President Milan welcomed all to the September Business Meeting.
After the singing of O Canada, one guest and one soon-to-become-a-member again, were introduced, Brian and Debra respectively.
Brian Andjelic was introduced by Brent Secondiak.
Debra Best's induction was conducted by Past President Bruce Shepard. Debra was a member of our club for many years, many moons ago. She was warmly welcomed back into the Rotary family.
President Milan reminded members that the official visit of our District Governor, Manon Mitchell (a member of the Calgary Downtown Club), will be next week, on Monday 15 September, at noon, in the CORE meeting room.
Milan also encouraged members to make donations to help the many devastated by the earthquake in Afghanistan, and the wars in the Ukraine and Gaza.
Our President was delighted to show members a certificate received from Rotary International - an award for Club Excellence. CONGRATULATIONS ALL!
Board member and chair of the Projects and Programs committee, Terry Cooper, gave notice of a motion that will be voted on in two weeks time - that the club donates $2,000 to a pilot youth program of the YMCA.
For information on the rest of the meeting, please see under MINUTES in the last section of this newsletter.
Rotary Club Information:
Housekeeping:
We continue looking for volunteers for desk reception at our Monday meetings.
NEWS ABOUT...
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL and ROTARY DISTRICT 5360
MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY
As many Rotarians will know, our club, in cooperation with the Saamis Rotary Club and the Friends of the Monarch Society, has been working on restoring both the structure and the programming at the historic Monarch movie theatre on 2nd St S.E, Medicine Hat.
Our club will try to keep track of events on at 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.
Volunteering at a show is a great way to connect with the community and support the historic local landmark.
ROTARY WATERTON GLACIER PEACE PARK CONFERENCE: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2025
For more information on this conference, please see under MINUTES.
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).
Two guests: Brian Andjelic (guest of Brent Secondiak) and Debra Best (who was inducted during the meeting). Welcome back, Debra!
Brian was Superintendent of the Prairie Rose School Division prior to his retirement.
ATTENDANCE:
17 members attended, plus Brian and Debra. On the screen: 5 members: Dieter and Kitt, Alain, Mark Sorenson, Nadia Deenen. A total, thus, of 24.
MEETING DRAW:
Dawn Barr was the delighted winner of the Tim Horton's gift voucher
Please remember to contribute gifts for the weekly draw. If you are somewhere interesting, a small gift to the club for the draw is much appreciated!
Makeups: None were mentioned.
Birthdays:
Milan Vujovic Sept 4
Dick Bide Sept 5
Joe Hrankowski Sept 15
Kevin Walcer Sept 24
Stan Sakamoto Sept 30
Rotary Anniversaries:
Bernie Scott 41 years. Sept 1, 1984
Dieter Brand 31 years Sept 1, 1994
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR SEPTEMBER 2025
Dick Bide
Minutes
Membership - Members are reminded that our 'new member goal' for the 2025/26 Rotary year is 14, to get us to 50. Keep in mind that we lose on average, 5-7 members per year.
Bingo: 88 people attended the session on Saturday 6 September. The takings were $1,420. Terry Brekko won the pot.
Program Committee - Upcoming meetings:
September 15 - Visit of DG Manon Mitchell
September 22 - Tarek Williams Introduction of himself to the club AND guest speaker, Myrna Stark - ED of the South East Alberta Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Network.
September 27 - Guest speaker Reagan Weeks - Superintendent of the Prairie Rose School Division
Circle T Toastmaster Club: Gail Haldemann encouraged members and friends to attend an open house of the Circle T Toastmaster Club on Tuesday, September 16, from 6-8pm (with door opening at 5pm), in the Courtyard Room, MH College. You can find more information on the Club's website: circlet.toastmastersclubs.org
Veiner Centre: Drivers are urgently needed! Dawn Barr encouraged members to respond to the plea from the Veiner Centre for drivers. Drivers are needed for Meals-on-Wheels deliveries and for taking people to medical and other appointments. Any level of help will be appreciated!
Rotary Club Locator: Dawn reminded members of how useful the Rotary Club Locator app is, when one is out of town or out of the country and wishing to attend a Rotary meeting. Consider downloading the app!
Pecha Kucha presentation on our Club's Team Freewheel Bike Project: Terry Cooper said that we still do not know whether our Club's presentation on the Bike Project is on the program of the 20 September event. He also asked for the provision of PowerPoint slides on the Club and its other projects (by way of introduction). Kitt Brand will assist in this regard.
The annual Terry Fox run, organized by the Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary Club, is coming up! Keith Walker (member of the Sunrise Club) is the chair of the local Terry Fox committee. The theme this year, based on Terry’s request, is that the rest of us “Finish It”. MH has hosted a run the last 45 years. This year, it will be on Sunday Sept 14 at the MHC Sunrise Rotary Trail. President Milan strongly encouraged members to sponsor or participate in this great cause. Kitt B wrote an article on the run which was published in a recent MH News! Check out the collection of Dan Reynish run shirts at the Esplanade. Dan participates every year and has done so since he moved to the Gas City.
On October 1st, The Sunrise Rotary club will have "Mothers Apron" presentations at the MH Library.
ROTARY WATERTON GLACIER PEACE PARK
The Peace Park weekend takes place over two days, Sept 12 - 13, 2025 in Waterton. Registration can be done on the following website https://www.watertonglacierpeacepark.org
Club Treasurer, Gail Haldemann, said he and his wife, Diane, would happily take another two with them to attend the conference. The cost of the one night of hotel accommodation needs to be covered by those attending.
Family of Rotary
The Club continues to keep Ric Carrier in our thoughts, as he deals with the long term effects of his bicycle accident.
The Rotary Club sends good wishes to Marg Mazerolle who has transitioned to new accommodation in Strathmore. She was the first female President of our club, way back in 1999.
Rotary also sends warm wishes to long time club member Jack Snedden, who is currently in Carmel Hospice.
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.
Our first meeting of every month is a business meeting, but all meetings are both in person and available on ZOOM. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
