The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #52 9-30-26
VOLUME 2026 SEPTEMBER 30 NUMBER 52
President Kelly Karl welcomed everyone, and we saluted the flag.
ACHES & PAINS: Fall is upon us, enjoy the beauty of it all!
- Results that Matter
- Capacity that lasts
- A stronger handoff
Kelly began with, “I am not going to spend the next 20 minutes telling you that we sell Christmas trees, serve spaghetti, recognize students, and support youth programs. You already know that because you are the people who do it. What I want to talk about is what changed because of your work this year, what became stronger, what we learned, and what we are handing to the next leadership team. This is not an activity report, and it is not a report about one president. It is a reflection on the results we created together.”
Our effort created lasting capacity: More than $68,600 was generated or added across our major documented fundraisers and endowed giving. Through August 31, more than $39,300 was reinvested through club programs, community philanthropy, and Optimist Park. Fifteen thousand two hundred fifty dollars went directly to community partners. Our published program map also documents at least 1,000 planned member-hours in roles where both staffing and time were listed. The $39,318 reinvested figure is the total of three categories in the Youth Fund through August 31: $13,691.42 for club-operated programs, $15,250 for community philanthropy, and $10,376.58 for Optimist Park maintenance, projects, and reserve. Those three amounts total exactly $39,318. These figures matter because they show the full cycle of our work. We did not simply hold events. We converted member effort into financial capacity and then converted that capacity into opportunities for young people and community partners.
Our signature events reached a new level: You already know how the fundraisers work. What is worth celebrating is how they performed. The spaghetti dinner improved its profit by more than $3,100 over the prior year. Grow Green added nearly $23,000 through donations and match to strengthen long-term endowed capacity. The Christmas tree lot generated about $23,000 net including donations, and the Chili Crawl produced nearly $6,800 net. We also broadened support through parking, race work, concessions, sponsorships, and social promotion. The lesson is that our traditional events still work, but they become stronger when we approach them intentionally and diversify the support around them.
Our impact reached far beyond what we could deliver alone: We used three complementary approaches. First, members directly operated programs and activities. Second, we partnered with community organizations whose expertise and reach extended beyond what our club could deliver alone. Third, we continued the stewardship of Optimist Park as a long-term community asset. The value of this model is its flexibility. We can lead where members have the capacity and experience, partner where another organization is better positioned to deliver the service and preserve a physical asset that continues serving families over time.
From an idea to a lasting community asset: The achievement is not that we held another instrument drive. The achievement is that the drive became a system. This year, 20 instruments were received and 17 moved through the K-State Bands repair shop. When combined with prior-year inventory, 40 instruments are ready for school placement, and 10 have already gone to schools this fall for families unable to rent or buy an instrument. A donated instrument can now move through repair, into organized inventory, and then to a school where a need is identified. Dedicated storage, district communication, and the repair partnership are in place. The next president does not have to restart the idea. The pathway is built.
We put youth first by removing barriers: The individual program names are familiar to everyone in this room, so the more important question is what connects them. The clearest common purpose was removing barriers for young people. Some programs helped young people be seen for character, service, effort, and growth. Others helped young people take part when cost, equipment, or access might have stood in the way. Sports, music, arts, camps, and leadership opportunities helped young people find connection and belonging. The message is simple: young people should have the opportunity to be seen, take part, and belong.
Behind every result was a member who showed up: The financial report can tell us what came in and what went out. It cannot fully capture the early mornings, late evenings, phone calls, setup, cleanup, planning, ticket sales, committee work, and quiet follow-through. Our documented program assumptions identify more than 1,000 planned member-hours, and that figure does not fully include our two largest all-hands events. The lesson from this year is simple: money expands our reach, but member commitment creates the impact. To every person who took a shift, chaired a committee, sold a ticket, made a call, welcomed a guest, maintained a field, or stepped in when something needed to be done: thank you.
Real progress. Real opportunity ahead: At the beginning of the year, I set three priorities and one broader commitment. We made tangible progress on communication, modernization, and recruitment, but the records do not support claiming that every specific tactic was completed. Those three goals were partially achieved. The broader commitment was to honor the traditions that made this club strong while making room for new energy and ideas. Core programs remained strong while we added new tools, partnerships, social opportunities, and more structured processes. I believe we achieved that commitment. We did not complete every idea exactly as it appeared on the original list, but we moved the club forward without losing what makes it special.
The next team inherits a stronger foundation: The best test of leadership is not whether everything was completed. It is whether the organization is better positioned for whoever comes next. The next team inherits greater financial capacity, an instrument program built to continue, and core programs and partnerships ready to be carried forward. The next team also inherits unfinished work. Membership growth needs better tracking and greater focus. Communication improvements need to become consistent habits. Those are not failures. They are the next set of opportunities. The foundation is stronger, and the next team has something solid to build on.
KEEP BUILDING ON WHAT WORKS: I started this year by saying leadership is like construction: you do not tear down what is already standing strong. You build on it. We protected the traditions that make this club successful. We strengthened the financial foundation underneath them. We turned at least one promising idea into a sustainable program. We improved several systems, and we were honest about where more work remains. That is meaningful progress. Thank you for trusting me to lead this year. More importantly, thank you for continuing to show up for one another and for the young people of this community. Keep showing up. Keep serving youth. Keep building. THANK YOU, KELLY!
Save the date: Oct 24th, Annual Chili Crawl (see Bill Wisdom for more information)
Save the date: Nov 7th, Parking at the Fire Dept for the KSU Football Game
Doug Jardine raised $5458.00 and had 502 miles logged. Thanks to all that donated and thank you Doug for doing what you do, great job!
Early reminder: Dues are due in October; more information is coming about possible increase.
Hoop, Holler & Shoot will be needing volunteers, reach out to Thad Hall if you have the availability.
Social Committee – see Jerry Banaka if you have ideas
Morning “reflection” and program suggestions are ALWAYS welcome. Please share your ideas.
Youth of the Month and Student of the Month start up mid-October, if you are interested in helping introduce these young recipients, see Sharon Fincham for YOM and Thad Hall for SOM
GUESTS: Welcome back Cody Begnoche and Steve Coloney, we are so happy to have you! Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed!
OCTOBER 7 - MORNING MEETING: Program: New Presidential Address & Officer Installation
OCTOBER 14 – NOON MEETING: Program: Student of the Month & Kayleigh Reyes – Director, Sunset Zoo: Topic: “Student of the Month Presentation” & “What’s New at the Zoo”
OCTOBER 21 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Youth of the Month – Woodrow Wilson & Oliver Brown Elementary
OCTOBER 28 – NOON MEETING: Program: Linda Shortsleeves – K-State Credit Union Member Card Solutions Spec.:Topic: “Fraud Awareness/Elder Abuse”
