Club Day
Today there was no outside guest speaker. Instead, club members shared information about various CNO subjects.
Substitute President Today
Beth Duncan was acting president today and did a fantastic job. Beth is currently the CNO President Elect and will start her one-year term on 10/1/2022. President Gary Hansen had a family funeral to attend.
Items Covered Today
- TOP Soccer (for those with special needs)
- Optimist International Foundation (501(c)(3) arm of OI for fully tax-deductible donations)
- The most recent Ohio District Conference
- Annual Avenue of Flags Kick Off
Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
God,
We struggle with feelings of inadequacy. We feel we are not strong enough, physically or emotionally. We feel we do not possess the right education or training to be of value in certain situations. We focus on our shortcomings as parents, grandparents, caregivers, friends, and coworkers. We weigh ourselves down with guilt for needing help, making mistakes, or taking a break. We spend too much time focus on what we cannot do, rather than on all that we have to offer. Lord, help us to realize we are enough, for we are who you created us to be and exactly what you knew the world needed.
Amen.
Optimist International Visual Arts Contest Voting
Jane Fiehrer announced that the two winners (one for drawing, one for painting) of the CNO 2022 Visual Arts Contest have moved on to the national contest. Everyone can vote for their favorite. Voting is open from May 15, 2022 through May 30, 2022. One vote per person and once submitted the vote is final.
The winners of our contest have black frames. Help our winners by voting for them so they win some scholarship money.
Vote using this link, https://www.optimist.org/member/visual_arts_contest.cfm
The photos of the Visual Arts Submissions for both of the years we have held the contest can be seen using this link.
Announcements
- Beth Duncan announced that it was great last Thursday to celebrate our Optimist of the Year recipients Evelyn Griffin and Bob Lawson at the annual President’s Club Outstanding Volunteer Breakfast. Pictures are available here.
- Beth Duncan announced that last week Gary Hansen presented a CNO check for $20,000 at the grand opening of the Yankee Park Playground. The money will pay for inclusive swings to be purchased and installed for all Centerville Washington Park District Parks that have swings. See the slides for today’s presentation to view pictures.
- Debe Dockins announced that the People’s Choice Award for the CNO Photography contest voting at the library is complete. Thanks to the 52 people who voted. Delphine won the People’s Choice Award and she was also the winner chosen by the professional judge a few weeks ago. View all of the great photos using this link.
- Tom Novak announced that Avenue of Flags needs more delivery volunteers. They really need flag friendly vehicles like trucks and mini vans.
- Beth Duncan announced that Gary Hansen is looking for chairs, committee members and volunteers for the following events:
- Big 6 Gaming Table at Party in the Park (June 10, July 15); contact Mitch Bodenmiller or Debe Dockins if you are interested
- CHS Handouts Booth at Party in the Park (June 10, July 15)
- Americana Parade Float (July 4)
Committee Meetings
- 6/15/2022, 6 PM, Tom Frazier Tee Off for Youth Golf Classic 2022. Meetings in 2022 will be on Wednesdays on 1/26, 2/16, 3/16, 4/20, 5/18, 6/15, 7/13. Additional golf committee members and volunteers are always welcome. The event will be held on 7/18/2022.
Community Events
- 6/4/2022, 8 AM to 12:30 PM, Fishing Derby at RecPlex. To volunteer use the member calendar here.
- 6/6/2022, All Day, Junior Golf Tournament, Volunteers are needed, contact Jerry Stahley and/or use the member calendar here.
- 7/18/2022, All Day, the 30th year of the Tom Frazier Tee Off for Youth Golf Classic will be held on 7/18/2022. To volunteer use the member calendar here.
Happy Birthday Carolyn Taylor
Today was Carolyn Taylor’s birthday. CNO member and accomplished singer Tom Beery sang an improvised version of Happy Birthday to Carolyn, and it was hilarious. Afterwards the lunch attendees sang, and it was about as bad as normal. Happy Birthday Carolyn Taylor!
TOP Soccer
Bob Glavin explained the TOP Soccer program, which is going to have its 22nd season in August It is soccer for those with special needs. It’s not really about soccer. It is a social experience that gets participants exercising while they get to wear real uniforms. All goals are celebrated. There are 150- 180 players that play on 7+ fields. Their website is https://www.southdaytontopsoccer.com
The program is open to people aged five to adult that would have difficulty playing in regular “recreational” programs.
The program is twice a week for one hour from mid-August to mid-October.
Head coaches are Bob Glavin, Paul Boeckman, Craig Dring, Dana Dring and Greg Wasmund. They have all been coaching TOP Soccer for 10-15 years.
How You Can Help
They need more assistant coaches. You don’t need any knowledge or experience with soccer.
Assistant coaches help by encouraging players, ensuring equal participation, creating enthusiasm and having FUN! This is a great volunteer opportunity for CNO members.
They also need more “On field buddies.” These buddies are paired with an individual player. This job is perfect for junior high, high school, and college students!
