VOL. 59, No. 14, Jan. 27, 2005
President Alberto Duarte presided over today's meeting at the Hilton. Chaplain Bingham gave the invocation, including a prayer for Duane Plank; and led the pledge of allegiance. Brad Sanford introduced his guest and it was noted that Brad's father Dr. Howard M. Sanford passed away recently. Alberto expressed the club's regrets. Another guest was Ira Sutton from the Evening Optimist Club who was invited by Lt. Gov. Ed Clark to hear our program. Ed further reported that he had just come from the hospital where more than 20 visitors were present to support Duane. As we met today his open-heart surgery was being completed. A card was passed around for all to sign wishing Duane a speedy and complete recovery. We had a good attendance of about 30 today.

Today's "Moment of History" was dedicated to those brave astronauts who lost their lives in the line of duty on or about this date in past years. A moment of silence was observed in their memory.

Alberto announced that the members of the ROC (Randolph Optimist Club) gave $350 to Tsunami relief. Furthermore, the ROC is planning a talent show for March 11, and a show of support by our attendance would be well received. Sometime in February the ROC will be selling 350 dozen donuts. Our president met with the ROC recently and they look forward to our proposed joint chili and pancake fund- raiser. Apparently some speakers have been identified for our Oratorical Contest next month, and Connie Gipson said she hopes to have several participants in our Essay Contest. Even though Duane will not be too active for awhile Will Dawes and Ed Clark will start planning for a NOW Banquet. Will will be the featured speaker at the South Huntsville Optimist Club's NOW meeting on Feb. 15.

Will Dawes introduced our speakers: CPA Bob Seaman and tax accountant Ginny Beggs. They provided clarification on the issue before the club of whether or not we should seek to change from a 501 (c)(4) to a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization. They fielded extensive questioning on the subject, and Will has gotten OI approval to extend the deadline for our response from Jan. 31 to our next business meeting Feb. 17. Since the question is to accept the OI club by-laws which differ only slightly from our current by-laws and become a 501 (c)(3) club or to reject the 0I proposal. This bulletin fulfills the requirement of informing members of a vote on by-laws at least 2 weeks before the vote.

Nate Showers won the attendance prize. It pays to go to club meetings. Again, our club web site can be viewed at huntsville.alms-optimists.org

CALENDAR

Feb 3		Thursday		11:45 am		Hilton		Betsy Allison - Girl Scouts
Feb. 8		Tuesday		4:00 pm		First Commercial Bank		Board of Directors Meeting
Feb 10		Thursday		11:45 am		Hilton		Return to Shuttle Flight
Feb. 15		Tuesday		4:00 pm		Regions Trust Department		Optimist Foundation Quarterly Meeting
Feb 17		Thursday		11:45 am		Optimist Recreation Center		Business Meeting
Feb. 24		Thursday		11:45 am		Hilton		Frank Six on Hubble Space Telescope
Carl W.