DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry...

10
1 DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017 2017-2018 Officers DMM Governor Kevin Hammell DMM Secretary/Treas. Bill Reilly Internaonal President H. Nick Prillaman, Jr. Great Plains Region VP Roger Lesofski DMM Governor Elect Dave Marn DMM Immediate Past Governor Terry Gorman What you’ll find in this issue…. 1st Qtr @ Jamestown .................. page 3 Afghan Raffle [CCOF] ................... page 6 CCC .............................................. page 6 CCDHH ....................................... page 10 Club Anniversaries ....................... page 4 Club Fitness ................................. page 8 Club News ................................... page 4 DMM Matchmaking .................... page 6 DMM/OI Gatherings .................... page 3 Growth / Membership................. page 5 Joint Zone 6 & 7 Mtg .................... page 8 Kevin’s Korner .............................. page 1 Mission, Value, Purposes ............. page 4 OIF................................................ page 7 Opmist Creed ............................. page 2 Oratorical Contest ........................ page 3 PGI & PDP..................................... page 5 Roger L Haas Award Winner! ....... page 3 Strategic Planning ........................ page 9 Thanks to you! ............................. page 9 Vermillion Round-up!................... page 6 Wring a Press Release ................ page 7 Kevin’s Korner We are just starng the second month of the Opmist year and things are going well. The first quarter conference in Jamestown, ND was great. Russ Thomas, the Opmist Internaonal Cerfied Trainer, kicked off our Opmist Strong Conference with a fun team building acvity called the Marshmallow Challenge. We also had people share ideas on making our Opmist get-togethers more fun and opmisc and people shared what impact being an Opmist has made in their life or what experience made a big impression in their life as an Opmist. We not only impact the children in our communies, but we also greatly impact each other when we share our stories, our experiences and our friendships we each other. During this year we will be using more technology to communicate with each other, to learn and to extend our reach into our communies. However, nothing beats the feel- ing of accomplishment we get when we work side by side helping each other and the people and children in our cies and towns. We bring out the best in our children, our communies and ourselves. In his book, “Lead with a Story”, Paul Smith tells this: Once there was a wise, elderly man who spent his days just outside his village sing under a shady tree where he would think. One day, a traveler came up to him and said, “Old man, I have traveled far. I have seen man things and met many people. Can you tell me if I go into this village, what kind of people will I meet there?” Cont’d page 2 Opmist Strong— Be the Difference! H. Nick Prillaman, Jr.

Transcript of DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry...

Page 1: DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the ismarck lub this past year. He has done a phenomenal job

1

DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017

2017-2018 Officers

DMM Governor Kevin Hammell

DMM Secretary/Treas.

Bill Reilly

International President H. Nick Prillaman, Jr.

Great Plains Region VP

Roger Lesofski

DMM Governor Elect Dave Martin

DMM Immediate

Past Governor Terry Gorman

What you’ll find in this issue…. 1st Qtr @ Jamestown .................. page 3 Afghan Raffle [CCOF] ................... page 6 CCC .............................................. page 6 CCDHH ....................................... page 10 Club Anniversaries ....................... page 4 Club Fitness ................................. page 8 Club News ................................... page 4 DMM Matchmaking .................... page 6 DMM/OI Gatherings .................... page 3 Growth / Membership................. page 5

Joint Zone 6 & 7 Mtg .................... page 8 Kevin’s Korner .............................. page 1 Mission, Value, Purposes ............. page 4 OIF................................................ page 7 Optimist Creed ............................. page 2 Oratorical Contest ........................ page 3 PGI & PDP..................................... page 5 Roger L Haas Award Winner! ....... page 3 Strategic Planning ........................ page 9 Thanks to you! ............................. page 9 Vermillion Round-up! ................... page 6 Writing a Press Release ................ page 7

Kevin’s Korner

We are just starting the second month of the Optimist year and things are going well. The first quarter conference in Jamestown, ND was great. Russ Thomas, the Optimist International Certified Trainer, kicked off our Optimist Strong Conference with a fun team building activity called the Marshmallow Challenge. We also had people share ideas on making our Optimist get-togethers

more fun and optimistic and people shared what impact being an Optimist has made in their life or what experience made a big impression in their life as an Optimist.

