Over thirty five members and guests attended our February 9 meeting at the Fork. We welcomed Diane Roberge, a guest of Opt Marg, Tara Rankin from the Lids for All was a guest of Opt John, Helen Cardle was a guest of new member Optimist Elsa, and Jennifer Kalhs, Program Manager of the Little Warriors, was our guest speaker. Little Warriors is a charitable organization with a national focus that educates adults about how to help prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Little Warriors is asking us to be aware and stand up on behalf of a kid and try and stop this problem. Courses are available, and if members are interested they may contact president Clint.

Other businesses included a highlight of the Medicine Hat district meeting and ongoing club projects.

Please note and attend the following:

- Bingo 20 Feb 2009 Friday Afternoon 1130A

- Car Seat Inspection Saturday Feb 21^st

- Bingo 23 Feb 2009 Monday Afternoon 1130A

- Club Meeting 23 February Monday 615P

- Bingo 27 Feb 2009 Friday Afternoon 1130A

- Bingo 02 Mar 2009 - Mon Afternoon 1130A

- Club Board Meeting March 4 Wed 630P

The next few Edmonton Dinner Optimist program meetings are:

February 23: Scout BP week - 144^th group

March 9: LaSalle - Colleen Bickford

Contact President Clint for program details or if you have an agency that needs our support.

33 attended our Second Annual Jubilations Dinner Theatre Member Appreciation Night on Friday, February 13^th. The play was a true Canadian theme - Corner Gassed, directed by Randy Apostle. It was funny, a bit colourful about the antics in Cat Creek (as apposed to Dog River) and none of our members ended up on stage, but we all had a great time and look forward to next year.

These events are a little ways down the road but right now we need members to seek out businesses and associations for giveaways. Anything that a kid might like are needed - pens, pencils, stickers, key chains, rulers are just a start of the items we have had in the past. Just ask for safety promotional items and we are sure the answer will be yes. We expect about 150 kids, but any amount donated is welcome.

We have learned that the Strathcona Place Seniors Casino is Monday, Aug 31st and Tuesday, Sept 1st, 2009. Please contact Optimist Keivin if you wish to volunteer to work this Casino which will be held at ABS Argyle. This is one of the Casinos that our club supports.

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We wish to announce the Charter Party of the Optimist Club of Meagher County to be held Saturday, February 21, in White Sulphur Springs, Montana. Entertainment to begin at 3:00 with dinner at 5:00. Cost is $12.50.

Anyone wishing to attend, please RSVP to Elizabeth Rock, President, Optimist Club of Meagher County, 406-547-3684.

Edmonton Dinner has been asked to help out the Edmonton Eskimos with the parking for the following dates

Wednesday, June 17th 7PM
Thursday, July 2nd 7PM
Thursday, July 16th 7PM
Thursday, July 30th 730PM
Thursday, August 13th 7PM
Thursday, August 27th 7PM
Friday, Sept 11th 8PM
Saturday, Sept 26th 4PM
Friday, Oct 9th 7PM
Friday, Oct 30th 7PM

Please contact President Clint and indicate the date you are able to help. Last season we received about eight grand for this project.

Congratulation are extended to the Dinner Optimist Club of Calgary which turned 15 years old on Feb. 4. The Dinner Optimist Club sponsored this club in 1994.

Congratulation are also extended to our College Club which became an honour club. They were awarded certificates in Medicine Hat for this level of Optimist excellence.

Future conferences include Havre, MT on May 1 & 2 for the 3rd Quarter Board Meeting, the International Convention on July 8 - 11 in Orlando, FL, and in Regina, SK on August 13 to 15 for the District Convention. All members are encouraged to attend. Contact Opt Keivin or Pres Clint for details.

Topic: "For Me, Optimism is . . . "

Who: Students under the age of 16 years as of December 31 of the 2008-2009 school year

Contact: Opt Wyn.

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Optimists support over 30 Projects

Thank you to Secretary Lucile for preparing this list:

Boys and Girls club
Brail Tone College Optimist Club
Brail Tone Music Society
Britannia / Youngstown Community
Childhood Cancer Campaign
Essay Contest
Oratorical Contest
Istar
Juvenile Curling
Kids Help Phone
Kids with Cancer Campaign
Kids Up Front
Kokopelli Choir
Little Warriors
Scouts
Guides
School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
St. Catherines School
Santas Anonymous
Schizophrenia Society
Shriners Clowns
Spina Bifada Association
Stollery Children's Hospital
Numerous sports teams
Youth Emergency Shelter
Youth Injury Prevention
Bikeree
Beaver Bike Safety
Car Seat Inspections
Lids For All
Zebra Society

Help Wanted

Your editor would like to recruit some reporters who will submit articles on the events that we are part of to include in our bulletin. Please talk to Opt Brian at your earliest opportunity and he will help you get started.

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Optimist International

NEW YEAR BRINGS CHANGES FOR CANADIAN SUPPLIES

After 25 years of existence, Optimist International Canada is entering a new era. In fact, on January 2, 2008, the sales department passed the torch to Promotions Corall, from whom you will be able to order your promotional articles. Karine Yankioua, sales coordinator, will act as a link to the suppliers and will continue to attend District quarterly meetings and conventions. Optimists can contact her by phone at (514) 739-9555 or (866) 739-9555, by fax at (514) 739-7558 or by e-mail at karine@corallgroup.com.

Optimists can also make purchases online at www.optimistcanada.com.

While supply and sales operations will change, Optimist International Canada will continue to concentrate its efforts on growth, development and members' visibility.

For more information, go to www.optimist.org and click on the Friend of Optimists button in the upper left corner of the page.

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Upcoming International Optimist Events

Upcoming District Meetings are:

Havre, MT: May 1 & 2 - 3rd Quarter Board Meeting

International Convention: July 8 - 11, 2009 - Orlando Florida

More information can be obtained from www.amsnwoptimist.org or check out the Winter issue of The Optimist magazine.

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Hundreds of Clubs have already made a contribution to the Optimist International Foundation this Optimist year. The good news is that those Clubs that have contributed have made a difference with their contributions:

* They have helped fund scholarships for essay, oratory and CCDHH contests.

* They have supported youth leadership and service through JOOI.

* They have aided Optimist International programs including the Childhood Cancer Campaign and Junior Optimist golf.

* They have allowed OIF to support OI marketing efforts, pension service, and the establishment of a new grant program for Clubs.

Good news - OIF surpassed its goal to reach $1 million in unrestricted gifts this year! It was a historical achievement to reach this goal.

OIFC also attained its goal of reaching an unrestricted gift total of five percent higher than last year.

Again, Clubs are the lifeblood of the Foundations' support -- and the Foundations are pleased to assist Clubs without charge for a variety of services from Pass Through/Outsourcing to endowments and Club Campaign funds. If you have given this year, please convey an enormous thanks to your Members. If you have not yet contributed in support of the Foundation, please consider a gift before September ends. Please join us in Helping Optimists Help Kids!