2023-2024 Optimist Year, October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024
Northridge Optimist Club Announcement:
February, 2024
The Northridge Optimist Club has been active since 1964, and as we near our 60th year we regretfully announce that the club will be discontinuing activity at the end of May of 2024. Due to membership attrition over the past few years, the remaining members have agreed to proceed with plans to cease operations as an Optimist club. The club will leave as a legacy the continuing source of scholarships for Northridge students in the Optimist Club of Dayton-Northridge Scholarship Fund plus continued support of educational programs for Northridge students through the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund. Each of these funds are component funds of The Dayton Foundation, which will continue to administer these funds in the future. *(CLICK HERE for more about these funds.) Members of the Northridge Optimist Club give our thanks to the many who have supported the club and the above-mentioned funds in support of the Northridge community. It has been an enriching experience to interact with our supporters, fellow Optimist clubs, community members, and school personnel over the years. We have proudly served as a member club of the Ohio District Optimist, and Optimist International and wish for the continued success of Optimist clubs around the world. The club plans to continue operation through May, 2024, and during that time the website and bulletin board will be available for updates and club news. **************Calling all former club members:***************
Are you a former member of the Northridge Optimist Club? With the closing of the club, as described in the announcement above, we are trying to reach former members with some information about the club and additional upcoming activities. Our list of email addresses for many of our past members is likely out of date. We would like to hear from you, so if you would send your current email contact to northridgeoptimist@gmail.com, we will forward the information to you. (This also includes former Kittyhawk Optimist Club members, prior to that club’s merger with the Northridge club). We hope to hear from you! ***************************************************************************************************************** NEXT CLUB MEETING:
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 • Noon Meetings at Little York Pizza • 4120 Little York Road, 45414 • See MENU (unless posted otherwise) |
Club schedule, news, and updates.
All photos property of Northridge Optimist Club. All rights reserved. Club Bulletin Board Resets for the New Optimist Year as of Oct. 1, 2024:
• As established by Optimist International, the Optimist year begins on October 1 of each year, and ends on September 30 of the following year. The Northridge Optimist Club welcomes viewers of the Bulletin Board for club news and events. The club bulletin board keeps a running account of postings for the year, with previous posts for the year visible by scrolling down the page. • The page thus contains postings for the new Optimist year that began on Oct. 1, 2023 and will continue on this page until Sept. 30, 2024. See Bulletin Board Archives for Past Years: This page contains postings for the current Optimist year which goes from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. See the Bulletin Board Archives page for links to archives of bulletin board postings covering previous years.
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Upcoming Meetings:
Tuesday Meetings, every other Tuesday (unless noted otherwise*)
Dates and locations may vary (see posted schedule below) *Please check club website Bulletin Board weekly for updates. (Meetings will be at Little York Pizza, 4120 Little York Rd. 45414, unless posted otherwise*) Current Meeting Schedule:
• Meeting of April 30: finalize scholarship fund criteria • Meeting of May 14: scholarship committee Update of April 2, 2024:
• At the April 2 meeting Dave Jackson, Superintendent of Northridge Schools, met with club members to discuss the handling of the Northridge Optimist Scholarship Fund and the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Funds in the absence of the club. He will continue to work with The Dayton Foundation in the administration of these funds and the funds will continue to benefit Northridge students. (CLICK HERE for more about these funds.)
• He also updated members on some of the exciting projects and educational opportunities in progress at Northridge Schools. The club members expressed their gratitude for his support of Northridge Schools over the years, and for the chance to work together in providing support for the students. Update of March 19, 2024:
At the March 19 meeting club members discussed plans for upcoming meetings in the process of the club closing by the end of May. (See the announcement above). Club members are also reviewing scholarship fund criteria for the coming years since The Dayton Foundation will continue to administer the fund and the issuing of Northridge scholarships in the absence of the club. (CLICK HERE for more information on the future of the scholarship fund).
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Update of February 22, 2024:
• At the meeting of February 20 Michelle Brown, Dir. Scholarship Services, The Dayton Foundation and Lucy Baker, Donor Relations Director, The Dayton Foundation attended to help with planning for the Northridge Optimist Scholarship program and Polar Bear Foundation Fund. Many thanks to Michelle and Lucy for their help.
• Ohio District Zone 6 Lt. Gov. (and District Gov. Elect) Terry Schalnat was also a guest at the meeting.
