Downtown Optimist Club of Columbia
In Person Meeting/Zoom
Monday, February 27, 2023 at the Clubhouse
Meeting began at 12:00 pm
Members in attendance: Greg Schneider, Rick McKernan, Larry Fick, C.O. Scheffer, Steve Klein, Deb Swanegan, Mary Dewey, President Jerry Sullivan, Red Leighton, Ken Oster, Ed Musterman, Carl Scott, and Kelly Schilling. Zoom Adam Bakos and Tony Parisio. Special Guests: Ashley Spitzer, Habitat for Humanity, Ed Holt from Shelter Insurance, Reid Lyle and William from Fast Youti Custom Tees all friends of Rick McKernan.
Prayer: Rick McKernan
Pledge of Allegiance: Greg Schneider
Recognize new members and members who are back for the first time in a while:
Birthdays/Anniversaries: Larry Fick, Ken Oster, Red Leighton and Max Miller club anniversary
Thank you to: Carl for clean-up, Rick for awards, Ed for food, Tony for tech support, and Mary for notetaking and newsletter
Pay the pig? Carl Scott paid for a $.25 for each No Tag, Local State Wrestlers Winner, and all the volunteers who helped with Chili Cook of Contest. Paid a $1.00. Mary Dewey paid a $.50 for her pictures on Facebook East Missouri Optimist District page. Greg Schneider paid a $1.00 for NO name tag.
Don’t forget to enter your name for the new board approved $50 drawing to be done April 2. You enter your name once for each time you invite a new person to a club activity. Entry forms are on the table by me. Kelly and I are the only entries so far.
Minutes: (Ask for any corrections – need motion to approve) Larry Fick made the motion to approve the minutes and Deb Swanegan 2nd the motion.
Treasurer’s Report: little change from last month. No major income and no funding requests. About $30,000 to give away.
Old Business:
Meeting info – The March 6 meeting will be here at noon. Fried Chicken or ??? from the Sr. Center is available for order through Ed. Speaker is Jessica Macey, Coordinated Entry Specialist, Flourish
Committees – Kelly is now the Adopt a Spot chairman. We have a really good location just north of the country club entrance on Forum. There is a city meeting for Adopt-A-Spot leaders on March 16 in the evening. If you want to help, let Kelly know.
Welcome Committee for new members – Kelly is heading it. – New member application has been received from Tyler Miller. Board passed a background check requirement at our last meeting. We are working on a policy change to address the new requirements. Anyone who wants a look at the proposed policy change let me know. Kelly Schillng is his sponsor.
Scholarship Committee – Nadia – Deadline is March 17 – Has the readers – she could still use people to present the scholarships at the school assemblies. If you want to help out the scholarship to the winners please let Jerry or Nadia know.
Derby info – Rick – date for derby June 11 – race cars take over clubhouse from May 9 until the week after the derby. Ideas for a meeting space during derby time – let me know. We have 5 new kids signed up at the Boys and Girls Club Chili Contest on Saturday, March 25th.
(Skip) Youth Event – The Bill of Rights and Jeff City trip. – Rick – likely moved to fall.
Essay Contest – Rick: Winner’s name must be to the District by February 28. Topic is “Who is an everyday hero who brings out the best in you” We had 2 last Monday and 36 came in on Friday which gave us a total of 38 Essays. Deb Swanegan and to other members from Kids 1st Optimist and Sunrise Optimist Clubs were our reader for the Essays.
Oratorical Contest – Rick – Deadline to register is March 15. Contest is Sunday March 19 at the Downtown Optimist Clubhouse. Viewers welcome. Topic -“Discovering the optimism in me.”
No new info on the repair to the outside wall by Mark Perkins, from Keystone Masonry.
Bike Safety – May 20 – Karis Church –
(Skip) Deb’s church event – Deb’s church is having a community event on either the 19 or 26 of August. She invited us to have a booth to promote the SBD and the Downtown Optimist Club. No cost to the club. Approved unanimously.
Discussed other winter /spring activities. Still considering a car show – need info from Mike Russell. Plan to do a chili cook off in late March – need someone to head it up. Will talk with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters to see if we can work together on a “Kids’ Carnival” behind the clubhouse before school is out. Unfortunately ax throwing was defeated.
New Business
Chili Cook-off – Greg Schneider. Was last Saturday Feb 25, 2023 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center. Benefits the Boys and Girls Club. Results – Greg and crew, Rick and Carl – Optimist Club booth. Greg said “It started out every ruff with the meat being frozen, and a broken grill.” The raised over 8 thousand this year. Thank you for Rick McKernan, Greg Schneider, his son Rick, Carl Scott, Steve Winter, and Kelly Schilling for coming out to help.
