MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

President Mike Christie welcomed members to this first of three meetings in a row at the MH Lodge.  He advised that the Monthly Rotary theme for September was Basic Education and Literacy.

 

Although this meeting was scheduled as a Budget approval presentation, President Mike started the meeting by reviewing the 9 items which were part of our updated Strategic Plan.  Those need to be kept in mind, while we review the financial needs of the club.

 

Those goals from the Strategic Plan were;

1. Increase the membership by 25%;
2. Attract an equal number of members and attendees to our existing events, projects and activities;
3. Investigate and identify a major community project which the Club can initiate or participate in with other clubs or organizations;
4. Continue to look at international projects the Club can become involved with;
5. Hold a major membership recruitment event;
6. Continue to support established activities such as The Rotary Music Festival; Lottery; Team Free Wheel Bicycle program; Prairie Gleaners;
7. Be mentioned in the local media once per month;
8. Maintain information flow to the membership through Minute People, Announcements and the Newsletter;
9. Meet Budget

With that introduction a wide ranging discussion took place concerning the draft budget.  President Mike reviewed a few loose ends in the summary page and advised that once our Treasurer Gail was back from holidays, and the Board had a chance to review the comments the budget would be brought back to the club for formal approval.

 

Mike did indicate that the 2024-2025 Annual dues have been set at $325/member.  

Mike also mentioned that two District Grant items have come forward over the past week, so he gave us an update.

1. Our 23-24 DG application for $7,500 (plus $2,500 from our club) for support of the new sound system at the Monarch Theatre has been approved.  We just received this confirmation from Sharon McDonnell at Saamis Rotary.
2. Our 22-23 DG, which was for the trail signage on Rotary Centennial trail will require a refund of a small amount of the grant, as the ultimate cost was not as high as expected.  This will be done once Gail is back.

Some fun was then had, because we had 10 spare minutes, so the Sgt-at-Arms Dave Stalwick fined a lot of those present and collected Happy Dollars from most everyone as well.  A good way to end a budget discussion.

 

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL AND DISTRICT UPDATE

• District Grant Webinar: Saturday 19 October: online: 09:00 - 12:00. Essential that one member attends; preferably more. The District Grants Committee has made District Board approved changes that our Club needs to know about!
• 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.
• Also see in MINUTE reminders: Waterton-Glacier Peace Park Assembly

CLUB PROGRAM

 

Wednesday 18 September: 'Rotarians play Bingo'!...come out and learn the game

Monday 23 September: Guest speaker: Brenda Mercer: "Reconciliation in 2024"

Wednesday 25 September: Rotary evening bingo

Monday 30 September: A focus on ideas for Club Community Service

Monday 21 October: Visit to a Community Resource: CORE (thank you for organizing this, Club Program committee member, Terry Brekko!)

 

'WHY ROTARY' 2025

Past President Bruce Shepard said that a 'Why Rotary?' event is being planned for next year. The other Rotary Clubs in Medicine Hat will be contacted and invited to nominate two members to join the organizing committee, of which Stan Sakamoto will also be a member. More information will be shared as planning progresses.

 

 

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. 

• 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.

• 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