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| Every year the Pacific Southwest District holds a JOOI convention to get all of its Junior Optimist/Octagon members together. This year's convention, like two years ago, was held in Bakersfield, only this time at the Holiday Inn Select at 801 Truxton Ave. which is in downtown. It was a two-day convention, starting on the morning of Saturday, May 19th, until noon on Sunday, May 20th. Members traveling from afar were required to share hotel rooms with up to four people, including a chaperone. The morning started off with sign-in between 9 and 10. Afterwards, an opening session was held in which clubs and district officers were introduced, candidates' speeches heard, and the itinerary and rules discussed (after reciting the Youth Code and Optimist Creed, of course). At ten till 12, the nearly fifty participants gathered at the lobby in order to walk together to Central Park, four blocks away. There a fantastic lunch was grilled and served by Monika Herbig and several other Optimists. JOOI members were forced to mingle with those from other clubs, sitting in tables assigned to them by random colors. At around 1:30 the workshops began. Participants were assigned to the workshops of their choice, chosen upon sign-in. The workshops held were: 1. Service Projects/Fundraisers with Jerry Sanders, Pacoima JOC Advisor and former Youth Clubs Chairperson 2. Public Speaking with Monika Herbig, North Hollywood JOC Advisor 3. To Be An Officer (session one only) with Aiala Levy, PSWD-JOOI Governor, and Dror Issacci, PSWD-JOOI Secretary/Treasurer 4. Optimism: What About It? (session two only) with Dror Issacci and Aiala Levy After the workshops were over, the election for next year's officers was held via secret ballot. Then everyone stormed back to the hotel to enjoy the pool and air conditioning. At 5:30 P.M. clubs began to set up for the carnival. Booths included were several basketball throws, bean-bag tosses, a fish-the-bottles booth, a jail, and others. After a pizza party with food provided by Danny Ruiz, the carnival began. Both JOOI members and the adult Optimists playing (it was their convention, too) seemed to highly enjoy themselves. Election results and raffle were held at the end of the carnival. The new district JOOI offices, starting October 1, are: Governor: Dror Issacci, Westchester Octagon Lt. Governors: Ariel Dresser, Westchester Oct., and Sharon Lane, Bakersfield-Compton JOC Secretary: Smadar Levy, Orville Wright Middle School JOC Treasurer: Samantha Rincon, Bak.-Comp. JOC Sergeant at Arms: Rigoberto Carranza, Pacoima JOC The next morning those clubs that remained gathered for breakfast provided by the Westchester Octagon Club. Many thank you's were said and then participants headed on home after a long weekend of fun, learning, and optimism. The official itinerary was as follows: |
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| One member per participating club introduces their club and one activity they have done this year. |
| Saturday, May 19 9:30 A.M. Sign in 10:00 A.M. Welcome meeting 12-1:00 P.M. Lunch at Central Park 1:00-3:00 P.M. Workshops Session 1: "Service Projects/Fundraisers" with Jerry Sanders "Public Speaking" with Monika Herbig "To be an Officer" with Aiala Levy and Dror Issacci Session 2: "Service Projects/Fundraisers" with Jerry Sanders "Public Speaking" with Monika Herbig "Optimism: What About It?" with Dror Issacci and Aiala Levy Elections Afterwards 5:30 P.M. Set up booths for carnival 6:30 P.M. Pizza Party 8:00 P.M. Carnival and Election Results Sunday, May 20 9:00 A.M. Breakfast 9:30 A.M. Closing Meeting |
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| Lt. Governor Ellen Sordo, Secretary/Treasurer Dror Issacci, and Governor Aiala Levy smile after a successful general session. |