Second Quarter Conference – Was also this past weekend – Friday evening and Saturday – Hilton St Louis Airport – items of interest – Awards – Mary – nice plaque for “Distinguished District Foundation Representative -21-22, Tony, Phyllis, and Jack – certificates for Honor Club. Club awards – Honor Club and – Mary – Foundation –patch for dollar per member. Review notes from meeting. District Executive Committee and Board Meetings were uneventful. Had a good speaker on Friday night. Saturday was Frank Jones with Jefferson Barracks Food Pantry. Then the OI executive Director. At lunch a few words from Ernie Wrinn. After lunch – A& A Awards, Branding presentation, and program about Jr. Golf. Junior Golf – Qualifier in Ste. Gen June 9 for youth 10-18. Optimist International Convention, Washington D.C. July 2, 3 & 4.
Board Meeting topics– March 16 – two funding requests so far. Boys & Girls Clubs – $5000 and Diamond Council – $1050 (three team sponsorships).
Will get more info about 501c-3 from Ernie Wrinn from Ashland.
More discussion of the Service Clubs Presidents’ meeting – Proposal to work jointly on a “Blitz Build” for Habitat for Humanity. They plan to build four houses in 10 days – Sept 18-29. We are committed to 5 workers per day to the project.
Further discussion about background checks for new members.
Vote on new member – Tyler Miller.
Spring activities – Club Chili Cook Off, Car show and Kids Carnival
Dropping members –
After last month’s election the current Board is – Jerry Sullivan – Pres; Mike Hatchett- First VP; Deb Swanegan – Second VP; Jack Beard – Treasurer; Phyllis Nichols – Secretary. Members Ed Musterman, Adam Bakos, Mary Dewey, Steve Klein, Nadia Ryakmyatullov and Bonnie Yantzi. Nomination Committee is still looking for a Second VP, Treasurer, and a new at large member for the coming year.
Other clubs’ activities – Hallsville, Cinco de Mayo May 5, taco bar and band: Midway – Cinderella’s Closet, March 3, 4,&5; Kids First, Ham & Bean Dinner and Trivia Night April 1, 5:00 pm, American Legion Post 202; Kiwanis Pancake Day March 25, 7 – noon Dulany Hall, Columbia College. OI International Pres visiting Ashland March 5 at 4:00. VFW will be having a pancake day on Saturday, March 11 from 8 to 11 pm at the American Legion for $8.00.
Sunday March, 5 the International President and his wife Penny will be at Ashland Optimist Club at 4 pm for East and West Missouri District Optimist Clubs.
This Friday Battle Hig
Downtown Optimist Club of Columbia
In Person Meeting/Zoom
Monday, February 27, 2023 at the Clubhouse
Meeting began at 12:00 pm
Members in attendance: Greg Schneider, Rick McKernan, Larry Fick, C.O. Scheffer, Steve Klein, Deb Swanegan, Mary Dewey, President Jerry Sullivan, Red Leighton, Ken Oster, Ed Musterman, Carl Scott, and Kelly Schilling. Zoom Adam Bakos and Tony Parisio. Special Guests: Ashley Spitzer, Habitat for Humanity, Ed Holt from Shelter Insurance, Reid Lyle and William from Fast Youti Custom Tees all friends of Rick McKernan.
Prayer: Rick McKernan
Pledge of Allegiance: Greg Schneider
Recognize new members and members who are back for the first time in a while:
Birthdays/Anniversaries: Larry Fick, Ken Oster, Red Leighton and Max Miller club anniversary
Thank you to: Carl for clean-up, Rick for awards, Ed for food, Tony for tech support, and Mary for notetaking and newsletter
Pay the pig? Carl Scott paid for a $.25 for each No Tag, Local State Wrestlers Winner, and all the volunteers who helped with Chili Cook of Contest. Paid a $1.00. Mary Dewey paid a $.50 for her pictures on Facebook East Missouri Optimist District page. Greg Schneider paid a $1.00 for NO name tag.
Don’t forget to enter your name for the new board approved $50 drawing to be done April 2. You enter your name once for each time you invite a new person to a club activity. Entry forms are on the table by me. Kelly and I are the only entries so far.
Minutes: (Ask for any corrections – need motion to approve) Larry Fick made the motion to approve the minutes and Deb Swanegan 2nd the motion.
Treasurer’s Report: little change from last month. No major income and no funding requests. About $30,000 to give away.
Old Business:
Meeting info – The March 6 meeting will be here at noon. Fried Chicken or ??? from the Sr. Center is available for order through Ed. Speaker is Jessica Macey, Coordinated Entry Specialist, Flourish
Committees – Kelly is now the Adopt a Spot chairman. We have a really good location just north of the country club entrance on Forum. There is a city meeting for Adopt-A-Spot leaders on March 16 in the evening. If you want to help, let Kelly know.
Welcome Committee for new members – Kelly is heading it. – New member application has been received from Tyler Miller. Board passed a background check requirement at our last meeting. We are working on a policy change to address the new requirements. Anyone who wants a look at the proposed policy change let me know. Kelly Schillng is his sponsor.
