The meeting today was kicked off by President Mike Christie, who was also going to lead the discussion on updating our club bylaws, at 12:15 pm.
President Mike spoke about the need to update our bylaws, to confirm a few changes that the club had made in our organization since the last update in 2013 and to conform with suggestions from Rotary International on our bylaw structure.
Mike presented a slideshow with the highlighted changes, which was accompanied by a few copies of the revised draft that were on the tables.
Fundamentally the changes related to;
the definition of qualifications for President of the club.
the elimination of the position of Vice-President, which is a role our club doesn't use.
confirmation of our voting methodology.
confirmation of our committee structure.
confirmation of our membership process.
A number of questions and suggestions arose in the discussion. Mike and Doug Fleming made notes of these and the board will discuss them and bring back some responses at our next business meeting on Nov 4.
Then the intention, if it seems prudent to proceed will be to serve two weeks notice of the club plan to adopt a new set of bylaws. The intention would be to vote on that (assuming it is proceeding) at the club meeting on Nov 18th.
The presentation was well done, and both President Mike and Secretary Doug were thanked for devoting their time and energy to keeping us current and up to date, on an issue that can be pretty dry for most people.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat was also honoured to welcome to the meeting, Renee Herman of the Medicine Hat Sunrise club. Renee was in attendance to invite members of this club to an upcoming fundraiser, featuring tornado chaser Greg Johnson at the MH Public Library on Nov 6th. She left the signup posters for members to consider and had tickets to sell.
It was mentioned by President Mike that he, Renee and Dave Stalwick were all inducted into Rotary on the same day as a group, so we thought that a photo of these "related" Rotarians was in order.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL AND DISTRICT UPDATE
District Governor Christina Hassan: Members were told about DG Christina's Instagram posts, on her visits to different Rotary Clubs in our District, and were encouraged to follow her. She also posts on Facebook.
RI Convention in Calgary, 2025: 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.
CLUB PROGRAM
Monday 4 November: Club meeting online: business meeting
Monday 11 November: NO MEETING - Remembrance Day
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
RI CONVENTION 2025 IN CALGARY
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)
PDG Sandy MacKay has volunteered to be the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat's representative on the RI Host Committee. Many more volunteers are needed and will be welcomed.
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.
ATTENDANCE: With 3 members online, and 19 members present in person, attendance was pretty good for a meeting on bylaws!!
CLUB DRAW: Rotarian Sieg Kappler won a set of "smart plugs"
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:
Dave Stalwick November 8
Rotary Anniversaries:
Sieg Kappler 38 years. November 1, 1986
Doug Fleming 41 years. November 7, 1983
Milan Vujovic. 17 years, November 26, 2007.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR NOVEMBER 2024
Dave Panabaker
Minute Reminders:
NEXT BINGO - PLEASE SIGN UP
On behalf of Gregg Martin, Dave Panabaker advised that signup emails for the next bingo are now out and the bingo is Sunday afternoon, November 3. A total of 9 volunteers are needed so please sign up if you are available
UWE's 90th BIRTHDAY PARTY
Many members of the club were delighted to attend the "surprise" 90th birthday party on Sunday evening for past president (twice) of our club Uwe Krikhahn. It was a great event, put on by his family with help from the MH Saamis Rotary club. Uwe wanted to send his thanks along to everyone who was involved.
During the cleanup after the party a pair of prescription sunglasses was discovered, and if you happen to have lost them Uwe knows where they are! Happy 90th Birthday Uwe.
REAL Humanitarian Fundraiser.
Milan Vujovic, on behalf of Dick and Deb Northcott wanted to pass along their thanks for the support of their recent fundraiser and for those Rotarians who appeared in person. It was a successful evening raising over $24,000 for their work in Africa.
DINNER CLUB UPDATE
Milan also advised that he and Almira have taken over the organization of this year's "dinner club". A great way to introduce partners to fellow Rotarians, you give one dinner and get to go to three. It's a lot of fun, please sign up with Milan.
MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY AGM
Dave Panabaker advised the meeting that the AGM needs to be delayed to accommodate some bylaw requirements, and is planned for late November.
DISASTER RELIEF: HELPING OUR FRIENDS IN THE SOUTH
Rotary International Director, Chris Etienne, has requested Rotarians to respond to the devastation in parts of the USA from the effects of Hurricane Helene, by donating to a fund for recovery efforts. Contributions can be made via online payment, mailed cheque, or wire transfer. Please find more information at:
MEMBERSHIP FEE: $325.00. Treasurer Gail has sent an invoice to all members. Payment options are in the email.
ITS NEVER TOO EARLY TO BE THINKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS
The "all club" Christmas Party has been scheduled for Sunday December 8th, at the Desert Blume Clubhouse. It was a great event last year and hopefully this year it will be bigger and better.
TEAM FREEWHEEL WORK OPPORTUNITY
Terry Cooper is always looking for more volunteers to roll up their sleeves and help fix up bicycles, in the Knowles Electric Building on Fleming. Over 500 have already been fixed and distributed to those needing mobility to get to work, to the shops, to recreation opportunities etc.
SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS KETTLE SHIFTS
Anne Carrier is organizing the shift work for our Saturday ringing the bells for the Salvation Army. Our day is Saturday December 7th, we have a total of 5 locations and 2 hour shifts from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Anne has only two spots left of the 5 locations so please contact her directly if you have time on the afternoon of Dec 7th.
FUNDRAISER FOR SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB
Please support Sunrise Club's innovative fundraiser on November 6th at 7:00pm at the Library. The speaker is a well known photographer/ tornado chaser. Tickets are $25 and available from any Sunrise Rotarian.
Family of Rotary
Anne Carrier mentioned that Marg Mazerolle is having a few health and mobility challenges and we keep her in our thoughts and prayers.
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.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has returned to meeting in person. Our first meeting of every month is a ZOOM business meeting. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
