Incoming President Milan Vujovic started the meeting with a warm "Welcome to Rotary!" greeting.
He said how happy he was to see how many had come to the meeting and same time reminded all that a phone going off would guarantee a fine from the Sergeant-at-Arms!
On behalf of all, Milan wished our President, Mike Christie, who attended the meeting online, a speedy recovery from his hip operation.
Members were very happy to see Rotarian John John back at the front desk after an absence of several weeks, due to health considerations.
An unexpected change in the schedule of the guest speakers was such that they needed to be given the floor immediately.
Margie Booyens had the pleasure of welcoming and introducing: Almira Vujovic, Mark Risdon and Robin Keenan. Almira heads up a division at REDI called REDIworks. Mark and Robin are 'job developers' and together with about 18 others, are part of her team that focuses on INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT of people with developmental disabilities.
After a very informative presentation by Mark and Robin (please see in the STORY section of this newsletter), there was a great question and discussion time.
President Milan thanked the trio, sharing the fact that years ago, he had headed that REDI unit himself, when it was called Community Employment Services. He praised Canada, saying it was in his opinion one of few countries that offered high quality services for people with developmental disabilities, especially around their inclusion in the workforce.
Members were reminded that there would be no meeting the following Monday, it being Victoria Day; that the visit to Big Marble Farms scheduled for the 21st of May had had to be postponed to November due to the early start of the growing season this year; and that Sue Edwards would be bringing members up to speed about The Health Foundation's work during the last meeting of May, on the 26th.
Rotary Club "What-z New":
We are looking for a group of volunteers to learn the sign-in desk routine and to agree to cover the role (with a greeter to assist them). Please speak to Dave Stalwick (Director: Club Service) if you are willing to help out with this function.
A few more meeting helpers are required to run cameras and sound during our hybrid meetings. Anyone wishing to help should contact President Mike Christie 403 878 3311.
Rotary Club Committee Membership Update:
Please continue to assist your 'team captains' (committee leads) and please also work in other areas of club activity, as you are able.
Please have a look on ClubRunner in the Committee section. You should find your name on one of the committee member lists, as per your choice(s). If not, please contact President Mike.
Rotary Club Information:
Housekeeping:
If you have a Meeting Minute, please phone, text or email the President and it will be included in the next Newsletter.
Board minutes can be found on ClubRunner, under Club Documents.
Rotary District 5360 and Rotary International News
CLUBRUNNER CHANGEOVER SERIES
The first webinar in this series will take place on Tuesday, May 20, from 4-5pm Mountain time.
The series is designed to introduce us to the new and improved ClubRunner. Let's attend so that we learn how to get maximum use out of this platform that we use for storing Rotary documents, for emails, events, calendar, newsletter and many other functions.
MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY
As many Rotarians will know, our club, in cooperation with the Saamis Rotary Club and the Friends of the Monarch Society, has been working on restoring both the structure and the programming at the historic Monarch movie theatre on 2nd St S.E, Medicine Hat.
Our club will try to keep track of events on at the Monarch, to give members a heads-up that the opportunity to serve exists. If you are interested, please let Rotarian Janessa Anderson (403-952-1907) know and she can provide details of available shifts and responsibilities.
Coming up in May:
MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY AGM: MAY 14
All Rotarians are encouraged to attend the AGM of the Monarch 1911 Society which will be held on Wednesday 14 May at 7pm in the Beveridge Building on 2nd Street.
CONCERT: JUNE 7
The "Friends of the Monarch" are organizing a concert by Oscar Lopez, for Saturday June 7th beginning at 7 pm. Oscar is a Juno award winning guitarist, and blends Latin, Jazz and Flamenco styles. He's a great performer, please set the date aside.
Volunteering at a show is a great way to connect with the community and support the historic local landmark.
ZONE 28 & 32 ONLINE MEETING: 21 MAY
"United for Good - Rotary in Zones 28 & 32": A meeting on this topic, will be held online on May 21, 5pm Mountain time. An email was sent to all Rotarians in our District inviting us to register for this zone level meeting.
RI CONVENTION 2025 IN CALGARY: 21-25 JUNE
The RI Convention was last held in Calgary in 1996. It’s going to be back in Calgary again June 21 - 25, 2025.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Host Organizing Committee secretary, Luanne Whitmarsh (l.whitmarsh@shaw.ca)
Club Convention Champions are playing a vital role in communication (both ways) between the District 5360 Host Convention Committee and their Club. Our Convention Club Champion is PDG Sandy MacKay.
A 'Calgary Orientation' webinar is coming up on Tuesday, May 27, 09:30 - 10:45. If you are attending the Convention, it will be a good idea to attend this webinar. Register via the District 5360 website.
Ideas for Future Programs
The Rotary Club's Program Committee members are Jillian Koch (jkoch@jmhca.com), Margie Booyens (margiebooyens@gmail.com), Alain Guerard (aguerard@telus.net), Sharon Hayward (sharon.hayward@medicinehatymca.ca)
If you have ideas for future programs, please contact them.
One of the important resources in Medicine Hat is REDI Enterprises Society. We have all seen the brightly coloured offices on Allowance Ave SE with the aeroplane painted on the wall, signifying ‘take flight’.
