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:

Essay Competition  ~  Oratorical (Public Speaking) Competition
Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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.

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.

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:

• Saskatoon, SK, 26-27 October 2012
• High River, AB, 1-2 February 2013
• Billings, MT, 17-18 may 2013 (not confirmed)
• Great Falls, MT, 22-23 August 2013

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!

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.