We not only impact the children in our communities, but we also greatly impact each other when we share our stories, our experiences and our friendships we each other. During this year we will be using more technology to communicate with each other, to learn and to extend our reach into our communities. However, nothing beats the feel-ing of accomplishment we get when we work side by side helping each other and the people and children in our cities and towns. We bring out the best in our children, our communities and ourselves.

In his book, “Lead with a Story”, Paul Smith tells this: Once there was a wise, elderly man who spent his days just outside his village sitting under a shady tree where he would think. One day, a traveler came up to him and said, “Old man, I have traveled far. I have seen man things and met many people. Can you tell me if I go into this village, what kind of people will I meet there?” Cont’d page 2

Optimist Strong—Be the Difference!

H. Nick Prillaman, Jr.

Page 2: DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the ismarck lub this past year. He has done a phenomenal job

2

DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017

The Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can dis-turb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and pros-perity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of every-thing 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 achieve-ments of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living crea-ture you meet a smile. To give so much time to the im-provement 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.

Editor: Curt Sandberg THANKS to everyone that submitted articles for this newsletter. For those who wish to submit articles for future issues, please email them to me at [email protected] by the 27th of each month. Thank you!

The wise man replied, “Yes, I’d be happy to tell you. But first, tell me what kind of people you’ve met in your travels so far.”

The traveler responded, “Oh, you wouldn’t believe it. I have met the most awful people! People who are selfish and unkind to strangers. People who don’t car for themselves or one another. I’ve met foolish young people I could learn nothing from, and old people whose lack of hope depresses eve-ryone they meet.”

As the traveler spoke, a look of sadness grew in the wise man’s eyes as he nodded in a knowing way. “Yes,” he said “I believe I know exactly the kind of people you speak of. And I’m sorry to tell you, but if you go into my village, I’m afraid that’s exactly the kind of people you will meet.

“I knew it!” the traveler scoffed. “It’s always the same.” He kicked the dirt under his feet and stormed off down the road, without ever bothering to stop in the village. A few hours later, another traveler came upon the wise man. “Kind sir,” he said, “I have traveled far. I have seen many things and met many people. Can you tell me, if I go into this village, what kind of people will I meet there?”

The wise man replied, “Yes, I’d be happy to tell you. But first, tell me what kind of people you’ve met in your travels so far.”

The traveler responded, “Oh, you wouldn’t believe it. I have met the most amazing people! People who are kind and generous to strangers; people who care for one another like family. I’ve met young people with a wisdom be-yond their years, and I’ve met older people with a youthful passion for life that brings joy to everyone they meet. And I have learned much form all of them.”

As the traveler spoke, the wise man smiled brightly as he nodded in a know-ing way. “Yes,” he said. “I believe I know exactly the kind of people you speak of. And I’m happy to tell you, if you go into my village, I’m certain that’s ex-actly the kind of people you will meet.”

“Come then,” said the traveler, “and introduce me to them.”

The point of the story is that what we see in people is what we expect to find. So, go out and make all your friends feel that there is something in them. Be Optimist Strong in your clubs and communities. Be the Difference you want to see in the world and Be a Leader by showing others what Optimists and optimism can do for them. Kevin Hammell, Governor

Kevin’s Korner (Continued from page 1)

Page 3: DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the ismarck lub this past year. He has done a phenomenal job

3

DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017

DMM / OI Gatherings

SAVE the DATES for 2017-18 2nd Qtr Conf Call 7PM CST, Sun., February 11, 2018 Phone #: TBA 3rd Qtr DMM Gathering Scholarship Contests! April 27-28, 2018 Ramkota Hotel Watertown, SD 605-886-8011 100th OI Convention July 7-10, 2018 Ottawa, Ontario 4th Quarter DMM Conv. August 2-4, 2018 Rochester, MN

