FUNDRAISING: BINGO:
Dave Panabaker gave an update on the Bingo situation. The Sunday 11 August team comprised eight members, plus Ric Carrier, whose help was greatly appreciated - there were 118 players in the hall. The good attendance related to the fact that there was a $3000 last chance jackpot. This was won by three people. Dick Bide won the guess pot. The next session will be on Thursday 5 September in the evening, with Dave Stalwick as team organizer.
FUNDRAISING: CASINO
The recent Casinos 'manned' by our Club members took place on Sunday August 4 and Monday 5 August, with Ken Zollner heading up the teams. This casino was able to be handled early in our schedule because Rotarians stepped forward and took the opportunity. The funds will be great to have, once they are delivered by AGLC sometime in Q4 of 2024. Thanks to everyone who participated.
CLUB PROGRAM:
= Monday 19 August: At the Lodge
Guest speaker: Lisa Dressler, ED of the Chamber of Commerce. Please invite guests to hear what is always a great presentation by Lisa of the economic situation in Medicine Hat and surrounds.
= Monday 26 August: Trip to Irvine
Margie Booyens advised the club that a visit to the Irvine School - Agricultural Discovery Center is planned for Monday26 August 26. The intention is to meet at the MH Lodge at approximately 11:15 am, and to carpool out to Irvine at 11:30. We will be given a tour of the Center from noon, and will then assemble at the local hotel pub or restaurant to have lunch. A visit to the Irvine museum is also a possibility, and then back to MH. Fourteen members and guests have signed up so far. If you plan to go on this outing, please register by Friday 23 August. If you have difficulty registering, please contact Margie.
= Program Committee: We need additional members!
This club committee comprises: Jillian Koch, Alain Guerard, Terry Brekko and Margie Booyens. New members would be most welcome to join in the planning of the meeting program of the club! Next Program Committee meeting: Wednesday 14 August at 2pm at the Copper Leaf, downtown. To all members: please keep the ideas flowing! - who would you like us to invite as guest speakers? Which resources would you like us to visit?
A FUN (and learning) SOCIAL EVENT - AT BINGO!
Dave Panabaker advised that "learn to bingo" has been proposed, to help members understand the game we work at 18 times a year. The evening of Wednesday September 18th has been set for this "class", so put this in your daytime and come out to have some fun. The host club that evening is Medalta, so that cause is one our club has supported for a long time.
ROTARY's NEW GENERATIONS SERVICE EXCHANGE PROGRAM: INBOUND PARTICIPANT
Beatriz (Bia) Souza arrives in Calgary from Brazil on Friday 13 September. She will be hosted for two weeks each, by: Nadia & Maarten Deenen; Ian & Phyllis McLaughlin; Mihaela & Carl Craciun; Peter Mueller & Gwen Dirk; and Dan Kammerer & Cheryl. She will attend a few Rotary meetings and make a presentation on herself, her family, her country and her NGSE experience. Bia is a University student, studying to become a teacher. She will do the vocational side of her NGSE program through the Prairie Public School Division (Reagan Weeks) and the MH Public School Division (Jason Peters). The humanitarian service pillar of her program is still being planned. It will likely include Bia volunteering for a few hours each week, at the YMCA, Saamis Immigration, and the Redcliff Youth Center. Bia returns to Brazil on Sunday 24 November. She is a delightful young woman and is likely to do a great job of marketing the NGSE in Medicine Hat, while she enjoys the different aspects of her 10 week program. The screenshot was taken on Friday 9 August during a Zoom meeting of Bia (top left) with three of her five host families, and a few members of the District 5360 NGSE committee.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: TEAM FREEWHEEL
Terry Cooper and his team have been very busy in the Knowles Electric building, where they have their bike project workshop. The plan is to be able to move the bikes in the SeaCan to the workshop, by the end of August. The Rotary sign on the pavement outside the workshop has had a very positive result - people dropping off bikes and others entering the workshop and being given a tour of the operation. Bike and bike part donations continue as the project becomes better known in the community. There was strong support from those attending the Business Meeting, that the Knowles sign be replaced with a Rotary sign, the cost of which could be planned for in the forthcoming 2024-2025 budget. Terry was congratulated and thanked for the amazing success of the Team Freewheel project, through which 500 bikes have to date been refurbished and distributed in the community.
PROMOTIONS AND MARKETING
PP Bruce gave a shout-out to Kitt Brand for the great articles on Rotary that are being published in the Medicine Hat News every month. Thank you Kitt!