Scholarship Committee – Nadia – Deadline is March 17 – Has the readers – she could still use people to present the scholarships at the school assemblies. If you want to help out the scholarship to the winners please let Jerry or Nadia know.
Derby info – Rick – date for derby June 11 – race cars take over clubhouse from May 9 until the week after the derby. Ideas for a meeting space during derby time – let me know. We have 5 new kids signed up at the Boys and Girls Club Chili Contest on Saturday, March 25th.
(Skip) Youth Event – The Bill of Rights and Jeff City trip. – Rick – likely moved to fall.
Essay Contest – Rick: Winner’s name must be to the District by February 28. Topic is “Who is an everyday hero who brings out the best in you” We had 2 last Monday and 36 came in on Friday which gave us a total of 38 Essays. Deb Swanegan and to other members from Kids 1st Optimist and Sunrise Optimist Clubs were our reader for the Essays.
Oratorical Contest – Rick – Deadline to register is March 15. Contest is Sunday March 19 at the Downtown Optimist Clubhouse. Viewers welcome. Topic -“Discovering the optimism in me.”
No new info on the repair to the outside wall by Mark Perkins, from Keystone Masonry.
Bike Safety – May 20 – Karis Church –
(Skip) Deb’s church event – Deb’s church is having a community event on either the 19 or 26 of August. She invited us to have a booth to promote the SBD and the Downtown Optimist Club. No cost to the club. Approved unanimously.
Discussed other winter /spring activities. Still considering a car show – need info from Mike Russell. Plan to do a chili cook off in late March – need someone to head it up. Will talk with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters to see if we can work together on a “Kids’ Carnival” behind the clubhouse before school is out. Unfortunately ax throwing was defeated.
New Business
Chili Cook-off – Greg Schneider. Was last Saturday Feb 25, 2023 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center. Benefits the Boys and Girls Club. Results – Greg and crew, Rick and Carl – Optimist Club booth. Greg said “It started out every ruff with the meat being frozen, and a broken grill.” The raised over 8 thousand this year. Thank you for Rick McKernan, Greg Schneider, his son Rick, Carl Scott, Steve Winter, and Kelly Schilling for coming out to help.
Second Quarter Conference – Was also this past weekend – Friday evening and Saturday – Hilton St Louis Airport – items of interest – Awards – Mary – nice plaque for “Distinguished District Foundation Representative -21-22, Tony, Phyllis, and Jack – certificates for Honor Club. Club awards – Honor Club and – Mary – Foundation –patch for dollar per member. Review notes from meeting. District Executive Committee and Board Meetings were uneventful. Had a good speaker on Friday night. Saturday was Frank Jones with Jefferson Barracks Food Pantry. Then the OI executive Director. At lunch a few words from Ernie Wrinn. After lunch – A& A Awards, Branding presentation, and program about Jr. Golf. Junior Golf – Qualifier in Ste. Gen June 9 for youth 10-18. Optimist International Convention, Washington D.C. July 2, 3 & 4.
Board Meeting topics– March 16 – two funding requests so far. Boys & Girls Clubs – $5000 and Diamond Council – $1050 (three team sponsorships).
Will get more info about 501c-3 from Ernie Wrinn from Ashland.
More discussion of the Service Clubs Presidents’ meeting – Proposal to work jointly on a “Blitz Build” for Habitat for Humanity. They plan to build four houses in 10 days – Sept 18-29. We are committed to 5 workers per day to the project.
Further discussion about background checks for new members.
Vote on new member – Tyler Miller.
Spring activities – Club Chili Cook Off, Car show and Kids Carnival
Dropping members –
After last month’s election the current Board is – Jerry Sullivan – Pres; Mike Hatchett- First VP; Deb Swanegan – Second VP; Jack Beard – Treasurer; Phyllis Nichols – Secretary. Members Ed Musterman, Adam Bakos, Mary Dewey, Steve Klein, Nadia Ryakmyatullov and Bonnie Yantzi. Nomination Committee is still looking for a Second VP, Treasurer, and a new at large member for the coming year.
Other clubs’ activities – Hallsville, Cinco de Mayo May 5, taco bar and band: Midway – Cinderella’s Closet, March 3, 4,&5; Kids First, Ham & Bean Dinner and Trivia Night April 1, 5:00 pm, American Legion Post 202; Kiwanis Pancake Day March 25, 7 – noon Dulany Hall, Columbia College. OI International Pres visiting Ashland March 5 at 4:00. VFW will be having a pancake day on Saturday, March 11 from 8 to 11 pm at the American Legion for $8.00.
Sunday March, 5 the International President and his wife Penny will be at Ashland Optimist Club at 4 pm for East and West Missouri District Optimist Clubs.
This Friday Battle High School will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary open at the Elk Lodge at 6:00 pm.
Speaker for the Day – Ashley Spitzer, Habitat for Humanity see attached sheet
Optimist Creed was recited and meeting adjourned at
Jerry Sullivan, President
573-701-4122
jsulliva@mineralarea.edu
Downtown Optimist Club 