• Ohio District Zone 6 Lt. Gov. (and District Gov. Elect) Terry Schalnat was also a guest at the meeting.
Update of February 7, 2024:
Ohio District Optimist:
Many thanks to Ohio District Governor Tom Kennedy, and Lt. Gov. (and Gov. Elect) Terry Schalnat who were on hand at the February 6 meeting to help with club planning. They were very helpful in reviewing upcoming club changes which will be announced soon. Their advice and support is appreciated. |
Polar Bear Fund Grant Award:
• Only one grant application was received for the Winter cycle of grants. The requested grant was for an amount of 644.97 for materials for students to code and fly drones to accomplish specific tasks. The purchase of 3 drones will allow students to work in smaller groups and contribute to potential job skills. The project would be shared across more than one class. The project would be implemented in the 2nd semester of this school year.
• Only one grant application was received for the Winter cycle of grants. The requested grant was for an amount of 644.97 for materials for students to code and fly drones to accomplish specific tasks. The purchase of 3 drones will allow students to work in smaller groups and contribute to potential job skills. The project would be shared across more than one class. The project would be implemented in the 2nd semester of this school year.
• Club members voted to award the grant at the February 6 meeting.
• CLICK HERE to go the the Polar Bear Fund page on this website for donation information.
• CLICK HERE to go the the Polar Bear Fund page on this website for donation information.
Update of January 23, 2024:
Dave Jackson, Supt. of Northridge Schools. was originally scheduled to meet with the club for the January 23 meeting, but this has been postponed, and will be re-scheduled for sometime in March. The rest of the schedule for February remains as posted above.
Update of January 10, 2024:
• Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund - The January 9 meeting was planned for reviewing grant applications for the Winter cycle of grants. At the time of the meeting there had been no applications submitted, so the requests will be shared by members via email for consideration as they are submitted. See the report below in the "Update of October 26" for a list of grants in the Fall cycle. CLICK HERE to go the the Polar Bear Fund page on this website for donation information).
Update of December 20, 2023:
Review of Club Projects:
• Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund - It was reported at the December 19 meeting that all of the funds granted in the Fall Cycle have been applied to the recipient school projects. A total of $2008.29 was awarded, applied to four different programs. (See the report below in the "Update of October 26" for a list of grants). CLICK HERE to go the the Polar Bear Fund page on this website for donation information).
• The Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program - A total of $1870 is now being distributed among fifteen needy families for the holidays. Many thanks to those who donated to help this program. (See the "Update of December 5" report immediately below for more details on the program).
• Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund - It was reported at the December 19 meeting that all of the funds granted in the Fall Cycle have been applied to the recipient school projects. A total of $2008.29 was awarded, applied to four different programs. (See the report below in the "Update of October 26" for a list of grants). CLICK HERE to go the the Polar Bear Fund page on this website for donation information).
• The Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program - A total of $1870 is now being distributed among fifteen needy families for the holidays. Many thanks to those who donated to help this program. (See the "Update of December 5" report immediately below for more details on the program).
Update of December 5, 2023:
Christmas Sharing Program:
Plans were set at the December 5 meeting chairperson for the 2023 Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program. It will be carried out in the same format as last year, with the Northridge School System selecting the families who are particularly needy due to economic circumstances, with distribution of the gifts handled by the school. Recipients will pick up the gifts at the board of education building. This will be the 40th year that the club has held this program. The budget is for approximately $1800 to be distributed among fifteen families.
Update of November 10, 2023:
Thanksgiving Week Club Visit:
For the club meeting of November 21 our members will be visiting as guests of the Riverdale Optimist Club at the South East Dayton Metro Library for their Thanksgiving week lunch meeting. This meeting will begin at Noon.
(Our Northridge club meetings will resume back at Little York Pizza with the December 5 meeting).
For the club meeting of November 21 our members will be visiting as guests of the Riverdale Optimist Club at the South East Dayton Metro Library for their Thanksgiving week lunch meeting. This meeting will begin at Noon.
(Our Northridge club meetings will resume back at Little York Pizza with the December 5 meeting).
Happy Thanksgiving to all !
