President Bruce Shepard started the meeting promptly at 12:15 pm, with an authoritative ringing of the bell. After welcoming everyone to the meeting, he went on to make a few announcements.
Firstly, he wanted everyone to remember that Oct 24th is World Polio Day, and that our organizational commitment to the eradication of this terrible illness has not changed.
Secondly, he mentioned that there were several committee meetings to take place after the regular club meeting. He also mentioned that the Board was meeting on Tuesday evening, and several of the "old club traditions" would be discussed, as to whether they should be restored to our normal program or retained for special occasions. He mentioned specifically a "greeter", and the singing of O'Canada, probably amongst others.
He also mentioned that he is providing a "President's Prize" for next week's meeting, because it is the closest meeting to Halloween. He'd like to see everyone in a costume for Monday October 30. What the prize actually is, wasn't revealed.
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 work in other areas of club activity, as you are able.
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 held in Calgary in 1996. It’s going to be 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 and he sets out many ways in which this may be achieved.
2024 DISTRICT 5360 CONFERENCE.
This Rotary Years conference will be held in Drumheller, on May 4th - 5th, 2024.
The conference website is not yet active, but will be added here once it is functioning for registration.
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.
The Medicine Hat Rotary Club welcomed Natasha Carvalho, Executive Director of the MH Women's Shelter and Peggy Revell, Community Education and Awareness Coordinator for the Shelter to our meeting today. Natasha began by speaking about the history of the shelter, which now goes back almost 30 years in Medicine Hat. They began with a 13 bed facility, and they now have a total of 30 beds. They also have a vastly expanded range of programs and services, and since 2018 have been inclusive of all genders, so the "Safe House" is now for anyone.
Natasha reports to a Board of Directors, who operate the charity and it is unfortunately a pretty busy place. The emergency portion of the shelter saw a total of 202 adults and 99 children in their 2022-2023 year. Natasha also spoke about their second stage facility, named Musasa House, which is a 10 unit townhouse type facility which provides second stage shelter for up to a year, as clients rebuild their lives and transition back into the community. That facility, the only one south of Calgary at this point, saw 17 adults and 31 children over that same reporting period.
Natasha spoke about their newest endeavor, a community outreach facility, aimed at counselling and education. It saw a total of 728 individuals over 2022-23.
The Shelter is just beginning a funding campaign for needed upgrades to the facility, to make it more appropriate for their current clients. They are starting out a campaign for capital improvements to the shelter and facility to the tune of over $6.0 Million dollars. Much more information is available on the Shelter Society website at https://www.mhwss.ca , should you choose to support this necessary and deserving service in the community.
Natasha was thanked by everyone and presented with our Rotary speakers mug by President Bruce.
The first "in-person" meeting of this month, was attended by 21 Rotarians, with 2 guests and 4 online participants. Don't forget our online link, for those travelling or vacationing in warmer climates.
Club Draw:
Mike Christie was the lucky winner of a Shakespeare's Mug of Insults. As a Sgt-at-Arms, and maybe as President, he'll likely make good use of it.
Please remember to contribute items for the weekly draw as the stock cupboard is running VERY low!
Makeups:
None recorded
Birthdays:
Gwen Dirk Oct 04.
Peter Mueller Oct 13.
Igor Grujic Oct 15.
Jack Snedden Oct 26.
Rotary Anniversaries:
Reagan Weeks 2 years Oct 04, 2021.
Anne Carrier 10 years Oct 07, 2013.
Dale Stein 12 years Oct 22, 2007.
Terry Partis 23 years Oct 25, 2000.
Edward Lipin 3 years Oct 26, 2020.
Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for October 2023:
Terry Brekko
Minutes: new information and a few reminders
BINGO AHEAD: Dave Stalwick advised that the next bingo will be Sunday afternoon, October 29th, and he got the last floor worker he needed.
CHRISTMAS KETTLES: Anne Carrier circulated a schedule, seeking volunteers to collect for the Salvation Army on Saturday 2 December, at the two entrances to Walmart. If you wish to assist, please contact Anne.
HOST FAMILIES FOR ROTARY’S NEW GENERATIONS SERVICE EXCHANGE (NGSE) PROGRAM PARTICIPANT FROM CURITIBA, BRAZIL: Margie Booyens was happy to report that 3 families have agreed to host Victoria (22 years) for the four weeks she will be in Medicine Hat (Sun 14 January – Fri 9 February 2023). The vocational side of her program will be spent at the YMCA in both cities.
CLUB 1000 TICKETS: Dave Panabaker handed out packs of tickets to those present, with the request to get them sold as soon as possible! He and Don Davis will provide updates on both the Club 1000 raffle and the Rotary Music Festival next week.
TECH SUPPORT AND COVERAGE FOR SGT-AT-ARMS: Mike Christie, as the club's President-elect renewed the call for additional folks to support our technical setup for in-person meetings. The more people who know how to set up the equipment the better off the club is, and trust me it isn't that tough. He also mentioned that as incoming President he will need someone to take over the leadership of the Sgt-at-Arms program for each meeting. The Presidents duty is to "pay fines", not hand them out.....
Family of Rotary.
Dave Panabaker provided the update that Glen Presley is still in the MH Hospital but making progress on his recovery. He'll be in about 10 days, so we hope to see him back at a meeting soon.
Ray Kemp will be in the MH Hospital for some time, as he deals with the results of his stroke. He is quite weak and finds communicating difficult. The hope is to eventually move him within the hospital for rehabilitation.
Please keep a Board Member informed about members health changes, so that information can be provided to the club through the Weekly News.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has returned to meeting in person. We have regular face-to-face meetings at least twice each month. A ZOOM link will still be available for those who are cautious, ill or are away on vacation.
