Mike Christie chaired our 20 June meeting, in good spirits and good humour. He welcomed all present, including guests, Lisa Kowalchuk (ED) and Pamela Kunz (Member Relations Manager) of the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce, Luisa Manosalva, a Rotarian from Colombia, and the seven members who Zoomed into the meeting.
Lisa, Executive Director of the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce, was introduced by Dave Panabaker.
Lisa’s great presentation and Q&A time was followed by the lunch.
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:
Sunday June 26th evening Bingo
Monday June 27th - Regular in-person club meeting - Executive Changeover
Upcoming Rotary District and International Events
Imagine Rotary events, Calgary area - July 7 and 8 with new RI President Jennifer Jones.
Future Programs:
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.
Executive Director of the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce, Lisa Kowalchuk, gave an interesting and insightful presentation on the State of Business in our city and region.
"After two difficult years of the impacts of the pandemic, we are pleased to see a return of tourism, investment and cultural events in the region".
Lisa said that our municipal government leaders have adopted their strategic plans, and they were working to start conversations on how to move forward together on the priorities, including working with regional partners to develop a regional economic development strategy that addresses business retention, expansion, and attraction, tourism, workforce development, infrastructure, policy/process reform and developing an economic subsystem that encourages entrepreneurship.
Lisa shared a few great tools that have been built for our community by various partners, including:
The local Chamber represents over 1000 businesses from every sector, with over 800 businesses having invested in membership of the Chamber - from large to small/micro companies, as well as private and not-for-profit members.
How does the Chamber help? Three key actions: CONNECT, SUPPORT, INFLUENCE.
Lisa explained how the advocacy role of the Chamber works and encouraged Rotarians to look on the Chamber's publications page and in their annual reports, to read about the many successes the Chamber has had in this field.
"We remain a member-driven, community-minded, solution-focused and collaborative organization. We recognize that our community is an eco-system that needs to work together to thrive. For our community to thrive, our businesses need to thrive to support the social fabric and sustainability of our community. For our businesses to thrive, we also need a healthy, active and thriving community that supports local and puts our local business community first. We are here to help the businesses that support our families and our community and we want to work to align our strategic goals to help our community thrive and grow".
After setting out the strategic goals of the Chamber, Lisa drew attention to the fact that the Chamber and Rotary share the common strategic goal of making great things happen in Medicine Hat, both as residents and as members of the business community, through effective partnerships, powerful connections, common interests and influential voices.
We too, Lisa, are excited to see what the future holds, knowing our Chamber is in very wise and capable hands!
P.S. Lisa would like us to explore the Chamber's page titled "Stories that Shape our Community": https://www.medicinehatchamber.com/storiesthatshapeourcommunity/. Stories that Shape our Community is a reminder of the importance of putting local first and the positive impact it has on shaping our communities – now and into the future. The episodes will give listeners an inside perspective on the “Why” behind these local businesses. There is no “one size fits all” approach in business and these stories will highlight those who shape our community in business and ideally help other businesses who find themselves in similar situations. Our local business owners and their teams will share their stories, showcasing the resiliency and positive impacts they make to help shape our community. Do have a look and a listen!
Three guests today, Luisa Feranda Manosalva Alzate from Bogota, Colombia, and Lisa Kowalchuk and Pamela Kunz (Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce).
Club Draw:
Margie Booyens was the lucky winner of a large black apron which she intends using in her kitchen (it has a hint on the front, for her husband’s attention!!)
Makeups:
None were mentioned.
Birthdays:
Mike Christie June 7.
Terry Brekko June 9.
Sandy Mackay June 15.
Dave Maclean June 26.
Rotary Anniversaries: .
Mark Sorenson 24 years June 1, 1998.
Neil Mardian 3 years June 10, 2019.
Gwen Dirk 1 year June 28, 2021.
Melanie Harty 12 years June 30, 2010.
Adolf Seiler 46 years June 30, 1976.
Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for June:
Anne Carrier.
Minute People:
DAVE PANABAKER:
Thursday 23 June, starting at 7pm: the Maverick’s Game. Dugout deck seating has been reserved for Rotarians. 25 tickets at $35 are available, which will buy a beverage and a burger). CONTACT DAVE FOR TICKETS
Sunday 26 June: Bingo: Please contact Dave Stalwick if you are available
Monday 27 June: Executive changeover meeting at the Lodge
Monday 4 July: Budget; dues; meeting format (in-person, Zoom)
Support for Ukrainians: Please continue supporting through Rotary International, the Red Cross, or locally, through Saamis Immigration
DALE STEIN:
No “Golf after Rotary” this afternoon due to the wet weather
DICK NORTHCOTT
Thanks expressed to the Club for the support of the Canadian Humanitarian’s fundraiser, ‘Hues for Humanity’, which raised about $37,000
KITT BRAND
Through their connection to the Rotary e-Club of Canada One, Dieter and Kitt supported a ‘Rhino Charge’ in Kenya. This is an annual off-road 4x4 competition that raises funds to support the activities of the Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust, an NGO that works towards the conservation and protection of Kenya’s mountain range ecosystems, the so-called “Water Towers”. Way to go, Dieter and Kitt!
DISTRICT INFORMATION
2023 District Conference: Lethbridge: 5 and 6 May
Youth Service: All those doing Rotary voluntary work of any sort with young people need to complete the application form on the District website and get a police check
TERRY COOPER
Team Freewheel considered coordinating their efforts with groups with the same purpose but have decided to keep the group as is. Terry indicated that working with Saamis Immigration Services in supplying refurbished biked for the new Ukranian immigrants and also for the refugees from Cambodia, will keep them busy. They could use more volunteers and they always need donations of good quality used bikes.
DICK BIDE
Consideration is being given to restarting the "Dinner Club", so if you are interested in participating, Dick would like to hear from you. It would be ideal to have at least 16 couples, but he can make any number work.
Upcoming Social Events:
Thursday 23 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. Please contact Dave Panabaker for tickets.
Family of Rotary:
Adolf Seiler reported that Bernie Scott was still waiting to have his operation.
Please keep Adolf 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.
