VOL. 61, No. 11, December 21, 2006

Well 2007 is just about here. This is always a good time to consider New Year's Resolutions. As I see it, each of us should make a minimum of 2: move to that next PGI (Personal Growth and Involvement) level early on, and invite a guest to attend a meeting. We've been having outstanding speakers thanks to Duane and his monthly program chairmen. For instance, on Jan. 4, our next meeting at the Downtown Holiday Inn, Byrom has arranged for Dr. Gary Huckaby to be our speaker. Dr. Huckaby is a management consultant and he has conducted many seminars across the country. Although his usual fee is out of our ballpark, his meetings are well attended. The best part is that our cost is FREE. Start the year by inviting a guest.

Pres. Sidney Sandridge presided over today's business meeting, and he started things off by giving each of those present a gift of an official Optimist Calendar. Then he called on committee chairs to report. Connie has set a date of Saturday morning Feb. 24 for the oratorical contest The Renasant Bank on Balmoral Drive has agreed to let us use their room again. This year'stopic is "My Biggest Challenge Is..." Connie is in contact with several schools, however, if you would personally like to have an application for someone, see Connie. Fabiani met with us today and told us he is very enthusiastic about his Vanderbilt experiences. He also visited the ROC (Randolph Optimist Club) Junior Club recently and said they are involved with a project to supply bicycle helmets for elementary school students.

Clyde's committee is working on our by-laws, mainly to clarify procedures whereby new members are admitted. Bob Martin plans a community service committee meeting for mid January. Clyde nominated Gay Pepper to fill the vacancy on the HOF (Huntsville Optimist Foundation) Board. Duane nominated Ray Swaim. It was decided to give these two a month to campaign for this seat and hold the election during the January business meeting. It was also agreed that other nominees (who agree to serve) could be included at that time. George has obtained a key for our display case in our room at the ORC (Optimist Recreation Center). It will be kept in or on the filing cabinet in the storage room. Several people have keys to the storage room.

Duane announced that Charlie Lyle is in the hospital. He said that his son is still hospitalized, and they really need our support in the form of prayers and cards and notes of encouragement. It was good to have former president Jerry Shoemaker at our meeting today. Jerry would like us to remember our armed service personnel. He has two grandsons serving in Iraq.

CALENDAR

Dec 28		Thursday				CHRISTMAS		NO MEETING
Jan 4		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		Dr. Gary Huckaby
Jan 9		Tuesday		4:00 pm		Gay's Bank (Whitesburg)		Board Meeting
Jan 11		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		Marcy McFarlin
Jan 18		Thursday		11:45 am		Optimist Recreation Center		Business Meeting
Jan 25		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		Dr. John Ennis ??
Carl W.						HAPPY NEW YEAR