The Shawano Optimist Club recently held its 43rd annual installation and awards
banquet, during which officers and directors for the coming year were installed and
special awards presented.
(Photo by Jim Leuenberger)
2019-2020 Shawano Optimist Club Officers and Directors
Seated from left, Jim Liesner, Vice President for fund raising, Robyn Shingler, Vice
President for events, President Jennifer Schroeder, Outgoing president Dan Mauel,
Treasurer Dawn Knope and Secretary Gail Moesch. Standing from left, directors Troy
Edwards, Greg Parker, Lorine Raddant, Michael Johnston and Brian Morstad. Not
pictured is director Axel Rehder.
(Photo by Jim Leuenberger)
Receiving the Shawano Optimist Club’s top awards for the 2018-2019 Optimist Year
were, at right, Dawn Clark, who was named Optimist of the Year, and Jim Liesner, who
received a life membership in Optimist International. At left is Dan Mauel, outgoing
president.
Outgoing President Dan Mauel welcomed club members and guests to the banquet and
thanked the members for their support during his presidency this past year. “Hard work
by all members made it a great year as far as our club serving the youth of our area,”
Mauel said. “Although I had hoped to increase our membership, we maintained a group
of 45 members, all of whom believe in our goals and worked hard to accomplish them.”
Dawn Clark, one of the clubs newer members, was named Optimist of the Year. Clark
has served as club secretary the past two years and has participated in nearly every club
project and fund raiser. She also helped increase awareness for the club and its activities
through social media. For his continued efforts on behalf of the club, including serving as
vice president in charge of fund raising, Jim Liesner received a life membership in
Optimist International.
Officers and directors installed by WINUM District Governor Dan O’Leary, were:
President-Jennifer Schroeder; Vice President (fund-raising)-Jim Leisner; Vice President
(events)-Robyn Shingler; Secretary-Gail Moesch; Treasurer-Dawn Knope; Immediate
Past President-Dan Mauel; and directors, Greg Parker, Troy Edwards, Lorine Raddant,
Michael Johnston, Brian Morstad, and Axel Rehder.
O’Leary congratulated the Shawano Optimists on the great work they are doing for the
youth of the Shawano area. He urged them to work to be an Honor Club and to increase
membership. “It’s just as important to retain current members as it is to get new
members,” he said. O’Leary said his theme for the district this year is “Kaleidoscope.”
“By that I mean, as we start a new century of Optimism, embrace the new ideas and
changes and celebrate them. Join me in the kaleidoscope of change.”
Honored for perfect attendance at club meetings and events during the 2018-2019
Optimist year were: Jim Leuenberger-44 years; Todd Raether – 27; Michael Sleeper – 23;
Jim Black-22; Gail Moesch-21; Barb Schmid-23; Ron Schmalz-18; Gary Cumberland –
17; Steve Peterson – 23; Ryan Alexander-12; Doug Erdman-12; Diane Lohff- 11; Kay
Bloomer and Greg Parker -8; Dawn Knope, Bob Hannes and Lorine Raddant -6; Jennifer
Schroeder and Dan Mauel – 3; Michael Johnston, Jim Liesner and Dawn Clark – 2 years,
and Brian Lovelien, Robyn Shingler and Jeanne Cronce – 1 year.
Incoming President Jennifer Schroeder said, “Thank you for this opportunity to serve the
children of our community in a new way as president. It is so rewarding to see the talents
you bring and the hard work you do to positively impact our children. I’m proud of the
village we uphold and wrap around our youth through our own independent work and our
work joined with community partners. Our impact is positive and powerful and lasting."
“As my nest began to empty, I looked for a way to fill up the spare time I thought I would
have,” Schroeder added. “Being able to use my energy to serve children was what I felt
called to do and I wanted that service to be impactful. As I looked at the Optimist club, its
creed really resonated with me. The Optimist dedication to serve ALL children in our
community spoke to my heart. And I joined.”
The Shawano Optimist Club has been serving the Shawano area since 1976. Annual
youth projects include a bike rodeo, Christmas movies for kids, Respect for Law
activities, boys’ and girls’ basketball tournaments, a Rose Day fund raiser, a Scholastic
Awards Banquet, which has been recognized by Optimist International as one of the top
service projects in the nation, as well as basketball and football skills competitions. The
funds the Shawano Optimists raise each year are all returned to the Shawano community
to support youth activities and more than 30 different organizations.
For information on becoming a member of the Shawano Optimist Club, contact President
Jennifer Schroeder or any Shawano Optimist Club member.