September 1, 2017 at 4:03 p.m.
Optimist Club members meet in Rhinelander
Optimist Club members meet in Rhinelander
By Kayla Thomason-
This was the first convention the Wisconsin North Upper Michigan (WINUM) District has held in Rhinelander, however the first quarter conference was held here two years ago.
The festivities started at the Northwoods Children's Museum in Eagle River where club members made crafts for the children and took a tour of the museum. The next day the members had an executive meeting where new officers were installed.
"Our main topic for this convention was getting back to the basics of Optimism in the form of a presentation titled 'Club 101,'" said governor Sue Carlson of Chippewa Falls. "This was presented by several past governors and was very enlightening and key to keeping our Optimist Clubs strong."
Optimist International is a worldwide volunteer organization made up of more than 2,500 local clubs whose members work each day to make the future brighter by bringing out the best in children, in their communities, and in themselves, according to the organization's website.
"I feel that the convention went well," Carlson said. "Even though attendance was not where we had hoped it would be, we had a chance to network, share ideas, meet again with old friends and add new friends."
Carlson said she particularly enjoyed her time at the children's museum.
"My favorite part of the convention was volunteering at the Northwoods Children's Museum as our 'service project' on Friday night and having Benny Ellerbe, Director of Optimist International, as our guest," she said.
Ellerbe, from St. Louis, Mo., was impressed to hear that one club gave away 158 bicycles during an event.
"So when I come to a meeting I want to know what the clubs are doing to be successful, how they earn their funds, how they put the funds back in the community, how they help youth. So a lot of the stuff we do is networking, to understand what is the newest trend is in community service," he said, adding that conventions are a good way to share ideas.
"When we come here it's really to recharge, reinvent, to refocus ourselves, find out new ideas and take that back home to our local communities," he said.
He loved Rhinelander and thought it was beautiful.
Jann Ban Dreser of Stevens Point said the networking is very important, especially for smaller clubs in smaller areas.
"I always enjoy both the networking with the exchange of ideas, programs, and projects being hosted by other Optimist Clubs, and the opportunity to share my knowledge and background in Optimism, both formally in training sessions and informally," Van Dreser said.
He noted that every club is autonomous and runs events that cater to the interests and dynamics of its community.
"Optimist Clubs are all different in how they serve their respective service areas, but similar in the positive opportunities they provide youth," Van Dreser said. "Each club has the ability to hold programs and activities based on specific needs within their area or they can use one of the many programs offered us by Optimist International," he explained.
Some organizations are more hands-on, such as the Rhinelander Area Optimist Club which organizes and hosts the annual Easter Egg Hunt and open skate sessions, he added.
Convention attendee Tony Yaggie of Howard-Suamico noted that someone from his area will now be based in Rhinelander.
"Ryan Zietlow, our YMCA director at Howard-Suamico is going to be your YMCA director up here in Rhinelander," he said. "This kid is dynamite, you'll have one of the best Optimist Clubs in the north and we're proud to be helping him."
The Rhinelander Optimist Club was formed June 26, 2012 and organizes several events through the year.
In late October or early November, the club hosts a free open skate at the Rhinelander Ice Arena. The Saturday before Easter, the group throws a free Easter Egg Hunt at Pioneer Park with 6,000 colorful eggs filled with goodies and prizes.
And, forthe past three years, the club has offered a $500 scholarship for community-minded high school seniors.
"We are set up to serve the youth of our area, in both fun and educational ways," said Dave Mannikko, president of the Rhinelander Area Optimist Club.
The Wisconsin North Upper Michigan District runs from Highway 23 and up in Wisconsin. The organization is hoping to add some U.P. clubs as well.
"Optimist International is a 70,000-member strong organization but the long and the short of it is, it's focused on youth," Yaggie said.
For more information on the Rhinelander Area Optimist Club or to sign up, contact Mannikko at (715) 369-5577 or email [email protected].
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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