Rotary Weekly News - March 24, 2025 (Mar. 24, 2025)

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

President Mike Christie welcomed all to the noon meeting, held in the upper meeting room, at CORE.

Mike commented on the great weather and the start of spring.

First on the agenda was the induction of Lesley Tuchscherer. Lesley's sponsor, Gail Haldeman, introduced her to the members, and Past President Bruce Shepard read the charge. Welcome into the Rotary family, Lesley!

Our guest speaker, Robin Miiller, was then introduced by Sharon Hayward. Robin is the Chief Administrative Officer of Medicine Hat Community Housing Society - and has in fact worked for this organization for 40 years. Topic: The core business functions of the MHCHS: Homeless and Housing Development Initiatives and Housing programs. Robin also shared information about two exciting new projects.

For an outline of the presentation by Robin, please read the STORY section of this newsletter.

Robin's presentation was followed by many questions and a great discussion.

President Mike thanked Robin and on behalf of all the members, congratulated her and the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society staff, on the great work they do, in the current challenging times.

At the end of the meeting, President Mike reminded members to be back at CORE next Monday at noon, for a presentation on the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, by Kerstan Price. Depending on whether an inspector has approved the newly installed lift in the building, we may (or may not!) be able to meet downstairs.

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

MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY

As many Rotarians will know, our club in cooperation with the Saamis Rotary Club and the Friends of the Monarch Society have been working on restoring both the structure and the programming at the historic Monarch movie theatre on 2nd St SE.

Our club will try to keep track of events on at the Monarch, to give members a heads-up that the opportunity to serve exists. If you are interested, please let Rotarian Janessa Anderson (403-952-1907) know and she can provide details of available shifts and responsibilities.

Volunteering at a show is a great way to connect with the community and support the historic local landmark.

RI CONVENTION 2025 IN CALGARY: 21-25 JUNE

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)
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.
Registration for the 2025 Rotary International Convention is open - https://convention.rotary.org/en-us
The convention website is http://www.rotarycalgary2025.org

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)
If you have ideas for future programs, please contact them.

The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society (MHCHS)

“Helping people get housed and remain permanently housed”

On Monday 24 March, the members of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat had the pleasure of a presentation by Robin Miiller, the Chief Administrative Officer of the MHCHS.

Robin has lived in Medicine Hat all her life and has worked for the MHCHS for no less than 40 years!

Members were given a great summary of the focus, funding, programs, and challenges of this society.

The MHCHS has two core business functions:

Homeless and Housing Development Initiatives

The MHCHS has been established as the Community Based Organization (CBO) and Community Entity (CE) for Medicine Hat, charged with leading and implementing the local Plan to End Homelessness. These two organizations are established for the purposes of administering funding from the province and the federal government, respectively.

Historically, the MHCHS receives $1m from the Government of Canada annually, and $3.1m from the Government of Alberta.

A change in funding direction is, however, planned for 1 April 2025. Community Programs (see below) funded with provincial funding will in future receive funding directly from the provincial government.

From April 2009 to February 28, 2025, the number of formerly homeless or at risk of homelessness individuals who have been housed through these funding streams are:

Adults: 1,844
Children: 636

There are a number of Community Programs that are supported through the funding from the federal and provincial governments, delivered by different organizations (see in brackets):

Housing Link (MHCHS)
Youth Hub Outreach; Roots Youth Shelter (McMan)
Cultural Connections; Housing Stabilization Support (Miywasin)
Expanded Social Work and Casual Cash Employment Program (MH Public Library)
Graduate Rental Assistance Initiative (MHCHS)

Housing Programs

The MHCHS has been established as a Housing Management Body (HMB) by Ministerial Order. A HMB administers social housing programs for the government under the Alberta Housing Act. These are: Social Housing; Affordable Housing; Permanent Supportive Housing Units; and Rent Supplements for people living in privately owned rental accommodations.

The statistics for 2024 are: 1213 households assisted, representing 1,432 adults and 1028 children.

Specialized support services in a residential setting are provided through partnerships with Redi Enterprises, McMan Sober Living, Permanent Supportive Housing, and the Drug Treatment Court, facilitated through McMan.

New projects

Robin also shared information about two new projects of the MHCHS:

ARCH Medicine Hat is a pilot action research project focusing on chronic homelessness.
Spencer Street Affordable Housing Construction Project which is a new affordable housing project scheduled to break ground in July 2025. The target is to build between 60 and 80 units on this site.