I wonder how many remember what REDI stands for? Rehabilitation and Employment for Developing Independence.
This Society is based in Medicine Hat but serves surrounding communities including Brooks and Lethbridge.
On Monday 12 May, the members of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat had the pleasure of welcoming guest speakers Almira Vujovic, Mark Risdon, and Robin Keenan to our noon meeting.
Almira heads up REDIworks, which is one of four service delivery areas, the others being REDIlives, REDIconnects and BIRS (Brain Injury Relearning).
Mark and Robin took the members on a journey of introduction into the heart of REDIworks.
In a nutshell, REDIworks focuses on inclusive employment – how diversity, equity and inclusion can be factored into the workplace through employing and supporting people with developmental disabilities. Mark shared a few statistics, including that one in five working aged Canadians live with a disability of some sort. He also pointed out that the employment rate of Canadians of working age, living with a developmental disability, is just 20% (StatsCan), leaving much room for increased uptake.
The ‘job developers’ in this REDI area of service describe their approach as ‘Supported Employment’, which means providing support to persons with developmental disabilities to find, obtain, and maintain a paying job in a mainstream workplace. While finding permanent part-time jobs is regarded as the ideal, the job developers seek out any configuration that works for the client and the employing body, which could be casual, seasonal, short-term or long-term employment. Job coaching is done to facilitate the fit.
Mark and Robin shared a few interesting examples of prominent business leaders in Canada who have employed persons with disabilities over the years, with very positive experiences and outcomes. One is Kevin Wagner, former Grocery Manager of 13th Ave Co-Op, currently at Co-Op Head Office; another is Mark Wafer, a former Tim Hortons restaurant owner.
Aside from the immense value to the persons with disability who get employed – the meaning in life and the increased feelings of self-worth and independence – the employing organization benefits in tangible ways, including that it is promoting DEI in the workplace and making a meaningful contribution to the quality of life in that geographical community.
A great service, a needed service, thank you REDIworks! May we all, in our spheres of influence, give Almira and her team of 20, the opportunities and kinds of support we are able.
Guest speakers: Almira Vujovic, Mark Risdon, Robin Keenan
ATTENDANCE:
22 Rotarians attended in person, and one online.
CLUB DRAW: Dawn Barr won the draw, a box of brownie bars
Please remember to contribute gifts for the weekly draw. If you are somewhere interesting, a small gift to the club for the draw is much appreciated!
Makeups: None were mentioned.
Birthdays:
Anne Carrier. May 5.
Doug Fleming. May 19.
Mihaela Craciun. May 19.
Ian McLaughlin. May 20.
Dawn Barr May 31.
Rotary Anniversaries:
Ian McLaughlin 33 years May 1, 1992.
Dick Northcott. 25 years. May 1, 2000.
Susan Withers 7 years. May 14, 2018.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR MAY 2025
Gail Halderman
Minute Reminders
DISTRICT 5360 AGM
Members are reminded that the annual general meeting of District 5360 will take place online on May 30, beginning at 9:00 am. Registration is required, you'll find the sign up form on the District website.
TEAM FREEWHEEL
Terry Cooper and his team continue to work on bikes most afternoons during the week - and would be delighted if we were to swing by their workshop on Kipling Street, to say hello and to see what they are doing! This spring, thus far, approximately 10 - 12 bikes have gone to the Separate School System, and three to immigrants.
BINGO UPDATES
The next bingo is Thursday evening May 22nd, beginning at 5:00 pm.
VENUE DISCUSSION
Members are reminded that we are examining the pluses and minus of the CORE venue as a permanent home, so comments and concerns are welcome. Please provide any feedback to Dave Stalwick (d.stalwick@gmail.com). A club discussion on the meeting venue will be held in the near future.
70TH ANNIVERSARY ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL ROSEBOWL WINNER CONCERT
Margie Booyens and Anne Carrier reminded everyone that the winner of the 2025 Rosebowl, pianist Miriam Monet, has, on our request, agreed to put on a concert for Rotarians, friends and the general public, on Friday May 16th, beginning at 7:00 pm in St Barnabas Church. This will be a practice run for the Provincials, as she will play the two pieces she has entered for this 'next level' competition - plus one more! Please consider bringing a plate of "something" to share, for the social after the concert. Admission by donation (to St Barnabas).
CLUB VISIT TO BIG MARBLE FARMS
Unfortunately, the planned tour of the Big Marble Greenhouse scheduled for Wednesday May 21 has had to be postpone to November, because of an early start to the growing season. We will reschedule and let members know in good time.
Family of Rotary
The Rotary Club sends thoughts and prayers to Sharon Haywood and Kevin Walker on the recent loss of Sharon's father Jim, in Hartford, Wisconsin.
We wish President Mike Christie a speedy recovery from his hip replacement surgery.
We also wish Ian McLaughlin a speedy recovery from his current mobility challenge and hope to see him at a meeting soon.
Please keep a Board Member informed about members health and/or any other changes, so that information can be provided to the club through the Weekly News.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has returned to meeting in person. Our first meeting of every month is a ZOOM business meeting. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
