This being the last meeting of the 2025-2026 Rotary year, our noon meeting today was all about endings and beginnings. And it was a fabulously upbeat, fun meeting!
President Milan started the meeting with us singing a different version of O Canada, sourced by Rotarian Alain. In addition to the words, this version projects beautiful images of different parts of our country, fauna and flora.
Four guests were introduced and warmly welcomed: Joan Fleming (incoming President Doug’s wife), Almira Vujovic (President Milan's wife), Lenora Stein (Dale’s wife) and soon to become a Rotarian, Kenya Awudi.
With the FIFA World Soccer Championships uppermost in the minds of many, President Milan expressed his pleasure at Canada’s win over South Africa and that the next round of games will be the 16 best teams competing.
Milan then brought up the devastation caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela. Referring the recent email all in the District received from DG Manon Mitchell, Milan encouraged members to consider making any donation they were able, particularly to Shelter Box, as so many have lost their homes.
Sharon Hayward then filled members in about the Club’s hands-on project on 1 July: CAKE CUTTING in Kin Coulee Park! Help is needed to set up the tent on 30 June, transporting the cakes to the Park on 1 July, the cake cutting from 2pm, and the clearing up on the 2nd July. Subsequent to the meeting, Sharon emailed out the details.
Next on the program was the induction of KENYA AWUDI, conducted by Past President Mike Christie. Kenya was warmly welcomed by all. President Milan expressed delight at Kenya’s membership of the Rotary family and what he knew she would bring to and through Rotary.
Prior to the induction of the new President and Board, outgoing President Milan thanked the 2025-2026 Board for their guidance and support. He mentioned that Mike Christie, Terry Cooper and Bruce Shepard were steeping down. He thanked Alain Guerard for agreeing to take on the key position of club secretary and Gail Halderman for remaining our sterling club treasurer.
Milan highlighted how he had aimed during his presidential year to strengthen relationships between club members and between the members of the four Rotary Clubs in Medicine Hat – and that he believed he had done so. He was happy how new members had become involved in different club activities.
Milan then named and thanked each of the club committees and sub-committees.
Projects and events he was particularly proud of included the Team Freewheel project, the M-factor educational event, the assistance given to the Ukraine, the involvement of the club in the Monarch theatre, the joint meeting of our club with a club in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Why Rotary event, and the connection between our club and Interact, as well as RYPEN.
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President Milan reminded members that our club – medium-sized – had receive an award from District.
He wound up his presentation with words of thanks to those to whom he had always been able to turn for information and support.
Milan concluded his swansong by saying what an honour and pleasure his year as President had been.
What followed was the induction of the new President, Doug Fleming, and the Board.
The symbolic handing over of the gavel by Milan to Doug was followed by President Doug outlining his goals for the club for the year that lies ahead.
President Doug Fleming said it was an honour to take on the role of President for the second time, the first being for the 2011-2012 Rotary year.
Doug spoke about tradition not always being progress, as had been discussed at his District President Elect training, using the example of KODAK that went out of business because it did not adapt to changing times.
The club will continue on its present trajectory, regarding operations and activities, but the emphasis, Doug said, will be on four things:
- Enhancing engagement, having every member involved in at least one activity
- Having fun at meetings, events, projects, social times
- Continuing to grow membership
- Encouraging members to discover their Rotary passion
Doug encouraged members to consider taking on a club leadership role, also to embrace the theme of our new Rotary International President, Olayinka (Yinka) Hakeen Babalola, namely CREATE LASTING IMPACT.
Wrapping his introductory presentation of club goals, Doug said how much he was looking forward to the year ahead, starting with our club doing cake cutting in Kin Coulee Park on Canada Day.
