Meetings

MidWestern Ontario District Convention

August 24, 2024

Hosted at Doubletree by Hilton

300 King Street, London, ON N6B 1S2

MWO District Convention

Our 38th annual District convention is being held in London at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 300 King street beginning on Saturday, August 24th and ending on Sunday, August 25th.  Highlights of the convention include:

Room Registration

A limited number of rooms are available at a discounted rate of $145 plus tax.  Follow this link to book with the discount.  The discount ends July 23, 2024.

https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/midwesternontariointernational2024/

Convention Registration

Download the Registration Form Here

Please click the link above to get the registration form to register.  You may pay by etransfer to mwo46treas@gmail.com or you may send a cheque postdated to August 24, 2024 and made out to MWO District and mailed to: 

Anne Van Niekerk

6 Spruce Lane

New Hamburg, ON N3A 2G6.  

You can contact her at (519) 572-5188 or by email at avn6.avn@gmail.com for more information.

New Member Induction

We would like to see your new members attend the convention and we will give them the spotlight during a mass induction ceremony.  Many new members have not yet been inducted and received their lapel pin.  Please notify us of any new members attending.

Community Service Project

The Optimist clubs in Zone 5 and Zone 9 are holding a joint collection of school supplies that will be donated to schools and organizations in need withing each of their club areas.  Please bring new school supplies (pencils, spiral books, binders, back packs or any other item you think may be needed.  They will also accept cash or cheques made out to Westminster Park Optimists.

Make it a Fun Vacation

Please visit londontourism.ca for information of things to see and do in London.  Let us know if you need childcare and we will make every attempt to make a local connection that meets your needs.


Third QUARTER Board Meeting

May 11, 2024

Hosted at Camp Heidleburg

2001 Kressler Rd, Waterloo, ON


This message is going out to all members in attendance at our most recent meeting.  I want to send each of you my personal thanks for attending the MWO third quarterly meeting in Waterloo on Saturday.  We had a total of 85 MWO members, 7 orators, 1 essayist, 20 of their family members, 18 JOI members, 3 of their family, 3 Oratorical judges and 7 VIPs from OI and other Districts in the house for a total of 134 people.  We also had representation from 35 or our District’s 67 clubs.  What a fantastic turn out!

It is hard to recount the highlights because there were so many, but let’s give it a try.

 

We had an official visitor from Optimist International in the form of Region 1 Vice President Tom Kendo and First Lady Jennifer Kendo.  I was honoured to have my fellow Governors visit.  Thank you to Ohio Governor Tom Kennedy and First Lady Connie, New York New England Governor Lori Engle and Southwestern Ontario Governor Glen Stewart and First Lady Linda.

 

We got a sneak peek at 2024 2025 OI President Elect Tom’s platform for his term as President in 2025 2026 and OI Foundation Director Jennifer Kendo really highlighted the reasons to give to the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation.  Thank you to each person who came forward with a donation.

 

The Schindlers stole the show once again with a fantastic Fun Time.  Thank you to all the committee members that prepared and made presentations on the state of the District and especially to Past Governor Jim for his update on growth and new club building in the District.  Our District is on its way to becoming a Pacesetter because of his efforts in building a new club in Brantford and working on a new one in Woodstock.  And lets not forget how close the JOI Club of New Hamburg is to being chartered.

 

We had the opportunity to recognize new and not so new clubs.  We welcomed Charter President Isabel, Charter Secretary Barb, Charter Treasurer Patricia and Charter member Tina from the shiny and new Optimist Club of Brant.  Charter President Isabel, Governors Tom, Lori and Glen along with VP Tom and I made presentations to many of the eighteen clubs in the District that are celebrating milestone anniversaries during this Optimist year.  Congratulations to all of you for your service to your communities.

 

After lunch we were treated to seven truly magnificent presentations in the District Oratorical Contest.  It was hard not to applaud after each speech but we made up for it with a long standing ovation at the end.  During the judge’s break we heard from the District Essay Contest Winner.  What a job she did!

 

On top of the above we raised much needed funds for CCOF from club and personal donations, several Dime A Day donations and the purchase of a full assortment of items on the silent auction table.  Our service project was organized in conjunction with the Kitchener Waterloo Optimist Club and we turned over a filled table of new toys in their quest to partner with the local Knights of Columbus club to ensure that local kids have toys at Christmas.

 

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the Conference and Convention team of Past Governor Elaine, registrar Anne and committee member Roberta who did all the advance work, preparation and execution to make the day a success.

 

If you think that this sounds like it was fun you are right.  Please mark our District’s Convention on your calendar now.  It will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 300 King Street, London on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25th.  Registration should be coming out in the first week of June.

Second QUARTER Board Meeting

February 24, 2024

Download the newsletter here


Thanks to all those who came to the 2nd quarter board meeting in New Dundee. Our newsletter summarizes the board meeting and we encourage you to download it here.

First QUARTER Board Meeting

October 21, 2023


Download the newsletter here


Thanks to all those who came to the 1st quarter board meeting in Shakespeare. Our newsletter summarizes the board meeting and we encourage you to download it here.