President Melanie Harty extended a warm welcome to all, including the six members who joined via Zoom.
The four guests were introduced: Soon-to-become-a-member Alain Guerard, Assistant Governor Keith Walker, and two staff members of the Sanare Centre, Christina Johnson (ED) and Kelsey Galipeau.
President Melanie introduced the jam-packed program for the hour: the induction of a new member, the presentation of two Paul Harris pins for generous donations to The Rotary Foundation, the presentation of a cheque to the Sanare Centre, and an announcement about the 2023-2024 Club Board.
Induction of New Member
Alain Guerard was inducted into membership of our Club and given a warm welcome. The ceremony was conducted by Past President Margie Booyens, together with President Melanie Harty and Board Director Dave Panabaker, who is Alain’s sponsor.
Dave's introduction of Alain:
“It is my pleasure to introduce Alain Guerard to the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat. Alain had a 27 year career in the Canadian military, followed by a number of years in procurement and shipping. He and his wife, Joanne, are relatively new in town and are looking for ways to be involved in the community.
Alain is a fellow volunteer at AJs loan cupboard with me, and an owner in our condo community.
I know that Alain has what it takes to be a great Rotarian.”
Great that you have joined the Rotary family, Alain!
Paul Harris Pins
PDG Sandy MacKay took pleasure in presenting Paul Harris pins to PE Bruce Shepard and Terry Brekko, who achieved new milestones in their contributions to The Rotary Foundation (TRF).
Paul Harris recognition is given for every incremental $1,000 US of contributions from an individual to the TRF.
Sandy encouraged all members to make contributions, as they are able, to TRF.
Incoming Club Board
Past President Mark Sorenson, on Zoom, announced that there was a ‘full slate’ of Directors for the 2023-2024 Club Board. The members were delighted to hear that the following members would serve in leadership positions from 1 July 2023:
Stan Sakamoto, Anne Carrier, Dave Stalwick, Edward Lipin, Peter Mueller, Doug Fleming (Secretary), Gail Halderman (Treasurer), Melanie Harty (Past President), Bruce Shepard (President) and Mike Christie (President Elect).
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 Mike Christie 403 878 3311.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
Please consider joining the membership team. Check out a meeting of this team and see how exciting it is! The committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm. Contact Mike Christie to join in.
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.
Upcoming Club Program, Activities and Meetings:
March 5th - March 19th - Rotary Music Festival
Wednesday March 15th - Rotary Evening Bingo
Monday March 20th - Presentation by Lyndon with CMHA, MH
Monday March 27th - Meeting at REDI Enterprises.
May 8th and 9th - Next Rotary Club Casino
Friday June 16th - Rotary at the Ballpark, Athletic Park
Upcoming Rotary District and International Events
Rotary District Learning Webinar: Tuesday March 21st, from 7-8pm, on the District's New Generations Service Exchange program for 18-30 year young adults. Register on District 5360 website, at the link https://rotary5360.ca/event/march-club-learning-webinar
Next District Conference: Lethbridge: May 5/6, 2023. Registration is open. The conference website is located at https://www.discon5360.ca Margie mentioned that some ride sharing and car pooling might let more folks attend.
Rotary International Convention: 27 - 31 May 2023, in Melbourne, Australia.
Ideas for Future Programs
The Rotary Club's Program Committee members are Jillian Koch (jkoch@jmhca.com), Dave Panabaker (d.panabaker@hotmail.com) and Margie Booyens (margiebooyens@gmail.com).
If you have ideas for future programs, please contact them.
It was indeed a pleasure welcoming Christina Johnson (ED) and colleague Kelsey Galipeau of the Sanare Centre here in Medicine Hat, to our noon meeting on Monday 13 March.
Sanare, previously SARC (Sexual Assault Response Committee), means ‘healing’.
"Sanare Centre provides a safe, healing space for those who have experienced violence and trauma to have their voices heard, and we are an agent of change to reduce abuse and sexual violence. We are a recognized, innovative, and trusted leader providing violence and trauma support services, education, and advocacy throughout Southeastern Alberta."
Their prime mission is to support anyone across southern Alberta to help them find a path to healing: Children, women, and men.
Unfortunately, with the increase in the rate of sexual violence of 21% between 2021 and 2022, the need for Sanare and its services is growing.
Sanare Centre helps shine a light into dark places with the goal of leading someone out of that darkness.
Our Club had the pleasure of donating $15,000 towards the decoration of the reception area at the Sanare Centre.
The cheque was handed over to Christina and Kelsey by Mike Christie, Director of Community Service.
Alain Guerard (for the minutes before his induction!)
Assistant Governor Keith Walker
Sanare Centre staff, Christina Johnson (ED) and Kelsey Galipeau
The meeting was attended by over 20 in-person members and guests, and 6 on ZOOM.
Club Draw:
Joe Hrankowski was disappointed not to win the draw this week, having won it twice in a row! This week it was Dale Stein, who took home coffee beans from Hawaii, thanks to donor Dick Bide.
President Melanie asked members to contribute items for the weekly draw as the stock cupboard is running low.
