We had a meeting with a difference today! How different? We had Rotarian guests joining us via Zoom from Bosnia, President Milan's country of origin, specifically, members of the Rotary Club of Zenica!
After Milan welcomed our online guests, we started the meeting with our national anthem - with Milan classing our rendition today as 'impressive' (must have been the positive influence of our Bosnian guests!).
A land acknowledgement was read.
We then had a time of sharing, first by selected members of our club, then by the President of the RC of Zenica, Dino Omerspahic. Information was shared about club projects, how funds are raised, and other aspects of club functioning.
Each club's presentations, aided by video clips, and images and text on PowerPoint, was followed by a question time.
For more information on the Club presentations, please see the STORY section of this newsletter.
Our guests were evidently interested to see how we run our weekly club meetings, so after this time of sharing, President Milan continued with a typical agenda of our noon meetings.
President Milan ended the meeting by reminding all that the meeting on Monday 27 April will take the form of a concert, presented by the 2026 winner of the Rotary Music Festival, Diana Monet, to be held in the Medicine Hat Public Library at 6pm. Members are asked to bring along family and friends. We would like to fill the theatre. No bookings or tickets - just come to what will be a fabulous concert by a brilliant young pianist!
ROTARY AT DISTRICT LEVEL
Members were again reminded about the District 5360 conference, taking place in Red Deer from 1-3 May.
There will be a display of Rotary intervention (projects) connected to the Ukraine at DisCon.
The dueling piano performance on the first evening of DisCon should be fun. Those attending are encouraged to spend time in the House of Friendship in which there will be tables and booths on a range of projects and programs undertaken by Rotarians and Clubs in District 5360.
See how to register in the MINUTES in the MEETING NEWS section of this newsletter.
ROTARY AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
As we have been mentioning for some time now, the next RI Convention will be held in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, from 13-17 June 2026. Those attending should please let the Board know.
ROTARY AT MEDICINE HAT LEVEL: MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY
As many Rotarians will know, our club, in cooperation with the Saamis Rotary Club and the Friends of the Monarch Society, has been working on restoring both the structure and the programming at the historic Monarch movie theatre on 2nd St S.E, Medicine Hat.
The Monarch is having a promotion on a "book" of tickets, check it out it is a great deal
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.
Also, the Friends of the Monarch Society is having their AGM on Tuesday May 5th. If you are interested in the restoration and recovery of the Monarch Theatre, a cause our club has supported over the past few years, please make a point of attending.
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).
Our noon meeting on Monday 20 April brought together, via Zoom, members of our club with four members of a Club in Bosnia, the Rotary Club of Zenica.
It was a great experience, sharing information about some of our Club’s projects and hearing about the wonderful work being done by the 20 plus members of the RC of Zenica since its establishment just eight years ago.
Alain Guerard got the ball rolling by talking about our club’s involvement, with other Rotary Clubs in Alberta, in the Ukraine. Projects include the furnishing of a rehabilitation wing for a war damaged hospital in Kyvi-Rhi. A Rotary Global Grant, supported by 10 Alberta Rotary Clubs and private donors, created a centre for civilian and veteran amputees to access rehabilitation and therapeutic equipment. Before the establishment of this centre, amputees were sent home from hospital as soon as the wounds healed. There was no other help. This project was so successful that five similar projects are underway.
The Rotary Music Festival (RMF) was highlighted by Anne Carrier, who mentioned that the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has been the major sponsor of this two-week classical music festival for 72 years. Illustrating the magnitude of the festival, Anne mentioned that about 900 performances take place by 4–28-year-old children and young people, during the fortnight, adjudicated by professional specialists in various disciplines. Several past participants have become professional musicians around the world.
Our club is proud of the Team Freewheel project, involving the refurbishing of used bikes for distribution to those in the community who need mobility to access education, employment, resources like shops, and recreation facilities. Terry Cooper, who is the driving force behind this project, explained how it had started in his back yard in the fall of 2020, with 20 bikes accessed from the police compound. In 2022, the project moved to rented premises. Club members and volunteers have refurbished and distributed just on 700 bikes since the inception of the project, to a range of not-for-profit organizations, schools, clubs, the college, and families.
The RC of Zenica President, Dino Omerspahic, had a PowerPoint which he used to share information about the impressive number of projects and activities undertaken by the 15-20 member club since it was chartered in September 2018.
Characteristic of this club is the friendship between the members and what they call a ‘relaxed’ attitude. Also, that ALL are welcome, irrespective of a long list of characteristics, including immigration status and socio-economic background.
The club has chartered a Rotaract Club and an Interact club.
The impressive list of big and small projects and activities undertaken by this dynamic club include the following:
BASIC EDUCATION AND LITERACY: A Global Grant for improving the reading literacy of students at 58 Primary Schools through the donation of 15,000 new books.
HEALTH: A District Grant for the procurement of 120 sensors for non-contact measurement of blood sugar levels for children and youth with type 1 diabetes.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: A Global Grant for building ‘A bridge between the diversities’. Goals: to include people with disabilities in the community and make everyday life easier. Example: the club organized the first Rotary tournament in wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.
