Meeting Minutes – September 3, 2025
The Optimist Club of Gettysburg met on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 6 PM at 56 Winding Drive, Deatrick Village Community Center, Gettysburg. We had 15 members, 2 prospective members and 2 guest speakers in attendance. Sam Isenberger and Dan Mattern were our food committee and demonstrated their culinary talent with a great dinner enjoyed by everyone. Brent offered our invocation.
Business Meeting:
1. Secretary’s Report: Approved.
2. Treasure’s report:
a. General Account
b. Activities Account
c. 2025-2026 Budget Approved
3. President’s Report: Lyne introduced guest speaker Beth Becker representing the “Dolly Parton Imagination Library” and Miranda Wiser, Executive Director of the Adams County Library. Beth gave us some background on the “Dolly Parton Foundation” and it’s 30 years in existence as well as it being worldwide. Currently the program is available in the Littlestown School District and by partnering with the AC Library the program will be available in the entire Adams County area. Children from 0 to 5 receive a free book monthly. The local cost per child is $31 a year and the “DPIL” covers the additional cost plus mailing the books monthly. For more detailed information google “imaginationlibrary.com”.
We thank Beth and Miranda for their information on this great children’s literacy program.
4. Wayne recognized Miranda Wiser and Erica Duffy as prospective Optimist Members.
5. The Board of Directors met on Wednesday August 27. The majority of discussion centered around our new Bingo Fundraiser.
Old Business
6. Optimist Basketball (Chair Brian Skidmore)
a. Brian is planning with the school for the use of the gym for January and February.
7. Little League Baseball (Chair Al Parone)
8. Respect for Law (Chair Doug Miller)
9. Adams County Foundation Giving Spree (Chair Joe MacDowell)
a. Giving Spree 11/6/2025 – Drop it off (Optimist Club of Gettysburg #85) for details go to “ACCFGivingSpree.org”
10. Education (Chair Lyne Aurand)
a. Discussions were held to replace Reading is Fundamental with Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
11. Golf Tournament (Chair Daryl Aurand & Dan Mattern)
12. The Warrior Way ( Chair Brent Smith)
13.Bingo Fundraiser (Chair Wayne Hill)
a. Wayne reported that our next Bingo Fundraiser will be on Friday September 5.
b. The Bingo Committee met with Wayne prior to our 9/5 Bingo Fundraiser to discuss signage and a marketing plan.
c. We decided to hold our final 2025 Bingo Fundraiser on Friday, October 10th. Look for the signup sheet soon.
New Business
1. Importance of new membership discussed. A plus 3 new members qualifies a club for “Honor Club”.
Upcoming Dates:
● 9/17 Optimist Social location TBD
● 10/1 Officer Installation Banquet Mansion House in Fairfield, 6:00 PM
● 10/10 Bingo at Granite Hill Campground, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
● 10/15 Optimist Social and BOD calendar/planning, location TBD
● 11/5 Optimist Meeting at Deatrick Village Community Center, 6:00 PM
● 12/9 Optimist Family Christmas Party at Gettysburg Fire Hall, 6:00 PM
● 12/18 Salvation Army Bell Ringing, signup sheet to follow
● 1/7/26 Optimist Meeting, 6:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted, Daryl Aurand, Secretary
