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THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF COLUMBIA (Downtown Optimist)
Mailing address: P. O. Box 1959 * Columbia, MO 65205-1959
Web: www.downtownoptimistclub.org
The Weekly Bulletin
Monday, February 2, 2015
Call to order: 12:08
Invocation:
Carl Scott
Pledge:
Jim Murphy
Introduction of Guests:
None
Birthdays and Anniversaries:
Noelle celebrated a birthday on the 21st. The club serenaded her by singing “Happy Birthday” to celebrate.
Mystery Person: C.O. Scheffer
Presented To: Ken Oster
Tail Twister: Charles Neville
Announcements:
1. District Board meeting in Jefferson City – Red is in Mississippi and may not be back in time to present
at the meeting. Rick McKernan or Scott Stager may need to present in his absence.
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2. Club Chili Cook Off is February 5 at the Club house.
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3. Rootin Tootin Chili Cook off is February 28 for the Boys and Girls Club. There are 47-49
contestants. Change in rules – meat must be purchased that day – would like to see if someone has a
business Sam’s Club account so they can get in before 10:00 a.m. that day.
4. Home for Computers – still needing volunteers
Upcoming Speakers
February 9 – Kathy Thornburg, PhD, University of Missouri. Kathy is a Professor Emerita in the Human
Development Studies department in the College of Environmental Studies. She will be discussing early
childhood education. Her research interests are Parent-teacher interrelationships associated with early
childhood programs, child care in rural communities, and human services public policy.
February 16 – HOLIDAY – no scheduled speaker
February 23 – Kari Hopkins, Development Director of Coyote Hill
March 2 - TBD
March 9 - Kristopher Hagglund, PhD, ABPP. He is the Dean of the School of Health Professions at the
University of Missouri. He will provide an overview of the School of Health Professions – they have nine
professional programs and one large undergraduate program, an adult day facility and collaborate with the
Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. (Speaker needs to leave by 12:45 so we
will do presentation first and then club business afterwards).
Bringing Out The Best In Kids Since 1936
March 16 – Mike Schupp with MODOT. He is the area engineer for Boone, Callaway, Cooper, Howard and
Moniteau counties. He will be discussing “Tough Choices Ahead for MODOT” and the upcoming Design
Build Project on I-70 to replace the bridges at Business Loop, Rangeline, and Garth Avenue.
Today’s Presentation: Rick Rowden with Primrose Hill, Teen Challenge
Prior to working with Teen Challenge Rick worked with the Central Missouri Food Bank and other nonprofits. His son, Caleb, is a State Representative and his daughter is a teacher for Kindergarten and First
graders. Rick is also about to celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary.
Teen Challenge started in 1958 in Philadelphia.
It began when a man started saving people from gangs in New York and took them to his farm in
Pennsylvania to “rehab”.
Teen Challenge has an 85% success rate for people who finish the program.
It is a 12 to 14 month live-in residential program.
The new Primrose location allows women to bring their children with them.
Teen Challenge is setting up new locations at international locations as well.
In Clark, MO they have a new facility on 43 acres in a 5,700 square foot home that was built in 2009.
They are working to start a business – PRIMGOODS – to sell small clothing items, soaps, lotions, etc. The
items are going to be mother/child related and made by people staying at Teen Challenge.
They rely completely on private donations for funding – get no government funds.
Their budget is $17,000 per month and their staff is very underpaid.
They hope to build a playground for children at their new location – opened November 2014.
Teen Challenge gets referrals from various centers, court systems and churches – a lot of word of mouth
referrals as well.
Once someone completes the program Teen Challenge helps them to get a job and re-established in the real
world.
They also teach women to be responsible and how to care for their children.
They have a one-time $1,250 induction fee – no other charges after that is paid.
Adjourn with the Creed: 12:52
Optimistically Yours,
Noelle Case, Secretary
Bringing Out The Best In Kids Since 1936