If you can help or know someone who would like to help, contact Bob Glavin.
Volunteers get more out of it than the kids do. Often the players recognize coaches years later. For example, coaches and assistant coaches will get hugs from past players while at the grocery store.
Optimist International Foundation Update
Bill Stone, the Ohio Governor Elect for the Great Ohio District and past CNO representative for the Optimist International Foundation (OIF), discussed how the OIF is about “Helping Optimists Help Kids.”
OIF Mission Statement
Seeking, receiving, and managing funds and real personal property for the benefit of Optimist International and its Member Clubs in its charitable, literary, and educational activities.
Two Main Support Levels
Annual donations are appreciated and any amount is accepted. The two main levels are Dime-a-Day, $36.50/year and the President’s Club, $250.00/year.
How Does OIF Support Optimist International?
- Scholarships: Provides scholarships to all Districts for Oratorical, Essay and CCDHH
- World Oratorical Championship: Provides scholarships to the Regional Winners for U.S. and International Contestants
- Fundraising: Assists OI with fundraising from outside organizations for the World Oratorical Championship and JOI
- Supports the Reel Optimism Video Contest: Provides the awards for Winning entries
- Supports the Junior Optimist Golf Program
How Does OIF Support OI Clubs?
- Club Grants (info on www.oifoundation.org)
- Club Grant: $500 grant for new projects – 20 grants are awarded annually
- CHHW Matching Grant: $250 – $1,000 grant for Health and Wellness projects
- Disaster Relief Grant: $1,000 grant for clubs to work in their communities after a natural disaster
How Does OIF Fund Ongoing Projects
- Fines and 50/50 is donated to OIF
- Member Donations
- Club Donations
- Endowments and Sponsorships
- Outside Revenue
- Investment Resources
CNO Dime-a-Day Contest
- Donate here https://www.oifoundation.org/us-canada-donate.html
- Any CNO member who donates between now and May 31, 2022, will be entered into a drawing
- Five CNO members who donate to OIF will be selected in June 2022 and receive a $10 gift card for Opti-gear at https://OptimistClubStore.com
Ohio District Conference
Greg Griffin, the current Governor of the Great Ohio District, reported about the recent conference on May 6, and May 7, 2022. It was a good turnout with 76 people attending.
The Ohio District winners for CCDHH (Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) contest, Essay Contest and the Oratorical contest were announced. They will be moving on to St. Louis to compete nationally for sizeable scholarships.
Avenue of Flags Fundraiser (Annual Kick Off Presentation)
Beth Duncan introduced Tom Novak, one of the three co-chairs of the CNO Avenue of Flags (AOF) Committee. The other co-chairs are Mike Brubaker and Bob Burkman. The five flag holidays celebrated with the delivery of flags are Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.
The slide deck has some great pictures, charts, and maps about AOF.
Avenue of Flags is a win/win program. The community loves it and it helps enable CNO to do what it does.
By the Numbers
- 2021 profit was $103,000!
- 2022 has 83 flag routes
- 2022 will involve more than 180 volunteers
Avenue of Flags Teams
- Subscription Renewals Teams
- Flag Delivery/Retrieval Teams
- Sleeve installation Teams
- Flag Assembly Team
- Flag Facility Team
Shared Fundraiser
- AOF helps other organizations raise funds while they help us
- CNO volunteers deliver 64% of flags
- Flag subscribers deliver 15.8% of flags
- CHS Wresting team members and parents deliver 9.3% of flags
- VFW delivers 7.5% of flags
- Blue Star Mothers deliver 3.3% of flags
Additional Volunteers are Always Welcome
Let Tom Novak know if you can help with delivery or pickup of flags. Helpers go out as 2 person teams. They are very excited to get volunteers that have flag friendly vehicles like mini-vans, SUV’s and pickup trucks. If you do not own a flag friendly vehicle you can still help; you will be paired with someone who has a compatible vehicle.
Sending Payments
If you receive a payment of cash or check from a new or current subscriber, send them directly to the home of Bob Burkman. It saves a step instead of people sending to the CNO P.O. box. This also increases the chances of late subscribers receiving their flags for Memorial Day or Flag Day.
Note that subscribers can subscribe, renew and pay with a credit card on the CNO website, https://centervillenoonoptimist.com/avenue-of-flags-sign-up/
Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day History
Memorial Day was originally named Decoration Day. Memorial Day started on May 30, 1865, to honor the 620,000 people who died in the Civil War. May 30th was chosen because there were no battles on that day. Memorial Day got its current official name in 1967. Currently Memorial Day is on the last Monday of May each year because of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Signed into law on June 28, 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act took effect on January 1, 1971. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May as a tribute to the men and women currently serving in the Armed Forces.
Avenue of Flags History
In 2003 to test the fundraiser, CNO put out 30 flags for free in Quail Run. If Chuck Dickerson had not put up the initial $3000 in funding, the program probably would never have started.
