The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin": Vol. 2024 #18: 1-31-24

                                     VOLUME 2024            JANUARY 31         NUMBER 18

President Bill Wisdom, welcomed everyone, and gave us the morning reflection and then we all joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.  

ACHES & PAINS:  Be kind, you never know what others around you are going through.  Keep those less fortunate in your thoughts and prayers.      

PROGRAM:  Today’s program, MOC Business Meeting presented by President Bill Wisdom. 

Let’s begin with Celebrations:   The Optimist Tree Lot was yet another very successful event, THANK YOU to all who worked, we could not do it without all the help!!  Another successful event, Hoop Holler N’ Shoot was wrapped up, prizes were presented to those winners at their schools and again, THANK YOU to all who helped make this another great event!
Membership Presentation:   Greg McCune gave our membership updates, stating we have 98 members of which 13 are women.  Yea!  About ½ of our membership is retired, 23 new members in the last two years, 6 women, 5 retired and 4 did not renew their memberships.  It takes about 10 new members per year to keep up with attrition (death, moving to another city, members who do not renew etc…)  Greg also broke down our membership by Industry too.  13 professors or others associated with K-State, 7 attorneys/judges, 7 teachers/educators (not KSU), 15 banking/finance/accounting/insurance/investment advisors, 13 in Real Estate/ construction/architect/engineering, 6 medical/dentist, 5 tech/telecoms, 3 non-profits (Starks, Haden, Armstrong), and several small business owners.
Respect for the Law Program:  Craig Cox spoke about this being the 100th anniversary of Optimist International, perhaps we could host/put on a child ID clinic, having some officers help, thus showing our appreciation for our local Police, and making a difference to the youth in our community.  If anyone would be interested in helping, please reach out to Craig.
Lawn Mower Clinic will be held March 5th, Bruce Bidwell said sign-up sheets will be available soon.
Spaghetti Dinner:  Jim Franke let us know the Barilla Sauce and hamburger donations are underway, thank you Don Bechtel and Tom Hintz.  Be ready to help on Friday, March 22nd as preparation begins with hamburger and pasta being cooked and bread in the making.  All hands-on deck Saturday, March 23rd as the Spaghetti is served!!!  (Don’t forget about the Silent Auction held on the 23rd as well.  If you have any donations, please see Julie or Lisa Brummett)
T-Ball Update:  Jim Franke let us know that all t-ball players will be able to play free this year, after working with Manhattan Parks and Rec. 
Special Olympics:  March 15th and 16th we will need volunteers to help work the basketball tournament.  We have some volunteers but can always use more.  Please see Bill Wisdom if you are interested.
IPS Essay Scholarship:  May 8th (noon meeting) we will recognize the winners of this contest.
“Welcome to Manhattan” sign:  THANK YOU Steve Havenstein and Korey Klingenberg for taking care of this project.  Steve Havenstein has been awarded the first Pistachio Award for his hard work with this project!  Congratulations!
Chili Crawl:  With the football schedule now out, we were able to solidify a date, October 19th is the date for the annual Chili Crawl, Bill Wisdom is looking for 2 committee volunteers as well as volunteers to work the event. 
Greg McCune announced that we may have another opportunity for fund raising by parking cars at Central National Bank lot for a home football game.  More to come on this……
TOGETHER, WE CAN ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS!!!

CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS and UPCOMING EVENTS:

SAVE THE DATE:   Lawn Mower Clinic March 5th
SAVE THE DATE:  Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament: March 15th and 16th (scorekeepers needed)
SAVE THE DATE:  Annual Spaghetti Dinner: March 23rd

GUESTS:  There were no guests this morning. 

Meeting adjourned with the OPTIMIST CREED.

FEBRUARY PROGRAMS:  Program Chairs:  Sharon Fincham, Gary Lloyd & Mike Fincham

FEBRUARY 7: Youth of the Month Presentations

MORNING MEETING      Manhattan Catholic School and Theodore Roosevelt Elementary

                                                Coordinator:       Sharon Fincham

FEBRUARY 14:                  Student of the Month Presentation – Thad Hall

NOON MEETING              Program: Matt Walters, General Manager-Manhattan Broadcasting KSU Sports

                                                “My Career in Broadcasting and KSU Sports”       

                                                Coordinator:      Mike Fincham

FEBRUARY 21:                   Ryan Smallwood, Special Ed Instructor @ Eisenhower Middle School

MORNING MEETING      “Special Education Presentation”

                                                Coordinator:      Gary Lloyd

FEBRUARY 28:                   Rachel Veenstra, K-State Department of Agronomy

NOON MEETING              “A Crop Judging Dynasty – 32nd National Championship”

                                                Coordinator:        Mike Fincham

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS