Presiding – Brooke Hamstra

Greeters – John Teevan & Chris Hanson

Invocation – Ot Schroeder

Birthdays – Nick Deeter, Luke Becknell, Maria

Check Presentation – Ryan Burgher/Agaitas, $1,000 was granted to Agaitas

Announcements –

Fundraisers Reminders & Updates –

• Triathlon Final Results Jeff Owens reported that next year’s Triathlon will be June 26, 2027
• Fall Displays online sale started 08/01/26 Kris Williams & Steve Block
• Golf Outing (09/08/26) = Chris Hanson & Chris McCray
• End of the Year Celebration – Wednesday Evening Meeting on 09/30/26 first RSVP email will be sent out today, deadline to RSVP is 09/14/26, Members free, spouses and guests, $25. Here is the link to sign up for the End of Year Celebration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IuNOrPt_uKIzPCdAV8s7fE2pyuvs9voCbVPDPn2WYMs/edit
  

Membership –

• New Member Induction – Kristy Owens – Sponsor Michael Rees, Joel Wihebrink, past preseident, conducted the induction

50/50 – $51.50 to Ron Chambers

Member Moment – Jim Smith & Brittany Lyons – Kristin Huscher-Pahl was interviewed for our Member Moment

Program – Randy Polston introduced United Way Youth Impact, Barry Andrew – Key Youth Programs & Initiatives

• Youth Worker Cafés & Training: Partners with groups like the Indiana Youth Institute and SCAN to offer workshops, trauma-informed care education, and safety training for local youth leaders.
• Brain Development: Supports early learning experiences that prepare young children for future school success.
• Trauma Recovery: Helps children heal from toxic stress and early trauma with community-based support and training.
• A Caring Community: Connects kids and families with compassionate volunteers and mentors through programs like Days of Caring.
• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Delivers free books monthly to local children under five years old.
• Big Give / Tools for School: Coordinates annual back-to-school drives supplying thousands of backpacks and essential items to local students.

Optimistic Quote –

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you areand change the ending.” — Commonly attributed to C. S. Lewis

Next Week’s Program – Optimist Golf Outing Results

Greeters – Art Gakstatter & Charlie Wagner

Birthdays – Tom Tearney & Chad Goon

Club Announcements –

Membership – Angie Tom

• Kristy Owens – Sponsor Michael Rees (3rd Reading)
• Jay Hinkel – Sponsor Brittany Lyon (3rd Reading)

50/50 – $41 to David Benning

Sergeants – Potential sergeants were auditioned as sergeants for next year.

Program – Dr. Rachel Hoffert and Megan Smith presented from Grace College Literacy Center.

We enable our teacher candidates to engage in literacy coursework aligned with evidence-based practices while providing avenues for faculty and staff to participate in continuous professional development.

“The science of reading is a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing. This research has been conducted over the last five decades across the world, and it is derived from thousands of studies conducted in multiple languages. The science of reading has culminated in a preponderance of evidence to inform how proficient reading and writing develop; why some have difficulty; and how we can most effectively assess and teach and, therefore, improve student outcomes through prevention of and intervention for reading difficulties.”

Optimistic Quote ~ “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can.” — John Wesley

Next week’s Program – Language Matters/Lucas Fonseca. Language Matters is the Indiana-based language company that equips cities and businesses through consulting services, Spanish and French translation, and language-learning programs. Specializing in relating effectively to international communities, the Language Matters team is bridging language and culture gaps through innovation and education.

Presiding – Brooke Hamstra

Invocation – Lois Borkholder

Greeters – Max Mock & Marty Becker

Guests – Chris McCann & Paul Heaton

Announcements –

• Fall Displays – online sale started 08/01/26 Kris Williams
• Golf Outing – Chris Hanson & Chris McCray
• WeLEAD event update – from last week Kris Williams
• End of the Year Celebratiion – Wednesday Evening Meeting on 09/30/26 more info coming

Membership –

• Kristy Owens – Sponsor Michael Rees (2nd Reading)
• Jay Hinkel – Sponsor Brittany Lyon (2nd Reading)

50/50 – $40 to Ron Chambers

Sergeants – Aviation was the topic for the day, members were harassed with questions about flying.

Membership Moment – Jim Smith & Brittany Lyon, Nick King was interviewed for the Membership Moment.