Back in 2005, the first year Avenue of Flags was a fundraiser, they did skits at CNO lunch to educate members about the concept. One of the skits was the Tom and Jerry show played by “Tom” Novak and “Jerry” Stahley. Others played American Historical characters. Charlie Tapp dressed up as Paul Revere. Benjamin Franklin was played by Chuck Dickerson. Ken Peacock played Johnny Appleseed, which represented the need to “plant” the flags.
Subscribers Help Us Serve the Community
The Avenue of Flags is about the American Flag. The revenue helps support what CNO does for the youth of our community. Neighbors telling their neighbors about the Avenue of Flags is a large source of new subscribers. This was the only way it worked for the first few years. If you have neighbors that have not subscribed, let them know about the program and how it helps the community.
New Events Calendar is Active on CNO Website
The member calendar which allows volunteers to sign up is active on the website. It works easily on both mobile and desktop devices. There are public and member calendars on the site. https://centervillenoonoptimist.com/cal/
There is a QR code you can use at the bottom to share the calendars with other members and the community.
Things you can do with the calendars
- View upcoming lunch and CNO 2.0 speakers.
- Sign up to volunteer for community events like the Easter Egg Hunt and Bike Rodeo. After you sign up the software will offer to add the event to your calendar.
- Sign up for social events such as Euchre tournaments and soon the annual dinners for officer installation and holiday party.
- The community can use it to learn about events like the Bike Rodeo, Fishing Derby and Tri-star Soccer. If they sign up we can send reminders of the events.
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Dean Lundgren | Patrick Arehart | 1st Reading |
| Paula Harrison | Judy Johnson | 2nd Reading |
| Michael Koveleski | Bill Stone | 2nd Reading |
| Megan Dalton | Carol Smerz | 3rd Reading |
| Claire Kerr | Beth Duncan | 3rd Reading |
Welcome Guests!
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Bill Taylor | Carolyn Taylor |
| Dawn Mincek | |
| Dean Lundgren | Patrick Arehart |
| Joan Schiml | Mike Bevis |
| Judy Winfield | Tom Novak |
| Lisa Medeiros | Mike Bevis |
| Megan Dalton | Carol Smerz |
| Paula Harrison | Judy Johnson |
| Reba Stromberg | Mike Bevis |
| Ron Galleher | Dawn Mincek |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Bob Lawson | The Castle Fishing Day went great |
| Bob Lawson | The fishing at the RecPlex Family Adventure Day went great |
| Scott Langer | He and Julie Celebrated 32 years of marriage on May 5, 2022 |
| Bill Stone | Had a blast at the Delaware Aviation Museum where he was certified to fly as second in command and flew a B-25 Bomber |
| Carolyn Taylor | Her husband Bill has retired |
| Bob Glavin | Scott Rheaume attending today’s meeting after his long COVID recovery |
| Michelle Tagliamonte | $2 for Stan Fronzaglia paying her fine last week when she didn’t have any cash |
| Myron Rheaume | Granddaughter Keara returned from 10 days in Katmandu, Nepal working with child victims of human trafficking in halfway houses |
| Myron Rheaume | Granddaughter Kyla accepted to Kettering College of Medical Arts in ultrasound and doppler technology program |
| Myron Rheaume | Grandson Liam got dual preferred scholar scholarship to Holy Cross at Notre Dame and Notre Dame University School of Business. Completion of 4 year program earns BS in Business from Holy Cross and MBA Finance form Notre Dame. Total 4 year scholarship $168,000. Also invited to walk on with Notre Dame ice hockey team. |
| Bob Myers | Bob is a newer member and was working at the same polling place during the election on 5/3/2022 as Debe Dockins. He wanted her to prove she was really a CNO member and asked her who the current CNO president was. She told him it was Gary Hansen. Then Debe then asked Bob to prove he was a member by saying who the previous president was. When he didn’t know she of course told hit it was HER! |
Sergeants at Arms
| Member | Infraction |
| Tom Beery | Besides his Avenue of Flags shirt, he also wore flag pants |
| John Speers | Attended today’s meeting. |
| Everyone who delivers flags that did not wear their AOF shirt today | Not wearing an official Avenue of Flags shirt for the Avenue of Flags kickoff and picture |
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Jerry Gerhards | May 23, 2021 | 1 |
| Laura Thimons | May 19, 2020 | 2 |
| Alan Brown | May 23, 2019 | 3 |
| Mary Ann MacKenzie | May 23, 2019 | 3 |
| Rafael Santillan | May 18, 2016 | 6 |
| Kelly George | May 20, 2015 | 7 |
| Bill DeShurko | May 18, 2011 | 11 |
| Jim Marker | May 18, 2011 | 11 |
Birthdays
| Jim Long | May 17 |
| Carolyn Taylor | May 17 |
| Jack Anderson | May 18 |
| Amy Barker | May 19 |
| Mike Brubaker | May 19 |
| Jim Marker | May 23 |
CNO Donations – 2013 through May 2022
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
Click Here to see read the Thank You Notes we received this week