Collector's Edition #6, Year 2 March 2001
Message From the President
I wish to draw everyone's attention and focus to our next three meetings:
1. NOW Breakfast, Saturday, March 31 -Enclosed with this Oak Line you will find an insert handout that outlines a background of our club and Optimism. Please read this pamphlet and more importantly give it to a friend. Someone you know who could benefit by joining our club. Invite them to this breakfast and help build our club. Membership applications are also enclosed.
2. REUNION night - Who let the old guys out? Many former members will be attending dinner at Thames Valley at 6:30 pm. But, you don't have to be a veteran to attend! All members are welcome and especially recent members. Come out and show your optimism to the 'old' guys and share a promising fun evening of fellowship. Mark it on your calendar and be there!
3. ELECTIONS night, April - Past-President Rick and his committee are organizing the evening. Rumour has it that the Pope is running a card tourney. Nominations will be accepted that night for all Board positions. The committee has also worked to obtain a slate of nominees but all club members are encouraged to seek election to the position of their choice. Come out and exercise your franchise. Your Board is what you make it.
Let's make these three fun events. It takes you to be there to make that happen.
Jim Easton
YES MEANS YES!
When your Call Captain phones and you commit to attending a meeting or helping at an event, especially a bingo you must realize that the club is counting on your word that you will be there. On February 15 at the Waltzing Weasel, 9 club members who said yes to attending never showed up. More importantly at our last bingo 10 members said Yes, yet 4 never showed up. Only 1 of the 4 called Pat to try to arrange for a last minute substitute. Fortunately the bingo was quiet so those that came worked extra hard to make up for our shortfall. Performance such as this could jeopardize our major fundraiser. It is really simple. Yes means you'll be there. If you can't you'll either find a substitute or notify the person in charge. Let's show courtesy and work together to make events easy to manage and a success for our club. Yes means yes.
OAKOGRAPHY
Kevin Heslop is in only his third year of membership with the Oakridge Optimist club but it is fair to say that he has been very active. In his first year he accepted the post of Secretary and followed that up with two years as Vice President Ways and Means. Many people would take a little time off after a run like that but Kevin has agreed to let his name stand for the office of club President for the next term.
Kevin almost single handedly organized an inline skating program two years ago at our arena. It provided a needed activity for teens on Friday nights after the ice was out and before the good weather arrived.
He has also assisted in organizing many events, spent 5 years on the baseball committee as 5-pitch convener and has been an assistant coach for T-Ball for three years. There is even a little more history to his involvement than this. Kevin and I worked together in 1987 and even though he was single, he assisted me as a coach on my T-Ball team. The word no is not in his vocabulary when it comes to being asked to help.
His wife Lisa can attest to that after 10 years of marriage. They have three boys: Mark 15, Kevin 8 and Brad 6 years of age. Kevin has been a police officer in London for 22 years and presently holds the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Uniformed Division. He has extensive experience in the detective office and once trained under one of the greatest detectives ever.
His favourite Optimist memories include the organization of the inline skating program and the bus trip to Detroit last year. His first goal for his term of office is to "get Past Presidents more involved in the club". I'm not so sure he gets my vote anymore.
Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication to the club and the youth of our community!
Rick Gillespie
BINGO - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
No! This is not an article assessing the physical attributes of the company we keep while at the jolly old Bingo Castle.
It's funny how it goes when we work at these events. The luck we have in making big dough is directly proportional to the number of dauber banging souls who show up, also anticipating the big win. The last bingo on March 6th netted only $211. On Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18th ,there was a much different outcome. Was it pay day? Were the stars aligned such that everybody had a positive horoscope? Was the higher magic number, 54, broadcast on all local radio stations? Who knows, but there was no doubt when just about every seat (246 attended) in the Bingo Castle was taken that we were in for a gigantic purse.
In the guessing game we play at the end of Bingo's the largest estimate of earnings was $2400. Who would have dared judge that we had earned $3165.76? This has to be one of our best ever! Even the Bingo players felt good - well at least one of them did when a woman won the $2000 super jackpot.
