THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2008

---

Young Leader Has Big Ideas For Optimists

By TOM ROBB

Journal Reporter

At 18 years old, Zach Ladner will become the youngest Optimist Club president in the history of the national organization when he takes over as head of Des Plaines' Optimists on Oct. 1.

The club is in Ladner's blood. The day Zach assumes his duties as president, his mother, Judy Ladner, will be installed as treasurer. Father Chris Ladner is a past president of the local club and current lieutenant governor of the regional organization.

Zach is not new to the organization. He has been involved with it since he was just 10-years-old.

Zach recently shared with the Journal his goals for the civic organization. He said he wants to see the organization grow and wants to do so by seeking out younger members.

He said the club currently has about 40 members. He hopes to increase on that by five to 10 members in the next year.

"You can't have the same five or 10 people doing the same things over and over again," Zach said.

Zach wants the group to become better known as well.

"You know about the Elks and the Lions but you don't know about us," said Zach.

Zach said he will better utilize his generation's new communica tion tools, including social networking websites like Facebook, to recruit college members.

He said student membership dues are only $5.

Zach will attend a recruiting event for non-profit organizations at Oakton Community College in conjunction with the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce on July 8 and will attend the Optimists International Convention later this summer in Texas.

Zach wants to support youth athletics and academics, too.

He said he would like to see the group sponsor geography and spelling bees.

"I want to see a Des Plaines kid win a national spelling bee and get us (Des Plaines) on the map," said Zach.

Ideally, Zach said the club would pay travel expenses for that child to attend a national competition.