On this National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, President Mike Christie started the meeting by reading the land acknowledgement appropriate to our part of the province.
He said how confusing the day was for him - and many others - in terms of it being a statutory holiday with government employees not at work, yet schools being open; some banks operational, others closed; and likewise with companies.
However, President Mike expressed the hope that members would use the day to learn and reflect on the history of Residential Schools, the impact on survivors and their families, and to think about reconciliation actions.
[Here is a reminder of the link for the short video played during our noon meeting on 23 September:
Next on the agenda was Club Treasurer Gail Halderman.
Gail presented the revised club 2024-2025 budget which took into consideration, members comments, made during our club meeting on 16 September.
This revised club budget was circulated to members via email, some days before the meeting.
After a brief discussion, Gail moved to approve the revised budget; Terry Brekko seconded the motion; there was no further discussion; all voted in favour, the motion was carried.
Signage, Rotary Centennial Trail on South Boundary Road: President Mike reminded members of two things: that the city will maintain the signage; and that because the city ended up paying half the costs, our Club has had to refund the District, for part of the grant received, to ‘balance the books’.
Terry Cooper then headed for the podium to facilitate a discussion about Club Programs and Projects. The club committee, previously called International and Community Service, is now called Club Programs and Projects, one committee covering both local and international.
Terry reminded members that he had emailed three documents to members: the Club's Strategic Plan, a 'backgrounder' on direction for programs and projects, and a Team FreeWheel update. He also handed out, at the meeting, a one-pager on objectives of the club discussion that day, and discussion points.
Key questions to members: do we continue as in the recent past, channeling donations to causes that approach the club and to those we have traditionally supported? Or do we decide at the start of each Rotary year which programs and projects the club will support that year? Or should we find a big legacy-type project plus smaller ones?
Club Secretary Doug Fleming, supported by others, pointed out how the club receives numerous requests for donations, from far and wide, as well as local. If the modus operandi of the club is to wait for requests and then to donate money on a first come first serve basis, it would not take long for the whole budget allocation for programs and projects to be depleted early in the Rotary year. Not a good idea.
A question raised was whether the club should donate to other ‘charities’ that do their own fundraising.
There were questions and discussion about a range of matters, the bottom line being ‘How should club members spend their volunteering time and how should the club spend its money budgeted for programs and projects?’
In summary:
- The Rotary Music Festival: this is the 4th of five years of promised financial support. How is the RMF Board planning to cover costs for the year(s) after this five year commitment comes to an end? The Club will need to make a decision about whether or not to continue supporting the festival.
- Team FreeWheel: all were in agreement that this is a great project that has a major impact on the lives of many in the community, and that expanding the project to include bike repair lessons for young people would be an excellent development. The money allocated to this project is well spent. More volunteers are needed to support Terry Cooper and his team.
- The Right to Read project: The Board approved money for this project in the last Rotary year. USD500 will be allocated from this year’s budget for the purchasing of the digital file that allows five showings of the movie in five different locations, e.g. the MH College and the Monarch
- The annual ‘Why Rotary?’ membership drive: One of the club’s strategic goals is to increase club membership. Money is needed for the 2024 'Why Rotary?' event
- A member suggested club support of organizations working in the field of Multiple Sclerosis
- Christmas Kettles: Members were reminded that our club volunteers for the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles each year
- Canada Day Cake cutting and distribution: Members were challenged to consider taking on the 1 July cake cutting and distribution initiative, as a Rotary project, in 2025
- The Monarch Theatre: We have supported the Monarch Society through members serving on the Monarch Society Board and through a District Grant that has recently been approved. Support is likely to continue.
- Micro Finance Project: Kitt Brand reminded members about this project that the Club could support.
Three higher level contributions were made that we will bear in mind as we continue discussions and make decisions about Club supported programs and projects:
- Engagement and participation: Programs and projects need to be selected that engage club members and facilitate participation – rather than just giving out money
- Value for money: We need to connect the value of that on which the club spends money, with the amount spent. Examples given of good value for money: Team Freewheel (over 500 bikes refurbished and distributed), the Rotary Music Festival, and the project that ships medical equipment to hospitals in the Ukraine.
- Rotary programs and projects: Let us have talks with the other Rotary clubs in town and see whether/how we could partner with them, undertaking some initiatives, together.
President Mike closed the meeting with thanks to all who attended, in-person and online, and reminded members that the meeting on Monday 7 October will be an online Business Meeting.
Monday 14 October: Thanksgiving. No meeting
Past President Bruce Shepard said that a 'Why Rotary?' event is being planned for next year. The other Rotary Clubs in Medicine Hat will be contacted and invited to nominate two members to join the organizing committee, of which Stan Sakamoto will also be a member. More information will be shared as planning progresses.