The presentation was followed by questions which generated additional interesting information, including the following:

The MHCHS does not have a formal volunteer program. There may be potential volunteer opportunities some time in the future, for example to support life skills development for some clients.
Funding for supports to help people increase their housing stability, and funding to increase the affordable housing options in the community were identified as areas of need.
There are over 500 households on the waiting list for low-income housing.
Recognizing that many in the community are unaware of what the MHCHS does in the community, the society is discussing the importance of a communication strategy, to inform the public about all the existing programs on offer, and their impact.
It is important to know that some of the people who appear to be ‘homeless’ are in fact not homeless, even though this a label many people place on them. At times people who are seen on the streets may be exhibiting the effects of an active addiction, or a mental health condition. Although this contributes to the social disorder that is visible on the streets of the community, it does not necessarily mean they are homeless.
There are programs that people can access if they choose to. However, some are not ready, or are not yet in a place where they can make healthy choices, and so they remain unhoused. There are many challenges that remain to be addressed, and the MHCHS will continue to work with their community partners in this effort.
If people are struggling with their rental situation, or with a landlord who is not fulfilling their responsibility, please refer them to the MHCHS who also helps with educating tenants and landlords about their rights and responsibilities.

Thank you, Robin! And a big thank you to the MHCHS for being such an important and active resource in our community.

Meeting News

GUESTS:

Lesley Tuchscherer (a guest up until her induction!) and guest speaker Robin Miiller.

ATTENDANCE:

There was a Zoom connection for this meeting but no sound connection for Kitt!
In addition to the two guests, there were 20 members, snugly tucked into the CORE ground level meeting room

CLUB DRAW: None

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:

Brenda Mercer. Mar 1^st.
Dave Panabaker. Mar 7^th.
Odessa Vermee. Mar 14^th.
Terry Cooper. Mar 25^th.

Rotary Anniversaries:

Stan Sakamoto 41 years, Mar 1, 1984.
Jack Snedden. 36 years, Mar 1, 1989.
Dave Stalwick. 23 years, Mar 4, 2002.
Mike Christie. 23 years, Mar 4, 2002.
John John. 22 years, Mar 10, 2003.
Bruce Shepard. 11 years, Mar 10, 2014.
Alain Guerard. 2 years, Mar 13, 2023.
Dawn Barr. 21 years, Mar 29, 2004.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR APRIL 2025

Bruce Shepard (no wedding anniversaries in March)

Minute Reminders:

SOCIAL FOR NEWER CLUB MEMBERS

Sharon Hayward (a newer member herself!) reminded those concerned, that a social would be hosted by Dieter and Kitt Brand, that evening (Monday 24 March) from 6pm.

Postscript: The social was a great time of sharing, getting to know one another better, humour, and thinking about Rotary! Our gratitude to the Brands for being the wonderful hosts that they are!

WHY ROTARY RECRUITING EVENT

Members are reminded that the 2nd "Why Rotary" event will be taking place on Wednesday April 30th, in the Stampede Ballroom. Tickets are $50.00 each, and will be available soon. This year there is a full buffet supper, and tickets will be allocated to each Rotary club in Medicine Hat, based on membership numbers. The doors open at 5:00 pm with supper scheduled for 6:00 pm.

ROTARY CONVENTION INCENTIVE

Club Treasurer Gail Halderman reminded members that due to the proximity of the convention to our club, our 2024-2025 budget includes a sum of money to be shared between those members who are attending the event. Please sign up and share in this thoughtful idea.

Kitt Brand advised that their "small" table in the House of Friendship, to show support for Peace in the Ukraine, has "exploded" into a great many projects going on in that area. Watch for them, if you are going to convention in Calgary.

BINGO UPDATES

The next bingo is Friday evening, March 28th. A signup email has been sent out, and 1 floorwalker is still URGENTLY needed on this Friday evening. Please consider helping out if you are available.

PRESIDENT ELECT FOR 2025-2026 ROTARY YEAR

President Mike said that a President Elect for Milan's year at the helm had not yet been nominated. He asked that each member considered his/her availability for this position.

BOARD MEETING

The March Board meeting will be held on Wednesday 26 March.

70TH ANNIVERSARY ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL ROSEBOWL WINNER CONCERT

We are delighted that the winner of the 2025 Rosebowl, pianist Miriam Monet, has, on our request, agreed to put on a concert for Rotarians and friends, during the week of 12 May in St Barnabas Church. This will be a practice run for the Provincials, as she will play the two pieces she has entered for this 'next level' competition. Watch this space for the day and time, still to be finalized.

Anne Carrier, warmly welcomed back from Arizona by President Mike, asked the members who sold the winning Raffle Tickets, to collect the cheques from her and to deliver them to the winners.

THE MONARCH THEATRE - OPERATING CAPITAL DEBENTURES

Members are reminded about the Monarch 1911 Society's operating debentures. During this start-up period, while expenditures exceed revenue, they are setting up a series of Operating Debentures and are looking for Rotarians to invest. The debentures cost $5,000 and are flexible in the repayment methods. The debentures pay a 5% interest rate and if you are interested in supporting the Monarch Theatre project, Dave Panabaker can send you the document or you can contact Frank Devine at the Saamis Rotary Club for more information.

ROTARY DINNER CLUB

Members are reminded that everyone who has signed up for this year's dinner club can now book a date for the dinner in their home. If you have a particular date in mind, it's best to get it to Milan (or his spouse Almira) so that date can be fitted into the schedule. Please phone and book your dinner as soon as you can.

Family of Rotary

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.