Rotary Weekly News - Nov 6, 2023 (Nov 06, 2023)

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:

President Bruce Shepard was under the weather today, and although he was "listening", he was much better off not trying to speak, Hope you feel better soon Bruce!

President-elect Mike Christie took on the task of leading our monthly ZOOM business meeting, and did a fine job!

This is Rotary Foundation Month, and our charity (as Rotarians the Rotary Foundation belongs to us) has once again gotten Charity Navigator's best rate, now in excess of 10 years in a row. Something very much to be proud of. If you are thinking about a 2023 contribution, now would be a good time.

Because this was a business meeting, those officers and directors who were present spoke about the ongoing items in their portfolio's.

Anne Carrier (all the way from sunny and hot Arizona) mentioned that a few minor changes to the Salvation Army kettles schedule were necessary and after that was sorted, advised us all that it was "too hot" for tennis.
Terry Cooper mentioned that the team Freewheel crew was able to secure 27 bikes from the MH Police compound, most of which are in excellent shape. They were very pleased with the condition and for the time being have secured them in the club Sea-Can. They will be working on some racks at the Knowles Electric site, to hold more bikes. He thanked a few folks who helped make that all possible.
Kitt Brand (who is organizing our monthly "stories" in the Medicine Hat News) would like to concentrate on the impact of our projects, from the original Cenotaph to Rotary Pool, to the Music Festival, and the Centennial Trail. The aim is to make an impression on "non-Rotarians", who may not realize who is responsible for these events.
Dave Stalwick mentioned under Club Service that he has been working on alternative meeting sites, and has another location to check out this week. The Board will be discussing this issue at their November meeting.
Gail Halderman and Doug Fleming didn't have much to report, although Gail looked very comfortable lounging in Mexico.

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.

Meeting News

This meeting was attended by 21 Rotarians using our ZOOM portal.

Club Draw:

No draw today, only at in-person meetings.
Please remember to contribute items for the weekly draw as the stock cupboard is running VERY low!

Makeups:

None announced

Birthdays:

Dave Stalwick Nov 8.
Brent Secondiak Nov 19.

Rotary Anniversaries:

Sieg Kappler 37 years Nov 1, 1986.
Doug Fleming 40 years Nov 7, 1983.
Milan Vujovic 16 years Nov 26, 2007.

Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for November 2023:

Sandy Mackay

Minutes: new information and a few reminders

NEXT BINGO: Dave Stalwick advised that he needs more volunteers for the upcoming evening bingo on Friday November 17th. Please consider signing up!

SAAMIS IMMIGRATION: Margie Booyens recruited a couple of Rotarians for the presentation of the "Men's Health Bags", which were packed last week. If you have time (around 10:00 - 10:30 am) on Thursday November 16th, please attend this meet and greet at Saamis Immigration. Margie did thank Rotarians who donated to the products that were used to create the bags, although she had a budget of $500, just over $200 needed to be spent which was great!

DISTRICT WEBINAR: Margie Booyens advised that a "get to know your DGN" webinar will be held by the District, on Tuesday November 28, at 7pm. DGN Randy Smith will be introduced.

CLUB 1000 TICKETS: Dave Panabaker reminded everyone that our Club 1000 raffle is the principle fundraising for the Rotary Music Festival, and encouraged everyone to get out and sell their tickets.

MH SAAMIS ROTARY MEETINGS: Dave Panabaker advised that Saamis Rotary has moved their meetings to the Hat Restaurant, in the Dunmore Road strip mall. Same time on Thursday's. He also advised that Saamis is planning an "all Clubs" Christmas dinner, for a Sunday in December. The date is not yet cast in stone, but AG Sharon McDonnell will be in touch with President Bruce and hopefully that is a great event for everyone to attend.

VISITING ROTARIAN: Dave also mentioned that he was introduced to a visiting Rotarian at the Saamis meeting, Jim Staniford of the Rotary Club of Everett, Washington. He was intending to also visit our club, if we were meeting in person, but because we weren't he handed over a bag of "goodies" and a generous "Happy Dollar" which Dave Stalwick will pass on to the club in the future. Dave Panabaker will send Jim a club banner and a copy of our 100th anniversary book, as a thank you.

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.

Former Rotarian Ray Kemp has been moved to 2 North in the MH Hospital, for rehabilitation.
Anne Maclean, spouse of Rotarian Dave is also in 2 North, so please watch for her if you are in visiting.
Glen Presley left the hospital last Friday and is home recovering from his fall. Hopefully he'll feel himself pretty soon.
Rotarian Gregg Martin, to lighten everyone's spirits and probably in hopes of paying a future fine, sent the following photograph from the South Sea's, where he and his wife Kathy are spending their anniversary. This photo is of Fakavara Island, which is an atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia.

Please keep a Board Member informed about members health changes, so that information can be provided to the club through the Weekly News.