2017-2018 District Oratorical Contest

All levels of the Oratorical Contest are Combined Gender Contests

Date Zone Winners to be submitted: Saturday , April 21, 2018 Date of District Contest: Friday and Saturday, April 27 & 28, 2018

Contestant Entry Fee to District $100 per contestant

Location of District Contest: Watertown, South Dakota at 3rd Quarter District Meeting Regional and World Competition: Friday and Saturday, June 28 and 29, to be held in St Louis

The title of the Oratorical talk is: “Where Are My Roots of Optimism”

Club Chairs, you want the: Club Planning Guide – Download at http://optimist.org Scholarship Contest Club Planning Guide

Lt. Governors Same drop down box but District Planning Guide

For questions contact: Dave Nichols: 612-209-2656 or [email protected]

1st Qtr @ Jamestown This brief report from a DMM leader that was in attendance. It was a great meeting - terrific moti-vational sessions and collaborative thinking exercise by the OI rep, Rus-sell Thomas - a very engaging, enthu-siast guy. We had 64 members from 28 clubs and 6 really good 1st timers. Check out the videos: http://www.optimist-dmm.org/district-meetings/ Members voted to hold the 2019 Convention in Grand Forks on Friday and Saturday, August 9 & 10, 2019.

Roger L Haas Award Winner: Jerry R Haas

It was my great pleasure to present to Jerry R. Haas from the Bismarck, ND Club the DMM Roger L. Hass Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the Bismarck Club this past year. He has done a phenomenal job as president and brought in eight new members this year himself. Jerry has a wonderful attitude and looks for ways to make things happen in the club and the community. He took the lead and started a new “Pay it Forward” Campaign gift wrapping fundraiser. This fundraiser alone helped the club bring in an additional $5,000.

Jerry also helped initiate a new event, the club’s Easter Egg Hunt that he had heard about at a DMM meeting. He helped increase community participation in the club’s Avenue of Flags and another new event the Capital A’ Fair.

Jerry continues to lead by example, helping others to share in the success and

(Continued on page 10)

Page 4: DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the ismarck lub this past year. He has done a phenomenal job

4

DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017

Club Anniversaries During November November 27, 2006 Deadwood Lead November 20, 2008 Brandon Valley November 13, 2014 St Paul East Side

Mission, Vision & Purposes

Mission: By providing hope and pos-itive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.

Vision: Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential.

Purposes: To develop optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed; to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for the law; to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people; to aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of human-kind, community life and the world.

Club News from club bulletins

WATERTOWN — Watertown Middle School thanked the club for sponsor-ing the “Back To School” dance, 7th Grade Students of the Month, the Essay Contest and donations. Do you have a Herberger’s in your town? Do you connect with them to raise funds by selling their coupon books? If not, contact Watertown and learn all about it. PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE — has a mem-ber who keeps all club documents archived on a Google docs website. Think about this for maintaining your club’s records and history. ROCHESTER — celebrated their 40th Anniversary with a Trolley Ride through town followed by a dinner at Fat Willy’s. Why travel to New Eng-land to see the fall colors when SE Minnesota has many outstanding viewing areas? For your 2018 fall leaf viewing plans contact the Rochester club that obtained a list from a prior Outdoors writer for the Post Bulletin. NORTHWEST SUBURBAN — reported two excellent speakers that your club might consider. The Jeremiah Pro-gram is a nationwide program begun in Iowa that helps families transition from poverty to prosperity two gen-erations at a time. A physician spoke to them about the critical situation faced by most of us in the US by the current health care-insurance system. RICHFIELD — knows about selling Herberger coupon books, too! They presented a new member with his

