Saturday, November 24, 2012

Publish Club News on our Zone OptiNews

Calling all aspiring writers .... help combat "the best kept secret" syndrome.

For years we have been told that Optimists are the best kept secret in our community. Collectively, we annually donate more than $250,000 in funds and community service projects in Edmonton, St. Albert and Leduc and yet so few people know about us.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Q1 Zone Meeting Invitation RESCHEDULED

Hello All.

The Zone meeting originally scheduled for November 18th has run into a scheduling conflict with the Beverly Club's Crib Tournament.  Since November 25th is Grey Cup weekend and everyone is busy for December, we will reschedule acombined 1st/2nd Quarter Zone meeting for an available weekend in January 2013.  This post will be updated with the meeting dates and locations once confirmed.

Lt Gov Geoff Connor

2012-13 Scholarship Contest Topics Announced

The topics for the 2012-13 Optimist International Scholarship competitions have been announced:

Essay

"How Can I Help My Friends Realize Their Value"

Oratorical & CCDHH

"Why My Voice Is Important "

Clubs are free to run a club-level competition to select winners to move on to the applicable Zone, Regional and District level competitions. Clubs can award monetary awards of up to $500 per winner for some of those competitions.

Additional information is available at the following online information pages:


Garnering interest in Oratorical competitions has been difficult in recent years so clubs may want to consider approaching elementary schools (grades 5 & 6) to start a "Kids Speak Out" program or club.

Clubs should visit our Programs Resources web page and click on the logo for the competition that they want to host to access the latest OI information for that competition.

Monday, October 22, 2012

St. Albert Breakfast Club Launches New Website

The St. Albert Breakfast Optimist Club is pleased to announce the launch of their new website.  They invite you to visit and leave them a comment.


This website was designed and is hosted using the Weebly.com website hosting service.  Those clubs interested in the details can contact Optimist Gord for more information.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

2012-13 District Meeting Schedule

District meets on a quarterly basis to conduct business and run training workshops.  Meetings for 2012-13 are confirmed as:

Why Attend District Meetings

Three solid reasons to attend District meetings:
  1. Meet the District Team - this is your chance to meet the District Chair of the Optimist activity that you are responsible for in your club.
  2. Participate in Quality Training Workshops - the District Chairs host a series of training workshops that your club members will find valuable.  Meet with Optimists from other clubs and share ideas and suggestions.
  3. Meet the OI Representative - most District meetings include a visit from an Optimist International representative.  This is your chance to receive valuable briefings and presentations, get the scoop on new incentives, and ask those burning questions that you always wanted to ask!

Monday, October 1, 2012

2012-13 District Team Appointments

Our Governor, Nick Markowsky is pleased to announce the following appointments of Zone 5 Optimists to the 2012-13 District Team:

  • Zone 5 Lieutenant Governor - Opt Geoff Connor (Edmonton Diner & Edmonton Brailtone Gollege)
  • Governor Elect & New Club Building - Opt Glen Kreller (St. Albert)
  • Internet Safety & Essay Contest - Opt Brian Wallace (Edmonton Dinner)
  • CCDHH Contest Chair - Opt Peggy Dick (Edmonton Dinner)
Our congratulations are extended to Geoff, Glen, Brian, and Peggy and best wishes on your contributions to a very successful year.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

CCDHH Competition This Friday

The Edmonton Dinner Optimist Club will be hosting this year's District CCDHH Competition.  Everyone is invited to attend and cheer the participants on.  Here are the details from District Chair, Wyn McAra.

Hi and Good Morning to Everyone

Our Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be held at the Alberta School for the Deaf, 6240-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta on Friday, May 4th, 2012 at 1 pm (noon hour).  The presenters (speakers) will assemble at 12:30 pm to chose their speaking positions.

Please let us know if you have any presenters and their names and who might be in attendance at this contest.

Thank you so much.

YIO - Wyn McAra
District CCDHH Chair
email: keivin @ shaw . ca


Saturday, April 7, 2012

Leduc Optimists to Host Spelling Bee

The Leduc Optimist Club is planning to hold a local, oral only, Spelling Bee on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 1:00pm until 4:00pm. The location will be the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 108 at 5210 - 50 Avenue, Leduc, AB, in the auditorium / hall section.

