After a stop-start to the singing of our national anthem, which raised a few smiles, we took in a land acknowledgement read by President Milan, at the start of our Monday 4 May noon meeting.
Guests were welcomed, followed by Rotarian Lisa Dressler's 'classification' talk during which Lisa helped us to get to know her at a deeper level.
Lisa is Executive Director of the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce and a respected community leader across Medicine Hat and the broader region.
She gave us a thoughtful and values-driven talk, a summary of which follows:
A Philosophy Rooted in Integrity and Purpose
Lisa opened her talk by sharing the principles that guide both her life and her leadership. Her personal philosophy, “Making an impact with integrity, passion and purpose,” reflects a deep commitment to honesty, ethical leadership and service. She believes we are all born to create, contribute and give back, and that each person carries unlimited potential when guided by intention and belief. These convictions are reinforced by core principles she strives to live by every day:
Mindfulness and knowing
Intention and gratitude
Love, courage and forgiveness
Belief in oneself and others
At the heart of Lisa’s values is a strong emphasis on trust and respect. She spoke candidly about the importance of honesty, integrity and reliability in building lasting relationships, along with loyalty and commitment to people and community. Her natural curiosity and desire to keep learning continue to challenge her perspectives and broaden her impact.
Professional Background and Career Path
Lisa has served as Executive Director of the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce since 2009, leading one of Alberta’s most regionally expansive Chambers. In that role, she supports and represents businesses across Medicine Hat, Cypress County, Redcliff, Brooks, Bassano, the County of Newell, Rosemary and Duchess and smaller communities in the Counties.
Throughout her career, Lisa has been deeply engaged in community building, advocacy and supporting the business community. Her work focuses on connecting businesses, supporting entrepreneurs and influencing policy in ways that strengthen the regional economy. She brings a strong understanding of government relations, business development and the evolving needs of business in rural and mid-sized communities.
She shared insight into current trends and challenges facing the business community, including regulatory complexity, international and interprovincial challenges, rising costs of fuel, regional air service, and the need for strong collaboration between business, non-profits and government. She also shared her experience through supporting businesses during floods, fires and the pandemic, recognizing the many challenges businesses were facing during those times. Despite these challenges, Lisa remains optimistic and forward-looking, emphasizing the importance of leadership rooted in values and a strategic approach, focused on the things within our control.
A Personal Story of Community Commitment
Originally drawn to work that allowed her to make a meaningful difference, Lisa has built her career around service to community. In Lisa’s early years, she invested time in what most youth do – a local paper route, working as a restaurant server, at a service station, among many other jobs to earn some spending cash as a teenager. Her work experience prior to the Chamber also helped shape her knowledge based and experience, with jobs including a print & design shop in Saskatoon, a telecommunications company in Yorkton and an internal medicine specialist’s office in Yorkton – providing knowledge in marketing and communications; media management and messaging, as well as community engagement (working in 11 different surrounding communities around Yorkton); and understanding the lifestyle and needs of physicians, lending to some of the physician attraction and retention work the Chamber has been involved in.
She is deeply invested in Southeast Alberta and believes strongly in showing up as an “agent of change,” rather than waiting for change to happen.
Why Rotary Matters to Her
Lisa shared that joining Rotary felt like a natural extension of her personal and professional values. The Rotary motto “People of Action” resonates deeply with her belief that meaningful change happens when people come together with shared purpose and drive action forward.
She highlighted the importance of Rotary’s Four-Way Test as a practical guide for leadership and decision-making and something that resonates with her through her work at the Chamber:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
These questions closely align with how she approaches her work, her relationships and her role as a community leader.
Looking Ahead
Through her Rotary involvement, Lisa hopes to continue contributing her experience, connections and passion for building strong communities. She believes Rotary plays a critical role in bringing diverse leaders together and turning good ideas into action that benefits everyone. Her classification talk served as a strong reminder that integrity-led leadership, combined with service and collaboration, is essential to creating lasting impact.
Lisa's talk was followed by a lively question and discussion time.
Thank you, Lisa, for giving us a deep dive into who you are and what drives and guides you, as a daughter, mother, ED of the Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Medicine Hat community. We are grateful and excited that you have chosen to join the Rotary Family and we are very appreciative of the value you bring, locally and internationally, to and through Rotary.
Program next week:
Mayor Linnsie Clark will be our guest speaker. Please attend and bring interested family and friends! All will be welcome!
ROTARY AT DISTRICT LEVEL
The District 5360 2026 conference was held in the Pidherney Event Centre in Red Deer, from Friday 1 May to Sunday 3 May. It was attended by almost 400 delegates and proved to be one of the best yet!
During the conference, various awards were presented to Rotarians and clubs.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat was one of three middle-sized clubs in the district to receive the Glen Peacock award for reflecting the themes of Rotary International and the District in an outstanding way (2025-2026). Very well done to President Milan, the Board and all the members of the club!
