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Meeting Information
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
President Mike Christie welcomed our guests, and began the meeting promptly at 12:15 pm.  He began by advising that due to circumstances beyond our control, next week's meeting will be ZOOM only...our normal, beginning of the month business meeting.  More information will be forthcoming on our trial at CORE.
 
President Mike made a point of thanking all the Rotarians and their partners who showed up at Brand's home for the Celebration of Life for Johan Booyens.  Although it was hard to get around and visit with everyone, it was nice to see such a great turnout.
 
Mike also mentioned that because neither of the Sgt at Arms were at the meeting, he would be taking notes and would pass those on next week, assuming anyone was misbehaving.
 
Rotary Club "What-z New":
  • 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 have been working on restoring both the structure and the programming at the historic Monarch movie theatre on 2nd St SE.
 
Stan Sakamoto attended the recent Board meeting of the Society and advised that in 2024 a total of 34 events were held in the venue and more than 7,300 people attended.  A really good restart of the theatre.  As well, Stan mentioned that a conservation plan is being developed for approval by the historical authorities, and we are looking forward to more big things in 2025.
 
Our club will try to keep track of events on a 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. 
  • Jake Vaadeland & the Sturgeon River Boys at the The Monarch Theatre on Wednesday January 29th. Tickets available online at jakevaadeland.com
  • The movie "The Notebook", on February 14th at 7:00 pm
  • The movie "Shrek", on February 16th at 2:00 pm
Remember "the Monarch" is cash only...
 
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 is open -  https://convention.rotary.org/en-us 
  • The 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.
Stories
Club Membership Challenges
Jeff Foss, the District 5360 Membership "Chair for Life" was introduced by Past President Bruce Shepard.  Jeff has been in charge of the District membership committee since it's inception and has a wealth of knowledge to share on best practices and how to assess the statistics (which ones matter and which ones don't). Jeff joined Rotary in 2006, and transferred to the Okotoks club in 2012.  He has been President there several times.
Jeff introduced us all to the District membership action plan.  He showed us how our attrition rate was quite normal, but our attraction rate needs to be significantly higher.  He recommended both redoubled efforts and praised the "Why Rotary" event, both for it's contribution to Rotary within our City and the various clubs working together and as a great idea.
Jeff took us through the Action Plan's steps, and President Mike mentioned that he will keep us up to date as this changes over the year.
Our club graphic, based on three years of history is "on track" but definitely needs more recruitment to grow the club.
 
Jeff used his laptop at the meeting, to present from his seat so we were all sort of proud that the "tech" actually worked for one.
 
Jeff was thanked by President Mike, who is a member of the District Membership committee and Jeff was presented with our Medalta mug.
News
Meeting News
GUESTS:  We were delighted to have a guest speaker at the meeting today
  • Jeff Foss, the District Membership chair and a member of the RC of Okotoks.
ATTENDANCE:  We had a total of 12 members in person and 5 online today.
 
 
CLUB DRAW: Dave Panabaker won a bottle of margarita mix.
 
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:
    • Bruce Shepard        Feb 17th.
    • Margie Booyens     Feb 29th.
    Rotary Anniversaries:
    • Gregg Martin        34 years.   Feb 1, 1991.
    • Marg Mazerolle    33 years.   Feb 1, 1992.
    WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR FEBRUARY 2025
    • Nadia Deenen
    Minute Reminders:
     
    ROTARY CLUB 1000 RAFFLE TICKETS
    Everyone is encouraged to sell their Club 1000 raffle tickets in support of the Rotary Music Festival.  The Festival is fast approaching and much of our Festival support comes from the proceeds of this raffle.  If you need extra tickets, or have any questions please contact Nadia Deenen.  Terry Brekko was present to help gather some of the sold tickets for Nadia.
     
    BINGO UPDATE
    Dave Panabaker advised that the last bingo was held Wednesday Jan 22nd.  A total of 59 players were served and a profit of $420.75 was made for the pool.  The guess pot was won by Dale Stein.  The next bingo is Sunday afternoon, February 16th beginning at 11:45.  A sign up email will likely go out this week.  Dave was happy to report that our pool checks for this fundraiser continue in the range of $2,000 per event, and it is still our biggest fundraiser.
     
    UPCOMING MEETINGS AT CORE
    Due to construction delays, the CORE kitchen is not yet ready and the stairlift has not been installed.  That has caused us to delay the trial period at CORE by at least one week, so next week we will meet by ZOOM.
     
