President Mike Christie welcomed members to the monthly online Business Meeting, during which a range of topics were covered.
CLUBRUNNER: Mike reminded members that ClubRunner is undergoing changes. He encouraged all to use it, learn about the changes, and to download the App on cell phones, through which much information is available.
FINANCES: The Board approved the 2024-2025 Club budget during their August meeting. It will be presented, as circulated, to the membership for discussion and approval during the noon meeting at the Lodge on Monday 16 September. President Mike asked all to hold questions until the 16th. Of particular interest to members will be the annual membership fee. The amount of $325 will be put to the membership for discussion. Another highlight was that no line items will be listed in the Community Service budget, allowing the CS committee (chaired by Terry Cooper) to review past annual allocations and decide afresh how the budget for community service will be spent.
MOTIONS RELATED TO ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL FUNDRAISING: Anne Carrier (Board Director at Large and co-chair with Nadia Deenen of the Club 1000 Raffle Ticket 2024-2025 fundraiser), presented two motions, both of which were passed unanimously:
1. Moved that the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat make application to the Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission for a license to run a raffle to support the Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival for the year 2024/25 year, or other approved Rotary projects. The Draw will consist of 1,000 tickets, priced at $50 each for a 1st place prize of $7,500, a 2nd Place prize of $2,500, and 3rd through 6th prize of $500 each and 7th through to 11th prize of $100 each. All draws to be made during the Intermission of the Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival 2024 "Stars of the Festival" event, on Sunday, March 16th, 2025.
2. Moved that the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat adds the names of Nadia Deenen and Margaret Anne Carrier as signing authorities as the ATB Bank - Community Spirit account for the Club 1000 Cash Draw.
UPDATE ON 'LOGISTICS FOR PEACE'
Rotarian Alain Guerard was delighted to report that the first container had been delivered and that those involved would get feedback from the Ukraine within the next few weeks.
Received from Halyna, a Rotarian in the Ukraine:
"The air in Lviv is very heavy today, it's hard to breathe! Eight funerals, a mother and three daughters in one coffin, I have never seen anything more terrible in my life! It is impossible to realise what we are personally going through now, even here in seemingly safe Lviv, which is very dangerous in reality. We don't know what will happen here tomorrow. Igor Kruk, my friend, I thank you to heaven for your help, for you, for everything you do for Ukraine! Please don't stop, hit that rock! We need help so much".
Note: Igor Kruk is a Rotarian from Edmonton/Sherwood Park, who is on the team and is instrumental in communicating and translating. He is simply amazing.
Alain said that a second container was on its way to France, with vehicles to be driven to the Ukraine. Cost is paid by Firefighter Aid, Ukraine, but coordinated by the team in District 5360.
Thank you, Alain and the other Rotarian in this team that is making such a difference in war torn Ukraine.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
- Budget: as highlighted above
- In-person meeting at the Lodge: Monday 30 September: Committee chair, Terry Cooper, will facilitate a brainstorming session to elicit ideas from members - especially newer members - about possible future international and local community service projects / initiatives / involvements. Please try to attend! We need to hear your ideas about how our Club can make a difference, responding to needs experienced locally and further afield. What are your passions for action?
- Christmas/End of year: also for discussion: would members like to dedicate a meeting in December to stocking stuffing, followed by delivery? If yes, who would head this up and who would the recipients be?
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL AND DISTRICT UPDATE
- District Grant Webinar: Saturday 19 October: online: 09:00 - 12:00. Essential that one member attends; preferably more. The District Grants Committee has made District Board approved changes that our Club needs to know about!
- District Governor Christina Hassan: Members were told about DG Christina's Instagram posts, on her visits to different Rotary Clubs in our District, and were encouraged to follow her. She also posts on Facebook.
- RI Convention in Calgary, 2025: 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.
- Also see in MINUTE reminders: Waterton-Glacier Peace Park Assembly
CLUB PROGRAM
Monday 16 September: Budget discussion
Wednesday 18 September: 'Rotarians play Bingo'!...come out and learn the game
Monday 23 September: Guest speaker: Brenda Mercer: "Reconciliation in 2024"
Wednesday 25 September: Rotary evening bingo
Monday 30 September: A focus on ideas for Club Community Service
Monday 21 October: Visit to a Community Resource: CORE (thank you for organizing this, Club Program committee member, Terry Brekko!)
JANUARY 2025: Dave Panabaker will lead a club workshop on using ClubRunner (Thank you, Dave!).
'WHY ROTARY' 2025
Past President Bruce Shepard said that a 'Why Rotary?' event is being planned for next year. The other Rotary Clubs in Medicine Hat will be contacted and invited to nominate two members to join the organizing committee, of which Stan Sakamoto will also be a member. More information will be shared as planning progresses.
SOCIAL EVENTS
President Mike and Past President Bruce Shepard will confer about the championing of social events. Should a separate committee be formed? Or should this be part of the responsibility of the Membership Committee? Or? Please feel free to share your ideas with them, not only about possible social events, but how you think club social events should be managed.
President Mike wrapped the meeting at 12:58, with the caution that the two minutes to spare could be added onto the budget discussion meeting next week!
