President Karen Blewett welcomed everyone to the third meeting of November.
Rotary Fun Fact:
As part of her tradition, President Karen reveal another interesting historic fact about our Club. This week, Karen reported a story from the January 1938 edition of The Rotarian Magazine, which recognized the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat for our outstanding work. Here's the story.
"Fourteen years ago (1924) in juvenile court Medicine Hat handled 44 case in 12 months. Today (1938) the same court has to deal with two or three cases in a similar period. What is responsible? The Rotary Club says the city probation officer. Its extensive Community Service program, which has provided swimming pools, playgrounds, parks, etc. and which has supported every organization working for the public good, is the reason behind the gratifying slump in juvenile delinquency, he explained. The Club has raised over $80,000 for civic purposes since it first launched into civic service. That means about $1600 per member. The sum, an achievement for a Club of 49 in a community of approximately 10,00 people..."
Karen went on to explain the $80,000 raised between 1918 and 1938 would be worth the equivalent of $1.35 million in 2017 dollars and the $16,000 per member would be worth $27,096. Wow!!! Quite an accomplishment.
Membership Update:
No new member proposals this week.
Rotary Information:
The MHHS Interact Club are the recipients of the YMCA 2017 Peacemaker of the Year Award. The award was presented to the Interact Club at City Hall Monday evening.
Karen advised the Centennial History and Rotary Impact study are progressing well. We are at the stage where we can start adding photos. If you have photos of Rotary activities, past & present, please email them to Margie Booyens.
Karen also reported The Rotary Gala scheduled for May has been postponed.
Due to difficulties with the sound system today, Herman Wahl reminded members that proper use of the microphones and sound system is very important to some of our members who are experiencing hearing problems. Herman very eloquently pointed out some common problems people use when using the microphone. President Karen advised the Board is looking into improvements to the sound system.
Rotary Presentations:
DG Rick Istad who was in attendance today, recognized and thanked the following Club members for their service to Rotary:
Sandy MacKay who services as an Assistant Regional Foundation Coordinator.
Wayne Chesley who is a District Director at Large and a Liaison for Youth Programs.
Dave Panabaker who services as an Assistant Governor and on the District Foundation Grants Committee.
Theresa Eisenbarth who has agreed to act as an Interact Regional Coordinator.
Margie Booyens who will be taking on the role as Regional Coordinator for New Generations Student Exchange.
PDG Sandy MacKay presented a Paul Harris certificate and pin to Dominique Hirsch. Thank you to Sandy for using his Foundation points to make our Club a 100% PHF Club.
Upcoming Club Events:
The November Rotary Board meeting will be held Tuesday November 28th at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room.
Salvation Army Christmas Kettles - December 2.
Rotary Christmas lunch and stocking stuffing party. - December 4.
2018 District Conference will be May 4 - 6, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Calgary.
DATE FOR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018, at the Medicine Hat Lodge
RI Convention - Toronto, June 23 - 27, 2018. The Club has agreed to provide an incentive of $500 for new members and $200 for existing members to attend the RI Conference.
For more Club activities, to keep up with events and stay in touch, check the Club website at: www.medicinehatrotary.com
Future Programs:
Christmas Lunch December 4. Watch for more information about our Christmas Stocking Project.
If you have any future program ideas, please e-mail Heather at heather.bach@ahs.ca.
Monday's speaker was Karen Danielson, the newly hired Executive Director of Thrive. Karen explained that Thrive is a strategy put together for Medicine Hat and the surrounding region to help put an end to poverty. Karen advised 1 in 10 people live below the poverty line. This became evident after events like the last flood. With the assistance of research done by Medicine Hat College students, a number of local community agencies and groups joined together to try to deal with this issue. Thrive's Vision is: "By 2030, Medicine Hat Will End Poverty In All Its Forms and Ensure Well Being For All."
Karen then went on to outline Thrive's very ambitious task by outlining the organization's Founding Principle, which include the following: Equal rights for all; Person centered and community driven solutions; Ending poverty will take a collective effort and Ending poverty will take some innovation. Karen then discussed a number of Thrive's Key Actions and Priorities before moving on to the group's Moving Ahead plans, which includes; Setting up Thrive; Connecting the community partners; Securing implementation funding and Driving Year 1 Implementation Actions. Karen suggested "it's not just about surviving, it's about thriving."
