The meeting today was chaired by Dave Panabaker, which made for 2 AG's at the front of the room....mostly because it takes two AG's to sub for a President...and both Dave and Dan had a great time doing so.
FROM PRESIDENT MARGIE
From our home to yours…
To those who celebrate Christmas, Johan and I wish you a very happy and blessed Christmas.
To all members and friends of our Club and your families may 2020 bring you peace, health and joy.
May our Club continue growing in diversity and strength, united in our desire to put Service Above Self.
Dave Panabaker passed on thanks from the staff at Masterpiece Retirement Facility, who received the stuffed stockings and will hand them out on Christmas morning to all the residents.
Dave also passed on a thank you card from the organizers of the recent Interact Forum in Calgary for the support of the Medicine Hat Rotary club in helping put on the event. It was very successful, they had almost 40 students from 26 clubs in 9 cities.
Rotary Club "What-z New":
Birthdays and anniversaries of joining Rotary: From 30 December 2019, the celebratory dates for the whole of the following month (in this instance, January 2020) will be acknowledged during the Business Meeting. Why? To streamline the other meetings of the month.
Club meetings away from The Lodge: We will continue holding meetings in venues other than The Lodge, as appropriate. Please make a note of two that will be held in The Courtyard at the Medicine Hat College on 13 January and 15 March, when different academic staff members will be addressing the Club. Rationale: to make it less time consuming for the guest speakers and to give members a ‘change of scenery’!
No free meals: In line with the proverbial saying, from 1 January 2020, there will be no weekly draw for a free meal. Why? Again, the intention is to streamline meetings by eliminating the ‘bits and pieces’. This is an old practice that seems to have lost its significance.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
NEW MEMBERS: Elaine Behiel will be inducted on Monday 6 January and Igor Grujic on Monday 20 January 2020.
CLASSIFICATION TALKS: The new practice of new members choosing where and when to give their talk will continue. Please support our new members by doing your best to attend their talks. The rationale for the new practice (which in fact is taking us back to the ‘rotation’ days at the start of Rotary!) is to ensure that new members share information about themselves in a familiar context in which they feel comfortable.
RESIGNATION: Allan O’Byrne has resigned as he is leaving Medicine Hat. Our best wishes go with him, and our appreciation of the substantial contribution he has made to the Club over the years, especially the Rotary Music Festival
Rotary Club Information:
Upcoming meetings:
See the club calendar adjacent or the club website.
Housekeeping:
Please bring club draw items. It is an important part of our meeting.
If you have a Meeting Minute, please send President Margie a note (email, phone, in-person)
Board minutes can be found on ClubRunner, under Club Documents.
Upcoming Rotary Club. District and International Events:
Club Leadership Training will be in the Crowfoot Room, MH College on Saturday, March 21, 2020...open to all Rotarians.
Next District 5360 convention May 1 - 3, 2020 in Calgary.
Next Rotary International Convention, June 6 - 10, 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii
Future Programs:
For more Club activities, to keep up with events and stay in touch, check the Club website at: www.medicinehatrotary.com
Our Program coordinator is Jillian Koch. If you have any future program ideas, please email Jillian at jkoch@jmhca.com
Dan Kammerer, accompanied by his partner Cheryl, participated in the most recent Rotary Friendship exchange between District 5360 and District 7850. District 7850 is a cross border district in northern Vermont, northern New Hampshire and a portion of the Province of Quebec (around Sherbrooke). The District includes 42 clubs, with 25 in Vermont, 11 in New Hampshire and 4 in Quebec. The exchange took place from Oct 5 thru Oct 19, 2019.
Dan spoke about the activities associated with a Friendship exchange, which stresses the Fun and Fellowship side of Rotary membership. You are constantly on the move and see both "touristy" things and many behind the scenes things that tourists wouldn't be allowed access to. It is entirely in keeping with the current Presidential motto that "Rotary Connects the World".
There are currently two separate District 5360 trips in the works for later this year to Brazil, and Dan spoke about the process within District 5360 for qualifying for one of the exchanges. The work of hosting incoming groups, and participating in exchanges is scored and the clubs work counts toward participation. More information is available on the District website https://rotary5360.ca
Dan also spent a little time mentioning Rotary Fellowships, which are another social aspect of membership. Rotary Fellowships are international groups for Rotarians that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience.
Allan O'Byrne was NOT in attendance and missed out on a free lunch.
Club Draw:
The prize was not won by anyone this week.
Club 500 Draw:
No Draw this week.
Makeups:
None mentioned this week
Family of Rotary:
No report this week.
Minute People:
Glen Presley was looking for help with two aspects of the Club 1000 raffle in support of the Rotary Music Festival.
With Allan O'Byrne's resignation, the team will need help filling his role as the computer data keeper. If you have those skills please speak to Glen.
Glen will be looking for volunteers to sell tickets both in the Medicine Hat Mall and at the Charity table at a MH Tigers game. Watch for signup information soon.
Dick Bide announced that signup sheets are on the tables for the 2020 Dinner club, which will run from Jan 1 to Dec 31. Please consider this great social activity of the club, and a wonderful way to meet spouses and share hospitality. He would like a few more couples (or singles) to fill out the rotation, so please consider it. He also mentioned the "come and go" he and LInda host at their home on Boxing Day. Please drop by from 2 - 4, 35 Prairie Dr NE and enjoy some hospitality.
Jillian Koch reminded everyone about the friends and family gathering next Monday. Please bring a small, inexpensive (<$10), wrapped gift for everyone who wants to be in the gift exchange.
Sandy Mackay thanked everyone for their congratulations and feedback on the recent Rotary Canada article on his (and Janes) career in Rotary.
Dave Panabaker reminded everyone about the upcoming concert by Soren Lorentzen on Sunday January 26th at 3:00 pm.
