Prior Lake-Savage Optimist Club Prior Lake, MN 55372

January 2021

2021 Officers President Kathy Dawson 1st Vice President Linda Ringstad General Secretary Needed Treasurer Maria Belden Board Secretary Andrea Steger  Past President Beth Clark  Board of Directors Scott Carlson, Beth Clark, Anita Drentlaw, Michael Lorinser, Mary Nagarajan, Jenny Nagy, Shawn Richey, Linda Ringstad, Steve Schmid, Les Sonnabend, Jim Speiker Jr., Dan Steger

Meeting Schedule January 13, 2021 - Noon  JOC member - Chuck Spavin - Optimist Foundation Zoom invite will be sent. January 24, 2021 - 3 to 5 pm. Social at Boathouse Brewery’s garden on Main St.  Stay tuned for details. If the outdoor event does not happen or weather prevents this then an alternate plan will be sent out. February 10, 2021 - speaker suggestions welcome February 24, 2021 - social gathering - TBA

Latest News and Updates

GET INVOLVED! Please consider volunteering for one of these roles within the Club. We need members to step in, learn the responsibilities and take a more active role. None of these positions require much time – promise! If at all curious – ask – please! URGENT NEED!! 2nd VP – becomes President in 1 year We need a Secretary for General meetings.

Meetings for the 2021 Prior Lake – Savage Year Due to the rise in COVID numbers and to follow CDC guidelines all general membership meetings will be on Zoom until further notice.   This will be re-evaluated in March. Our first general meeting of the month will be a regular meeting and we will follow our normal agenda. Our second meeting of the month will be an activity type meeting.  We will collaborate with our social activities committee to plan an activity or have a Zoom happy hour with some type of fun game or event.  Time suggested for this activity meeting is from 5-6:00 pm or TBD depending on the type of activity. If you have ideas for speakers or a social gathering please submit suggestions to plsoptimistclub@gmail.com

Essay Contest Thank you to Dan Steger and Mary Nagarajan for getting the Essay Contest off the ground!  The contest is open to anyone under 19 years of age.   The topic this year is “Reaching Your Dreams by Choosing Optimism”.   Please help spread the word.  Essays are due February 1, 2021. Dan is looking for three judges.  If interested contact plsoptimistclub@gmail.com

EXCEL  Program Next meeting is Wednesday, January 6th.  The topic is Goal setting.   Please contact Anita with questions. adrentlaw@newmarketbank.com

Junior Optimist Program The Club is meeting virtually and is very active.  These young men and women are not letting this pandemic get in their way of staying involved.   Over Christmas break the JOC made blankets which they donated to Children’s Hospital and they packed meals at Feed My Starving Children. These young people continue to amaze and inspire! Junior Optimist in Middle Schools The Club will be forming a Junior Optimist Club in the Middle schools. Jim Speiker has expressed interest in being one of the mentors.  He could use a partner. If interested please contact Jim: jspeiker2@gmail.com, Maria: mariaesbelden@gmail.com, or Dan: dpsteger@gmail.com. Several members of the Jr Optimist Club at the high school have expressed interest in being mentors as well.   Next steps. Dan and Maria will talk to the middle school principals and seek a teacher to be a liaison.  8 members are needed to start the club so if you know any middle school students - get the word out that this wonderful opportunity will be starting at their schools! Thank you Dan Steger and Maria Belden for being so enthusiastic and so supportive of these programs!

PLSOC Book Club  Next meeting...Winter Hiatus...Stay tuned! . There is list of books for future meetings on Goodreads.com.  Sign up and go to: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/724068-optimist-book-club   You can add books that you are interested in to the list.

Committee Meetings

Social Committee  Winter activity Stay tuned - an activity will be announced for the post holiday months. Something outdoors where we can meet and greet safely and at a distance! Happy Hours ***All events postponed until further notice!

Group Projects

Please note: Fill The Bowl – This event has been postponed.  Please support R.O.C.K. with donations.

Announcement

Membership Renewals...Don't Forget Membership renewals are due for the 2020/2021 year.  The cost is $90 to renew.  Still need renewals.  Reach out to your friends in the Club who you have not heard from in awhile!

Gambling Funds

December Approved Sleep in Heavenly Peace - $2500 January Proposed No requests this month to date. Bank Balance $318,826 Old National $2,104                                         Funds paid out:     2018 - $11,430     2019 - $ 8,932     2020 - $24,950 3 year total:  $45,012

Support our Club These establishments are temporarily closed....but order carry-out if possible to support these businesses: Extra Innings Boathouse Brothers Brewery - Pull tabs available at the weekend garden on Main Lakers Tavern & Pizza

Local Events

Please note:  When referring anyone to the PLSOC please use this email instead of personal emails. plsoptimistclub@gmail.com . This email is monitored daily.

Parting Comments :) Happy New Year!  2021 will be a positive year!  Keep smiling - remember your eyes light up and people know you are smiling behind that mask!

Please note: To contact the Optimist Club, click the link to the right or email: plsoptimistclub@gmail.com (This email is monitored daily)

CONTACT US

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