Optimist Meeting Minutes 7/16/14

 

Guest: Nancy from Meals and More spoke very passionately about this wonderful summer program.   Meals and More has been helping children for the last 11 years.  They seek to help children who are most in need.  Many of the children have ties with the Homeless Shelter, Survivors Shelter, Soup Kitchen or Agape House.  The program accepts 20 students per summer and there are 5 children on the waiting list.  Their current ages are 5-10.  On Monday-Friday, from 10a-2pm the youth come to the Prince of Peace Episcopal Church.   Two meals are provided, along with various enrichment activities to support the children physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Each summer there is a theme and this year the six instructors are teaching the youth about Russia.  The Optimist Club presented Nancy with a $2100 donation to help Meals and More continue their service to our community.

 

President Report: Elections will take place next meeting.  Please consider serving as a club officer.  Strong leadership is essential to the continued success of this organization.

 

Secretary Report: The A&A report has been submitted.  Thank-you notes have all gone out for the golf tournament sponsors.

 

Treasurer Report: Tom is working on the proposed budget for next year.  There are several options on the table to help the club remain fiscally responsible with our general funds.  The need for additional funds has arisen in part due to the increased cost for meals.  Some considerations to accommodate for the increase in our budget include: having members and guests pay $25 for the Installation Banquet and Holiday Party, have the payment of dues correspond with our October-September fiscal year instead of our current January-December payment schedule, lower dues and then members would pay for their own meal at the meetings they attend, or keep current rate for dues and members that attend a meeting would contribute $5 towards their meal.  Tom will bring some numbers to an upcoming meeting for the club to decide the best avenue for meeting our expenses.

 

Soccer Parking: The parking for the upcoming Soccer Tournament will be on Sat. and Sun. August 23rd and 24th.  Don would like two 1-2 more people for the Sat. afternoon slot.  Please contact Don if you can help.

 

Public Relations: Marci designed business cards for members to carry and dispense to potential members, sponsors, or to post at local establishments.  Extra cards will be available at the next meeting.

 

Upcoming Events:

Business Meeting and Elections: Wednesday, August 6th at 6:30pm at the Lake Heritage Pavilion.  (Kris and Mindy will provide the meal)

4th Quarter Zone Meeting/Pig Roast: Wednesday, August 20th at 6:30pm at the Lake Heritage Pavilion.

Wayne Hill-a-Palooza (social event and trivia night): Wednesday, September 3rd at 6:30pm at the Hill’s home.

End of Summer Steak Night: Wednesday, September 17th at 6:30pm (location TBD).

 

Member Kudos:  Apparently Optimism runs in the family!  Bruce Bradshaw’s granddaughter, Mia Defalco, was presented the award for “Most Optimistic” at her pre-school graduation ceremony.  Way to go Mia!