Opt. Bruce Pope ready to clean up, literally, at the Feb 18th Bingo
Opt. Fred presents $2000 cheque to Mrs. MacDonald at the Feb. 18th Bingo
BINGO FUNDS HELP MANY
From the March 1, 2001 Board of Directors meeting the following payments were approved from the bingo account:
1. $200 payable to London Minor Lacrosse Association for team sponsorship
2. $200 payable to Westdale Elementary School for award plaques.
3. $1000 payable to Girl Guides of Canada, for camping and training activities. Annual contribution is part of our budget.
4. $250 payable to Thames Secondary School for their pre-school breakfast program for kids. Approved by City. Sending separate email with the approval.
YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT
I was pleased to coordinate our club's involvement in the Youth in Government program that was lead by Nita Gillell on a citywide basis. Our club sponsored three young men from the high schools in our area.
Peter Norris and Rob Van Horn are grade 10 students from St. Thomas Aquinas. Peter was elected to the position of controller and shadowed Joe Swan while Rob was elected to the position of councilor for ward 3 and was assigned to Fred Tranquilly.
Jeff Jenkins is an OAC student at Oakridge Secondary School and he was fortunate enough to be elected Mayor and he was very excited to shadow Anne Marie DeCicco.
Each of them was required to attend at City hall on 4 dates from February 25th to March 5th They received a briefing on the duties of City administrators and elected officials, attended meetings of the three standing committees, observed a council session and conducted their own mock committee and council meetings.
Each student enjoyed the program immensely and extended their appreciation to our club members. The $100 cost to our club was covered by bingo proceeds.
Rick Gillespie
SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 2001/2002
On Thurs., Mar.01 a committee of Past Presidents met at Oakridge Arena to consider candidates for leadership of the Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres, Inc. during the 2001/02 Optimist year. Printed below are names, which this committee decided upon. Each candidate has confirmed that he/she is willing to serve in the position indicated. It is imperative that these Optimists be available to attend Board meetings on the first Thursday evening of each month. Each member should understand that selection of our executive officers is done in a democratic fashion with an election process. During the dinner meeting scheduled for Thurs., April 19th the Past President, or designate, will invite any further nominations for each of the positions listed below. Should there be additional names put forth a vote will be held to determine which person(s) will serve on the Board of Directors. If there are none, the people below will be acclaimed to office. The willingness of our members to stand for these important administrative duties within the club is much appreciated
Position Nominee
President Kevin Heslop
VP Ways and Means Craig Rath
VP Youth Steve Cochrane
Past President Jim Easton
Director 1 yr - Mike Hoy
Director 1 yr - Vince Giannantonio
Director 1 yr - Bill Chantler
Director 2 yr - Fred Fickling
Director 2 yr - Andy Friyia
Director 2 yr - Pat Moffatt
To be appointed
Secretary/Treasurer Doug MacKay
Newsletter Editor Don Draper
OI Foundation
Call Captain #1
Call Captain #2
Call Captain #3
Call Captain #4
TEEN ROLLER BLADING
Two years ago VP Opt. Kevin Heslop initiated the idea of providing an opportunity for young people to enjoy a social and physical activity -roller blading at Oakridge Arena on Friday evenings. The target group are children in grades 7 and 8.
Kevin has planned to begin this year as soon as the ice is out at the arena and run the program, about 6 weeks, until the long weekend in May. Cost to participants will be $2.00. Optimist members and family are invited to join in at free admission. Helpers will be needed when the skating begins. Please call Kevin (472-2627) if you are available and interested in assisting.
OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL - COMMUNITY PROJECTS AWARDS PROGRAM
The CPA program recognizes clubs which have conducted outstanding community service and fund-raising projects. This annual competition offers clubs the opportunity to enter their most successful projects in district and international competition. International winners will be recognized at the annual International Convention and in The Optimist magazine. Past Pres. Rick Gillespie has plans to do a CPA Booklet describing the Roller Blading Program mentioned above
ST. PATRICK'S DAY HUMOUR
Mrs. Pete Monaghan came into the newsroom to pay for her husband's obituary. She was told by the kindly newsman that it was a dollar a word and he remembered Pete and wasn't it too bad about him passing away. She thanked him for his kind words and bemoaned the fact that she only had two dollars. But she wrote out the obituary, "Pete died."