This is a new project for the club and four Leduc elementary schools expressed interest to participate with the anticipation of two Grade 5 students from each school. Varying cash prizes will be awarded to each student in the contest and Staples Business Depot of Leduc has donated Dictionary / Thesaurus gifts for each contestant. This is meant to be an enjoyable event for the contestants and any other persons are welcome to attend. Knowing the importance of education, the club is hoping this will give students another chance to
practice their spelling skills and incentive for further goals. THANKS to the schools, teachers,
students, parents, Leduc Legion ( for donation of the room ) and Staples.

See Leduc Optimist Programs for more information on Optimist community service projects and programs in Leduc.

Edmonton Dinner Club Hosts NOW Dinner

The Edmonton Dinner Optimist Club hosted a NOW (New Optimists Wanted) Dinner on Mondaym March 26th at the Royal Fork Restaurant.  About 36 members and guests attended. Guests included potential new members, Leduc and St. Albert Optimist members. President Wyn opened the meeting and Optimist Reva sang grace which was well received. We all enjoyed the buffet provided by the Royal Fork.

Pres-Elec Peggy was our MC and she gave an overview of Optimists. VP Warren and Past Pres Brian gave a power point presentation on our club. The presentation outlined both Optimist International programs and our clubs past activities and fund raising.

Lacy Hoyland was our guest speaker and she outlined the Child Seat Loaner Program and the benefits received from the Optimists. Past Pres Clint spoke on the Lunch program at St Catherine's School. Opt Peggy summarized a few other Optimist programs including the Juvenile Curling, she invited everyone look at some of the past year scrapbooks and then returned control of the meeting to Pres Wyn.

Prescient Wyn thanked everyone and invited our guests to join the club. We had our 50/50 draw, door prizes and recited The Optimist Creed, concluding the meeting.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Invitiation to 3rd Quarter Zone Meeting

Hello Everyone -- The 3rd Quarter Zone Meeting will be held on April 14th, 2012 starting at 11 AM (new starting time), hosted by the Edmonton Beverly Optimist Club.  The meeting will be held at the Maple Leaf Club located on 12133 67 Street NW in Edmonton.  A light snack will be provided.  This is an important meeting as we will be electing the incoming Lieutenant Governor for 2012-13.  The Zone Oratorical Speak-off will follow the meeting.

Presidents, please bring other members from your club and if you can't make it yourself, please send a representative and a report from your club will be asked for on the agenda

Please RSVP your number of attendees to Keivin using the comments below, or by email; or landline 780-483-9482 a.s.a.p.

Yours in Optimism,

Peggy Dick, LG Zone 5

Sunday, January 15, 2012

An Optimist Evening



Hello Fellow Optimists!


The Optimist Club of Blackfalds has the pleasure of a visit from OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT, DANNY RODGERS! 


We are throwing a party in his favor and we would love for you and your club members to attend! He is giving a speech to inspire and rejuvenate our members. Please see the attached invite and let me know ASAP if you would like tickets. Our venue, in Red Deer, only holds 100 people so act fast so you don’t miss out. Also, please forward this on to all of your club members.


Let’s show Danny what a wonderful District we are!


Edie McInnes
Optimist Club of Blackfalds

Saturday, January 14, 2012

2nd Quarter Zone meeting Invitation

Hello Everyone -- This is your call to attend the 2nd Quarter Zone meeting, which is being held on Sunday Afternoon January 29th at Britannia Youngstown Community Hall 15927 - 105th Ave. Doors will be open at 1P, the meeting starts promptly at 2P and we expect it to be over by 4P. Coffee, cake, muffins/cookies will be served. There will be door prizes and a 50/50 draw. Hopefully the Ladies from the Stollery Childrens Hospital will be on hand.

Presidents, please bring other members from your club and if you can't make it yourself, please send a representative and a report from your club will be asked for on the agenda

Please RSVP your number of attendees to Keivin using the comments below, or by email; or landline 780-483-9482 a.s.a.p.

Yours in Optimism,

Peggy Dick, LG Zone 5

Northern Alberta Playdowns - Optimist Juvenile Curling

The Northern Alberta Playdowns for the U18 Optimist International Juvenile Curling are being held in Edmonton from Friday to Sunday, January 20th - 22nd.

All local Optimist members are welcome to attend and enjoy some fantastic curling from the youth teams representing their home communities throughout Northern Alberta.

The Playdowns will be held at the Avonair Curling Club, 106 Street and Prince Elizabeth Avenue (across from NAIT).

Each club is asked to loan their club banner to be displayed during the weekend.  Please contact LG Peggy Dick for additional details and to see how you can get involved.