Presiding the meeting today: President Brooke Hamstra

Brooke rang the and called the meeting to order at 7:00

Invocation/Prayer was provided by Barry Andrew

Members recited Pledge of Allegiance, Optimist Creed, and most sang the Optimist Song

The bell was rung….

Greeters John Teevan, and David Byers

Each shared details about themselves.

Guests – Joe Kirkendall, guest of Jeff Owens, Jonathan Hollar guest of Mitch Reinholt,

Logan Anderson guest of Jim Smith and Angie Tom, and Peyton Oldham guest of Abby Smith, Alison Weeks, guest of guest Peyton Oldham and for the last time as guest Steve Foegley

This weeks Birthdays

Roger Crouse-01/26

Carla Carlton & Lois Borkholder 01/31

Announcements

Optimist Day 02/05/26

We were reminded to promote a positive future and honor the service of Optimist Clubs worldwide.

Fundraisers – Updates

Car Show (05/17/26) = 102 days

Triathlon (06/27/26) = 143 days

Fall Displays (sale starts 08/01/26) = 178 days

Golf Outing (09/08/26) = 216 days Chris Hanson sharing event info about the Outing and help needed raising awareness and sponsor

Upcoming projects:

Optimist Essay Contest (Winning Essay due by 02/25/26) – Shari Benyouski 21 days,

“How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What Community Means to Me”,

The essays must be under the age of 19 by 10/1/26, 700-800 words,

https://warsawoptimist.org/projects/essay

Oratorical Contest (03/29/26, from 12-3pm) = 53 days – Letricia Nichols

2025-2026 Topic: “The Moment I Realized I Belonged – My Definition of Community”

https://warsawoptimist.org/projects/oratorical

Pass the Hat Update:

We gave $437.00 to show our appreciation to Saucy’s, Dana, Dara Munson – Thank you for your great work!

Membership – Angie Tom/Paul Finley

The following applications were read to the membership

Jonathan Hollar (12/17/25) Sponsored by: Mitch Reinholt,

Mariano Oliveri (12/10/25) Sponsored by: Ot Schroeder

Logan Anderson (01/06/26) Sponsored by: Jim Smith/Angie Tom,

Peyton Oldham (01/07/26) Sponsored by: Abby Smith

Our newest member, Steven Foegley, was inducted by Everett Nifong. Steve was sponsored by Angie Tom or Paul Finley, details are murky at best, but here we are…

50/50 Drawing was up and running again, the fix was in, AGAIN, as Kristin Farwell selected Kris Williams over all of the other worthy recipients. Members who showed up to the cancelled meeting were also recognized

Sergeants – Jim Smith, Jeff Owens, and Abby Smith

The sergeants turned in yet another outstanding and entertaining performance. New member applicant Alison Weeks whose favorite color is green, stepped up to help collect some “Green”. Fines were levied for Patriot and Seahawks fans. KLA Graduates were recognized, and non graduates fined.

Program

Chris Hanson introduced Kosciusko Leadership Academy (KLA) – Allyn Decker

Allyn Decker re-indroduced KLA to the group.

The Mission of KLA is to develop informed and innovative leaders who will serve our community by skillfully leading it into the future.

Since 1982, the Kosciusko Leadership Academy (KLA) has invested in the emerging leaders of our community; people who possess a passion to serve and the courage to lead others.

KLA conducts sessions each year that give students access to the frontline leaders in our community. Critical community issues such as county and state governments, healthcare, education, agriculture, business, and entrepreneurship are thoroughly discussed and examined.

Excerpt from the KLA website:

When Jean Northenor posed this question to the late Matt Dalton nearly 30 years ago, little did they realize it would serve as the catalyst for the creation of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy.

As a successful Executive Vice-President at Lake City Bank, Jean was often asked to serve on boards of local organizations. She was pleased to be of service to her community, but something began to bother her. No matter what organization she was serving or what board meeting she attended, the same group of local leaders was in attendance.

Alarmed by the apparent lack of fresh leadership, she voiced her concern to fellow board member, Matt Dalton, owner of Dalton Foundries. The rest, as they say, is history. Jean and Matt moved quickly in establishing the Leadership Academy. They envisioned a program that would develop, in Jean’s words, “young, innovative, enthusiastic leaders with some new ideas.”

Learn more and read the white paper archive. https://www.kosciuskoleadership.org/

Optimistic Quote

Quote: The secret of getting ahead is getting started: Mark Twain

Next week’s program Valentine’s Day special