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.

St. Albert Optimist Club 30th Anniversary

The hard working Optimists from the St. Albert Optimist Club are celebrating their 30th anniversary with a special dinner.  Everyone is invited to attend:

Date:  November 26th at 6 PM

Location:  Eagles hall, 23 Rowland Crescent in Riel Park in St. Albert

Cost:  $25 / person

Join them for a turkey dinner and good fellowship.

RSVP to Glen Kreller - Contact Glen

2011-12 Scholarship Topics Announced

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

Essay

"How my Positive Outlook Benefits my Community"

Oratorical & CCDHH

"How my Optimism Helps me Overcome Obstacles"

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

There are club level planning guides available for each competition:

• Club Program Planning Guide - 2011-12 Essay Competition
• Club Program Planning Guide - 2011-12 Oratorical Competition
• Club Program Planning Guide - 2011-12 CCDHH Competition

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.

The following online resources are available:

• Essay Contest (link for schools & participants) ~ Resources for Clubs
• Public Speaking Contest (link for schools & participants) ~ Resources for Clubs
• CCDHH Contest (link for schools & participants) ~ Resources for Clubs

Giving 100% ... and then some

Meet our new OI President, Jack Creswell as he explains our mission for the coming year.