At our March 9, 2009 meeting about twenty braved the late winter storm and -30's. Our guest speaker was Kelly Bickford of LaSalle. La Salle is Edmonton's only long-term 'safe house' for mothers and children who are victims of abuse. We learned that their greatest need is for small appliances and clothing for teens and twenties as well as for children. The good news from LaSalle is the recent association with Catholic Social Services which has opened new doors of services.

The meeting also included reports on our current projects and concluded with a great selection of door prizes. We also voted to not have a meeting on Easter Monday

Please note and attend the following:

- Bingo 17 Mar 2009 - Tue Evening arr 430P

- Bingo 19 Mar 2009 - Thu Afternoon 1130A

- Club Meeting 23 March 2009 Monday 615P

- Car Seat Inspection Thurs Mar 26 1pm

- Bingo 27 Mar 2009 - Fri Afternoon 1130A

- Zone Meeting April 4^th 10 AM (Maple Leaf

- Zone Oratorical April 4^th (at our club office)

- Easter Monday - Club Meeting Cancelled

- Past Presidents Meeting Monday April 13.

Two projects are planned for Bike Safety this year. We have the Lids for all program and helmets are being purchased for this seasons program. We also have the beaver and cub bicycle safety events. So far about seven cub groups are interested in attending the cub Bikeree on May 9^th. And the Beaver Bike Safety is May 5th.

At high noon, I was issued one black three pocket apron, 150 bingo cards divided equally into three groups, Bonanza, Satellite, Odd/Even and some spare change for panhandlers.

A slow day was anticipated with only 442 customers coming to play on the 14,400 square foot rug. Today was the day to break in those new oxfords.

On Game 15, ball 54, play was stopped while I went for lunch. The crowd was very understanding.

Exhausted from walking three miles each, our team of twelve volunteers sold $3,957 of cards.

The next few Edmonton Dinner Optimist program are:

March 23 - TBA

April 13 -General Meeting cancelled - Past Presidents Meeting instead

April 27 - AGM - club elections

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

The successful Choralfest was held on Saturday, March 7^th at McDougall United Church / Alberta College from 10:30 AM, followed by a Clinic at Noon. Choralfest is Alberta's non-competitive festival for choirs. Choirs participate in an adjudicated on-stage performance as well as an off-stage workshop. In addition, choirs receive audio and video recordings of their performance. To view photos of this event, go to: http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/570420838AnrPNs?start=0

The next Zone meeting is on April 4^th at 10AM at the Maple Leaf Club, 12133 67 St. The Beverly Optimist Club will be hosting this meeting which features the elections for the Lieutenant Governor. We understand that we may have two candidates for the 2009-2010 Zone 5 Lieutenant Governor. The Zone Oratoracle Contest will also be held at this meeting.

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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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.

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.

Club Contest: TBA

Zone Contest: April 4th at the Maple Leaf Club, 12133 67 St

Regional Contest: April 18th at our Club Office (at Elmwood School, 16325 - 83 Ave.)

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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

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Optimist International

In June, Optimist International will celebrate its 90th year of serving the needs of youth. Millions of children have benefited from the work Optimist Clubs have done during those 90 years. The budget the Optimist International Board of Directors is proposing for the 2009-2010 administrative year is $283,000 in the red.

After careful consideration and much debate, the Board of Directors will recommend to the delegates at the International Convention in Florida in July that the annual International dues be increased by $10. This $10 increase (which amounts to about 3.2 cents per day) will assure that the organization will be able to operate balanced budgets.

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!

Over this next quarter until the third quarter board meeting in Havre, MT, everyone who brings in a new member will be given a large balloon full of helium. Danny Peterson from Great Falls, MT and Alex Wilson from Regina, SK will be in their "little baskets" and we will be tying these helium balloons to their baskets. Our district goal this quarter is to be able to lift these two "pilots" off the ground at the third quarter board meeting in May. Let's have some fun!!!

Edie McInnes

klaascus@telusplanet.net

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Upcoming AMS & NW Events & News

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

- Bingo 17 Mar 2009 - Tue Evening 430PM
- Bingo 19 Mar 2009 - Thu Afternoon 1130AM
- Bingo 27 Mar 2009 - Fri Afternoon 1130AM

We are sorry to learn that President Ximena Perez's father passed away. Her father, Rocky, was a great supporter of the Brail Tone College Optimist Club.

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Mar 22 Marg Gabriel
Mar 25 Eric Lim
Mar 27 Marion Loewen
Mar 29 Barb Rogers

Mar 23 John & Ruby Anderson
Mar 26 Brian & Beryl Cooper

Anyone who is doing something special please e-mail me: Brian Wallace

ABC Child Seat Program

Here are the new Child Car Seat Safety Clinic dates and Optimists are need to help. Please contact Opt Samantha for details and certification classes. All Clinics are at Fire Station 9, 5604 - 50th St and Station 25 at 8403 - 167th Ave and are from 1:30PM to 3:30PM and are as follows:

Thursday March 26th
Monday April 27th
Thursday May 28th
Tuesday June 30^th

Complete 2008 inspection dates are available on the Capital Health Web Site

      Black Gold OC of Leduc

The Leduc Club is having a Silent Auction at Christopher's Lounge on Saturday March 28. All members are invited to stop by and bid on the many items. The Pub is located at 2021 Tweetle Place (off Millbourne Rd.), Phone 780-462-6565. If any members have items for the auction please contact President Trevor.