For quite some time, the Board of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat had been talking about how to make our weekly meetings more accessible to those unable to get to the Lodge on a Monday at noon.
One small positive of this current COVID-19 era and the necessity of social distancing, is that it has brought about decisive action on the part of the Board: without further ado, we made the mental shift to embrace the idea of virtual meetings.
First two virtual Board meetings and then history was made on Monday 6 April when at noon, the first virtual regular Club meeting was held. A big thank you to Mike Christie, Dave Panabaker and others who made this historic occasion a reality and a big success.
So welcome, members and friends, to a new era of virtual Rotary meetings! This is one aspect of the current era that we may well take with us into the ‘new normal’ that lies some way ahead.
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PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FELLOW ROTARIANS, ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE NEEDS ASSISTANCE. ALSO, IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH THE CLUB, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH PRESIDENT MARGIE B., CLUB SERVICE DIRECTOR HEATHER B. OR NEWSLETTER EDITOR DAVE P. AND WE'LL MAKE SURE IT GETS COMMUNICATED.
Rotary Club - "What we can do"
Everyone should have received an email from Heather Bach, with a number of web links to information on Virus protection, self isolation and social distancing. As well, the City of Medicine Hat website has a relatively complete list of local issues....check this out as well.
The Maple Ave IGA has a growing list of delivery requests, and although this is a service that is provided by a company, there maybe an opportunity to volunteer so they don't get completely backlogged. If you are interested in helping out, please see the manager at the Foodland IGA on Maple Ave, and he'll take your contact details.
This is still an ongoing need. Donna at the Salvation Army advised they are not allowing clients to bring their own dishes at this time, because the volunteers then handle them. So they must be received ahead of time to be sanitized. She said they are so busy and swamped right now that they don't have much time for shopping. They would greatly appreciate if we could bring them any containers (with lids) directly. They have purchased some from Brewmaster but they could certainly use more, so if you have some around the house, they'd really appreciate any we could spare. They are also in desperate need of sanitizer for volunteers and clients.
Rotary Club "What-z New":
Just a reminder that "when" meetings start up again, they will take place in the Courtyard Room, Medicine Hat College.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
One of our newest Rotarians, Igor Grujic, did his classification talk from Pincher Creek, where he is working from home. A very informative and thoughtful presentation and we look forward to Igor's contributions to the community. He is the first classification talk to a club meeting using "Zoom", but he didn't beat Doug Thorson for "distance"...Doug did his from Nicaragua.
Igor was born in Maribor, Slovenia when it was part of the former Yugoslavia. His hometown is very close to the border with Austria, so multiple languages are familiar to Igor. He excelled at sports as a child, especially swimming competitively. After finishing university, he spent time learning martial arts and travelling, meeting his wife Erin (who is Canadian) in South America while backpacking. They have two children and are currently living in Pincher Creek. His work has primarily consisted of project management, especially for the financing of construction projects.
Igor was inducted into the Rotary Club on Monday January 20th, 2020 and we look forward to him completing his relocation from Pincher Creek and joining us full time.
The club is saddened to announce that we have recently received two resignations from current members. Both Chris Perret and Jan Stalwick have submitted letters of resignation this week. The club thanks them both for their service and hopes that they can resume their links with Rotary in the future.
Rotary Club Information:
Housekeeping:
Please collect club draw items. It is an important part of our meeting and the funds generated help to run the club.
If you have a Meeting Minute, please phone or email the Newsletter and we'll include it.
Board minutes can be found on ClubRunner, under Club Documents.
Upcoming Club Program, Activities, and Meetings
VIRTUAL MEETINGS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Upcoming Rotary Club, District and International Events:
CANCELED - Tri-Club Social with District Trainers.
POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE - Club Leadership Training
POSTPONED until FALL 2020 - District 5360 convention May 1 - 3, 2020 in Calgary.
AS OF MARCH 19 CANCELED - Rotary International Convention, June 6 - 10, 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii
Future Programs:
The Rotary Club's Program Coordinator is Jillian Koch. If you have future program ideas, please email Jillian at jkoch@jmhca.com
As part of our "remote meeting" process, we have time and space for members to share their experiences in the current travel climate. New Rotary member Shalla Shaharyar provided the following summary of her recent trip home to Pakistan.
We'd love to publish others, please send them in.