SUPPORTING THE ENVIRONMENT: The club was the coordinating club for a District Grant targeting a flooding disaster in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
CELEBRATION OF ROTARY DAY ON 26 FEBRUARY 2026: Gifts to 7 babies born on that day and their mothers; a donation of 110 sets of bedding and nightgowns to a hospital; two medical inhalers donated to a Pediatric Dept. of a hospital.
Our meeting provided a wonderful time of sharing of the projects and impacts of the two clubs – both illustrating Rotary at Work, making a difference through Service Above Self.
Until we connect again, our respect and very best wishes to the Rotary Club of Zenica. May both clubs, operating in very different parts of the world, keep on growing in strength and impact.
ATTENDANCE: 21 members attended the meeting in person, plus our four Bosnian online guests.
GUESTS:
Four members of the Rotary Club of Zenica, in Bosnia.
MEETING DRAW:
Mike Christie (winner two weeks in a row!) was the lucky recipient of a pack of salmon - compliments of Dale and Lenora Stein.
BIRTHDAYS:
Presley, Glen - April 3
Shanbhag, Manali - April 7
Scott, Bernie - April 9
Dressler, Lisa - April 23
ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES:
Bide, Dick - 55 years - April 11, 1971
Brekko, Terry - 37 years - April 01, 1989
Hrankowski, Joe - 26 years - April 03, 2000
Panabaker, Dave - 22 years - April 01, 2004
Shave, Brad - 17 years - April 10, 2009
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR APRIL 2026:
The Rose Runner for April is Gail Halderman.
NEW MINUTES AND REMINDERS:
ROSEBOWL WINNER SHOWCASE: Rotary Members, guests and supporters of the Rotary Music Festival are invited to the Medicine Hat Public Library on Monday evening, April 27th at 6:00 pm to enjoy a performance by the Monet sisters, winners of the Rotary Rosebowl trophy the past two years. Miriam won in 2025 and younger sister Diana was the 2026 winner.
The Club strongly encourages members to bring guests who support the Music Festival, to witness the kind of talent that the Festival produces. No cost, and light snacks will be available after the performance. We would love to pack the library theatre!
ROTARY CENTENNIAL DRIVE CLEANUP: The Litter Blitz along Rotary Centennial Drive, planned for Saturday April 18th, was postponed due to weather conditions. Organizer Dale Stein will revert with an alternative date in due course. However, two ‘eager beavers’ went ahead and did a clean-up, enjoying one another's company in the process!
BBQ SOCIAL: Kinette Kitchen, Kin Coulee. Members are asked to put Thursday 21 May from 5-8pm in their schedules. President Milan and the Club Program Committee are organizing a relaxed, fun time together on this date, in Kin Coulee, enjoying special food (the nature of which will be shared nearer the time!) not only with our Club members but with all Rotarians in Medicine Hat, plus family and friends!
CASINO DUTY: Ken Zollner announced that he had recruited two teams for the ‘staffing’ of the casino on Tuesday September 22 and Wednesday September 23. Many thanks to those who are volunteering and helping to raise club funds in this way.
ROTARY CLUB OF MEDICINE HAT DINNER CLUB: We are delighted to know that Odessa Vermee has taken over responsibility for organizing our Dinner Club!
TERRY FOX FOUNDATION: The Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary Club has organized a fundraising event at the Public Library on May 6, 2026 beginning at 7 PM. It will feature a presentation by Greg Johnson, Tornado Hunter. He has entertained groups in the city before and puts on a great presentation. Definitely worth looking into for a good cause.
MEETING DOOR GREETERS NEEDED: Please talk to Dave Stalwick. Consider getting your name on the roster. Being a ‘meeting greeter’ is a great way to welcome and to get to know fellow members.
MEDALTA CLAY PRODUCTS DOCUMENTARY: Members of the Rotary Club (which was an early sponsor of the restoration work at Medalta are encouraged to attend the airing of Luke Fandrich's documentary on the history and restoration of the Medalta site. If you are not attending District Conference, it will be a great thing to do on April 30, May 1 or 2.
NOMINATE A SENIOR FOR THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TOP 7 OVER 70 AWARD
Eligible nominees are seniors aged 70+ who live in Medicine Hat, Redcliff, or surrounding counties and special areas. Nominees should be recognized for new achievements started after age 70, rather than lifetime accomplishments.
The award honours individuals who demonstrate excellence, creativity, innovation, or collaboration in areas such as agriculture, health and recreation, arts and culture, science, business, volunteerism, the environment, overcoming adversity, or making a difference.
For nomination forms and details, visit https://cfsea.ca/top-7-70. You can also talk to Margie Booyens, who is one of the ambassadors of this 2026 award.
Deadline for submission of nominations: June 30, 2026.
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS: The next fast-paced, informative session - ideal not only for new members but for any Rotarian who wants to learn more about Rotary - will be held on Thursday April 23 at 7:30pm EST. Registration is available on the District website.
WHY ROTARY? The 2026 Why Rotary event will be held on April 29 in the Stampede Ballroom from 05:30pm - an event for and with all Rotary clubs in Medicine Hat. Tickets will be $20 per person this year and will include appetizers, not a full meal. Mike Christie said that 20 April was the final date for numbers (needed for catering purposes).
BINGO UPDATE:Dave Stalwick reported that on April 19, a team of eight from our club had managed 88 players; that a profit of $641.75 had been made; and that a cheque for $4,200.00 had been received by our club in March. Great stuff!!
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.
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