Bismarck Optimist Club
Interested in becoming a member?
2023-24 Board of Directors:
***********************
President: Brooks Grotte
Vice President: Julie Jeske
Secretary: Sylvia Burgess
Treasurer: Tami Emter
Past President: Kyle Debertin
Director: Jillian Lagasse
Director: Kristin Oban
Director: Jerry Haas
Director: Laurie Hatzenbuhler
Director: Maddie Berger
Director: Rob Koppinger
Board member elections are held in September and members serve a two year term, beginning October 1st annually.
Past Presidents: Kyle Debertin (2022-23), Angil Wanner-Koper (2021-22); Jerry Haas (2020-21); Christy Cameron (2019-20); Dennis Kraft (2018-19); Amanda Bakkedahl (2017-18); Jerry Haas (2016-17); Krista Fremming (2015-16); Kelly Gunsch (2014-15); Tonya Holmstrom (2013-14); Kristi Kraft (2012-2013); Daryl Kerzman (2011-2012); Tom Miller (2010-2011); Ben Ehreth (2009-2010);
2023 "Outstanding Optimist of the Year"
Roger Anderson
2022 "Outstanding Optimist of the Year"
Amanda Yellow
Founded: July 20, 1971
Founding members still in our club:
* Duane Bentz
* Jack Neumann
* Mert Johnsrud
Weekly meeting: Tuesdays at noon,
at the Bismarck Municipal Country Club
930 N Griffin Street
Jerry Haas, Past-President of the Optimist Club of Bismarck was recently recognized at the Dakotas-Manitoba-Minnesota District Meeting as the Roger L. Haas Memorial Optimist of the Year award recipient. Jerry was a very active leader with recruiting several new members to the club and also took the lead on a few new projects. Jerry also helped initiate a new event, the club’s Easter Egg Hunt which took place on the ND Capitol Grounds. He helped increase community participation in the club’s Avenue of Flags and also led the efforts to create a Pay-it-Forward program for the Optimist Gift Wrap fundraising project.
Jerry continues to lead by example, helping others to share in the success and Brings Out the Best in Youth, the Community and Ourselves. Jerry truly displays the Optimist Creed saying of “To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.” He looks for the positive in people and helps to make them realize what they are capable of doing.
50th Anniversary Event