very own Optimist shirt with his name embroidered on it — talk about a welcome! They plan to raise funds with an $8 pasta and salad dinner held at a local church. SOUTH WINNIPEG — has raised mon-ey by partnering with grocery stores to do BBQ’s at high traffic events this summer. WORTHINGTON — was thanked for their sponsorship of kids events dur-ing King Turkey Days and are planning their Tri-Star Volleyball youth project. BROOKINGS — is encouraging mem-bers to notify any and all youth they know what the Essay, Oratorical, and CCDHH topics are for 2018. The are also very busy with their annual con-cession stand fundraiser. DEVILS LAKE — will be reading to kids at St Joseph’s School one morning a week, are promoting OI Scholarship Contests for 2018, will continue their teen of the quarter award to a 13-19 year old, and have started planning next year’s golf tournament fundrais-er. They have also been able to rec-ord short segments of club info to have replayed on the local radio sta-tion during a ‘coffee time’ segment. SIOUX VALLEY — poverty and child nutrition are wide spread issues to-day. SVOC has teamed up with The Barrell House Hungry Hearts organi-zation to reduce student lunch debt within the school district. Is this something your club could get started with local tie-ins? This club makes extensive use of an active committee structure. If you need ideas on how to make this work in your club, why not contact them? Do you want to view a robust club website? Check out : https://siouxvalleyoptimist.com/

(Continued on page 10)

Page 5: DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the ismarck lub this past year. He has done a phenomenal job

5

DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017

Growth / Membership I love this time of year! Sunshiny days, crisp nights and sometimes – WIND! As I travel down the winding road to my home I always marvel at the beauty of the trees. The many varieties and colors. They point out to me the diversity and how clustered to-gether they create such beauty and protection for their surroundings. Our clubs are much like these trees. We consist of so many different backgrounds, ideas and needs, but we serve the same purpose – reaching out to help the needs of the youth in our communities – bring them hope of a better future through OUR actions. During this Fall season, many clubs are cleaning up their rosters, allowing the wind to drop those wilting leaves. But let’s not lose sight of the need for the resting roots that will need the nourishment to produce good strong growth again. Spread the fertilizer feed NOW to see the majesty of the future. The children of your communities will thank you! Starting out the new Optimist year, we’ve added 14 new members in 8 clubs. Thank you to those clubs and present members that have shared Optimism with their friends and invited them to be a part of THE best service organization. Their membership equates to impacting 462 youth. What is your club’s goal for this Optimist Year? Gita Hendricks — DMM Growth Chair

PGI and PDP The PGI (Personal Growth & Involvement) program provides participating members personal responsibility for involvement in the club’s activities. Members have their accomplishments for each of the 10 levels certified in a passport. The program recog-nizes club members for accomplishments. When a level is completed, please forward a copy of the PGI Recognition Form to [email protected] so that I can present the appropriate pin backing at the next DMM conference or convention. Any-one completing Level 7 of the PGI will be presented with a certificate as well as the Gold back for the Optimist pin. If you want assistance in reaching Level 7, please read the DMM Matchmaking article [pg x]. The PDP (Professional Development Program) promotes professional growth by focusing on marketable skills. This program began October 1, 2016. The PGI and PDP programs operate independently. You may complete activities that were done on or after October 1, 2016 in the first 10 levels of PDP in any order. When you achieve the first 10 levels you will be recognized with a Certificate of Completion of the Optimist Professional Development Program. There are three advanced levels of PDP; do not start those until you have completed the first 10 levels. If you have already started PGI, please finish that program. Reaching level 10 of the PGI is a great accomplishment! If you have not started PGI, it is recommended you start with PDP. The PDP form is available at www.optimist.org. Cheryl Bergstrom, DMM Director of Personal Growth [email protected]

Page 6: DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the ismarck lub this past year. He has done a phenomenal job

