President Milan started the meeting with O"Canada and then spoke about this month's Rotary International theme "Water and Sanitation" month.
He also spoke about the great work that the Program committee has been doing this year, to provide both great speakers at meetings and "in the community" events to participate in. He spoke about the idea of a spring BBQ with other local clubs, to celebrate this year.
Because our guest speaker was ill and could not attend, Membership Committee chair Mike Christie showed a Rotary International video on membership, and led a discussion of some of the points made by the speaker. For those of you who missed the meeting, the video can be found at;
The video was very informative, and contained quite a few suggestions which prompted quite a discussion at the meeting. A valuable exercise, always try to see a meeting from your guests perspective. Rotary can be confusing and a little intimidating.
As well, a short discussion was held on Youth Programs in District 5360, and there was some confusion about which program had a specific name. All the youth programs that 5360 supports are listed on the District website, see this link. https://rotary5360.ca/page/youth-programs
ROTARY AT DISTRICT LEVEL
Members were again encouraged to register for and attend the District 5360 conference, taking place in Red Deer from 1-3 May. Treasurer Gail suggested those attending book into the same hotel, so as to be able to socialize as a group. The Holiday Inn Express on 50th was proposed.
Kitt Brand mentioned that there would be a display of Rotary intervention (projects) connected to the Ukraine at DisCon.
President Milan highlighted the dueling piano performance on the first evening of DisCon and the value of spending time in the House of Friendship in which there will be tables and booths on a range of projects and programs undertaken by Rotarians and Clubs in District 5360.
See how to register in the MINUTES in the MEETING NEWS section of this newsletter.
ROTARY AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
As we have been mentioning for some time now, the next RI Convention will be held in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, from 13-17 June 2026. Those attending should please let the Board know.
See more in the MINUTES in the MEETING NEWS section of this newsletter.
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. Construction is currently focusing on the expansion of the stage, to allow larger music events to occur. The old marquee sign will also be updated over the coming months.
The Monarch is having a promotion on a "book" of tickets, check it out it is a great deal
Our club will try to keep track of events on at the Monarch, and will give members a heads-up about opportunities to serve. If you are interested in volunteering at the Monarch, please let Rotarian Janessa Anderson know (403-952-1907) and she will provide details of available shifts and responsibilities.
Volunteering at a show is a great way to connect with the community and support our historic local landmark.
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).
ATTENDANCE: The meeting was attended by 23 Rotarians in person and we had 4 join us online.
GUESTS:
None today.
MEETING DRAW:
We had two draw's today.
Odessa Vermee was the winner of an essential oil diffuser.
President Milan won a package of chocolates.
MAKEUPS: None were mentioned.
BIRTHDAYS:
Mercer, Brenda - March 1
Panabaker, Dave - March 7
Vermee, Odessa - March 14
Cooper, Terry - March 25
ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES:
Sakamoto, Stan 42 years Mar. 01 1984
Stalwick, Dave 24 years Mar. 04 2002
Christie, Mike 24 years Mar. 04 2002
Barr, Dawn 22 years Mar. 29 2004
Shepard, Robert 12 years Mar. 10 2014
Guerard, Alain 3 years Mar. 13 2023
Tuchscherer, Lesley 1 year Mar. 24 2025
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR MARCH 2026:
There is no Rose Runner for March.
NEW MINUTES AND REMINDERS:
CASINO DUTY: A reminder that our Club will be ‘staffing’ the casino on Tuesday September 22 and Wednesday September 23 . Ken Zollner will recruit volunteers in due course.
ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL: Anne C spoke about the festival starting that day (9 March); the festival program selling at $10.00; and the availability of a printout she made of ‘Festival at a glance’. She asked members to return their unsold Club 1000 raffle tickets and takings, no later than Monday 16 March. Everything will need to be reconciled with the AGLC. There is much work to be done to complete the draw. Dave P reminded members that they could support the RMF by making a donation online (visit www.canadahelps.org) or sending an e-transfer to mhrotaryfestival@gmail.com or writing out a cheque to Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival Society and mailing it to Box 2498 Medicine Hat T1A 8G8.
The Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary club is supporting RAYEC (Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp) with a raffle this spring. Please contact one of the local Sunrise Rotarians, or use the QR code below to purchase tickets.
Jim Marshall Presentation - Saamis Rotarian, and well known local artist Jim Marshall will be the subject of a presentation and interview at the Monarch theatre this Thursday. Admission is free, and the program will start at 6:30 pm.
MEETING DOOR GREETERS NEEDED: Please talk to Dave Stalwick. Consider getting your name on the roster. Being a meeting greeter is a great way to welcome and to get to know fellow members.
THE M-FACTOR. SHREDDING THE SILENCE ON MENOPAUSE: All members that the M-Factor documentary will be screened at The Monarch theatre on March 26 from 7-9 pm The screening will be followed by a panel discussion. Questions will be taken from the audience. Attendance is free but you must register. Here's the QR code:
PRAIRIE GLEANERS: A club working outing is scheduled for Saturday 11 April, from 08:30 to noon. We will be lending a hand at Prairie Gleaners, sorting, washing and cutting produce. Margie B will be send round an attendance list.
2026 TOP 7 OVER 70 COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS: Margie B will be nominating Rotarian Terry Cooper for his work with project Team Freewheel. To get nominated, the 70+ year old will live in Southeast Alberta, will have started something different or new, after the age of 70, in one of the following areas: agriculture, science, literature, philanthropy, arts or sports. The focus of the awards is not on past accomplishments or lifetime achievements. Rather, individuals are nominated for new accomplishments, through which they are making an impact. If any other potential nominees come to mind, please contact Margie who is helping to market this award (margiebooyens@gmail.com).
LOBSTER MOBSTER FUNDRAISER: Kitt Brand was happy to announce that our Lobster Mobster fundraiser raised $498.00 for the club.
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS: The next fast-paced, informative session - ideal not only for new members but for any Rotarian who wants to learn more about Rotary - will be held on Thursday April 23 at 7:30pm EST. Registration is available on the District website.
WHY ROTARY? The 2026 Why Rotary event will be held on April 29 in the Stampede Ballroom from 05:30pm - an event for and with all Rotary clubs in Medicine Hat. Tickets will be $20 per person this year and will include appetizers, not a full meal.
BINGO UPDATE:The next Rotary bingo is Saturday afternoon, March 28th. A total of 8 volunteers are required, so please check your schedule and help out if you can. The signup email has gone out this week.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION: For those who like to venture a little further, the Rotary International Convention is in Taipei, Taiwan.
Family of Rotary:
Nice to see these two Rotarians “out and about” in Victoria, BC.
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.
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