President Karen welcomed everyone to the meeting today, with a focus on Youth Exchange. She welcomed the two Youth Exchange students and thanked President Brian for bringing them to our meeting.
President Karen also read out a thank you note from Soren Lorentzen, the winner of the 2018 Rosebowl Competition. He thanked the club for it's long term support of the Festival, and indicated that his prize money will be going toward his post secondary education.
Rotary Fun Fact:
In keeping with the Youth Exchange theme of the meeting, DID YOU KNOW??
Since the early 1980's, the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has been an active supporter of the Rotary Youth Exchange.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat pioneered the Youth Exchange program in Southern Alberta in 1982.
The club sponsored 88 long term exchange participants and 100% of the students went on to post secondary education.
Rotary Youth Exchange promotes international understanding and develops lifelong friendships. It began in 1927 with the Rotary Club of Nice, France. Since then the program has expanded and in recent years more than 7,000 young people annually have participated.
When interviewed and asked "what is the greatest change in your life as a result of your participation in the Rotary Youth Exchange experience?" the top responses were "self confidence, learning to speak in public, independence, and stretching their comfort zone."
Membership Update:
No new membership applications at this time.
Rotary Club Information:
Housekeeping:
Please bring auction items. It is an important part of our meeting.
If you have a Meeting Minute, please send Pres Karen a note (email, phone, in-person)
Board minutes can be found on Clubrunner, under Club Documents.
Club Centennial Photograph: Monday, May 7, 2018 at the Medicine Hat Lodge
Centennial Celebration: Friday, June 8, 2018, at the Medicine Hat Lodge.
Music Festival Information:
Club Evening Meeting - Rosebowl WinnerNEW DATE April 23, 2018, STARTING AT 5:00 PM: An evening of celebration of the Rosebowl winner and the end of this year's festival. At the Medicine Hat College Cafeteria.
Rotary Presentations:
.
Upcoming Rotary District Events:
District 5360 Convention: May 4 – 6, 2018: Register on District website. The Club will provide support ($100) to Rotarians interested in attending the District Convention.
Rotary International Convention – June 23-27, 2018 in Toronto: This is a great opportunity for new and seasoned Rotarians to become immersed in the world of Rotary. The Club has agreed to provide an incentive of $500 for new members and $200 for existing members to attend the RI Conference.
Future Programs:
For more Club activities, to keep up with events and stay in touch, check the Club website at: www.medicinehatrotary.com
If you have any future program ideas, please e-mail Heather at heather.bach@ahs.ca.
The Rotary Club welcomed Carla Ruegg, a participant in the Rotary Youth Exchange program who is being hosted by the local Saamis Rotary Club.
Carla is from Schupfheim, Switzerland, a canton in the Entlebuch region in central Switzerland. She comes from a family of five, both her mother and father are involved in the education system and she has two older sisters, one still in high school and one in university. She spoke about the differences in the education system, in the way sports programs were delivered and how many students decide on whether to pursue university after Middle school (grades 7 - 9).
She explained a little about the system of government in Switzerland , with 3 principal regions and 26 cantons. The age of majority in Switzerland is 18, after which everyone can vote for representatives in the National and State Councils. She also spoke about things that the Swiss were known for; cheese, chocolate, army knives and watches. She misses the extensive Swiss railway system.
Carla speaks four languages including German, French and English.
A number of questions were asked and Carla provided great responses. A great visit and we wish both Carla and Maddy well.
Brian Robinson, President of the Saamis Rotary Club
Carla Ruegg, inbound Youth Exchange student (2017-2018) from Switzerland
Maddy Caparini, outbound Youth Exchange student (2018-2019), going to Czechoslovakia.
Joe Hrankowski, former Rotarian.
Al Gray, former Rotarian.
Birthdays:
None this week
Club Anniversaries:
Ray Kemp April 17, 2008 10 years.
Weekly Draws:
Dale Stein was the lucky winner of the weekly draw, collecting something in a wine bag.
Brenda Bauman was not in attendance and didn't win a free meal in the member draw.
Club 500:
The luck winner of $ 500 in April was Karen Wambolt, on a ticket sold by Uwe Krickhahn.
Make Ups:
None announced this week.
Family of Rotary:
Adolf Seiler mentioned that a card on behalf of the Rotary Club, and one on behalf of the Interact Club were delivered to the family of Garth Vallely.
Minute People:
Don Davis advised the club that the evening meeting with the Rosebowl winner has been rescheduled to Monday evening, April 23. The meeting will take place at the MH College Cafeteria, at a cost of $30.00 per person, and we will celebrate with our Festival volunteers, as well as Rosebowl winner Soren Lorentzen. Cocktails are at 5:00 pm and the music performance is scheduled for 5:30 pm SHARP. Dinner is planned for around 6:00 pm. We are attempting to have the meeting completed by 7:15 pm, so that those attending Mark Sakamoto's authors talk at the Medicine Hat College Theater can slip next door prior to that start at 7:30 pm. Please make an effort to attend this great event.
Margie Booyens attended the Interact club meeting on Wednesday April 11th. She provided the club with an update on the Interact club's next project, the decoration of a room at the new hospital wing. They will need to fundraise $1,000 per year for the next 3 years. Margie also spoke about the upcoming evening meeting on Monday May 14th with the Interact club, it will begin around 4:45 with tours of the newly renovated high school, dinner catered by the cafeteria staff and a silent auction. Put this fun evening aside on your calendar.
Dave Panabaker reminded the club that our Centennial Photo will be taken as our meeting activity on Monday May 7th. Anyone wishing a print on "gator-board" please see Dave, the cost is $20.00.
Chris Perret reminded the club that Earth Day is Sunday April 22nd, and our club is registered, as always, to clean up our section of the Trans-Canada Highway, adjacent to the Cultural Center. on Saturday April 21, starting at 9:30 am.
President Karen mentioned that tickets for the Centennial Celebration are available at each meeting starting today, at a cost of $50.00/person. They can be purchased directly at the rear of the room at each meeting or on line through our website if you wish to use a credit card.
