Your EMO Newsletter

Aaron Bean and service dog Ellie

During our 2nd Quarter Conference, Aaron Bean, pictured above with Governor Ernie Wren and Danna Wren, engaged us Friday evening with quite a story - a true story. Mr. Bean was a member of a Coast Guard team sent to rescue shipmates from a stranded cargo ship during a fierce storm. As the storm raged, he courageously descended from a helicopter to the deck of the ship as the ship was splitting in half. He bravely assisted several crew members who were hoisted to the helicopter and taken safely to a nearby Coast Guard ship. But as the final crew members were being lifted up to a second helicopter, a giant rogue wave hit the helicopter and it crashed against the side of the ship and sadly several of the occupants perished. The first helicopter managed to return and Mr. Bean and another crew member were lifted to safety. His story of the shipwreck, a raging storm, and the harrowing rescue became the book "On the Edge of Survival" by Spike Walker.

The ordeal began to trouble Mr. Bean and he was diagnosed with PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder. His service dog, Ellie, provides the calming reassurance he needs. Ellie came to Mr. Bean through Retrieving Freedom. This organization changes lives through the placement of service dogs to Veterans with disabilities and children with autism. This allows the Veterans to enjoy a new level of independence.

Mr. Bean's presentation was compelling, emotional, and immensely powerful. He is compassionate about his team members, the people he rescued, and about Retrieving Freedom.

District Calendar

March 2023

Happy St. Patrick's Day

April 2023

April 1 Clubs pay dues to OI & EMO

April 12 Deadline District Essay winner packages to OI

April 12 Deadline Zone Oratorical and CCDHH winner packages to District Chairs

May 2023

May 5-6 3rd Quarter District Conference

District Oratorical and CCDHH Contests

District Essay Winner Presentation

Election of Lt. Governors for 2023-2024

Nominations for Governor-Elect 2023-2024

May 15 Deadline District Oratorical and CCDHH winner packets to OI

May 20 Deadline Club Officer Elect Reports to OI

June 2023

June 9 District Jr. Golf Qualifier Tournament

July 2023

July 1 Clubs pay dues to OI

July 2-5 Optimist International Convention

July 20-22 OI Regional and World Oratorical Contests

East Missouri Optimist

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Catch a Rising Star

Also during our Conference, Governor-Elect Phyllis Neff conducted this class for members who have great potential within their clubs and our District!

More Highlights from Our 2nd Quarter Memory Lane Conference

Cheryl Brenn, Optimist International Executive Director spoke... actually twice. During her first presentation she mentioned the connecting fellowship among optimist members. Then later she assisted Mary Hatfield with a presentation on proper branding for your club and its importance. Use your club's official logos everywhere. Do not use the old ones any longer.

Jean Naeger then 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!

Of course, everyone had fun trying to guess who those baby faces belong to.

Matthew Politte, 2022 District Jr. Golf Winner

Matthew Politte, last year's EMO District Jr. Golf winner, joined the conference via Zoom. He explained to Joe Hatfield and the members gathered just how much he enjoyed the tournament at Ste. Genevieve. He thought it was conducted very smoothly and that it helped prepare him for the Optimist International Tournament in Miami, where he placed 7th out of 200 players in his age category.

Arcelia Plancarte Winner

Arcelia was the winner of the District's inaugural 50/50 drawing! Proceeds from these donations will benefit the District's Oratorical Contest, Essay Contest, and Jr. Golf.

Retro Cocktails

In keeping with the Memory Lane theme, bartenders Mary and Joe Hatfield served up tequila sunrises and original daiquiris Friday evening.

3rd Quarter Conference Hotel Reservations

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.

To get the PDF of the registration form, Click Here

For PDF of the 3rd Quarter Agenda, CLICK HERE

For PDF of the Lottery Ticket Tree raffle, CLICK HERE

Register for the 3rd Quarter Conference and Pay Online

There are several ways to register online and pay with credit card, Venmo, or PayPal. For details click HERE.

Governor-Elect?

Now is also the time to contemplate nominating someone to be our next next Governor-Elect. That person must have been a Club President and Zone Lt. Governor.

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Mailing address: EMO East Missouri District, 4494 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63108, US