Acting President Mark Sorenson led the meeting on Monday 16 May.
Mark welcomed all 21 in-person members, especially guest speaker, Klinton Nesmo, and AG Keith Walker, and the six on Zoom.
Peter Mueller, our Director of Youth Programs, was given the opportunity to talk about the forthcoming joint meeting with the Interact Club at MH High School, starting at 5pm on Monday 30 May.
Members were asked to bring $25 for the meal, extra cash for a silent auction, and donations of hygiene products which Interactors will donate to a shelter in the City.
Doug Fleming introduced Klinton Nesmo, talking about his own involvement in RYPEN in years gone by. An interesting bit of history, shared by Doug, is that Marg Mazerolle and Bruce Dynes started RYPEN in Medicine Hat way back in 1993.
The annual camp was held at Eagle’s Nest, before moving to Little Bow Travers Reservoir in 2010.
While RYPEN is not an official Rotary program, Doug emphasized what a life changing experience it offers young people.
Reminder of the current fundraiser for the Saamis Club
A few more meeting helpers are required to run cameras and sound during our hybrid meetings. We are all learning to adapt to this new reality. Anyone wishing to help should contact Mike Christie 403 878 3311.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
Would you like to join the membership team? Check out a meeting and see how exciting it is! The committee meets on the second Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm. Contact Mike Christie to join in.
Rotary Club Information:
Housekeeping:
If you have a Meeting Minute, please phone or email the President and it will be included in the next Newsletter.
Board minutes can be found on ClubRunner, under Club Documents.
Upcoming Club Program, Activities and Meetings:
Monday May 23rd 2022 - No meeting on Victoria Day
Monday May 30th 2022 - Evening meeting at MHHS sponsored by the Interact Club, 5:00 pm
The Rotary Club's Program Committee is: Jillian Koch (jkoch@jmhca.com), Dave Panabaker (d.panabaker@hotmail.com) and Margie Booyens (margiebooyens@gmail.com). If you have ideas for future programs, please contact them.
Our guest speaker, Klinton Nesmo, spoke passionately about the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) in our Rotary District (www.rypen5360.org) (rypen5360@gmail.com).
RYPEN is an annual indoor/outdoor summer camp of four days, for about forty 13-17 year olds, held on the Little Bow Travers Reservoir.
The emphasis is on facilitating personal growth and leadership development through experiential learning – learning by doing.
This year’s participants become next year’s leaders, which is not difficult to facilitate, as participants give the camp rave reviews and want to retain their connection.
RYPEN targets youth who have overcome adversity and can use the opportunity to experience and further develop their own strength and skills.
Heading up the camp is a leadership team of professionals, including social workers, counsellors and nurses. Rotarians are welcome to join the team. Rotarian Peter Imhoff (RC of Lethbridge Mosaic) heads up RYPEN at District level.
Rotary Clubs can sponsor one or more participants at the cost of $600 each – selecting a participant or sponsoring a place for a youth selected by another club. Clubs can also assist by providing transport for participants, to and from the camp.
The next RYPEN camp will be held from September 16-19, 2022.
We were privileged to hear our guest speaker’s very own RYPEN story and the impact his participation in the 2002 camp had on his life, which explain his passion for the program.
In his own words:
My involvement with RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment), dates back to 2002. The Medicine Hat Rotary Club sent me to a leadership camp in the Cypress Hills called RYPEN. As a Student , I had a life altering experience. I came back from this camp with more confidence, and the ability to take charge when needed. I was asked back the following years as a Youth Leader, then a Senior Leader. I am still with the camp, as a Senior Leader and part of the Administrative team. Having being involved with RYPEN 20 years now, I still hope to help change someone else’s life. Every year I hope to help someone for the better, as Rotary helped me years ago. And I would like to sincerely Thank the Rotary club for changing my life, and continuing to change lives for other youth across the world. As well as continuing to sponsor the camp for our youth in the Rotary 5360 district.
Our guest speaker, Klinton Nesmo, and Assistant Governor, Keith Walker
Club Draw:
Anne Carrier won a coffee mug
Makeups:
None reported
Birthdays:
Anne Carrier May 5.
Doug Fleming May 19.
Ian McLaughlin May 20.
Ted Cowtan May 25.
Dawn Barr May 31.
Rotary Anniversaries: .
Ian McLaughlin 30 years May 1, 1992.
Dick Northcott 22 years May 1, 2000.
Susan Withers 4 years May 14, 2018.
Dan Kammerer 18 years May 19, 2004.
Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for May:
Don Davis
Minute People:
AG Keith Walker encouraged members to sign up for the District Leadership Training Webinar on Wednesday 18 May at 7pm. He spoke about the District Conference in Cochrane on Saturday 14 May – attended by about 350 people; great line-up of speakers; Tent of Friendship on the New Generations Service Exchange (NGSE), manned by NGSE team members, including himself and Margie
Margie Booyens thanked the Club for the $500 sponsorship which enabled the District NGSE team to design and print a pull-up banner, posters, brochures and thank you cards, all of which had been in the Tent of Friendship during DisCon and all of which will be used over the months ahead, to market this program for young adults (18-30 years).
Dale Stein: 6 members had signed up for golf after the meeting. No golf on Victoria Day.
Milan Vujovic announced the Hues for Humanity run on 11 June, from 9-noon. A Rotary tent would be put up and three members were sought to have fun, throwing paint on the runners. There would be a free movie that night, with viewers just needing to bring chairs.
Dan Kammerer reported that a team of 6 had worked at Prairie Gleaners on Saturday 14 May – that another opportunity would be created – but that members could contact him any time if they wished to assist, as individuals
Terry Cooper brought members up to date with the number of bikes in his yard being fixed and the number donated. He sought the support of the members to approach ‘The Cycle Guild of MH’, another organisation in town that is doing the exact same voluntary work, to explore the possibility of a partnership. Members in attendance supported the idea. Mark Sorenson said he would take the matter to the Board.
Terry Brekko expressed the Club’s sincere appreciation to Keith Walker for the wonderful job he has done, as Assistant Governor in Medicine Hat. On his watch, a fourth (satellite) club has been established; he has attended our Club’s meetings on several occasions; he’s been great at opening communication channels and strengthening relationships between Clubs; he’s been supportive of and involved in all four clubs; AND he has found time to serve on the District 5360 New Generations Service Exchange committee. Good job, Keith!
Monday May 30: Rotary and Interact meeting at MH High School, starting at 5:00 pm.
Sat 4 June: Mavericks Game: Dugout deck seating reserved for Rotarians. 25 tickets available at $35 (which will buy a beverage and a burger). The game starts at 7pm.
Family of Rotary:
It was with sadness that we learnt of the passing of Dave Panabaker's Mom, who had just celebrating her 98th birthday. Sincere condolences to Dave, Deb, Dave's Father and the whole family.
Please keep Adolf Seiler informed about members so that information can be passed on to all in the Weekly News.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has returned to meeting in person, face-to-face meetings as of Monday March 21. A ZOOM link will still be available for those who are cautious, ill or are away on vacation.
