President Mike Christie joined our online meeting and began with a couple of updates and thank you's. He spoke about the great turnout and encouraging atmosphere of the Fireside Chat which was held last Wednesday evening at the Cypress Club. He thanked Kitt and Dieter Brand for hosting the event, for the work of all the directors and executive who spoke and participated and all the new Rotarians who came out.
Mike also raised the issue of the upcoming "party" season, how as a club we should best celebrate this time of year and what makes sense for all the variety of our members.
Many people spoke about the great "triclub" party last year, which is tentatively planned again for Dec 8th. One concern was the cost of the meal, although worth the money it will still be quite expensive. As well, newer Rotarians may not know any of the members of other clubs and so may not feel at ease to attend.
The idea of our own event, which might involve "friends" of our club as well, was discussed and encouraged. Perhaps that will be scheduled over the Family Day week, or in conjunction with Valentines Day. It was noted that our planned "Why Rotary" event could also involve "friends" of the club.
President Mike then got to his primary agent item, the updated "draft" bylaws. He reviewed the edits that had been made from the last meeting, and with the support of a "notice of motion" from Dick Bide, those bylaws will be brought to the club for approval on Monday November 25th, at the MH Lodge.
A copy of both our existing bylaws, last update in 2013 and this draft are being circulated to all club members for them to review prior to the meeting on the 25th.
Mike also mentioned that the paperwork, covering a recent District Grant to help fund equipment at Prairie Gleaners has been finalized with District 5360 and we are now clear to consider a District Grant in the 24 - 25 cycle.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL AND DISTRICT UPDATE
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.
CLUB PROGRAM
Monday 11 November: NO MEETING - Remembrance Day
Monday 18 November: BIA will speak about her NGSE experience, MH Lodge
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.
Rotary Club Committee Membership Update:
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.
Rotary Club Information:
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
RI CONVENTION 2025 IN CALGARY
The RI Convention was last held in Calgary in 1996. It’s going to be back in Calgary again June 21 - 25, 2025.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Host Organizing Committee secretary, Luanne Whitmarsh (l.whitmarsh@shaw.ca)
PDG Sandy MacKay has volunteered to be the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat's representative on the RI Host Committee. Many more volunteers are needed and will be welcomed.
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)
If you have ideas for future programs, please contact them.
GUESTS: No guests at our online business meeting today.
ATTENDANCE: Although folks had to come and go, 20 Rotarians took part in our meeting today.
CLUB DRAW: No club raffle today.
Please remember to contribute gifts for the weekly draw. If you are somewhere interesting, a small gift to the club is an easy fundraiser!
Makeups: None were mentioned.
Birthdays:
Dave Stalwick November 8
Rotary Anniversaries:
Sieg Kappler 38 years. November 1, 1986
Doug Fleming 41 years. November 7, 1983
Milan Vujovic. 17 years, November 26, 2007.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR NOVEMBER 2024
Dave Panabaker
Minute Reminders:
BINGO UPDATE
Gregg Martin was pleased to advise that 88 players attended the bingo on Sunday afternoon. Gregg was delighted to announce that he won the "guess" pot and our event added $767.00 to the pool profit. He also mentioned that he got monthly bingo profit checks from the society which ran to $1,900 per event, which shows the value of this fundraiser.
Dave Panabaker mentioned that the next bingo will be Thursday evening, November 28th from 5 pm to 9:30 pm. Invitations to participate will go out in the next week or so.
CHRISTMAS STOCKING EVENT
Margie Booyens and Sharon Hayward spoke about an opportunity for the club to serve in the community doing stocking stuffing. The Veiner Center will be doing approximately 500 stockings for the vulnerable in the community and our club agreed to both support it financially with $500.00, but to attend in the afternoon of Thursday December 12th and help prepare the stockings. There will not be a club meeting that Monday, it will transfer to the Thursday for lunch at the Veiner Center cafeteria and then some work.
BIA HAS BEEN BUSY WITH NGSE
Although we are all looking forward to Bia's presentation about her NGSE experience at next Monday's meeting, she has not been idle. Bia and Margie journeyed to the Brooks Rotary Club last Thursday and Bia was able to present to that club. Bia was able to stay on the ranch of the Brooks Club President for the weekend, to get a taste of prairie life.
RC of Brooks at noon on Thursday, Bia and I with the Club Prez, the Mayor John, (also a Rotarian) and AG PP Mohammed Idriss (who is on the D NGSE committee with me and others).
DINNER CLUB UPDATE
Milan also advised that he and Almira have taken over the organization of this year's "dinner club". A great way to introduce partners to fellow Rotarians, you give one dinner and get to go to three. It's a lot of fun, please sign up with Milan.
MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY AGM
Dave Panabaker advised the meeting that the AGM for the MONARCH 1911 Society has been re-scheduled and will be Wednesday evening, November 20th, at 7:00 pm at the Monarch Theatre. All MH Rotarians are invited to participate and learn what's been happening "behind the scenes".
MEMBERSHIP FEE: $325.00. Treasurer Gail has sent an invoice to all members. Payment options are in the email.
ITS NEVER TOO EARLY TO BE THINKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS
The "all club" Christmas Party has been scheduled for Sunday December 8th, at the Desert Blume Clubhouse. It was a great event last year and hopefully this year it will be bigger and better.
TEAM FREEWHEEL WORK OPPORTUNITY
Terry Cooper is always looking for more volunteers to roll up their sleeves and help fix up bicycles, in the Knowles Electric Building on Fleming. Over 500 have already been fixed and distributed to those needing mobility to get to work, to the shops, to recreation opportunities etc.
SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS KETTLE SHIFTS
Anne Carrier is organizing the shift work for our Saturday ringing the bells for the Salvation Army. Our day is Saturday December 7th, we have a total of 5 locations and 2 hour shifts from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Anne has only two spots left of the 5 locations so please contact her directly if you have time on the afternoon of Dec 7th.
FUNDRAISER FOR SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB
Please support Sunrise Club's innovative fundraiser on November 6th at 7:00pm at the Library. The speaker is a well known photographer/ tornado chaser. Tickets are $25 and available from any Sunrise Rotarian.
Family of Rotary
Anne Carrier mentioned that Marg Mazerolle is having a few health and mobility challenges and we keep her in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave Panabaker mentioned that Fran Wahl, widow of Rotarian Herman, is in the hospital and may be there for some time.
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.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has returned to meeting in person. Our first meeting of every month is a ZOOM business meeting. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
