Information about our club, Michigan Distirct, and Optimist International
Chartered on September 29, 1988.
Sponsored by the Kalamazoo Downtown Club, which no longer exists.
Key person in BOCK's formation: Dave McKee.
BOCK's first club president, Janet Gillette (still a member, 2023).
January 2023, about 90 members.
Current members who joined on or before January 1, 1990 (name, date joined, and member number):
Janet Gillette, September 29, 1988, 0001,
Gina Cifolelli, September 29, 1988, 0007,
Pat Weber, September 29, 1988, 0015,
Dave McKee, October 1, 1988, 0040,
Bob Balik, September 1, 1989, 0059,
Linda Ingersoll, September 1, 1989, 0062, and
Chris Shults, January 1, 1990, 0091.
Clubs BOCK sponsored:
Metro S.T.A.N.D. - Detroit, MI, no longer in existence,
Holland, MI, charted September 22, 2014,
Movers and Shakers Optimist Club of Greater Grand Rapids, chartered September 17, 2020,
Octagon Club of the Zoo, no longer in existence,
Portage Central High School Rise and Shine Junior Optimist Club, chartered November 27, 2019.
Name
Position, 2022 - 2023
Diane Marquess
President
Carmen Jonaitis
President Elect
Chris Shults
Secretary - Treasurer
Theresa Mills
Immediate Past President
Kimberley Phillips
Communications Director
Danni Smith
Community Service Director
Theresa Mills
Fellowship Director
Bob Klose
Fundraising Director
Cathy Balik
Membership Director
Carmen Jonaitis
Programs Director
Kathy Praedel
Youth Activities Director
Lyn Lenox
OI Foundation Representative
Name | Position, 2022 - 2023 |
Diane Marquess | President |
Carmen Jonaitis | President Elect |
Chris Shults | Secretary - Treasurer |
Theresa Mills | Immediate Past President |
Kimberley Phillips | Communications Director |
Danni Smith | Community Service Director |
Theresa Mills | Fellowship Director |
Bob Klose | Fundraising Director |
Cathy Balik | Membership Director |
Carmen Jonaitis | Programs Director |
Kathy Praedel | Youth Activities Director |
Lyn Lenox | OI Foundation Representative |
Name | Optimist Year |
Diane Marquess | 2022 - 2023 |
Theresa Mills | 2021 - 2022 |
Terri Norman | 2020 - 2021 |
Linda Thompson | 2019 - 2020 |
Jeanette Meyer | 2018 - 2019 |
Dan Mills | 2017 - 2018 |
Linda Thompson | 2016 - 2017 |
Laurie Jefsen | 2015 - 2016 |
Marilyn Lenox-Bosma | 2014 - 2015 |
Cathy Balik | 2013 - 2014 |
Nicole Ingersoll | 2012 - 2013 |
Wilma VanLoo | 2011 - 2012 |
Jeanette Meyer | 2010 - 2011 |
Terri Norman | 2009 - 2010 |
Chris Shults | 2008 - 2009 |
Val Lippincott | 2007 - 2008 |
Nicole Ingersoll | 2006 - 2007 |
Deanna Draze | 2005 - 2006 |
Marilyn Lenox-Bosma | 2004 - 2005 |
Julie Howes | 2003 - 2004 |
Terri Norman | 2002 - 2003 |
Janet Oord | 2001 - 2002 |
Alice Nash | 2000 - 2001 |
Tim Flynn | 1999 - 2000 |
Kathy Smyser | 1998 - 1999 |
Linda Ingersoll | 1997 - 1998 |
Pat Haley | 1996 - 1997 |
Helen Horn | 1995 - 1996 |
Dave McKee | 1994 - 1995 |
Cheryl McKee | 1993 - 1994 |
Chris Shults | 1992 - 1993 |
Dale Gruber | 1991 - 1992 |
Gina Cifolelli | 1990 - 1991 |
Randy Schoof | 1989 - 1990 |
Janet Gillette | 1988 - 1989 |
The club has three fundraisers that are not dedicated to a specific youth activity.
Kalamazoo Growlers: The Growlers are a baseball team in the Northwoods League. Incidentally, they were the league champs in 2022. At 16 home games in 2022, we welcomed and assisted fans as they entered the stadium. The 2022 season was the first time BOCK volunteered at Growlers home games. The club earned $1,800.
Western Michigan University sporting events: BOCK members were ushers at all home football games, all home hockey games, and one home basketball game. From September 2022 through 2023 was the first time BOCK ushered at Western sports events. The club earned $3,408.
Daisy Dollars: The club partners with Schuring’s Retail Greenhouse, 610 Schuring Road, Portage, MI 49024, To sell Daisy Dollars. The Daisy Dollars can be
Michigan District of Optimist International has 90 clubs (as of December 2020).
This District covers Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
BOCK plus 7 other clubs comprise Zone 6 in the Michigan District.
BOCK members who have Michigan District positions for 2020 - 2021 Optimist Year:
Dan Mills, Governor Elect
Linda Thompson, Lieutenant Governor, Zone 6
Optimist International is an international service club organization with almost 3,000 clubs and over 80,000 members in more than 20 countries.
Founded: 1919
Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri.
Motto: "Friend of Youth"
Optimist International Foundation was established in 1971 exclusively for the charitable, literary and educational purposes of Optimist International. The Optimist International Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. Within 501(c)(3), the Foundation is a 509(a)(3) public charity.
Links:
Optimist International:
Optimist International Foundation: https://www.oifoundation.org
Photo carousel:
Thursday, October 1, 2020, Pavilion, Celery Flats, Portage.
Recognized 2019-2020 Officers and Directors.
Introduced 2020-2021 Officers and Directors.
Announced members with perfect attendance: David McKee and Pat Weber have had perfect attendance for the 32 years of BOCK’s existence.
Announced Dan Mills as BOCK member for 2019 – 2020 Optimist International year.