Birthdays – Happy Birthday to Kristy Owens and Joe Thallemer

Program -Warsaw Municipal Airport, Nick King. The Warsaw Municipal Airport offers two mile-long runways, courtesy cars, and safety features as found at larger airports. With the installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) in 1994, all categories of aircraft can conduct instrument landings at the Warsaw Airport with weather minimums of a 200-foot ceiling and 3/4-mile visibility. The ILS provides better and safer access to Warsaw and is an economic development attraction for future businesses wishing to locate to or expand within our community. “Warsaw Municipal Airport is where Warsaw meets the World.” -Nick King, Airport Manager

Optimistic Quote –
“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” William Arthur Ward

Next Week’s Program – Grace College Literacy Center/Dr Rachel Hoffert

Presiding – Brooke Hamstra

Greeters – Steven Foegley & Susan Armacost

Invocation – Brie Lycan

Birthdays – We sang “Happy Birthday” to no one

Announcements –

• Fundraisers Reminders & Updates
  • Fall Displays online sale started 08/01/26 Kris Williams
  • Golf Outing (09/08/26) Chris Hanson & Chris McCray
  • WeLEAD event this evening, 4-6pm @ Center Lake Pavilion to promote WBOC as a nonprofit in our community – Kris Williams
  • End of the Year Celebration, Evening of 09/30/26, Committee meeting update

Membership –

Allyson Taylor – Sponsor Stacey Leek (1st Reading)
Kristy Owens – Sponsor Michael Rees (1st Reading)
Jay Hinkel – Sponsor Brittany Lyon (1st Reading)

50/50 – Paul Heaton won $34.00

Sergeants – Abby Smith, Jim Smith and Jeff Owens harassed members by charging them $1.00 for bogus reasons.

Program – Anthony Garza introduced Judge Doug Fahl/Whitley County Vet Court.

The Whitley County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) program began preparation in 2016 for the implementation of a Problem-Solving Court in Whitley County.  The Veterans Treatment Court has a purpose of helping participants achieve total abstinence from drugs and/or alcohol, address mental health issues, be diverted from prison or jail, and to have a more satisfying law-abiding life.  

The Veterans Treatment Court is designed to reduce re-arrests, promote self-sufficiency through employment and education, and to help veterans remain in the community as a productive and responsible member of society.

The Veterans Treatment Court program is voluntary.  Veterans must want to participate in this program.  The judge, court staff, supervision officers, treatment counselors, and other team members will guide and assist each person, but the final responsibility is theirs.  The participants must be motivated to make these changes and commit to a totally sober and healthy life.

The program involves working jointly with the court, community supervision, treatment providers, the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefit Administration, veterans service organizations, service officers, and other key team members, all dedicated to the participant’s recovery.

It is important that the veteran understands the long-term commitment required by this program.  He/She will become involved with support group meetings, attend substance abuse treatment (if indicated), participate in mental health treatment (if indicated), be subject to strict community supervision, submit to random drug testing, and make regular appearances in court.

Optimistic Quote – “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” – Aristotle

Next Week’s Program – Warsaw Municipal Airport/Nick King

07/29/26

• Ring Bell 7 am

Call to Order

Invocation/Prayer – Bill Landigran

• National Anthem-Quartet Singers/Doc Haines, Optimist Creed & Song – Marty Becker
• Ring Bell

• Greeters
• 1. Brie Lycan, 2. Jim Smith
• Guests – Stand/Introduce Jeff Winkle, Cameron Tom

• Birthdays         Jeff Owens 07/26, Marty Becker 07/27, Barry Andrew 07/28

• Check Presentation – Ken Shamblen – to introduce Rebecca Elegbede & Colton Mishler/Science Central – Science 4U Program for the amount of $1,000.00

Presentation

• Club Announcements
  • Fundraisers Reminders & Updates
    • Fall Displays (online sale starts 08/01/26) = 3 days Kris Williams
    • Golf Outing (09/08/26) = 41 days Chris Hanson & Chris McCray

• End of the Year Celebration, Evening of 09/30/26, committee meeting this wk
  • Membership – Angie Tom/Paul Finley
    • Allyson Taylor – Sponsor Stacey Leek (1st Reading)
    • Kristy Owens – Sponsor Michael Rees (1st Reading)
  • 50/50 – Kristen Farwall/Ann Sweet

• Sergeants – Jim Smith, Jeff Owens, and Abby Smith
  • One round of applause
  • Jeff Owens Scavenger Hunt Shenanigans – RESULTS

• Program – Peyton Oldham introducing         Warsaw Education Foundation/Courtney Sale

• Optimistic Quote/Did You Know
  • “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” – Phil Jackson

• Next week’s program                          Whitley County Vet Court/Judge Doug Fahl