Update of October 26, 2023:
2023 Christmas Sharing Program:
Plans are in the works for the club's annual Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program for 2023. Each holiday season (since 1984) Optimist members have provided some local families with groceries for a good holiday meal. The Northridge School System provides us with names of families who are particularly needy due to economic circumstances. Beginning with 2014, the program has been named in honor of Optimist member Denny Mantel who had chaired the event for over 30 years. Each year he spent countless hours organizing and leading the program, and inspiring members with his dedication. Denny passed away in February of 2014, and club members have established a separate fund in his memory to make sure that we can continue the program. The fund was established with direct donations as well as from portions of club fund raising events. The program serves an average of 15 to 20 families each year, with a budget of approximately $1500 to $2000.
Polar Bear Fund Grant Awards:
At the October 24 meeting members reviewed the applications for grants from the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund and made selections. This was for the first of two cycles for the 2023-2024 school year. Four projects out of nine requests were selected to receive funds from The Dayton Foundation as follows:
• Jobs for America’s Graduates Program $508.29 approved
• After School Club, skateboarding, etc., $550.00 approved
• Robot Operating Skills for students $350.00 approved
• Muse Machine in school programs $600.00 approved
Total Awarded $2008.29 awarded
These programs will be carried out in this school year and will benefit many students.
• Jobs for America’s Graduates Program $508.29 approved
• After School Club, skateboarding, etc., $550.00 approved
• Robot Operating Skills for students $350.00 approved
• Muse Machine in school programs $600.00 approved
Total Awarded $2008.29 awarded
These programs will be carried out in this school year and will benefit many students.
The Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund is administered by The Dayton Foundation for providing grants that support educational enhancements for Northridge students (K-12). The Northridge Optimist Club donated money to help start this fund, and has continued to support the fund acting as an advisory committee for the grants. See the Polar Bear Donation page to learn more about this fund and a list of some of the school programs that have been made possible by these grants.
Update of October 11, 2023:
Polar Bear Fund Grant Selections:
At the next club meeting on October 24 members will finalize selections for the first cycle for the 2023-2024 Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund grants.
Update of October 1, 2023:
Visit by New Lt. Gov. for Ohio District Optimist Zone 6:
• The incoming Lt. Gov. for our zone, Theresa (Terry) Schalnat, visited our club meeting on September 26. Terry is also the new Governor Elect for Ohio District Optimist. Her new term as Lt. Gov. begins on October 1 for the 2023-2024 Optimist year. The meeting was a chance for her to get acquainted with club members, present some plans for the zone in the coming year, and to offer her support. Thanks to Terry for attending, and we look forward to her visits in the coming year.
(Photos above: Terry Schalnat in the left photo, and on the right in the group photo)
• Also visiting at the September 26 meeting was Brenda Moore who has been the Zone 6 Lt. Governor for the past two years. She is moving on to other duties in the Ohio District for the 2023-2024 year. Brenda has attended many of our meetings over the past two years, and club members thank her for her great support during this time. We wish her well in her new position. (Brenda is in photo on the left).
• The September 26 meeting was our last meeting of the 2022-2203 Optimist year. We will start the 2023-2024 year with the club meeting of October 10.
Presidents Club of Dayton:
The annual Citizen Legion of Honor luncheon presented by the Presidents Club of Dayton will take place on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the Dayton Convention Center. Chairman of the event, Bob Leibold (in photo on the left) attended our club meeting on September 26 and provided tickets for club members who plan to attend. Bob is a former Northridge Optimist Club member who now lives out of town, but visits the club each year when in town for the Presidents Club event.
The Presidents Club newsletter can be seen at presidentsclubdayton.org/phocadownload/newsletters/sept_2023_newsletter.pdf
The Presidents Club newsletter can be seen at presidentsclubdayton.org/phocadownload/newsletters/sept_2023_newsletter.pdf
Ongoing Club Projects
The Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund:
As the school year begins the club will be preparing to evaluate requests for Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund grants for the 2023-2024 school year. There will be two grant cycles during the year, with a usual total of $4000 to $5000 to be granted for programs that enhance the educational opportunities for Northridge students. An amount of $4032.45 was awarded during the 2022-2023 school year.
The Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund is a fund administered by The Dayton Foundation for providing grants that support educational enhancements for Northridge students (K-12). The Northridge Optimist Club donated money to help start this fund, and has continued to support the fund acting as an advisory committee for the grants.
In an effort to keep the program funded, the Northridge Optimist Club and The Dayton Foundation are seeking donors to help sustain the kind of support that enriches the educational experience for the students. We are reaching out to friends of the Northridge Optimist Club, Northridge alumni, area businesses, and community members to help support these efforts for the coming school year, and beyond. See the Polar Bear Donation page to learn how you can help.