More information about Thrive and its plans can be found on their website: www.thrivemh.ca.
Karen then answered a few questions, before being thanked by President Karen, who presented our speaker with a Rotary Mug.
DG Rick Istead, who stopped in for lunch on his way through town.
Karen Danielson, Executive Director of Thrive, today's speaker
Tobi Magner, Terry Brekko's daughter.
Birthdays:
Heather Bach - November 22.
Club Anniversaries:
Dave Panabaker - November 24, 2003 - 14 years.
Allan O'Byrne - November 27, 1995 - 22years.
Weekly Draws:
Cathie Catalano was the winner of the weekly draw. Cathy took home a golf shirt donated by Dick Bide.
Jason Hertz was not in attendance to win a free lunch in the attendance draw.
Club 500:
A draw for $500 was won by Susan Chacko, on a ticket sold by Joe Chacko.
Make Ups:
Nine members (Terry P, Ray, Dick, Marg, Ron, Ian, Adolf, Terry C & Milan) worked the last Bingo. Although we only made a profit of $225 for the night, the Club received a "pool" cheque for $1175 for the month.
Adolf attended Saamis Rotary last Thursday.
Family of Rotary:
At Monday's meeting, Adolf Seiler advise there were no updates to report on Honorary Rotarian Garth Vallely and former Rotarian Bob Mutschler.
Since Monday, the Club received the sad news that Bob Mutschler passed away Tuesday. Bob's funeral will be held Saturday November 25th at 10:30 at Pattison's Funeral Home. The deepest sympathies of the Club are extended to Delores and family at this very difficult time.
Minute People:
Dawn Barr advised the MHHS Interact students will be holding a Bake Sale Fundraiser Dec 12 to 14. The students are looking for donations of baking.
Dawn Barr announced a Rotary Happy Hour will take place on Wednesday December 6, from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Paradise Valley golf restaurant.
Dawn, reporting on behalf of Dave Panabaker, there is a time change for the Rotary Social evening at VR Junkies being held on Thursday. The new time will be from 6:30 to 7:45. 14 people have registered.
Adolf Seiler who's coordinating our club's participation in the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle program, advised all the slots are filled and he thanked the members who have volunteered.
Terry Brekko reported he is putting together this year's festival advertising program and suggest there will likely be changes in the type of ads we sell. The proposal is to delete Business Card and 1/4 page ads and only list these sponsor's names in the program. This will help simplify program printing and yet still recognize sponsors.
Club 500 tickets sales are underway. If you don't have your tickets, contact Chris, Allan or Glen. Chris advised he has a list of about 50 people who need to be contacted. If you can help out, please contact Chris.This is a major fundraiser for the Music Festival, so please sell your tickets as soon as possible.
Brenda Bauman reported the Music Festival is looking for a number of sponsors to replace some awards that no longer have sponsors. The awards range in value from $25, $50, $100 to $300 . If you are interested, please contact Brenda.
Chris Perret provided additional information on the Notice of Motion made last week. First of all, the information presented last week that Uwe's Continental Car building is for sale was incorrect. Chris reported the Club has files and property stored in a number of locations. While working on various projects like the float and Gala, it was some times difficult to find things, so it was felt the Club should be storing all our property in one location. Board members have been looking at various options such as renting a storage unit ($100-150 per month) or purchasing a Seacan. It was decide the Seacan would be the most cost effective option. This matter will be debated and voted on at next week's business meeting.
Christmas Project:
Heather Bach provided an update on this years Christmas project, a 'hands-on' project at our Christmas Party. First of all, our Christmas Party will be a noon luncheon on December 4, partners are most welcome, and where we will be putting together Christmas stocking for people in the local Hospice & Nursing Homes. Heather has provided a list of items members can bring. The club is also accepting cash donation to purchase items. The following is a list of items required for the Christmas Stockings: Mini Hand Lotion, Lip Balm, Cross Word or Word Find with pencil, Chocolate, Tic Tacs, Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Mouth Wash, Small Teddy Bear.
Please bring these items no later than Monday November 27th. For more information, please contact Heather.
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