Makeups:
None mentioned
Birthdays:
Dan Kammerer Mar 04
Dave Panabaker Mar 07
Terry Cooper Mar 25
Rotary Anniversaries:
Stan Sakamoto 39 years Mar 01, 1984.
Jack Snedden 34 years Mar 01 1989.
Mike Christie 21 years Mar 04, 2002.
Dave Stalwick 21 years Mar 04, 2002.
John John 20 years Mar 10, 2003.
Bruce Shepard 9 years Mar 10, 2014.
Dawn Barr 19 years Mar 29, 2004.
Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for March 2023:
Terry Brekko
Reminders about important Minutes:
The Rotary Music Festival 2023
Don Davis said the first week of the Rotary Music Festival had gone well, once again showcasing the talent of the young people in our area and the calibre of the adjudicators.
The Stars of the Festival will be at the St Barnabas Church on Sunday 19 March, starting at 7pm, during which the Club 1000 raffle ticket draws will take place.
Bingo
Dave Panabaker is needing floor workers for his Bingo team on Wednesday 15 March – evening session.
Dinner Club
Dick Bide would like to get the Dinner Club underway. He encouraged those put their names down, to send him a date for the dinner at their house.
E-bike Raffle Tickets
On behalf of the Sunrise Club, Assistant Governor Keith Walker announced the sale of e-bike Raffle Tickets… and happily sold a good few!
The e-bike raffle provides funds for the Sunrise Rotary Club to sponsor community and international causes. An important one for them is literacy, through the “Sunrise Rotary Ride the Road to Reading” program at the Medicine Hat Public Library, for grade four students in the city. Use this link to buy tickets with a credit card: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/18de336b-5b29-4ee9-8e0a-81ade75a8684
Quad-Club Social
Keith reminded members that the Medicine Hat Saamis Rotary Club has organized a social get-together of all four clubs. Where: at the Best Western Hotel (Paul Stober Drive). When: Thursday 16 March. Time: from 6pm. Cost: $20. Finger food will be served and there will be a cash bar. At 7pm a guest speaker will talk about his experiences with bringing newcomers to Canada.
The Secret 3K walk on Wednesday 8 March 2023
The Sunrise Rotary Club sent a total of $150 to the Secret 3K, which included donations from those who walked/ran the Sunrise trail at the Medicine Hat College last Wednesday. Clearly a cool experience!
Sunrise Rotary Club anniversary
Assistant Governor Keith Walker announced that the 25th anniversary celebration of the chartering of the Sunrise Club will take place in the evening of Tuesday June 20, 2023. The draw for the two e-bikes will be done same evening.
The Medicine Hat Club chartered the Sunrise Club in June 1998. Past President of our Club, Mark Sorenson, was one of the charter members.
Plans will be announced when they are finalized but please mark the date.
District 5360 Conference: May, Lethbridge
Keith encouraged members to register for and attend the District Conference, to be held in Lethbridge on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 May 2023, at the Sandman Signature Hotel (320 Scenic Drive S).
District Learning and Development: Tuesday 21 March
On Tuesday 21 March 2023 from 7-8pm, Rotary’s New Generations Service Exchange (NGSE) program will be showcased through a District Zoom meeting (a meeting rather than a webinar, to allow interaction between attendees and the NGSE team). The presentation will be made by District NGSE team members Lena Caparini and Maya Povhe.
Please register on the District 5360 website (under EVENTS) and learn more about this exciting, life-changing program for 18-30 year young adults.
Keith mentioned that he, Edward Lipin and Margie Booyens all serve on the District NGSE committee/team.
Archaeology Society meeting: 15 March
PE Bruce Shepard, chairman of the Archaeology Society, invited members to attend a meeting of the Society on Wednesday 15 March at 7pm in the Crowfoot Room at the Medicine Hat College.
Team Freewheel Bike project: The Bike Project encourages everyone to visit the project at 551 Spencer Street (Knowles Electric building). Thursday mornings are a good time to swing by for a cup of coffee and a chat with the team working on the bikes. Active involvement in the project would be warmly welcomed!
Clubrunner "Changeover" Training Series: Clubrunner, our Club Operations Software is providing a broad series of training webinars, to coincide with the changeover of club executives. Sessions on every aspect of Clubrunner are available, from District Executive, Membership, Club Executives and Website operations. Register online at https://site.clubrunner.ca/page/changeover-training
Meeting Room Setup
John John needs assistance setting up the meeting room on a go forward basis. The time commitment is about an hour before the meeting, starting at 11:00 am and about a half hour after the meeting, usually ending around 1:30 pm. If you are willing to help, please contact John or Dave Panabaker.
Family of Rotary:
Johan Booyens is still recovering from a bout of shingles, a very painful affliction caused by the chicken pox virus.
Dawn Barr’s recovery from a fractured femur is progressing well. She is now using crutches, will start physio next week and she looks forward to being totally mobile and driving in about six weeks.
Please keep Adolf Seiler informed about members health changes so that information can be provided to the club through the Weekly News.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has returned to meeting in person, face-to-face meetings as of Monday March 21. A ZOOM link will still be available for those who are cautious, ill or are away on vacation.