Editor
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When I boarded the airplane to Pakistan, I did not know that this would be my shortest trip home, yet the most reflective. I had planned to stay three weeks in Pakistan, however due to Covid-19 declared as a global pandemic in the middle of my trip, I was compelled to return early. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed my short visit.
Due to the gradual economic-social shutdown in Pakistan, I eventually became homebound, and unexpectedly with much more time on my hands, as socializing and shopping came to a quick halt.
Shalla & (my mother) Shahida - Waiting for breakfast in the beautiful morning sun!
In hindsight, this extra time was a blessing as I got more time to connect with my two beautiful nieces, which further strengthened my familial relationships, and also provided me the opportunity to learn more about my extended family through stories shared by my mother, the best story teller I know!
My nieces. Eliza and Shiza
Sitting at home also came with extended exceptional hospitality, and I indulged, unrestrained, in savoury curries, grilled skewered meats, fresh organic fruits, special naans, biryanis and much much more!! Not a bad deal after all. Early spring had just taken hold of Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, when I arrived. It was breathtaking and invigorating to hear the cheering birds, see the budding flowers and trees and the vibrant hues in the backdrop of Margalla hills, a mountainous range that is part of the Himalayan foothills. March is definitely a beautiful month to visit Islamabad.
One of the more adventurous parts of my trip was driving a manual in the chaotic bustling traffic of Islamabad, not once, but thrice and live to tell about it! There is no doubt that driving a stick is fun and thrilling as it requires constant mental vigilance, but I was also glad to know that its a skill that is never lost!
It was a short trip but one that I will always cherish. I am very thankful for the trip, and also to return safely to Canada, my second home! Now I look forward to spring taking a hold in Medicine Hat…..Shalla
Joan Sauve wanted to say a huge "THANK YOU" to everyone who phoned, walked by or participated in the noisy "drive by" birthday party for her on April 1. She was touched and surprised and very thankful!!
Ian McLaughlin, our Casino Event organizer sent along the following update on the casino which was planed for late August. "Thank you to all who volunteered to work at the Rotary Casino scheduled for late August. Unfortunately, on April 1, 2020 AGLC informed us that all casinos schedule for the third quarter (July 1 - Sept 30) will not proceed. They also advised that "all charities currently slotted for casino events will be moved back to later dates in order to accommodate and reschedule charities with canceled casino events due to the closures with COVID-19." Since we have our Casino License Application completed, we have decided to submit it complete with the Casino Volunteer Application forms. If the new dates conflict with any volunteer's schedule, canvassing for replacements will take place then."
Theresa Eisenbarth wanted to get the message out that although the Interact Garage Sale is currently on hold, she believes it is a great idea as a fundraiser and if any club member or friend of Rotary is doing any cleaning out at home, and has goods that could be donated to the garage sale to be in touch with her. She has a spot to keep a small amount of stuff that could be saved for the sale (whenever it is held).
A photo of Rotary social distancing....the Panabakers and the Stalwicks visited last week, more than 2 meters apart and we each brought our own nourishment.
Also, thought this photo taken on a Friday morning, on April 3rd of Stephen Avenue mall in Calgary shows the impact of the pandemic and "staying at home"....normally this would be teeming with people. Good job Calgary!
Birthdays: The month of April
Bernie Scott April 9.
Shalla Shaharyar April 28.
Club Anniversaries: The month of April.
Ted Clugston 6 years April 7, 2014.
Dick Bide 49 years April 11,1971.
Lisa DesRoches 1 year April 15, 2019.
Ray Kemp 12 years April 15, 2008.
Jay Chesley 4 years April 25, 2016.
Makeups:
No attendance being recorded during the pandemic period!
Family of Rotary: (PLEASE KEEP ADOLF INFORMED ABOUT MEMBERS SO THAT INFORMATION CAN BE PASSED ON TO ALL IN THE WEEKLY NEWS)
Wanted to pass on that former MH Rotarian John Molden, is home in Dartmouth, NS recovering from some heart surgery early this year. He is well and sends his regards!
Gerry Nadeau is feeling better every day.
Gregg Martin is improving at home and is back to work at least part time!
Glen Presley continues to undergo cancer treatment, and other than some fatigue is doing really well.
Roger Roy is home from Mexico, doing the 14 days of self-quarantine and adjusting to this "brave, new world".
For those other members of the club who are facing health challenges, we wish you well and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
