Rotary Weekly News - December 6, 2021 (Dec 06, 2021)

President Meeting Remarks:

President Terry Partis welcomed everyone to the first meeting of December and to a change in the program. Due to a mixup between President Terry and Mayor Linnsie she will attend our meeting on December 13th, to be inducted as an honorary member (a recognition we bestow on all those who take the office of Mayor in Medicine Hat). With that apologiy out of the way, President Terry began the meeting by speaking about his learnings during his first five months in the role as President.

President Terry spoke about some thoughts he has recently had on his priorities as President, and how he feels like he has fallen down a bit from a communication standpoint with the club. He was going to use this "free" meeting and some future meetings to try to rectify that.

He began by speaking about the recent meeting of the Club Board with Ken Feser, to discuss the status of a future presentation about the update and completion of our club Strategic Plan. Terry had invited Ken to spearhead this project when he became President.

Terry reviewed the history of this work and acknowledged that he had not been back to discuss this with the club in some time. The discussion at the recent Board meeting revolved around club engagement, and setting of realistic goals for the future.

Terry believes there are three key goals that he believes we need to focus on.

Rejuvenating membership - following our most recent community project (Team Freewheel) with other projects in the community that attract local interest and engage members. That project opens doors for us at Saamis Immigration and the Medicine Hat College, as well as other places in the community.
Improving Community awareness - enhance our social media activity and presence to publicize Rotary activities. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are available to do this.
Creating quality community service projects - these can be both Rotary led and suppling Rotarian manpower to others (Prairie Gleaners).

At this point in the meeting on Thursday, a long discussion about direction and goals took place. What do we want to be known as and how do we envision tha tour club can be dynamic and engaging?

Terry opened the floor to opinions and comments, many Rotarians provided feedback and it will be a topic of conversation at the Board on Dec 14^th.

Rotary Club "What-z New":

As it is most likely our hybrid meetings will continue in the future, a few more meeting helpers will be required to help run cameras and sound. We are all learning to adapt to this new reality. Any wishing to help should contact Mike Christie 403 878 3311.

Rotary Club Membership Update:

It was wonderful to have welcome a new member to the Rotary family. With an introduction from her sponsor, Margie Booyens, Emilia Dirk was inducted by PP Dave Panabaker and welcomed by all Rotarians present. We all wish her the best as she joins our Rotary club.

There is always room for more interested Rotarians to join the membership team, check out a meeting and see how exciting it is.

Rotary Club Information:

Housekeeping:
- If you have a Meeting Minute, please phone or email the Newsletter and we'll include it.
- Board minutes can be found on ClubRunner, under Club Documents.
- Gail Halderman mentioned that Club Dues (now $250) are now due.

Upcoming Club Program, Activities, and Meetings:

Monday December 13, 2021 - Rotary Meeting (Induction of Mayor Linnsie Clark as an honorary member)
Tuesday December 14, 2021 - Directors Meeting
Wednesday December 15, 2021 - Evening Bingo
Wednesday December 15, 2021 - See the Lights social
Saturday December 18, 2021 - Ring the Bells for the Salvation Army
Monday December 20, 2021 - Business Meeting (Election of Next Year's officers)
Monday December 27, 2021 - NO MEETING, Christmas Break
Monday January 3, 2022 - NO MEETING, New Year's Break

Upcoming Rotary District and International Events:

The next District 5360 Conference is a "single day" event in Cochrane, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Attendance will be possible by ZOOM as well. Register at https://www.discon5360.ca

Future Programs:

The Rotary Club's Program Coordinator is Jillian Koch. If you have future program ideas, please email Jillian at jkoch@jmhca.com

Meeting News

Posted on Dec 06, 2021

Guests:

The club welcomed Emilia Dirk, our new member inductee as well as a good turnout of 29 Rotarians.

Club Draw:

No draw until we get back together in person.

Birthdays:

Dieter Brand Dec 10.
Dale Stein Dec 12.
Gail Halderman Dec 16.
Adolf Seiler Dec 17.
Ken Zollner Dec 18. (HAPPY 80^th!)
John John Dec 19.
Reagan Weeks Dec 27.
Kitt Brand Dec 28.

Rotary Anniversaries:

Terry Cooper 14 years Dec 04, 2007.
Sarah Koch 6 years Dec 14, 2015.
Brent Secondiak 1 year Dec 14, 2020.
Ken Feser 3 years Dec 17, 2018.
Theresa Eisenbarth 23 years Dec 23, 1998.

Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for December: Ken Zollner.

Minute People:

Dave Panabaker thanked everyone who has already been out selling Club 1000 tickets, we have lots of tickets to sell and if you need more please contact Dave, Glen Presley or Doug Fleming. Sales of these tickets are our principle fundraising effort for the Rotary Music Festival each year, and we have until the beginning of March to sell them. The QR code will take you to our Credit Card site.

Dave also mentioned that he has revised the dates for his course on those who might be interested in learning how to build this newsletter. It will be done over a number of Monday nights in January, so watch for the signup email after the New Year.
Gregg Martin is looking for a few volunteers to work a bingo on Wednesday Dec 15, the signup email has gone out and it might be a great opportunity to invite a friend or neighbour to help out.
Dawn Barr advised that the Christmas Light drive and social are a go for Wed Dec 15th. The cost will be $20.00/person and we will meet at 5:00 pm at the Teepee.
Mike Christie passed on thanks from Adolf Seiler and that all the spots for working the Salvation Army Christmas kettles have been filled.
Milan Vujovic advised that our guest speaker from last week, Bisrat Sime, who is the country representative for Etheopia with Canadian Humanitarian, will be visiting the local office of Canadian Humanitarian on Thursday December 9, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The new location of the Cdn Humanitarian office is Suite 203 - 1741 Dunmore Road SE, next to Animal World. If you are interesting learning about his work, or meeting him please attend this "come and go" reception.
The new satellite club of Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary, Rotary Ignite is planning a Christmas convoy to visit senior homes on Dec 20. If you are interested, start decorating your vehicle now!!

Family of Rotary: (PLEASE KEEP ADOLF INFORMED ABOUT MEMBERS SO THAT INFORMATION CAN BE PASSED ON TO ALL IN THE WEEKLY NEWS).

No report this week.