6

DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017

DMM Matchmaking Are you seeking that “special someone” who can fulfill your dream to complete PGI (Personal Growth & In-volvement) Level 10? Are you ready to make a commit-ment to reach PGI Level 7? If you need to assist some-one else to achieve their PGI Level 7 (the Communica-tion requirement in PGI Level 10) or want a mentor to help you complete PGI Level 7, please email me at [email protected] and include PGI Match in the subject line. If you would like a mentor, please indicate which requirements you are find-ing most challenging. Many members are challenged by the Communication requirement in PGI Level 7 (writing an article for The Optimist magazine). If you want to be a mentor, please mention any work or volunteer experience that may be helpful to make a match. PGI mentor/mentee matching will help DMM be Optimist Strong! Cheryl Bergstrom [email protected] Personal Development Chair a.k.a. Matchmaker to the DMM PGI Stars

Optimists - here’s your opportunity to win THE limited edition Optimist International afghan pictured above. Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. Pro-ceeds go to the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation. The draw will be made at the DMM convention in Rochester next August. You don’t have to present to win. Purchase your ticket at a future DMM confer-ence or by contacting Jo-Anne Pelzer [email protected] to purchase your ticket through the mail. Manitoba is off to a great start. We have 12 Dime a Day members, 2 Cen-tury Circles and with 1st Quarter fundraising, our October total is $634.50. Jo-Anne Pelzer [email protected] DMM CCOF Chair

Thanks to the Bis-marck Optimist Club for getting this year’s DMM Childhood Can-cer Campaign effort off to a great start with their $1,000 donation at the 1st Qtr Gathering in Jame-stown. I’ll be looking for checks from many more clubs during the 3rd Qtr Gathering in Watertown.

Be creative with your efforts to sup-port this Optimist wide initiative within your individual clubs. Please contact me if you need any help or ideas that I can share with you from other clubs.

Jack Dyvig, DMM CCC Chair [email protected]

The Vermillion Optimist Club had a interesting fundraiser with HyVee called Round-up! Customers go through and they can round-up their grocery bill to the nearest dollar and we do the sacking or bagging for them. We worked Tuesday - Friday from 4 pm - 7 pm with 3-5 Optimists each night. We netted $377 doing this! This also gave us a chance to promote our club and handout some information as we went along. Dennis Steffen [email protected]

Page 7: DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the ismarck lub this past year. He has done a phenomenal job

7

DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017

The PDP in Action - Taking the First Steps DMM Personal Development Chair Cheryl Bergstrom presented "The PDP in Action - Taking the First Steps" on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the 1st quarter meeting in Jame-stown. Participants achieved credit for several activities in the PDP (Professional Development Program). Learning how to write a press release is the Level 1 Marketing activity. After you read the following, let your Club Pres-ident, Secretary-Treasurer, or PDP Chair know and ask to have that activity certified. How to Write a Press Release

A press release should answer the following questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How? Your lead or first sentence should be a concise summary of the subject of the press release. Keep the most important information in the first paragraphs. Editors usually eliminate the last paragraphs

first when there is not enough space for the entire press release. Use action verbs. Consider interviewing someone to include a quotation in the press release. Use bold font for your title. Put your contact information on the press release.

Optimist International includes several fill-in-the-blank press releases on the website. Look at the scholarship programs for lists of press releases. For more information about writing press releases, see www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Press-Release Cheryl Bergstrom, Personal Development Chair [email protected]

Thanks to the clubs and members that contributed towards OIF at our 1st Qtr Gathering in Jamestown where we raised $2,179.50. Dime-A-Day sign ups totaled 23.

