Doug led us off with the Rotary 4 Way Test. Welcome to the last meeting of October! As a PSA, there are 61 shopping days till Christmas! Don’t procrastinate!
Doug has copies of the action plan forms for anyone who wants to complete….ideas will be sent to the board for triaging as many good ideas have been received – more than we can do at once.
Budget 2026-27
Gail presented an overview You will note that the budget contains a district grant…may not be approved but has to appear in budget nonetheless. Community Projects is the largest expenditure this year…casino income in budget this year that was not present last year. Budget deficit is $700 which was drawn from reserves. Budget carried by members present.
ROTARY AT MEDICINE HAT LEVEL: MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY
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).
PLEASE NOTE: Suggestions for club meeting programs are always welcomed and appreciated! Keep on giving us your ideas! You don't have to wait for a survey to give us your input!
Today we were joined Deborah Forbes who is the Executive Director of LEARN, based out of the Medicine Hat College. Deborah has a PhD and Master of Education degrees and has taught at the college since 1993. In addition to her work with LEARN and MHC, Deborah has been a Public School Board Trustee for the past 30 years, a published academic and artist, creating in a variety of media. She is well travelled around the world and has lived in 5 provinces in Canada as well as Edinburgh, Scotland.
LEARN (Lifelong Education And Resource Network) is a Community Adult Learning Program (CALP) based in Medicine Hat and serving Medicine Hat and Cypress County, with a primary focus on Family Literacy. Through customized, approved family literacy programs, LEARN helps adults develop foundational learning and literacy skills while creating positive learning environments for their children, recognizing families as the first and most influential teachers. Guided by a vision of reaching all adult foundational learners who could benefit from family literacy programming, LEARN works in partnership with community organizations to deliver accessible, inclusive, and respectful learning opportunities. Its core values emphasize the importance of family, diverse learning styles, community collaboration, respect and dignity for all individuals, and inclusivity. As part of Alberta’s provincially funded network of more than 80 Community Adult Learning Programs, LEARN supports lifelong learning by helping adults improve literacy, English language skills, and other foundational competencies that contribute to better educational, employment, and health outcomes for individuals and families.
Interesting fact…Deborah is the Executive Director of an organization promoting lifelong learning and obtained her PhD AFTER the age of 70!
WeheardhertalkatPechaKuchaNight Vol.38,duringwhichDeborah told us about LEARN's Imagination Alive! program, developed for seniors with dementia and high school students to write stories together based on imagination. A new undertaking, also related to story telling, is to talk with unhoused and homeless people to hear their stories and what they perceive as their needs to have food, shelter and safety of being. The idea is that experiencing and listening are key methods to learning about needs and solutions. For example, people with dogs limit availability to things like washrooms, transportation etc but the dogs are a key part of survival for these people. How can life with a canine companion be facilitated for people?
Deborah believes that attempts to help with an authoritarian approach are not generally successful but a collaborative approach will be more successful. She is garnering help from a kookum named Gerldine who feeds those in need in the park and knows most of the unhoused people in Medicine Hat. As well, various relevent programs at the college to interview and talk to people. She hopes that this work will lead to realistic and sustainable supports for the unhoused in the community.
If you want to learn more about the variety of programs, most if not all free, that support learning and literacy, visit LEARN at http://learn-council.ca/
Vujovic, Milan - 18 years 11 months - Nov. 26, 2007
Dressler, Lisa - 11 months - Nov. 17, 2025
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR OCTOBER 2026:
The Rose Runner for October is Kenya Awudi.
NEW MINUTES AND REMINDERS:
BINGO - Next Bingo is the afternoon of November 7. Three (3) more workers are needed!
ROTARY CLUB OF MEDICINE HAT DINNER CLUB: Would you like to be next? Please contact Milan Vujovic, who is helping out while Odessa Vermee is out of the country.
CLUB BOARD MEETING: Wednesday 28 October, 7pm, Core Meeting Room.
NEW GENERATIONS SERVICE EXCHANGE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT: Davi Pereira from Brazil is coming to Medicine Hat from 1 January until the end of February 2027. Terry Brekko, Ken Feser, the Craciun family, and Peter Mueller and Gwen Dirk are hosting Davi. Past District Governors Kurt Kowalchuk and Manon Mitchell will be hosting Davi in Calgary for the last few days of his two month NGSE program in our District. Would you like to host Davi for a weekend, for a meal and/or a day trip? If yes, please contact Margie Booyens (403.952.7340) for more information. Davi is studying to become a school teacher. His English is very good!
DISTRICT GRANT WEBINAR: Held on Saturday 24 October, from 9-12. This webinar was attended by President Doug, Sharon Hayward and Terry Brekko. An evening session will be announced in near future.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION: Donations to Create Lasting Impact: Terry Brekko reminded us of Miss Vicky Challenge for PolioPlus. Background to the Miss Vicky Challenge can be found at:
Donating is as simple as clicking on the Donate tab on the Miss Vicky page. World Polio Day was on October 24 and donations of $1 turn into $6 with matching donations from philanthropists - a great way to see maximum value for a donation!
ROTARY CLUB OF MEDICINE HAT CHRISTMAS DINNER:
CHRISTMAS KETTLE RINGING: Both dates Saturday November 26th and Saturday December 19th are on this document.
Our Christmas kettle participation is being run this year by Lionel Brideson, if you have difficulty or need to change your shift please contact him at 306-314-9988
CLUB SHIRTS: Club t-shirts and golf shirts are available at $25 and $30 respectively. If you ordered, please pay and collect from Anne Carrier or Odessa Vermee.
UPCOMING PROGRAM:
November 23 - Helping at the Y Treasure Thrift Store for about 2 hours.
Family of Rotary:
We continue to keep the Presley family in our thoughts and prayers. A Come and Go Celebration will be held in honour of the lives of Glen and his wife Carolyn at Medalta on Saturday November 14, from 1:30 to 4pm.
A celebration of the life of Fran Wahl, wife of the late Herman Wahl will be held November 12 at 1 pm at Pattisons Funeral Home.
Sandy MacKay was out and about at the Medicine Hat College Theater on Saturday!
And it was great to see Deb Best back at the meetings after her recuperation!
To all, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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.
