VOL. 60, No. 2, October 13, 2005
President Will Dawes presided over an enthusiastic meeting at the Holiday Inn - Select today. Hershel Bingham gave the invocation and led the club in the pledge. Will announced that "Bringing Out the Best In Kids" is our theme for this year (see the fall issue of your Optimist magazine for details), and Will intends for our club contribute to this end. We had close to 30 in attendance to support Will as he embarks on his year in the driver's seat.

Duane Plank introduced our only guest today, Mike Morris. It was good to hear briefly from our 3 newest members: Deborah Severn, John Burns, and Wilda Davis; as, Duane officially indoctrinated them into membership. Will welcomed the guest and challenged the new members to become involved. Involvement opportunities will be spelled out at next week's business meeting at the Optimist Recreation Center located on Oakwood Ave. just east of Andrew Jackson Way. On the 27th of Oct. we'll be back at the HI-Select where our speaker will be Charles Wiley. Mr. Wiley is nationally known, and he will give his views on media bias. This promises to be a lively meeting - well worth bringing a guest to.

Pres. Will reported that Jeff Klimek has been retained by the Board to be our Sec. /Treas. For another year, Tammy Westmoreland is currently planning our next pancake breakfast, $100 has been sent to Optimist International to honor our loved and departed Duane Williamson, and all Board meetings this year will be held on the 1st Tues. each month at 4;00 pm at First Commercial Bank on Whitesburg (Gay's bank).

Will intends to give particular emphasis to communications this Optimist year. This has many facets. He plans to assign a senior member to mentor each new member for a period of time to provide the new member with club orientation. Fred Binner has agreed to be sergeant at arms. This entails being sure banners and badges are available at each meeting, and acting as our official greeter. Thanks Fred!

Gov. Elect, Tom Casteel reminded the club that the Ala./ Miss. Board meeting will convene in Decatur, Fri. Oct. 21. Details can be found on our web site: (huntsville.alms-optimists.org) which Tom currently maintains for us.

Will and Duane will spearhead a drive for new members this year with a goal of +25 to go along with the 58 we currently have on the rolls. By mid year (Mar. '06) each member is asked to have as a personal goal to sponsor a new member. NOW programs will help to achieve this. Many other proposed club activities will be discussed in detail next week.

John Shirey won the attendance prize. CALENDAR

Oct. 20		Thursday		11:45 am		Optimist Recreation Center		Business Meeting
Oct. 27		Thursday		11:45 am		Holiday Inn Select		Charles Wiley, Media Bias
Nov. 1		Tuesday		4:00 pm		1st Commercial Bank		Board Meeting
Nov. 3		Thursday		11:45 am		Holiday Inn Select		TBA
Carl W.