Rotary Weekly News - November 22, 2021 (Nov 22, 2021)

President Meeting Remarks:

President Terry Partis welcomed everyone to this shortened meeting, from Fort Meyers, Florida. The club meeting began after the completion of the AGM for the Rotary Music Festival Society. President Terry was joining us from the library near their RV and hoped his internet connection would be better (and it was).

President Terry started the meeting by providing two announcements from Rotary District and our local Assistant Governor. First, many Rotarians have expressed a desire to support our neighbours to the west in BC, who have endured tremendous hardship with recent rains and transportation disruptions. The best advise that District could provide at this time was that donations to the Red Cross or the United Way of BC were currently the best way to help. The District has been in touch with the Rotary Club of Merritt, but as the current situation is so fluid, it would be best to stay with the provincial agencies. If a Rotary sponsored opportunity presents itself, it will be communicated to everyone.

Terry also provided an update on the Rotary Ignite Club. AG Keith Walker advised that they have formed a satellite club, sponsored by the Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary Club, which gives them time to gain traction and membership. The satellite club will be reviewed in July of 2023, but we welcome them back to the local Rotary family.

President Terry also welcomed Milan Vujovic to the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club. Milan has agreed to join the board effectively immediately as a Director at Large, and help fill several of our current vacancies. The club thanks Milan for stepping up and assisting the club.

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:

If you are interested in helping this working membership team, please contact Mike Christie. A new Membership Chair is needed, Mike is currently doing double duty with Community Service and it would be nice to lighten his load a bit.
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:

Friday November 26, First Conversation Circle at the Esplanade.
Monday November 29, Rotary Meeting (ZOOM)

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

Community Service Opportunities

Rotary Club Community Service Director Mike Christie took the opportunity at today's meeting to review several very worthwhile projects. These projects have approached our club for support, and while we don't have the resources to support all of them, he believed that our club members might be interested in one of these specific initiatives.

MHART

Dick Bide has drawn this organization to our attention and offered to match a $200 donation.

MHART is an initiative of six local churches, which began in 2015, to sponsor a family from Syria. Now a non-profit society, MHART invites you to help us rescue six members of this South Sudanese family from the Kakuma Refugee camp in Kenya & settle them in our community.

MHART plans to sponsor six of William's relatives, including his mother and five educated young people, eager to work and contribute to our community. The Government of Canada will bring these family members to Medicine Hat, provided we can raise $15,000 per person to support their first year of settlement.

https://youtu.be/BBN2DoW8BJY

Medicine Hat Women's Shelter - ADOPT A FAMILY

Last year COVID-19 made MHWSS re-evaluate the most effective way to operate our program while keeping all our staff, volunteers, clients and sponsors safe and healthy. The changes we made turned out to be a huge success with a lot of positive feedback from clients. We have listened to the needs of those who access our services and are going to no longer run our program as a matching program. Instead, we are asking our community to assist us through donations of new toys and gift cards so we can then provide the parent the opportunity to choose the gifts their child will receive.

We are excited to be able to empower Mom or Dad with the opportunity to be a part of choosing items that will make their child's Christmas special. Mom or Dad will also receive a gift package and each family will receive a gift card for groceries.

We hope you will consider helping to make a difference in the lives of one of these families in need.

We invite you to support the program in any of the following ways:

Donate new toys, gifts (for all ages) or gift cards by dropping them off at Sun Valley Honda and Davis GMC in Medicine Hat between November 12 and December 17. (attached is a list of gift ideas)
Make a financial donation towards the program (this can be done online at www.mhwss.ca, e-transfer to info@mhwss.ca or mail a cheque)

Deidre Giesbrecht, Volunteer and Donation Coordinator

Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society

Medicine Hat Santa Claus Fund

Dieter Brand mentioned that former club member Mike Hertz was a long time supporter of the Medicine Hat Santa Claus Fund.

https://www.mhsantafund.com

Meeting News

Posted on Nov 22, 2021

Guests:

The club welcomed prospective member Emilia Dirk, former members Cathie Catalano and Allan O'Bryne and a good turnout of 30 Rotarians.

Club Draw:

No draw until we get back together in person.

Birthdays:

Dave Stalwick Nov 8.
Brent Secondiak Nov 19.

Rotary Anniversaries:

Sieg Kappler 35 years Nov 1, 1986.
Doug Fleming 38 years Nov 7, 1983.
Shalla Shaharyar 2 years Nov 18, 2019.
Milan Vujovic 14 years Nov 26, 2007.

Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for December: Ken Zollner.

Minute People:

Dave Panabaker provided a report on the Rotary Bingo that occurred on Sunday evening. A low attendance at the bingo hall, plus an untimely triple payout on the last blackout game combined to leave no money for the profit pool. The lucky winner of the guess pot was Terry Brekko who donated his winnings in honor of Marg Mazerolle, who had a very busy night as paymaster.
Dave Panabaker also advised that tickets for the 2022 Club 1000 raffle have arrived. Hopefully by the end of the week, Doug Fleming and Glen Presley will start ticket distribution, before many of our snowbirds depart.
Shalla Shaharyar advised that Unisphere is hosting a community sharing circle focused on the project "What do you see when you look at me?". We are invited (first 10) to listen, understand, ask questions and contribute to the discussion. If you are interested please contact Shalla at (403) 979-2101Email: shalla4@hotmail.com. The event will be held on November 26th at 7PM at the Esplanade. Stan Sakamoto's interview will be part of this project.
Dawn Barr advised that a Christmas Light drive and social are planned for Wed Dec 15th. The cost will be $20.00/person and we will meet at 5:00 pm at the Whiskey District.
Sue Withers advised that the Interact Club is raising funds with Poppies and the Christmas child shoe box and we can help with items to be included in the boxes and or a cash donation to assist in the cost of shipping the boxes.
If you have not signed up as a member of the new Rotary Music Festival Society, please contact Anne Carrier soon. The next AGM is November 22nd 11:45, and a revised executive will be elected.
Milan Vujovic thanked Rotarians for their support of Canadian Humanitarian, who had their annual fall gala coming up on Friday November 19. A total of $45,000 was raised and Stan provided a wonderful surf and turf meal.

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

No report today.