VOL. 61, No. 20, March 1, 2007

Due to threatening weather our attendance was off somewhat today. President Sidney Sandridge recognized Connie Gipson for conducting a very successful oratorical contest. We'll hear some of the speakers at our NOW Banquet on Thursday, March 29 at the Downtown Holiday Inn at 6:00 pm. It was debated if NOW stands for "New Optimists Wanted" or "Need Optimist Workers," but it anyway all translates into a drive for new members. We have 8 names at this time, but Sidney says we need more. A successful NOW Banquet could make us the No. 1 club in the District.

Will Dawes introduced our speaker today. He was Ethan Hadley who does external marketing for the Chamber of Commerce. Ethan is an impressive individual who has been in Huntsville only 3 years, following 15 years in Japan, after graduating from the University of North Carolina. He has a strong interest in languages and is fluent in several. While in Japan he met a Brazilian who became his wife and they now have 2 sons. He was born in Charlottesville, the same as our Sidney. He is truly an internationalist, and his Japanese expertise is a vital asset for our community. In selling Huntsville he is proud to emphasize the fact that Cummings Research Park is second in this country only to the Research Triangle Institute in NC, and we also stand No. 4 worldwide. Ethan sees steady and even accelerated growth for our town in the. foreseeable future. BRAC should have a major impact during 2009/2010.

Will reported for the nominating committee which consisted of Dawes, Plank, Pepper, Klimek and Duarte. The nominees for the next Optimist year include: PRESIDENT, Connie Gipson; 1st VP, Al Renz; 2nd VP, Bob Martin; and SEC/TREAS, Jeff Klimek. Stepping down from the Board will be Billings, Nevins and Plank. New Board members to serve 2 years will be Goodwin, Clarke (Bill) and Law. All named have agreed to serve. Since Al Renz is nominated for 1st VP, his current spot on the Board will be filled by a Board appointment, after Oct. 1, 2007. Also, Past- President Sandridge will be on the, Board.

As we go to press State Representative Sue Schmitz will be our speaker on 3/8. When it came time to draw for today's attendance prize Pres. Sidney instructed Ethan to draw his name from the box - and he did!!

CALENDAR

Mar 3		Saturday		9:00 am		Renasant Bank		Zone Oratorical Contest
Mar 6		Tuesday		4:00 pm		1st Commercial Bank		Board Meeting
Mar 8		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		Sue Schmitz
Mar 15		Thursday		11:45 am		Optimist Recreation Center		Business Meeting
Mar 22		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		TBA Will Dawes
Mar 29		Thursday		6:00 pm		Downtown Holiday Inn		NOW Banquet
Carl W.