    ROTARY CONVENTION INCENTIVE
    Club Treasurer Gail Halderman reminded members that due to the proximity of the convention to our club, our 2024-2025 budget includes a sum of money to be shared between those members who are attending the event.  By a show of hands it appeared that 7 or 8 members of those present are going, so please sign up and share in this thoughtful idea.
     
    LEARNING SESSION - DISTRICT GRANT REPORTING
    The District is holding an educational session for new members, and really all Rotarians, on District Grants.  It will be held on Wednesday evening, February 19th beginning at 7:00 pm.  This is NOT the qualification webinar that occurs every year, but is solely for education.  Registration is required, go to the following link on the District website.  https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f-xbs_qPQpWmxvkR_VN3DA#/registration 
     
    THE MONARCH THEATRE - OPERATING CAPITAL DEBENTURES
    Dave Panabaker advised that he had received a request from t he "Monarch 1911 Society" to introduce the concept of their operating debentures.  During this startup period of time, while expenditures exceed revenue, the.y are setting up a series of Operating Debentures and are looking for Rotarians to invest.  The debentures cost $5,000 and are flexible in the repayment methods.  The debentures pay a 5% interest rate and if you are interested in supporting the Monarch Theatre project, Dave can send you the document or you can contact Frank Devine at the Saamis Club for more info.
     
    THE NEXT "WHY ROTARY" EVENT
    Past President Bruce Shepard reminded members that the next introduction event to Rotary for potential members will be Wednesday, April 30th at the Grandstand Ballroom of the Stampede Grounds.  The event will begin at 5:00 pm, and a buffet supper will be served starting at around 5:30 pm.  The supper will increase the cost per person to $50.00 and tickets will be available soon.
     
    ROTARY DINNER CLUB
    Milan Vujovic advises everyone who has signed up for this year's dinner club that dinners can now be booked.  If you have a particular date in mind, it's best to get it to him (or his spouse Almira) so that date can be fit into the schedule.  Please phone and book your dinner as soon as you can.
     
    Family of Rotary
    • For information, the Celebration of Life for former Rotarian Bob Ferguson will be held at Pattison's Funeral home, Tuesday February 18th beginning at 1:00 pm.
    • The Rotary Club sends our condolences to the Toombs family, on the recent death of Past District Governor Garth Toombs.
    • On behalf of the Booyen family, we were asked to pass on the following thanks.
      • To all who attended Johan’s Celebration of Life yesterday afternoon, for your kind words, your cards, your memories of Johan, your hugs, and your encouragement, thank you so much from Jahnes (my bonus son) and I.
         
        A special callout to Dieter and Kitt who so graciously opened their lovely home for the celebration, creatively displayed evidence of aspects of Johan’s life, especially his photography, and prepared an extraordinary spread, enjoyed by all. This was such a kind and thoughtful thing to do. You two are amazing hosts and dear friends!  Also a big thank you to Milan, for welcoming guests and running traffic control at the front door.
         
        Thank you all so much for your compassion and support. It’s a big adjustment for me after 36 years in a wonderful relationship and partnership with my beloved husband. I’ll get there and be back in Rotary, but it is going to take time.
         
        Thank you for your understanding.
         
        Margie
      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.
    Read more...
    Club Information
    Medicine Hat
    Mondays at 11:45 AM
    Medicine Hat Lodge
    1051 Ross Glen Dr SE
    Medicine Hat, AB T1B 3T8
    Canada
    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.
    District Site Icon
    District Site
    Venue Map
    Venue Map
    Upcoming Events
    Hybrid Club Business Meeting + Classification Talk
    ZOOM ONLY
    Feb. 03, 2025
    12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
     
    Club Meeting: Guest: Niki Gray on GRANTS
    CORE Association
    Feb. 10, 2025
    12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
     
    Rotary bingo - afternoon
    Top Hat Bingo
    Feb. 16, 2025
    11:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
     
    No Club Meeting
    Feb. 17, 2025
     
    Club Meeting: re-classification talk
    CORE Association
    Feb. 24, 2025
    12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
     
    Online Club Business Meeting
    Online
    Mar. 03, 2025
    12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
     
    Rotary bingo - evening
    Top Hat Bingo
    Mar. 03, 2025
    5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
     
    Club Meeting: Visit to Saamis + Classific. Talk
    Saamis Immigration
    Mar. 17, 2025
    12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
     
    Rotary Bingo - evening
    Top Hat Bingo
    Mar. 28, 2025
    5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
     
    Monarch 1911 Society Board meeting
    Monarch Theatre
    Apr. 15, 2025
    7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
     
    View entire list
    Rotary Links
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    District 5360 - People of Action