President Terry Partis began the meeting by welcoming all the Rotarians, both members and special guests to the first meeting of October. The club was definitely delighted to welcome our guests from Sao Paulo, Cinthia Correa da Costa and Jany Hatanaka, from Cochrane DG Martin Parnell, from Calgary Rhea Graham and from Medicine Hat Helio Colaco to this special meeting.
Terry also reminded everyone that those interested in applying for, or understanding the District Grant process need to set aside the morning of Saturday October 16th. The District Grant qualification webinar is that morning, from 9 am to noon. Register in advance at this link https://rotary5360.ca/event/grants-qualification-workshop One person from the club must attend to qualify us for grants next year.
Terry also mentioned that an event combining the four major service clubs, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimists and Rotary, entitled "Celebrate Community 2021" is coming in mid October.
On the "Move for Polio" front, Terry advised that our club is currently ranked 2nd in the District for contributions totaling a tremendous $7,125. Great work by everyone and thanks to all who donated. If you wish to make a donation to our club for this fundraiser go to https://go.rotary5360gives.org/polio/Campaign/Details
Rotary Club "What-z New":
As it is most likelyour hybrid meetings will continue in the future, a few more meeting helpers will be required to help run cameras and sound. We are all learning to adapt to this new reality. Any wishing to help should contact Mike Christie 403 878 3311.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
If you are interested in helping this working membership team, please contact Mike Christie. A new Membership Chair is needed.
It is definitely a special meeting when we welcome someone new to the Rotary family. This week we are very pleased to induct into membership in the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat Reagan Weeks. Reagan was introduced by her sponsor Margie Booyens, who described her as someone with a warm but professional attitude, who has a commitment to the improvement of the quality of life of all Medicine Hatters and someone with integrity. Reagan is the incoming Superintendent of Prairie Rose School Division, and the mother of two teenagers. She is an avid enthusiast of the outdoors, a mental health advocate and a supporter of youth programs. Reagan was inducted by DG Martin and welcomed by everyone!! We look forward to her enthusiasm and experience in our ongoing community work. Welcome to Rotary!!!
Rotary Club Information:
Housekeeping:
If you have a Meeting Minute, please phone or email the Newsletter and we'll include it.
Board minutes can be found on ClubRunner, under Club Documents.
Gail Halderman mentioned that invoices for Club Dues (now $250) will be out this week.
Upcoming Club Program, Activities, and Meetings:
Monday, Oct 11 - NO MEETING, Enjoy Thanksgiving Day.
Friday, Oct 15 - Rotary Evening Bingo.
Monday, Oct 18 - ZOOM meeting
Upcoming Rotary District and International Events:
District Grants Club Qualification webinar, Saturday October 16 from 9 am to noon. Registration in advance is required and at least one member of our club must be qualified to access the District Grants program for 2022-2023. Register here https://rotary5360.ca/event/grants-qualification-workshop
The next Rotary Learning webinar will be Wednesday October 20th, at 7:00 pm. The subject this month will be the use of Clubrunner, led by our District Administer, Charlene Bearden. Register for the event on the District website, at https://rotary5360.ca/event/club-learning-webinar--club-runner-2-0
The next District 5360 Conference is a "single day" event in Cochrane, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Attendance will be possible by ZOOM as well. Register at https://www.discon5360.ca
Future Programs:
The Rotary Club's Program Coordinator is Jillian Koch. If you have future program ideas, please email Jillian at jkoch@jmhca.com
District Governor Martin Parnell began the explanation of today's award of a Paul Harris Fellowship to Helio Colaco.
Rotary established the Paul Harris Fellowship in 1957 to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the Foundations' only program, the Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. In 1969 the Rotary Foundation unveiled the first Paul Harris medallion at the Rotary Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since the International Assembly in 1979, where incoming RI President James Bomar challenged each Rotary Club to make one non-Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow, the first recipient was Mother Teresa in 1980, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pikesville, Maryland.
Margie Booyens and Cinthia Correa Da Costa then filled members in about Helio Cosaco’s connection with Rotary and why he was being given this award by the Rotary Club of Sao Paulo (Sudeste).
Nicole Nemo, who is on the staff of the MH College, was part of the MH NGSE team that helped plan the 8-week virtual exchange of business graduate Juliana Nishitani of Sao Paulo. Nicole connected with colleague Helio, whom she knew had emigrated to Canada from Brazil and could speak Portuguese.
Helio mentored Juliana throughout her exchange program, interpreting, sharing, listening and supporting. He gave a huge amount of time and energy to Juliana and the program, which made a significant contribution to the success of the exchange.
Helio then went on to assist the RC of Sao Paulo (Sudeste), virtually, with the development and presentation of a Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) project at the Valentim Gentil Public School in Sao Paulo over a number of months this year. The Rotarians involved experienced Helio as a kind person, dedicated and totally involved with the project and the children. He remains virtually involved in the second presentation of this STEM project.
Helio lives out the Rotary motto of ‘Service above Self’ and has promised to consider membership of Rotary once he completes his Masters degree in Artificial Intelligence.
The Paul Harris Fellowship was presented to Helio by Cinthia Correa Da Costa, on behalf of the RC of San Paulo Sudeste and District 4420.
Congratulations Helio on your contribution to two Rotary projects – jobs well done! You are most deserving of Paul Harris recognition.
Jany Hatanaka, D4420 Youth Exchange and NGSE chair
Cinthia Correa Da Costa, Rotary Club of Sao Paulo Sudeste
Helio Colaco, Paul Harris Fellowship recipient
Club Draw:
No draw today.
Birthdays:
Dirk, Gwen Oct 4.
Eisenbarth, Theresa Oct 7.
Mueller, Peter Oct 13.
Grujic, Igor Oct 15.
Snedden, Jack Oct 26
Anniversaries:
Carrier, Anne 8 years Oct 7, 2013.
Stein, Dale 14 years Oct 22, 2007.
Partis, Terry 21 years Oct 25, 2000.
Lipin, Edward 1 year Oct 26, 2020.
Minute People:
Dave Stalwick thanked everyone who volunteered for the Monday evening bingo on Sept 27, the results were a profit to the payout pool of $1,668 and apparently Dave was the top pot guess. The patrons at the Bingo Hall were very supportive of the COVID protocol in place. The next bingo is Friday evening, October 15, starting at 5 pm.
Team Freewheel did a quick update for District Governor Martin's benefit, so he could hear the progress on the project.
The social side of Rotary will come out on Thursday October 28th, 6 pm, as all of us are invited to a ZOOM "virtual" Octoberfest social. An invitation will be sent out this week.
Doug Fleming is circulating the club roster in digital form for all of us to review. Please take a minute to review it and get any changes to Doug.
Dan Kammerer advised that Wed Oct 27 is the next opportunity for club members to work a shift at Prairie Gleaners. Watch for an email invitation, and you must respond in advance that you are attending.
Glen Presley advised that our Club 1000 tickets for 2022 are in the approval stage and we hope to have them by mid October.
Family of Rotary: (PLEASE KEEP ADOLF INFORMED ABOUT MEMBERS SO THAT INFORMATION CAN BE PASSED ON TO ALL IN THE WEEKLY NEWS).
Adolf advised that former club member, Al Gray has recently suffered a stroke, and everyone sends him our best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.
You never know when the "family of Rotary" is going to show up. Below is evidence that even on the streets of Vancouver, in the rain, you can bump into a fellow MH Rotarian. Nice to see Don and Roger enjoying the coast!!
As of Sept 20, 2021 our club is meeting online through October and November. As we progress through the Public Health Emergency we will modify as required.
