President Doug Fleming kicked off the meeting precisely at 12:15, and the club sang a new version of O'Canada which seemed to go over very well. Doug hoped everyone had a great long weekend and welcomed guests to the meeting. Doug mentioned that it was an incredibly busy week in Medicine Hat with the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games taking place, and he knows that many in the club are involved in one way or another.
The club was delighted to welcome to the podium our newest member, Kenya Awudi. She gave her "getting to know you" talk to the group, which was formerly referred to as a "Classification Talk".
Kenya was born in the Phillippines and raised by her grandparents from a young age. She told us about her grandmother, who must have been a remarkable person to look after that whole household.
Kenya spoke about her experience teaching, both at home and in China. She talked about seeing the Rotary 4 Way Test at different locations and how it seemed to resonate with her.
Kenya spoke about relocating to Canada with her two boys, Aaron and David, as well as how her new career in real estate has allowed her to grow as a person and truly help clients with the big decision of home buying.
Welcome to Rotary Kenya! We look forward to your input to service in the club and in the community.
ROTARY AT MEDICINE HAT LEVEL: MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY
AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER FOR CONSTRUCTION CLEANUP!!
The Monarch renovations are almost complete and they would like to have as many people as possible show up at the Monarch on Wednesday morning at 9:00 am, to help get the theatre ready to reopen. No construction experience needed, it will be clean up and cleaning for the re-opening.
The "reopening" event will be in conjunction with the downtown auto show. A double feature, featuring "cars" on Saturday August 22nd. Be there or be "square"..
Our club will try to keep track of events on at the Monarch, and will give members a heads-up about opportunities to serve. If you are interested in volunteering at the Monarch, please let Rotarian Janessa Anderson know (403-952-1907) and she will provide details of available shifts and responsibilities.
Volunteering at a show is a great way to connect with the community and support our historic local landmark.
Ideas for Future Programs
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).
PLEASE NOTE: Suggestions for club meeting programs are always welcomed and appreciated! Keep on giving us your ideas! You don't have to wait for a survey to give us your input!
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat was delighted to welcome Nikki Gray and Erin Schwab from the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta to our meeting today. The Community Foundation has been a longtime partner of activites with the Rotary Club and it's always good to catchup.
Nikki and Erin spoke about a new endowment being created at the CFSEA named “The Special Olympics Canada Summer Games Legacy Fund”, to transform the impact of the 2026 games into a lasting community benefit. The fund will create a permanent endowment dedicated to supporting sport and recreation opportunities throughout Southeastern Alberta.
The “vision” of the fund is that within Southeastern Alberta where everyone, regardless of age, ability, background or financial circumstances has the opportunity to participate in sport and recreation and experience the physical, social and emotional benefits they provide.
They went through some of the areas of support and the eligibility requirements that they forsee and how these funds benefit future generations. It was a great presentation and we wish them every success in their fundraising efforts. They are aiming for a total of $500,000 in the fund to ensure significant sustainablity.
ATTENDANCE: 19 members and 2 guests attended the meeting in person. We were joined by Dieter Brand, and Jillian Koch online.
GUESTS:
Nikki Gray and Erin Schwab from the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta
MEETING DRAW:
Terry Brekko was the lucky winner of a prize he donated, so the raffle was “held-over” until next week.
BIRTHDAYS:
Sue Withers - August 7
Lesley Tuchscherer - August 22
Gregg Martin - August 25
ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES:
Sandy MacKay - 49 years - July 01, 1977
Ken Zollner - 43 years - Aug 01 1983
Jillian Koch - 10 years - Aug 08 2016
Neil Ratol - 1 year - Aug 12 2025 (currently on leave of absence)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR AUGUST 2026:
The Rose Runner for August is Nadia Deenen (thank you, Nadia! We know it's a month full of anniversaries!).
NEW MINUTES AND REMINDERS:
ROSE RUNNER DUTY: Anne Carrier encouraged members - especially new members - to take on responsibility for delivering a rose in a particular month, to those celebrating a wedding anniversary. It's an old club tradition, appreciated by members. Being a Rose Runner is a great way to serve and get to know members. Anne will circulate a 2026-2027 schedule during our meeting on 17 August. Please consider volunteering, there are 3 months left to sign up for Oct 26, Dec 26 and Mar 27.
BINGO: Dave Panabaker advised that our bingo on July 29th served 58 players and we earned a pool profit of $574.00. The winner of the guess pot was Dick Bide, who attracted the attention of the Sgt-at-Arms because he had loose change around.
NEXT BINGO - VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED - Dave Stalwick advised that our next bingo will be Sunday evening, August 16th and he is still in need of 2 volunteers. One of those positions could easily be in the “cage”, so mobility isn't an issue with that one.
ROTARY CLUB OF MEDICINE HAT DINNER CLUB: Odessa Vermee has taken over responsibility for organizing our Dinner Club. Thank you, Odessa! Please sign up with Odessa if you are interested in hosting a dinner in your home!
ROTARY CASINO: Ken Zollner was happy to report that he received the necessary AGLC license for our casino on Sept 22-23, 2026. A full team for that event has been assembled.
THE 2026 TERRY FOX RUN: SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER:10:30: 46 years ago, Terry Fox crossed Canada, running on an artificial leg, to raise money for cancer. The annual run is organized by Keith Walker and the Sunrise Rotary Club have, over the years, raised $70,000. So this year, the Terry Fox run is once again around the Rotary Sunrise Trail (Medicine Hat College campus), 3km, no hills, starting at 10:30am. Do join in! You don't have to run, you can walk! Form a team to participate and have fun! Please register: terryfox.org. You can donate on this website or at the start of the race.
ROTARY GARAGE SALE: The Saamis Rotary Club is having a garage sale, if you'd like to look through what the Saamis Rotarians are “giving” away, check it out.
NEW GENERATIONS SERVICE EXCHANGE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT - Davi Pereira from Brazil is coming to Medicine Hat in December, January, and possibly February. Terry Brekko and the Craciun family are hosting Davi. Additional host families - even for just a two week period each - would be great. You could also opt to have Davi just for a weekend, a meal and/or a day trip. Please contact Margie Booyens (403.952.7340) for more information. Davi is studying to become a school teacher.
Family of Rotary:
Deb Panabaker is scheduled for surgery on Monday August 24th, so we hope and pray for the best results.
The whole club sends its' thoughts and prayers to the Presley family as Carolyn spends time at St Joes. You are all in our thoughts!
It was great to wish PE Dick Northcott and his wife Deb a happy 49th anniversary. Safe travels to Ethiopia Deb and good luck on your upcoming knee replacement surgery.
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.
Our first meeting of every month is a business meeting, but all meetings are both in person and available on ZOOM. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
