, including how to use the Foundation 501c3 status to take donations for service projects, 'Coffee Recruitment' a guide to joining up new members, and how to recruit younger members through social media. The club members enjoyed the glamour and fun of Las Vegas, and look forward to the 2014 National meeting that will be held there as well.

"How Optimism Can Make A Better World"

     Today's program, from member Sarah J. Newton, was part of her PGI Passport Program requirements for her first Level of Completion. She was required to give a speech on "How Optimism Can Make A Better World." Here is her speech:

Sarah J. Newton at her induction
with Sponsor John Meek.

"How can a personal character trait, optimistic, make for a better world? 

Because of us.

We, as arbiters of optimism, create a better world through our actions. Optimism means nothing without the drive to achieve the dreams that we are optimistic about. Each week we meet here with the hope that our efforts will benefit children in our community. It is this yearning for something better for others that keeps us volunteering, that keeps us attending, and that keeps us striving to help in any way that we can.
And we aren’t the only ones. Optimism for a better country pushes civic leaders to do what they can to be elected so that they can better serve the needs of their communities. Optimism that we can have the brightest future for our children pushes teachers to earn the degrees required to teach them. Optimism that we are in a day and age where suffering shouldn’t be allowed pushes doctors and nurses to train for years to take care of our friends and family.
So, although optimism is an incredible trait, it is the people that use their optimistic view that make it a better world. One person at a time, our world is molded into a better place based on ideas from those that allow themselves to hope and dream, and therefore push themselves to create a better world.
I believe that we can do more for the children of Hillsboro. That’s why I joined the Hillsboro Optimist Club. So because I believe that we can do more, and offer more, I didn’t give up on the Essay Contest when we only had two essays a few weeks ago. My drive to provide something good for those youth that took initiative caused me to call every private school I had sent the applications to, e-mail every high schooler I knew, and contact every youth organization I could find. And because of that, we have four essays now, a real competition that will make them ‘feel that there is something in them’ when they win their awards and earn recognition for their hard work.
I am optimistic that we can thrive as a club, and so I’m pushing myself through the PGI program, to learn more about Optimist International, as most of you have probably already done before, making myself the ‘next generation’ if you will of the club, so that I know the steps to take to continue our work with children in this community.
And although my efforts are only those of one person, it’s the optimism of those that have come before me in the club, those that can see what a difference our work can do, that pushes me, like it pushes the rest of us, to do that little bit extra that will ultimately help the children in our community. From the carpooling to volunteering, the new relationships we forge with schools, the time we take to recruit new members, the effort we put into our programs, and the support we give each other, all of these actions are possible because we believe with our ever-present optimism that we can ‘bring out the best in kids’.
And like our optimism of a better future for children, others have dreams for a better world too, and that’s how optimism keeps us going, and making that better world."

Bowling Fundraiser a Boon for Club!

     Tammi Hilp, Secretary of the Hillsboro Optimist Club, informed the club today of the success of the Bowling Fundraiser held last week. The club raised more money than last year, a whopping $295!
     Optimist Club members and guests filled eight lanes at the Four Seasons Bowling Center, and prizes were given away to Club Vice-President Kathy Jungels, and Club Board Member Ananda Vardhana.
     Pictures from the event can be found on the club Facebook page, and any that club members might want to share should be sent to Sarah Newton for inclusion on the web-site and Facebook.