President Bruce Shepard led the noon meeting on Monday 21 August 2023, held at the Medicine Hat Lodge.
The meeting was well attended, both in-person and via Zoom, as there was a high level of interest in what Rotarian Brian Robinson had to say about an upcoming Medicine Hat Rotary project - confidential at this point, but soon to be released to the public via the media.
Four guests were introduced and the podium then handed over to Brian (Past President of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat Saamis, current treasurer of the club, and at District 5360 level, YEX inbound events coordinator).
Brian's presentation was well received and followed by a string of questions and an interesting discussion.
Much gratitude and appreciation was expressed to Brian, to Saamis Club President Frank Devine, and the other People of Action who have seen this still confidential opportunity for Rotary and for the Medicine Hat community, and have taken it on.
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.
Rotary District 5360 and Rotary International News
RI CONVENTION 2025 IN CALGARY
The RI Convention was held in Calgary in 1996. It’s going to be in Calgary again in 2025
DG Kurt Kowalchuk (email dated June 19) is calling for committee members, in particular but not exclusively, for the Sponsorship & Revenue committee, and the House of Friendship committee
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Host Organizing Committee secretary, Luanne Whitmarsh (l.whitmarsh@shaw.ca)
DG Kurt writes that this convention is going to be done in a way that will be transformational for Rotary in our District and he sets out many ways in which this may be achieved.
WATERTON GLACIER PEACE PARK
The annual celebration of the Waterton-Glacier Peace Park, a project of Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Idaho and Montana Rotary Districts in 1931. This year’s celebration will take place from September 21-24. It is a great opportunity to hear about the Park, its successes and challenges, and to celebrate cross-border Rotary efforts.
Home page for history and information: Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Association/commitment to building peace (watertonglacierpeacepark.org).
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.
Brian Robinson, Frank Devine, Judy Morris and Kirk Shepard.
This informative and exciting meeting was attended by 26, of whom three were on Zoom.
Club Draw:
Gail Haldeman won the club draw and was the happy recipient of very special pots of honey. With gratitude to the member who donated such a special club draw gift.
Please remember to contribute items for the weekly draw as the stock cupboard is running low!
Makeups:
None mentioned
Birthdays:
Terry Partis August 5th.
Sue Withers August 7th.
Gregg Martin August 25th.
Rotary Anniversaries:
Ken Zollner 40 years August 1, 1983.
Jillian Koch 7 years August 8, 2016.
Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for August 2023:
Terry Brekko
Minutes: new information and a few reminders
CLUB COMMITTEES: President Bruce reminded members to please join at least one of the Club's newly formed committees: Fund Development & Rotary Foundation; International and Community Service; Club Service; Public Relations & Promotions; Youth, Membership & Recruitment. Each of these committees is chaired by a Board member. The majority of members have joined one or more committees but a small number have yet to commit themselves.
NEXT BINGO: The next Bingo session will take place on Wednesday evening, August 23rd. Six members have signed up.
RAYEC (Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp - for 11-15 year olds): Director Peter Mueller reported on the recent presentation made to Rotarians in Medicine Hat by Rotarian Brian Gentles, District RAYAC lead.
60 young people had attended the 2023 RAYEC camp at Eagles Nest Ranch.
RAYEC continues to seek program funding and sponsorship for camp attendance.
FREEWHEEL BIKE PROJECT: This project is powering away in the Knowles Electric Building on Kipling. Terry Cooper and team of bike repairers welcome visitors to see how they transform donated and abandoned bikes into donation-ready wheels.
ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL: A donation card is now available, setting out different ways to give the Rotary Music Festival much-needed financial support.
FLAGS FROM ROTARY CLUBS IN ITALY AND TAIWAN
District NGSE co-chair, Margie Booyens, handed over to President Bruce Shepard, flags from the Rotary Clubs of Treviso Nord (Italy) and Taipai Yie Shian (Taiwan).
These flags were given to Margie by the two New Generations Service Exchange program participants (Ludovica Alessia Momo and May Yung-Yi Tsao) who recently spent three weeks on the District 5360 NGSE's firs inbound group exchange, in Calgary.
CLUB MEETING ON AUGUST 28th - Presentation by the new City CAO - Ann Mitchell
TERRY FOX RUN: Sunday 17 September: 10:30am
The Sunrise and Ignite Clubs are organizing the annual Terry Fox Run/Walk for this year, taking over from the Kinette Club which ran it for almost 40 years.
The Run takes place every year in over 10,000 locations in Canada (communities and schools) and in 33 countries around the world. It is the largest event that supports cancer research.
All Rotarians are encouraged to take part in the event on Sunday September 17 at the Medicine Hat College, walking, running, or biking, starting at 10:30am.
It is a non-competitive event for families on the 3k Sunrise Rotary Trail.
Register at http://terryfox.org and help fundraise for cancer research in the name of one of Canada's great heroes, Terry Fox.
SAAMIS ROTARY CLUB: 21st ANNUAL RAFFLE
Tickets can be purchased on the Saamis Club website:http://www.winningticketlottery.ca The 50/50 pot is now in excess of $30,000 and the winner gets half! Draw date is September 30, 2023.
Family of Rotary
Rotarian Mark Sorenson was able to see his sister, Ellen, in St Albert, before she passed.
Jane MacKay, wife of Rotarian Sandy, is now home and feeling better
Former Rotarian Ray Kemp is still on 4 West in the MH Regional Hospital, and visits are very welcome. Ray is hoping to be discharged and home again some time this week.
Rotarian Terry Brekko is still in our Regional hospital. Visits are welcome. He is due to go to Calgary for further heart-related tests. Terry amazed all at the meeting on Monday 21 August by 'tuning in' from his hospital bed, via Zoom!
Rotarian Doug Fleming was warmly welcomed back at our meeting, sporting a bionic hip!
Likewise Rotarian Dick Bide, who was in attendance, new knee and all.
Please keep a Board Member 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. We have regular face-to-face meetings at least twice each month. A ZOOM link will still be available for those who are cautious, ill or are away on vacation.
