banner
President's Message
President's Remarks:
 
Karen was happy to be back home, after a nice long holiday in Australia, however the 13 hour time difference and the temperature swing from plus 40 deg C to minus 30 deg C was causing her to have her doubts.  And jet lag is a really funny thing.
 
 
On the table, Karen had business card sized Rotary cards, useful for reminders about our meeting and our contact information.
 
Chris Perret also took the podium, to quickly sell the last few Club 500 draw tickets, in advance of the first draw this year.  He also thanked everyone who sold tickets and helped with the logistics of the raffle, it's a principle fundraiser for the club and the Music Festival.
 
Rotary Fun Fact:
 
President Karen's "fact" today was that our Newsletter, originally called the Lubricator, has been part of our club since 1922.  An important communication and notice tool for the club for almost our entire history.
 
Membership Update:
 
No new member applications to report.
 
Rotary Information:
  • Next board meeting is on Jan 23rd, at the AMA boardroom, and anyone is welcome to attend.
Rotary Presentations:
  • None this week.
Upcoming Club Events:
  • 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:
Stories
Update on Rotary Impact Assessment
As an important part of our recent Strategic Plan, and to provide help in our recruiting activities for Membership, and as part of our Centennial Celebration the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat initiated a Rotary Impact Assessment last year.  The intention was to provide statistics, feedback, testimonials and collaboration for the activities of the club.
 
After an RFP, a local Rotarian from the Sunrise Rotary Club, Jace Anderson was selected to undertake this work, and was in attendance to provide some of the early findings and some update on the progress.  It was unfortunate that President Karen couldn't be here, but she was briefed in advance of her holiday.  Jace also mentioned when he started his presentation that he was recording it, so Karen could listen to it on her return.  Jace is the director of  Destination Marketing Medicine Hat, who operate the tourist center and provide promotional services to local events.
 
 
Jace began by speaking about the early years of the club, which was the first service club in Medicine Hat for many years after it's 1918 charter.  He spoke about the total value of the donations through the club ($1.26M), as well as some of the early years and the value in today's dollars of those funds.
 
He spoke about the two kinds of projects, those identified by the community that Rotary would help to bring to fruition and those identified within the club, which engaged the club membership and were undertaken over the entire world within the Rotary family.
 
He used a few examples, such as the installation of the first elevator in the MH General Hospital in 1925, the long history of support by the RC of MH for the Salvation Army kettles program, our support of the Rotary youth programs, from long term exchange to RYPEN, RYLA and Interact, and to water safety, from the original swimming hole on Seven Persons creek, to building the pool in Rotary Park and support for swimming lessons.
 
He was asked a few questions and all of us look forward to the data and material from his work.
News
Club Meeting News
Introduction of Guests
  • Aaron Nelson, Executive Director of the Medalta Pottery, our guest speaker.
Birthdays: 
  • Roger Roy             January  19th.
Club Anniversaries:
  • Milan Vujovic      10 years       January 20th, 2008
Weekly Draws:  
  • Ian McLaughlin was the winner of the weekly draw.  Ian took home some vanilla and spices, donated by Terry Brekko.
  • Margie Booyens was in attendance, and won the attendance draw and a free lunch.
Club 500:
  • The first set of draws for 2018 were made this week.
  • The $1,500 winner this month was Doris Dorval, on a ticket sold by Adolf Seiler.
  • The  $500 winner was Adolf Seiler, on a ticket he sold himself  (now that's good karma)
Make Ups:
  • None announced.
Family of Rotary:
  • Adolf passed onto the club, a heartfelt invitation from Marg Mazerolle to attend the reception on Saturday January 20 in honor of Peter.  All members of the Rotary club and their family are invited and welcome.  Hope to see many of you there.
  • The club also was advised that Brenda Bauman is still in Medicine Hat Hospital on dialysis, and is up for visits of a short duration.  If you have a minute, please drop by and wish her well
Minute People:
  • Dave Panabaker needed one more worker for the bingo on Monday evening, thanks to everyone who participated.
  • Dave Panabaker also advised that a group purchase of tickets for Cirque du Soleil, on Thursday evening May 24th have been arranged.  An email went out last week and we have until Friday February 23rd to book tickets, so please contact Dave if you are interested in attending with the group.  Tickets are $53.20 each.
  • Dave (monopolizing the microphone) announced that the local YEX student, with the Saamis Rotary Club is hosting all the District YEX students on the weekend of Feb 2 - 4.  Saamis is intending to move their regular meeting to Saturday evening, Feb 3rd and Rotarians from all local clubs are invited to meet the students.  The meeting will take place at the Paradise Valley Clubhouse, the DGE Dan Doherty will be in attendance and the evening will mostly be social.
  • Sandy Mackay presented the club with a memento he uncovered in looking through material for our history project.  It was a presentation of a Jaipur foot, from our original India project about 15 years ago.  President Karen will have it on display during our Centennial Celebration.
  • Sandy also announced that the Medicine Hat College will be hosting a significant conference on Feb 14-17, to attempt to build some understanding and a bridge between the local Indigenous community and Rotary District 5360.  He invited anyone with time available that week to attend as many sessions as they could.
  • Terry Brekko reminded everyone that advertising and sponsorship for the Music Festival program were due on January 21 if possible.
  • John John announced that information desk and door monitor time slots were available at the rear of the room, for Rotarians to sign up for ahead of the general public.
  • Chris Perret announced that new sound system has been acquired, it is being charged in his office now and will likely be available for the next meeting.
    Read more...
    Upcoming Events
    Business Meeting
    Medicine Hat Lodge
    Jan 29, 2018
    11:45 AM – 1:15 PM
     
    Rotary Bingo - evening
    Top Hat Bingo
    Feb 03, 2018
    5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
     
    Rotary Bingo - afternoon
    Top Hat Bingo
    Feb 18, 2018
    11:45 AM – 4:00 PM
     
    Rotary Bingo - evening
    Top Hat Bingo
    Mar 14, 2018
    5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
     
    Rotary Bingo - evening
    Top Hat Bingo
    Apr 04, 2018
    5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
     
    Executives & Directors
    President
     
    President Elect
     
    Treasurer
     
    Past President
     
    Secretary
     
    Director
     
    Director
     
    Director
     
    Director
     
    Director
     
    Director
     
    Chair
     
    Russell Hampton
    National Awards Services Inc.
    ClubRunner