Rotary Weekly News - May 5, 2025 (May 05, 2025)

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Today's meeting was led by PE Milan Vujovic, who covered for P Mike Christie as he recovers from surgery at home (Mike would join us later online, so we all got to say "hi")

PE Milan thanked everyone who attended the "Why Rotary" event last week, and also spoke highly of the Rotary Dinner Club. He encouraged everyone to sign up next year and get to know Rotarians and their partners in a much more social and low stress environment. He commented about the great meal he and Almira had at Northcott's home over the past weekend.

PP Bruce Shepard then took the floor, to thank everyone who worked on and participated in, the Why Rotary event last Wednesday evening. He was pleased that all 4 local clubs participated and the gathering introduced approximately 10 people to Rotary in Medicine Hat.

Bruce particularly acknowledged the great work of Stan Sakamoto, for the excellent venue and meal. It was a great time and there was lots of positive feedback.

A suggestion was made that a post mortem of the event be done, both by those who were "introduced" to Rotary and by participants and organizers. We can always learn something new or improve so Bruce indicated that would occur in the near future.

Rotary Club "What-z New":

We are looking for a group of volunteers to learn the sign in desk routine and agree to cover the role (with a greeter to assist them). Please speak to Dave Stalwick 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

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.

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.

Stan Sakamoto mentioned that 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.

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.
Registration for the 2025 Rotary International Convention - https://convention.rotary.org/en-us
The constantly updated convention website is http://www.rotarycalgary2025.org

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.

Meeting News

GUESTS:

There were no guests today, as this was our regular business meeting.

ATTENDANCE:

22 Rotarians attended in person, and 2 online.

CLUB DRAW: Anne Carrier won cookies and 2/3 of a package of jams....one container hit the floor and didn't make it to the raffle.

Please remember to contribute gifts for the weekly draw. If you are somewhere interesting, a small gift to the club is an easy fundraiser!

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

The annual general meeting of District 5360 will take place 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 spoke about the startup of Team Freewheel this spring. Approximately 10 - 12 bikes have gone to the Separate School System, and the team is trying to get rid of a number of street bikes, which aren't preferred by most riders. Mountain bikes are definitely the preference. He also mentioned that they have two recumbent bikes, which are in excellent shape and need to go to a good home. They are doing some advertising online and will do a piece in the next Pechakucha event in September.

BINGO UPDATES

Dave Stalwick advised that the Saturday afternoon, May 3^rd bingo had 50 players, and although the turnout was small the event made a profit of $226.75, with Terry Brekko winning the guess pot. The next bingo is Thursday evening May 22^nd, beginning at 5:00 pm.

VENUE DISCUSSION

Dave also advised 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 him, and a club discussion will happen in the future.

70TH ANNIVERSARY ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL ROSEBOWL WINNER CONCERT

Margie Booyens reminded everyone that the winner of the 2025 Rosebowl, pianist Miriam Monet, has, on our request, agreed to put on a concert for Rotarians and friends, 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. Please consider bring a plate of "something" to share, for the social after the concert.

POST MEETING NOTE

Unfortunately, the planned tour of the Big Marble Greenhouse scheduled for Wed morning, May 21 has been cancelled. Hopefully we can reschedule in the fall.

Family of Rotary

The Rotary Club sends it's thoughts and prayers to Sharon Haywood and Kevin Walker on the recent loss of Sharon's father Jim, in Hartford, Wisconsin early this week.
We wish President Mike Christie a rapid 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.