I would encourage all clubs to promote Dime-A-Day to their members. I’m also asking all clubs to seriously consider giving at least $365 to qualify for a patch for your club banner. I am selling raffle tickets for an Echo Plus as a fundraiser, tickets are 1 for $2.00, 3 for $5.00 or 7 for $10.00. During our 3rd Quarter Gathering in Watertown next April the OIF silent auction will have a "Family Fun" theme; examples: outdoor games, car games, movie night, etc. Carmen Bakken [email protected] DMM OIF Representative

Page 8: DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the ismarck lub this past year. He has done a phenomenal job

8

DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017

Club Fitness Tips

November Priority Goals: retention and program view

Goal No. 1 – Retention. It's a lot easier to retain

current members than to recruit new ones to take their place. History tells us that a typical club will lose 10-20% of it's members each year. Wow, let's cut that in half at least. Hopefully all dues statements have been sent out — with a short Thank You for helping us “Bring Out the Best in Kids” statement that tells how many kids your club impacted this past year – and thanking them for helping to make all that possible. Then ask them to please renew their membership and support the club's goals. Then – follow up after one month if they haven't paid their dues with another statement or better yet – a phone call. If the member says they just can't get to meetings (remind they aren't expected to attend them all) and think they will just drop out – then ask for their continued support by becoming a Friend of Optimist. Our club just saved four members by doing just that. It works! And if they must drop -death or moving are best reasons – then try to replace that member as soon as possible. Don't let those drops add up and dig you a big hole!

Goal No. 2 – Program review. As you plan your activities / projects / fund-

raisers for the year, take a serious look at each one and ask – are the results what we want and expect? Is it too costly or time consuming? Is it still fresh and exciting, or is it fading? Is there another project that would be more worthwhile? Look at alternatives. Study the pros and cons. Look at what your community needs – and if your club could fill that need. Are your members willing and able to support that need fully? If all systems look good – then tackle it full speed ahead. And if you need a little more help, find some new folks who would be willing to join “the best club in town” Remember my No. 1 rule – always plan ahead and follow through – and best of luck! Dave Martin [email protected] DMM Club Fitness Advisor and Governor-Elect

Joint Zone 6 & 7 Meeting Lt Governors Dennis Steffen and Sally Damm have organized a joint Zone Meeting in Madison, SD on Sunday afternoon, November 4. These two zones represent eleven clubs within the DMM all located in the SE por-tion of South Dakota.

SOME bullet points extracted from the agenda include: NOW (New Optimists Welcome Zone NOW Event New Clubs Coffee Recruitment Program Membership Applications Club Reports and Applications Tracking Forms Scholarship Contest Forms and

Rule Pads Optimist International Profes-

sional Development Program (PDP)

CLUB ROSTER ADJUSTMENTS MEMBER INTEREST FINDER MEMBER’S RECORD REQUEST FOR MEMBERSHIP

SPONSOR AWARDS In Honor of Your Service to Our Country

NOW The Report Form YEARS OF SERVICE Certificate New Promotional Resources Your Membership opening doors

DMM Strategic Planning will be ad-dressed by incoming Gov Dave Mar-tin.

Two thought provoking questions will also be discussed: Why become active in the Dis-

trict? Why become active in the Inter-

national Foundation?

Page 9: DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the ismarck lub this past year. He has done a phenomenal job

9

Find the DMM on Facebook! Just search “Optimistdmm” and click the “Like” button. https://www.facebook.com/optimistdmm

IMPORTANT CORRECTION! A call to OI has revealed that Friend of Optimist memberships paid for via plastic, i.e. credit or debit cards, can NOT opt for automatic renewal! If that appears on Friend of Opti-mist applications you have in your possession, please cross off that option at the bottom of the form.

DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017

Strategic Planning Action

Member input provides guidance for Steering Committee Optimist members had another opportunity to express their views on a variety of issues during the Steering Committee meeting in Jamestown, just prior to the 1st Quarter Board Meeting Oct. 20. Those comments are helping to guide District leaders to implement changes and/or tweaking ways in governing the district. After asking members to list 10 reasons why attendance at DMM meetings has been declining, 10 ways to increase attendance, and 4 reasons why a 1st Quarter Board meeting is need-ed, their answers provided several ways to make improvements in each area. Examples of those changes are: Open conventions with a kick-off event on Thursday evening Have Board of Directors meeting hopefully via conference call earlier in

