Rotary Weekly News - March 31, 2025 (Mar. 31, 2025)

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

President Mike Christie welcomed all to the noon meeting, held in the upper boardroom room, at CORE. He mentioned right away that our goal was to meet in the appropriate space soon, and that Dave Stalwick was working hard to make that happen in the next week or so.

President Mike began the meeting with a short moment of remembrance for a long time member of the club, Adolf Seiler who passed away in Nanaimo, BC on Friday March 28th. Adolf will be remembered by members of the club for his strong belief in the value of Rotary, his particular passion for the traditions and processes of the organization and as one of our long standing "Sgt-at-Arms", a role he regularly played to perfection. He will be missed by those who knew him and he can now rest in peace. Funeral arrangements have not been completed yet, and will be announced to the club as soon as they are available.

Following that sad news, was some more sad news. A long time Saamis Rotarian, Jim Cicon passed away on Sunday, March 30th. Jim was a charter member of the Saamis Rotary Club and was well known in the community and within the Rotary family. The club passes along our condolences and prayers to Jim's family.

Mike selected on the recent natural disaster in Myanmar and Thailand, and will send out a note to the whole club from our Rotary partner, Shelterbox who assist in times like this. Watch for this note and if you can please contribute to their effort to assist those affected by this disaster.

Mike also advised that PP Bruce Shepard is having difficulty recruiting a new "President-elect", to follow Milan Vujovic for the year 2026-2027. He told everyone that although it is a responsibility, it is not insurmountable and the club is very good at pitching in and helping organize meetings, events and participation. If you are eligible, please consider saying "yes"...your club needs you!

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.

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.

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.

RYPEN - A great Youth Program

The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat welcomed Kerstan Price, the District 5360 Co-ordinator of the RYPEN program. RYPEN is the acronym for Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment. Kerstan was introduced by Margie Booyen, who spoke about Kerstan's background and advised that she is now "baking" at the Pool House Coffeeshop on 3rd St SE.

Keratin was a participant in this program, now 19 years ago and is just entering her second year as the District 5360 chair for this event. RYPEN is designed for teens, ages 13 - 17 to "Learn by Doing" in an environment that is supportive and encouraging. It is particularly designed to help youth who have overcome adversity and who may need a "helping hand" to give them confidence and encouragement. This year's program will run at the Lomand Bible Camp, May 2 - 5, 2025. The program is entirely sponsored by Rotary Clubs, at a cost of $600 per participant. Our club has traditionally reserved 2 spots for local youth, and similar commitments are made by the other local clubs.

Kerstan spoke about their amazing leadership team, as well as a number of opportunities for Rotarians to act as councillors and provide transportation help.

The camp information is embedded in the Rotary District website and can be found at https://rotary5360.ca/page/rypen . Kerstan also advised that she is reachable at the RYPEN email address:

RYPEN@Rotary5360.ca in the event that anyone knows someone who would like to register. Time is of the essence, as registration much be completed by April 12th.

A great presentation about perhaps one of the most valuable programs that Rotary provides...many thanks and best wishes to Kerstan and her team.

Meeting News

GUESTS:

Kerstan Price, District Co-ordinator of the RYPEN program.

ATTENDANCE:

Our hybrid setup was working and there were 19 in-person Rotarians and 5 on ZOOM. (Sorry Dale, didn't get a photo with you in it)

CLUB DRAW: None today.

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:

Glen Presley April 3.
Sarah Koch April 4.
Manali Shanbhag April 7.
Bernie Scott April 9.

Rotary Anniversaries:

Dick Bide. 54 years. April 11, 1971.
Terry Brekko 36 years. April 1, 1989.
Joe Hrankowski 25 years. April 3, 2000.
Dave Panabaker 21 years. April 1, 2004

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR APRIL 2025

Bruce Shepard

Minute Reminders:

WHY ROTARY RECRUITING EVENT

PP Bruce Shepard reminded everyone hat the 2nd "Why Rotary" event will be taking place on Wednesday April 30th, in the Stampede Ballroom. Tickets are $50.00 each, and he is taking orders for them now. This year there is a full buffet supper, and tickets will be allocated to each Rotary club in Medicine Hat, based on membership numbers. The doors open at 5:00 pm with supper scheduled for 6:00 pm.

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. Please sign up and share in this thoughtful idea.

Kitt Brand advised that their "small" table in the House of Friendship, to show support for Peace in the Ukraine, has "exploded" into a great many projects going on in that area. Watch for them, if you are going to convention in Calgary.

BINGO UPDATES

Dave Panabaker advised that our Friday March 28th bingo earned $1317.50, and the guess pot was won by Dick Bide. Dave also mentioned that our bingo event checks have been averaging over $2,000, so each Rotarian who volunteers and works a bingo shift is earning $250.00 (THAT'S $50.00/hr) for the club. Please consider helping out at one of the future bingo events. The next one is Wednesday evening, April 16th beginning at 5:00 pm.

PRESIDENT ELECT FOR 2025-2026 ROTARY YEAR

PP Bruce Shepard also indicated that he will be holding another meeting of the Past Presidents group, as unfortunately we are without a President-elect nominee for the next year. The group will meet to discuss options and who else might be qualified to set into the role in July.

70TH ANNIVERSARY ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL ROSEBOWL WINNER CONCERT

We are delighted that the winner of the 2025 Rosebowl, pianist Miriam Monet, has, on our request, agreed to put on a concert for Rotarians and friends, during the week of 12 May in St Barnabas Church. This will be a practice run for the Provincials, as she will play the two pieces she has entered for this 'next level' competition. Watch this space for the day and time, still to be finalized.

THE MONARCH THEATRE - OPERATING CAPITAL DEBENTURES

Members are reminded about the Monarch 1911 Society's operating debentures. During this start-up period, while expenditures exceed revenue, they 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 Panabaker can send you the document or you can contact Frank Devine at the Saamis Rotary Club for more information.

ROTARY DINNER CLUB

Members are reminded that everyone who has signed up for this year's dinner club can now book a date for the dinner in their home. If you have a particular date in mind, it's best to get it to Milan (or his spouse Almira) so that date can be fitted into the schedule. Please phone and book your dinner as soon as you can.

Family of Rotary

The Rotary Club mourns the passing of our long time member, and honorary Sgt-at-Arms, Adolf Seiler who passed away in Nanaimo on Friday March 28th. Funeral arrangements will be sent out to the club when they are known. The service will likely be early next week.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat also mourns the loss of Saamis Rotarian Jim Cicon, who was a charter member of that club. Our condolences go out to his family and his fellow club members.
Friend of the club Don Reid has completed his transition to a new home at Chinook Village and would welcome phone calls and visits.
Rotarian Bernie Scott is back at home in Medicine Hat, on the road to recovery from recent heart issues. He's hoping to be back at a meeting in the spring.
Rotarian Marg Mazerolle is having some mobility challenges, so a visit or the offer of a ride would be appreciated.
Rotarian Ian McLaughlin is in hospital, dealing with some mobility issues himself, if you are in the vicinity please stop by 5W for a visit.
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.