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Meeting Information
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
 
Today’s noon meeting was the shortest he has ever chaired, according to President Bruce Shepard! The main reason for this is that we were out on a visit to a community resource to which we have given financial support, the Redcliff Youth Centre (RYC).
 
 
 
President Bruce intimated that the different club committees are working well and that the Board would be meeting shortly.
 
With regard to the “Why Rotary?” event, coming up on Wednesday 24 April, PE Mike Christie would like members to let him know how many guests each of us will be taking to the event. The event organizing committee has a total of 100 people in mind; we are reminded that the other three Rotary Clubs in Medicine Hat have been invited.
 
RYC staff and volunteers introduced themselves (see names below) and Margie welcomed her husband Johan, after which the business part of the meeting was concluded (see Meeting News section).
 
 
 
Together we enjoyed conversation and pizza, kindly donated by Boston Pizza, Redcliff, and the strengthening of the relationship between the RYC and the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat.
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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 Committee Membership Update:
  • Please continue to assist your 'team captains' and please also work in other areas of club activity, as you are able.
  • NEW DEVELOPMENT! 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 Bruce.
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

RI CONVENTION 2025 IN CALGARY
  • The RI Convention was last held in Calgary in 1996. It’s going to be back in Calgary again in 2025.
  • DG Kurt Kowalchuk (email dated June 19) is calling for committee members, in particular but not exclusively, for the Sponsorship & Revenue committee, and the House of Friendship committee
  • If you are interested in volunteering, contact Host Organizing Committee secretary, Luanne Whitmarsh (l.whitmarsh@shaw.ca)
  • DG Kurt writes that this convention is going to be done in a way that will be transformational for Rotary in our District
  • PDG Sandy McKay has volunteered to be the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat's representative on the RI Host Committee.
Other District news
  • The annual District 5360 AGM will be held on May 13th at 7:00 pm.  Our club is normally officially represented by the President-elect and another member of the executive, but any Rotarian may attend.  It is a ZOOM meeting, so no travel required.  Watch the WN for a link to sign up.
  • The 2024 District Conference. HAVE YOU REGISTERED?? Register online at https://www.discon5360.ca . The 2024 District Conference will be in Drumheller on May 4 and 5.  Because of the 2025 RI Convention in Calgary, there will likely be no local conference in 2025 and the next District Conference will be May 2026 in Red Deer.
 
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.
Stories
REDCLIFF YOUTH CENTRE
A ‘second family’ for over 400 young people.
 
On Monday 25 March, the members of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat had the privilege of spending just under two hours at the Redcliff Youth Centre (RYC).
 
The Centre, established in 1990, is on Main Street, in Redcliff. It is a registered charity, and a ‘standalone’, not affiliated to any provincial or national body. It offers a variety of free educational and recreational programs to young people between the ages of 10 and 17 years.
 
The purpose of holding our Rotary noon meeting at the Centre was to see, ‘feel’, and learn more about this context for youth empowerment and development, to which we made a donation last year, for kitchen equipment.
 
 
We were warmly received and hosted by Executive Director Janae Ulrich, Sandra (Youth Support Worker) Hayden (a student), Chris (President of the RYC Board), and three other Board members, Carrie, Danielle and Gary.
 
 
What a worthwhile visit! We left the Centre with a better understanding of who they are and what they do, and with a huge appreciation for the quality of this context in which over 400 young people (on average), sign in for at least one activity, per month. Interestingly, about 70% of the 365 young people who are registered with the Centre, are male.
 
Most of these young people live in Redcliff, but 30% hail from Medicine Hat and a small percentage come from other parts of the Prairie Rose school district. They all attend school.
 
In this ‘second family’ context, which operates from a strengths-based perspective, the youth are able to relax, be themselves, play pool, make and eat lunches and dinners, connect with positive adult role models, join in a homework program, get help to put a resume together for employment purposes, participate in Teen Group Sessions with Medicine Hat Family Services, enjoy Emotional Support Animal Assisted therapy, and go on field trips to places of interest, including the Medicine Hat College.
 
Child and Youth Care Counselling (CYCC), Social Work and Nursing Clinical Students from the College attend the Redcliff Youth Centre as their practicum / practical study for hands on learning during their field of study.  Students participate in programs and services, helping to advocate for youth during the time spent with the agency.  CYCC, SW (2-3) students, and the Nursing Clinical Students (8-12) along with their instructor, attend the centre twice a week. The Nursing Students help to host the Annual Wellness Fair, where registered youth are able to obtain free new and gently used clothing, hygiene products, and community resources, while participating in a variety of wellness themed events, such as animal assisted therapy, yoga and team building exercises, all related to the “Needs Assessment” made by the nursing students during their time spent in the Redcliff community and placement agency.  
 
The staff, Board and volunteers are guided by the following core values and principles:
  • Mentoring, building healthy relationships
  • Inspiring leadership and developing active citizenship qualities, through volunteerism and engagement
  • Promoting and developing youth self-efficacy, building personal growth, and individual esteem
It was good to hear, during question and discussion time, that a fair amount of time is spent on helping the Centre members think about their futures, in terms of post-school education and future vocation.
 
The facility has undergone major renovations over the past year, costing $68,000. Home Depot Canada Foundation covered the cost AND Team Home Depot spent days at the Centre, doing the actual work. It looks great – an environment in which young people feel comfortable and respected.
 
