This being the last meeting of the current Rotary year, the focus was on the change-over of the Board of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat.
Outgoing President Melanie Harty spoke openly about this having been a difficult year in office for her, due to the family tragedy and her demanding job. She had, however, managed, thanks to the Board and membership stepping up and supporting and assisting where and when necessary.
Melanie expressed appreciation for the fact that the Club’s strategic plan had been revised, updated, and refined during her year as President, and said that she was looking forward to the implementation of the plan over the year ahead. In her words,
“Completing a strategic plan with clear objectives is no easy task but we did it!”
Melanie emphasized how it takes the whole group to create and implement a pathway forward.
Appreciation was also expressed for the active participation of members during Club meetings.
Melanie expressed her support for the incoming Board and said how much she was looking forward to supporting incoming President Bruce Shepard. The many members who have had a turn ‘in the hot seat’ over the years, with humorous interjections, supported Melanie in her thinking that the year ahead, as PAST President, was going to be a good one!
Past President Mark Sorenson conducted the changeover ceremony, with Melanie handing over the gavel to now President Bruce Shepard.
Executive officers: Past President Melanie Harty; President Bruce Shepard; President Elect Mike Christie; Secretary Doug Fleming; Treasurer Gail Haldeman; Directors: Anne Carrier, Terry Cooper, Edward Lipin, Peter Mueller, Dave Stalwick, Milan Vujovic.
President Bruce shared how he had been introduced to Rotary’s 4-way test many moons ago, when invited by a friend to attend a Rotary meeting… and how this test became part of his way of thinking and acting, from that time.
Bruce said he was humbled to be taking on the Presidency of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat, regarding it as a privilege and an honour.
Club Secretary Doug Fleming handed over a Past President pin to Melanie, and Bruce gave her a gift from the club.
President Bruce was warmly supported by his family.
It was a happy ceremony, well attended, both in-person and via Zoom, auguring well for the year ahead with President Bruce at the helm.
Warm and best wishes from all of us, Bruce! You can count on our support and active participation in the life of the Club, as we endeavor to continue making a significant difference, both locally and internationally, throughout the next Rotary year!
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 Mike Christie 403 878 3311.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
Please consider joining the membership team. Check out a meeting of this team and see how exciting it is! The committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm. Contact Mike Christie to join in.
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.
Upcoming Club Program, Activities and Meetings:
Tuesday June 27 - Club Board meeting
Monday July 3rd - NO MEETING - Canada Day holiday.
Monday July 10th - Business Meeting (ZOOM)
Thursday July 13th - Rotary Bingo - Evening
Monday July 17th - Dedication of Rotary Centennial Trail
Monday July 24th - Picnic meeting in Rotary Park on Maple Ave.
Upcoming Rotary District and International Events
We will keep you up to date as events are planned in the District.
Ideas for Future Programs
The Rotary Club's Program Committee members are Jillian Koch (jkoch@jmhca.com), Dave Panabaker (d.panabaker@hotmail.com) and Margie Booyens (margiebooyens@gmail.com).
If you have ideas for future programs, please contact them.
This was the annual changeover meeting, a happy one for all!
First, the “soup and sandwich” meal!
GUESTS: President Bruce Shepard’s wife and son, Donna and Kurt.
Club Draw:
Mark Sorenson won the draw, taking home a big beer stein (a type of porcelain mug)
Please remember to contribute items for the weekly draw as the stock cupboard is running VERY low!
Makeups:
None mentioned
Birthdays:
Jillian Koch...............July 19
Marg Mazerolle.........July 24
Rotary Anniversaries:
Sandy MacKay Jul 01 1977 46 years
David MacLean Jul 01 1977 46 years
Jim White Jul 1 1979 44 years
Margie Booyens Jul 4 2016 7 years
Glen Presley Jul 27 2015 8 years
Kitt Brand Jul 29 2009 14 years
Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for July 2023:
Anne Carrier
Reminders about important Minutes
Team Freewheel Bike Project: Terry Cooper expressed appreciation for the visit of the club to the bike project on Monday 19 June. He reminded that the Board and Club would need to make a decision shortly regarding the renewal of the Knowles Building contract. The use of the building, plus insurance and utilities, would cost in the region of $6,000.00.
Canada Day Cake Cutting: Anne Carrier thanked those who have put down their names to cut cake in the Rotary booth at the Stampede Grounds on 1 July.
Waterton-Glacier Peace Park: Dave Panabaker drew attention to the annual celebration of the Waterton-Glacier Peace Park, a project of Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Idaho and Montana Rotary Districts in 1931. This year’s celebration will take place from September 21-24. It is a great opportunity to hear about the Park, its successes and challenges, and to celebrate cross-border Rotary efforts.\
Home page for history and information: Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Association/commitment to building peace (watertonglacierpeacepark.org).
Bingo: The next Bingo session will take place on Thursday 13 July from 5pm into the evening. Dave Panabaker will be sending out an invitation shortly.
District 5360: Margie Booyens reported that the final District Board meeting had taken place via Zoom on Friday 23 June. Kurt Kowalchuk is the District Governor from 1 July. He will be followed by Christina Hassan in 2024/2025. The ‘motto’ for the new Rotary year is: Create Hope in the World’.
Rotary Centennial Trail: Dan Kammerer shared the good news that the signs along our Club’s latest trail have been installed. The Rotary Centennial Trail links Desert Blume to Medicine Hat, enabling pedestrians and bicyclists to move safely between communities, enjoying exercise in the outdoors.
The excavation for the corner sign begins!
All along the trail, there are benches and signage right next to the bench, explaining Rotary and our Club’s 100-year celebration in 2018.
Past President Melanie Harty extended the sincere thanks and gratitude of the Club to Dan Kammer and his small team, for the time, energy and patience expended on this project over the past year, bringing the signage aspect to fruition.
This Centennial project of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat will be dedicated and celebrated on Monday July 17, 2023, from noon to 1:15. Location: Corner of South Ridge Dr SE and South Boundary Road. Invitations and transport suggestions to follow.
PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THIS DATE and join us for a celebration of yet another legacy type project of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat!
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Terry Fox Run: Sunday 17 September: 10:30am: The Sunrise and Ignite Clubs are organizing the annual Terry Fox Run/Walk for this year, taking over from the Kinette Club which ran it for almost 40 years. The Run takes place every year in over 10,000 locations in Canada (communities and schools) and in 33 countries around the world. It is the largest event that supports cancer research.
All Rotarians are encouraged to take part in the event on Sunday September 17 at the Medicine Hat College, walking, running, or biking, starting at 10:30am.
It is a non-competitive event for families on the 3k Sunrise Rotary Trail.
Register at http://terryfox.org and help fundraise for cancer research in the name of one of Canada's great heroes, Terry Fox.
John John needs assistance setting up the meeting room on a go forward basis. The time commitment is about an hour before the meeting, starting at 11:00 am and about a half hour after the meeting, usually ending around 1:30 pm. If you are willing to help, please contact John or Dave Panabaker.
Family of Rotary
Joan Sauve now resides in Chinook, as does Ted Cowtan and Jim White. We believe all three would welcome a friendly visit from a Rotarian!
Steve Leavitt, outgoing District 5360 District Governor: Steve, we have heard about your serious health challenge and are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Please keep a Board Member informed about members health 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, face-to-face meetings as of Monday March 21. A ZOOM link will still be available for those who are cautious, ill or are away on vacation.