Having fun at the DisCon Saturday evening Dinner-Dance were President Milan and his wife Almira, Anne Carrier and her daughter Shelley and President Elect Doug Fleming:
Assistant Governor Sharon McDonnell attended our meeting today and encouraged all to plan to attend the 2027 DisCon which will be held over the first weekend of May. Venue still to be decided by the incoming DG, Darcy Mykytyshyn.
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
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. Assistant Governor Sharon McDonnell thanked members who helped to BBQ and sell hamburgers at the Monarch during the screening of the Tiger matches.
The Friends of the Monarch Society are having their AGM on TUESDAY MAY 5. 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).
Welcoming us to our noon meeting on Monday 4 May were David Stalwick and Dale Stein.
ATTENDANCE: 22 in-person and one online.
GUESTS:
Keith Walker (RC of MH SUNRISE)
Sharon McDonnell (RC of MH SAAMIS and our Assistant Governor)
MEETING DRAW:
Doug Fleming won a beautiful cyclamen, donated by Anne Carrier who won it at the District Conference!
BIRTHDAYS:
Anne Carrier: May 5
Neil Ratol: May 12
Doug Fleming: May 19
Mihaela Craciun: May 19
Dawn Barr: May 31
ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES:
Dick Northcott: 26 years (May 01, 2000)
Sue Withers: 8 years (May 14, 2018)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR MAY 2026:
The Rose Runner for May is DALE STEIN.
NEW MINUTES AND REMINDERS:
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 announced that it will take place on SATURDAY 9 MAY. Please meet at the intersection between Division Ave and Rotary Centennial Drive at 09:00. Dale will provide gloves, bags, coffee and a treat! The city will collect the filled bags.
REAL HUMANITARIAN COLOR RUN: SATURDAY 23 MAY: Deborah Northcott has advised that if volunteers are willing to help with tossing color at a color station along the trail, please to let Rosalee Guillaume know (rfritzler@gmail.com).
BBQ SOCIAL FOR ALL ROTARIANS IN MEDICINE HAT: 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: The two teams recruited by Ken Zollner for the ‘staffing’ of the casino are reminded of the dates: TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22 AND WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23. Many thanks to you for volunteering and helping to raise club funds in this way.
ROTARY CLUB OF MEDICINE HAT DINNER CLUB: Odessa Vermee has taken over responsibility for organizing our Dinner Club. Thank you, Odessa!
TERRY FOX FOUNDATION: Keith Walker reminded members that the Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary Club has organized a fundraising event at the Medicine Hat Public Library on MAY 6, 2026 starting 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. Tickets are $25.00.
TERRY FOX RUN: SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER: Keith Walker spoke about the 2026 Terry Fox Run. He reminded us that it was 46 years ago, that Terry Fox crossed Canada, running on an artificial leg, to raise money for cancer. The annual runs organized by Keith and the Sunrise Rotary Club have, over the years, have 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 10:30. 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.
DOOR GREETERS NEEDED FOR MONDAY NOON MEETINGS: 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. At the front table today were Dave Stalwick and Dale Stein.
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.
PECHA KUCHA: FRIDAY 5 JUNE: Terry Cooper is on the program for the forthcoming Pecha Kucha, starting at 7:30pm, at the Esplanade. Terry will be talking about the Team Freewheel project of our club, hoping especially to recruit volunteers to assist with the restoration of bicycles prior to their donation.
WHY ROTARY? The 2026 Why Rotary event was held on Thursday April 29 in the Stampede Ballroom from 05:30pm - an event for and with all Rotary clubs in Medicine Hat, attended by about 74, half of whom were guests interested in possibly joining Rotary. Mike Christie, together with Keith Walker and Sharon McDonnell, shared their impressions of the event. The consensus was that it was a success. What contributed to it being a success were the following: the ticket price of only $20 per person; the quality and quantity of the appetizers (thank you Stan Sakamoto for your generosity!), the format of short videos on Rotary, and the powerful short testimonials of Kirsten, Tiago, Tarek and Brian. Mike shared that District had contributed $2,500 to the four clubs in Medicine Hat, which had made the low ticket price possible. He encouraged all to follow up with guests, so that they have the information they need to make a decision about joining the Rotary family.
BINGO UPDATE:The next Bingo Session is on THURSDAY 7 MAY. Volunteers are still needed. Please contact Dave Stalwick if you are available to join the team.
2026 ROTARY DISTRICT 5360 CONFERENCE:
The 2026 DisCon in Red Deer was attended by Milan and Almira Vujovic, Gail and Diane Halderman, Doug Fleming, Anne Carrier and Margie Booyens (plus others from the other clubs in Medicine Hat). The general consensus was that it was the best DisCon in a long time. Members who attended, shared highlights and impressions.
Opportunities will be created during future meetings to present and discuss the inspiring, motivating address by the incoming DG, Darcy Mykytyshyn (pronounced Mikatishen), as well as highlights from the other motivational speakers, all of whom were exceptional!
Family of Rotary:
The late Rotarian Dr Jack Snedden, valued long-time member of our club, was of course one of those remembered by those attending the District Conference, during the slot on members lost over the past year.
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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