the week Keep the Governor's Banquet/Installation on Saturday night rather than

move to Sunday noon Provide more member learning and sharing opportunities Make the convention more fun and exciting Use technology for more district and club training sessions Use 1st Quarter meeting for the new Optimist year motivational kick-off District leaders are committed to implementing all of those recommenda-tions as soon as possible. The members also voted to award the 2019 con-vention to Grand Forks, which is closer to the center of the district. The Steering Committee will also start working on ways to potentially realign some zones. Stay tuned for more tweaks and changes – all aimed at creating more effi-ciencies and more meaningful experiences for district members. Dave Martin [email protected] Strategic Planning Chair and Governor-Elect

Thanks to you! I would like to thank everyone in the DMM District for being a valued and integral member of the DMM 2016-2017 district and your club. Your hard work, dedication, volun-teering of your talents and time to promote, and live the Optimist Creed has again made the DMM District one of the leading districts of the Op-timist International organization. Again, Thank You! for all you have done and will continue to do for Op-timists across the District, to Bring Out the Best in Youth, Our Communi-ties and Ourselves.

One more time. I’ll give you a;

, , ! What does it spell? Dakotas Manitoba Minnesota; the best District in Optimist Interna-tional Terry Gorman 2016-2017 Governor

Page 10: DMM District Dispatch - Optimist-DMM · 2017. 11. 1. · Memorial Optimist of the Year Award. Jerry was the President of the ismarck lub this past year. He has done a phenomenal job

10

The GO TO place for DMM info: www.optimist-dmm.org

CCDHH Scholarship Contest!

The school year has kicked off and it is a great time to reach out to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in your commu-nity!!

2017-2018 Topic is: “Where are My Roots of Optimism?”

The contest is open to young people through grade 12 in the United States and Canada. Students must submit the results of an audiogram completed no longer than 24 months prior to the date of the contest by a qualified audiologist. Students must be certified to have an uncorrected hearing loss of 40 decibels or more, which must be supported by the audiogram in order to be eligible to compete. Students with permanent correction should compete in the Optimist International Oratorical contest.

The district contest will be held at the 3rd Qtr meeting in Watertown, April 27-28th, 2018. Entry fee is $75 per contestant. All meals, lodging and travel expenses are

the responsibility of the sponsoring club. Deadline for entry to district contest is April 1st. For additional details, including handouts and official rules, use this link:

http://optimist.org/member/scholarships2.cfm

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I am looking forward to a phenomenal contest!

Lori Cook DMM CCDHH Chair [email protected] 651-261-4312

GRAND FORKS — completed their fall Safety on Wheels project and is now planning a bowling event in ear-ly December to benefit Safe Kids. VERMILLION — promoted their club at United Way’s Evening of Engage-ment and will hand out TLC Toys at the Christmas Stand Still Parade of Lights in late November. WEST ST PAUL — is holding a brain-storming meeting Nov 1 to come up with a project to complete during November or December. REMINDER — did your club remem-ber to change the signers on your bank account/s with the officer change over?

Please send your club’s newsletter

to [email protected] to have

your club’s activities listed in up-

coming issues of the DMM Dispatch.

Club News (Continued from page 4)

DMM District Dispatch Issue 17.18.02 November 2017

Brings Out the Best in Youth, the Community and Ourselves.

Jerry truly displays the Optimist Creed saying of “To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.” He looks for the positive in people and helps to make them realize what they are capable of doing.

Jerry, we all want to Thank You for all you have done, and will do, to make the Bismarck Club and the DMM the very best in Optimist International.

Terry K. Gorman , 2016-2017 Governor Here is a link to the presentation on the DMM web site https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_qoeigRako&list=PLpCb4fB8CXZ3byp6gi5jwlLl9FWslO7-u&index=2

Roger L Haas Award Winner: Jerry R Haas (Continued from page 3)