 
Who supports the Redcliff Youth Centre, in addition to the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat? Home Depot Canada Foundation, United Way, Sun City Ford, Suntaira Growers, Servus Credit Union, CIBC, the Town of Redcliff, UFA, the Community Foundation, and others.
 
What are the biggest challenges? Recruiting Board members, parent participation, and finding money to cover operational costs.
 
But, as put forward by Janae, “We may not have it all, but together we have it all”. Such a positive, inclusive, message.
Another takeaway for all of us, is this:
 
 
Read more about this amazing Youth Development Centre - and how you can get involved - on their website: https://redcliffyouthcentre.com
 
News
Meeting News
GUESTS:
Redcliff Youth Centre staff, volunteers and Board members: Janae Ulrich, Chris Corry, Sandra Cooper, Hayden Foss, Danielle Lank, Gary Soucey, and Carrie Longbottom.
Also Margie’s husband, Johan Booyens.
 
 
The Presidents of the Redcliff Youth Centre Board and the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat had a discussion about Board issues:
 
 
The Executive Director of the Redcliff Youth Centre, Janae Ulrich - a qualified Social Worker and Child and Youth Care worker -  made a great presentation on the Centre, past, present and future planning. Included were impactful video'd testimonials from a number of the youth themselves.
 
 
Rotarians enjoyed pizza and conversation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
We were given a tour of the facility which generated great questions and discussions.
 
 
 
 
 
Part of the facility tour included seeing the dishwasher bought with the donation of our Club. The stand-up freezer is on order.
 
 
 
CLUB DRAW: No draw today.
 
Please remember to contribute gifts for the weekly draw. The stock cupboard is looking a tad bare!
 
Makeups: None mentioned .
    Birthdays:
    • Glen Presley            April 3
    • Sarah Koch              April 4
    • Bernie Scott             April 9
    Rotary Anniversaries:
    • Dick Bide                      53 years     April 11, 1971
    • Terry Brekko                 35 years     April 01, 1989
    • Joe Hrankowski            24 years     April 03, 2000
    • Dave Panabaker           20 years    April 01, 2004
    • Don Davis                     13 years    April 01, 2011
    WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR APRIL 2024
    Peter Mueller
     
    Minutes: 
     
    WHY ROTARY? EVENT: Wednesday April 24, from 6:30pm
    A reminder: Mike Christie is asking for volunteers to decorate the Stampede Grounds Ballroom. Interact members and selected Rotary Music Festival participants will be in attendance, as would members of the other Rotary Clubs in town. There will be a cash bar. Coffee and liqueur are included in the $30 pp ticket. The event will be run like a typical Rotary Club meeting. The Events Committee has found a few sponsors, but donations for door prizes are needed.
     
    Please let Mike know how many guests you will be bringing.
     
    BINGO
    On behalf of Gregg Martin, Dave Panabaker requested three floor workers for the forthcoming Bingo session on Saturday 30 March - evening session.
     
    CLUB PROGRAM: No meeting on Easter Monday, 1 April; the two thereafter at Ralphs, on 8 and 15 April.
     
    JAMES (JIM) MARSHALL Exhibit
    A reminder about the upcoming celebration of Jim Marshall’s 85th birthday and his wonderful art works. A reception will be held in the Yuill Gallery at Medalta Potteries on 10 April at 7pm, as the birthday celebration.  The exhibit is open from March 2 to April 27. Please come out and take in this fabulous display of a lifetime of work by this renown Medicine Hat artist, and a long time Saamis Rotarian.
     
     
    TEAM FREEWHEEL BIKE PROJECT
    A reminder that the spring handout of restored bikes will start on Thursday 4 April 2024.
     
    Family of Rotary
    • No mention of anyone today.
    • 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.
    Read more...
    Club Information
    Medicine Hat
    Mondays at 11:45 AM
    Medicine Hat Lodge
    1051 Ross Glen Dr SE
    Medicine Hat, AB T1B 3T8
    Canada
    The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has returned to meeting in person. Our first meeting of every month is a ZOOM business meeting. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
    District Site Icon
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    Venue Map
    Upcoming Events
    Rotary bingo - evening
    Top Hat bingo
    Mar. 30, 2024
    5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
     
    NO MEETING - Easter Monday Holiday
    Apr. 01, 2024
     
    Business Meeting - ZOOM available
    Ralph's Steakhouse (backroom)
    Apr. 08, 2024
    12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
     
    Membership. Retention and Youth Committee
    ZOOM
    Apr. 11, 2024
    7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
     
    Presentation about RYPEN
    Ralph's Steakhouse (backroom)
    Apr. 15, 2024
    11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
     
    Rotary bingo - evening
    Top Hat bingo
    Apr. 15, 2024
    5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
     
    Preparation meeting - bring a friend event
    Medicine Hat Lodge
    Apr. 22, 2024
    11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
     
    Why Rotary?
    Grandstand Ballroom
    Apr. 24, 2024
    6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
     
    Membership Event - Debrief
    Medicine Hat Lodge
    Apr. 29, 2024
    11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
     
    2024 District Conference
    Drumheller
    May 03, 2024 – May 05, 2024
     
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    Med Hat Saamis Rotary
    Rotary Foundation-Canada
    Rotary Eclub Cyber Make-ups
    @hat_rotary
    Med Hat Rotary Music Festival
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    RI - People of Action
    District 5360 - People of Action