The newsman said he thought old Pete deserved more and he'd give her three more words at no charge. Mrs. Pete Monaghan thanked him and rewrote the obituary: "Pete died. Boat for sale"
An Irishman went to a pet shop and asked how many budgies were in stock.
"We have 99" replied the shop owner.
"Give us the lot" said the Irish man, paid for them and left.
He went to a tailors shop and had 99 pockets sewn into a jacket, put a budgie in each pocket, went up to the Post Office Tower and jumped off.
He hit the ground with an almighty smack and lay there groaning until a passer-by came and asked him what had happened.
"I don't know sir" he replied "but that's the last time I try that budgie jumping"
Concerning bagpipes: The Irish invented them and gave them to the Scots as a joke, and the Scots haven't seen the joke yet.
OPTIMIST ORGANIZATION
So you're an Oakridge Optimist! We also can be proud that we belong to a much larger organization, which promotes excellent programs for youth, and many opportunities for our own personal development. Some stats.:
~ The Oakridge -London club is one of about 126 included in the Midwestern Ontario District headed by Governor Dave Faris.
~ The District mission is "Growth Through Communications"
~ There are 18 zones within the District.
~ We are in Zone 9 headed by a Lieutenant Governor - Jackie McGrenere who has graciously attended several of our meetings.
~ Zone meetings are held monthly and attended by our president or designate.
~ District meetings (Quarter Board Meetings) are held 4 times each year. They can be attended by any members of our club usually including the president or designate. Planned on agendas of these sessions are training forums where ideas are shared about youth programs we currently do or could be doing.
~ The 3rd Quarter Board Meeting is at the Brant Park Inn in Braniford on Sat. May 5th, If you would like to go call Pres. Jim.
~ The district has a website: http://www.optimistmwo.on.ca/~optimist/
CELEBRATIONS:
Happy Birthday to:
Jack Beattie - Apr.13
John Cameron - Apr.13
Max Davis - Mar.27
Ron Fisher-Apr. 14
Hal Fraser - Mar.02
Rick Gillespie - Mar 13
Michael Hoy-Apr. 16
Doug Mackay - Apr.13
Pat Moffatt - Mar.29
Dave Peach - Mar.16
Cam Halliday - Mar.12
Happy Anniversary to
Candace & Si! Brecevic - Apr.08
Joanne & Scott Hessel - Mar.25
Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres Board of Directors 2000/2001
President - Jim Easton (641-0798)
V.P. (Youth) - Steve Cochrane (657-8865)
V.P. (Ways & Means) Kevin Heslop (472-2627)
Secretary - Bill Chantler (641-6483)
Treasurer - Craig Rath 673-6403)
Past President - Rick Gillespie (641-2815)
Director (1 yr.) - Peter Hegler (4714928)
Director (1 yr.) - Doug Mackay (473-5885)
Director (1 yr.) - Rick Harriss (473-2412)
Director (2 yr.) - Sil Brecevic (657-8803)
Director (2 yr.) - Mike Wolowich (473-0769)
Director (2 yr.) - Fred Fickling (472-1062)
Oakridge Communicates!
1.) Newsletter Staff
Editors - Bob Moldowan and Don Draper
Oakography - Rick Gillespie
President - Jim Easton
2.) Check out the website for the Oakridge Optimists.
Web address - http:/www.execulink.com/~oakridge/optimist.htm
Email Address: oakridge@execulink.com
Web Master is Peter Hegler
· Dinner Meetings held the third Thurs. of each month at the Thames Valley Golf Course unless announced otherwise. (7:00 p.m.)
· Board of Directors Meeting held at the Oakridge Arena on the 1st Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
THE OPTIMIST CREED
PROMISE YOURSELF
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble