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

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.