Optimism
Hilton St. Louis Airport
Reservation Information
Our 3rd Quarter Conference will be held at the Hilton St. Louis Airport, May 5-6, 2023. Members may reserve guest rooms at the discounted rate of $99 + tax (up to two people in room at this rate). Rate includes breakfast for up to 2 and free parking. Members attending conference but not staying at the Hilton will also have free parking. The deadline for this discounted rate is April 14, 2023.
You can book by phone at the main hotel number 314.426.5500 and ask for East MO Optimist block. The online hotel guest room reservation link is East Missouri Optimist Club.
Conference Registration Payment
Be inspired by the Optimism radiating from the Oratorical contestants!
Notes from our 2nd Quarter Conference
We enjoyed reminiscing and sipping retro cocktails
Cheryl Brenn, Optimist International Executive Director, spoke highlighting the comradery we enjoy as Optimist members and how that is important as we execute our service projects. Mary Hatfield led a discussion regarding the importance of proper branding for our clubs. We also provided the Veterans Food Pantry with requested baby diapers and toiletries.
Jean Naeger announced the following Achievements & Awards winners for 1st Quarter:
Bronze Level = 250 – 499pts (per Qtr): Fayette and Columbia Downtown
Silver Level = 500 – 749pts (per Qtr): Kids First and St. Louis
Gold Level = 750 – 999pts (per Qtr): Washington
Platinum Level = 1000+pts (per Qtr): Twin City Area Optimist Club; Rolla; Jackson Noon
The Twin City, Rolla, and Jackson Noon clubs each get 2 free registrations for non-officers to our 3rd Quarter Conference!
Additionally, a drawing was held and the Washington and St. Louis clubs each won another free registration to our next conference!
Aaron Bean, with service dog Ellie, with Gov. Ernie Wren and Danna Wren
Aaron Bean spoke with us Friday evening. He captivated us with his retelling of a dangerous, stormy, night time, at sea rescue. He was part of a Coast Guard team sent to rescue crew members from a stranded ship. It was evident that he was cool under immense pressure and he compartmentalized death to focus on survival. His story became the book "On the Edge of Survival"
Mr. Bean was later diagnosed with PTSD and was paired with his gentle service dog, Ellie. He obtained Ellie through Retrieving Freedom.
Future Leaders
Phyllis Neff, Governor-Elect, conducted a leadership class for these Optimist members.
Matthew Politte, 2022 Jr. Golf Winner
Joe Hatfield, Jr. Golf Chair, spoke with last year's Jr. Golf Tournament winner Matthew Politte, who was able to join from college via Zoom. Matthew said he really enjoyed competing in our golf event and that it did help prepare him for playing in college.
About Retrieving Freedom
Thank you Rene' Massey, for introducing Aaron Bean and his service dog, Ellie
Retrieving Freedom, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to training service dogs to help people. Our primary focuses are training dogs to serve the needs of Veterans and children with Autism. We breed and train chosen dogs that exhibit specific traits necessary to perform tasks to help these individuals, and we believe in matching the dog to the recipient.
Our training program isn’t designed to train each dog to follow a certain program. Instead, dogs are trained to meet the needs of their specific recipient. The dogs go through more than two years of training to meet our strict standards for a successful placement.
Arcelia Plancarte Winns EMO 50/50!
The wheel was spun!
Arcelia with Gov. Ernie Wren!
Here is the winning name!
Our inaugural 50/50 contest donor names were added to the wheel and shuffled.
Here is the winning name!
Arcelia with Gov. Ernie Wren!
Here is the winning name!
The wheel was spun and a random name was selected!
Arcelia with Gov. Ernie Wren!
Arcelia with Gov. Ernie Wren!
Arcelia with Gov. Ernie Wren!
Congratulations Arcelia!
Communication Communication Communication
Keeping In Touch
Coming direct to your inboxes! We are evolving and new methods of sharing information are on the way! Be sure to add emoptimistdist@gmail.com and emo.aa.ad@gmail.com to your contacts so you will easily see various emails and newsletters from our district leadership! Yes, every member will be receiving things such as call letters for our conferences!
Middle America Regional VP - Elect Mike Boles
CONGRATULATIONS to Region 4 Middle America Vice President – Elect Mike Boles from EMO's own Arnold-Imperial Optimist Club!
EMO 2022-2023 Important Dates
October 2022
October 1- Clubs pay dues to OI and EMO
Clubs send your required club chair registrations
October 28-29 1st Quarter District Conference, Courtyard by Marriott, Columbia
November 2022
Happy Thanksgiving
December 2022
Happy Holidays
January 2023
January 1 Clubs pay dues to OI
Happy New Year!
February 2023
February __ Deadline Clubs send Oratorical and CCDHH winner packages to Zone Chairs
February 14 Happy Valentine’s Day
February 15 Clubs Form 990 due to IRS
February 24-25 2nd Quarter District Conference, Hilton STL Airport, St. Louis
February ___ Clubs Winning Essays due to District Essay Chair
March 2023
Happy St. Patrick's Day
April 2023
April 1 Clubs pay dues to OI & EMO
April __ Deadline District Essay winner packages to OI
Deadline Zone Oratorical and CCDHH winner packages to District Chairs
May 2023
May 5-6 3rd Quarter District Conference, Hilton STL Airport, St. Louis
District Oratorical and CCDHH Contests
District Essay Contest Winner presentation
Election of Lt. Gov.-Elects and nominations for Governor-Elect 2023-2024
May 15 Deadline District Oratorical and CCDHH winner packages to OI
May 20 Club Officer Elect Report and OIF Representative due to OI
June 2023
June 9 EMO Jr. Golf Qualifying Tournament
July 2023
July 1 Clubs pay dues to OI
July 2-5 OI Convention, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA
July TBD OI Regional and World Oratorical Contest at St. Louis University
August 2023
August 18-20 EMO District Convention, Hilton STL Airport, St. Louis
Election Governor-Elect 2023-2024
Club Scrapbook Contest
August 31 Club Annual Registration Report due to MO Secretary of State
Deadline Club President’s Citation information to OI
September 2023
September 30 Deadline Club Pride report to OI