In an effort to keep the program funded, the Northridge Optimist Club and The Dayton Foundation are seeking donors to help sustain the kind of support that enriches the educational experience for the students. We are reaching out to friends of the Northridge Optimist Club, Northridge alumni, area businesses, and community members to help support these efforts for the coming school year, and beyond. See the Polar Bear Donation page to learn how you can help.
Northridge Optimist Scholarship Fund:
Each year the club selects recipients of scholarship awards from the Optimist Club of Dayton-Northridge Scholarship Fund, a component fund of The Dayton Foundation. Awards are presented to the recipients in May. The Northridge Optimist Club has awarded over 300 scholarships to Northridge students over the past thirty 30 plus years, totaling well over $200,000. The club has raised money over these years, to invest in the fund and the endowment has grown over the years to the point where it will sustain the annual scholarships on a continual basis. The Dayton Foundation administers the dispersal of the funds to the scholarship recipients, who are selected by the club's scholarship committee, in conjunction with school counselors. The students are selected based on a combination of academic ability and financial need.
Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program:
Club plans for the coming year include the Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program.
Each holiday season (since 1984) Optimist members have provided some local families with groceries for a good holiday meal. The Northridge School System provides us with names of families who are particularly needy due to economic circumstances. Beginning with 2014, the program has been named in honor of Optimist member Denny Mantel who had chaired the event for over 30 years. Each year he spent countless hours organizing and leading the program, and inspiring members with his dedication. Denny passed away in February of 2014, and club members have established a separate fund in his memory to make sure that we can continue the program. The fund was established with direct donations as well as from portions of club fund raising events. The program serves an average of 15 to 20 families each year, with a budget of approximately $1500 to $2000.
Summary of 2023-2024 Meeting dates:
• Meeting on October 10 (first meeting of Optimist year 2023-2024)
• Meeting on October 24 - review of Polar Bear Fund grant applications & selections of awards
• Meeting on November 7 - open
• Meeting on November 21 - *(away) Thanksgiving week visit to Riverdale Opt. Club - (at South East Dayton Metro Library)
• Meeting on December 5 - Planning for Christmas Sharing program
• Meeting on December 19 - Holiday Meeting at Marion's Piazza, N. Dixie
• Meeting on January 9 - preview Polar Bear Fund applications (no applications received at this time)
• Meeting on January 23 - meeting with Dave Jackson, Supt. of Northridge Schools - postponed to March
• Meeting on February 6 - Ohio District Governor Tom Kennedy, and Lt. Gov. (and Gov. Elect) Terry Schalnat attended to help with club planning
• Meeting on February 20 - Michelle Brown and Lucy Baker of the Dayton Foundation
• Meeting of March 5, 2024 - club members reviewed and discussed future criteria for scholarship fund
• Meeting of March 19, 2024: review of scholarship fund criteria
• Meeting of April 2, 2024: Dave Jackson, Superintendent of Northridge Schools
• Meeting of April 16: review of scholarship fund criteria
• Meeting on October 24 - review of Polar Bear Fund grant applications & selections of awards
• Meeting on November 7 - open
• Meeting on November 21 - *(away) Thanksgiving week visit to Riverdale Opt. Club - (at South East Dayton Metro Library)
• Meeting on December 5 - Planning for Christmas Sharing program
• Meeting on December 19 - Holiday Meeting at Marion's Piazza, N. Dixie
• Meeting on January 9 - preview Polar Bear Fund applications (no applications received at this time)
• Meeting on January 23 - meeting with Dave Jackson, Supt. of Northridge Schools - postponed to March
• Meeting on February 6 - Ohio District Governor Tom Kennedy, and Lt. Gov. (and Gov. Elect) Terry Schalnat attended to help with club planning
• Meeting on February 20 - Michelle Brown and Lucy Baker of the Dayton Foundation
• Meeting of March 5, 2024 - club members reviewed and discussed future criteria for scholarship fund
• Meeting of March 19, 2024: review of scholarship fund criteria
• Meeting of April 2, 2024: Dave Jackson, Superintendent of Northridge Schools
• Meeting of April 16: review of scholarship fund criteria
Previous Years - Bulletin Board Archives:
This page contains postings for the current Optimist year which goes from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. See the Bulletin Board Archives page for archives of bulletin board postings for previous.
This page contains postings for the current Optimist year which goes from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. See the Bulletin Board Archives page for archives of bulletin board postings for previous.