Members were in good voice today for the hearty singing of O Canada, which is how we start every Monday noon meeting!
After President Milan's warm welcome of all, he focused attention on the fact that this is VOCATIONAL SERVICES month. Milan drew attention to an article he had read in the latest ROTARIAN on a Club in California that has entered into a partnership to restore old vehicles. Those doing the restoration work include young people who were previously members of gangs. Milan found the article inspirational and recommended all access and read it.
President Milan shared a story about when he worked for a local non-profit, years ago, finding employment in 2008 for a person with a disability. He was delighted to say that this person holds the same job to this day.
Milan encouraged members, all of whom have different skill sets and years of experience in a vocation, to seek out opportunities to help and support others in our community.
Next was the introduction of guests. Please refer to the MEETING INFORMATION section of the newsletter.
Tarek Williams then introduced our guest speaker, Sergeant Adam Gregory. Adam made a very interesting presentation on FRAUD, which was interspersed with PowerPoint slides, questions and stories from our members. Please see the STORY section of the newsletter.
MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY
As many Rotarians will know, our club, in cooperation with the Saamis Rotary Club and the Friends of the Monarch Society, has been working on restoring both the structure and the programming at the historic Monarch movie theatre on 2nd St S.E, Medicine Hat. Construction is currently focusing on the expansion of the stage, to allow larger music events to occur. The old marquee sign will also be updated over the coming months.
Dave Panabaker included this photo of the stage area in our Weekly News last week:
Our club's Projects & Programs Committee is considering a request from Saamis Rotary to do another combined District Grant for the spring of 2026, to assist in the fundraising for the replacement of the roof. The Monarch Theatre has been the recipient of a Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant for $125,000 towards that roof replacement, so the project will likely proceed in the summer of this year.
Dave showed the following photos during our meeting today - great progress is being made with the expansion of the stage in the Monarch:
This month at the Monarch
To stay completely up to date, consult The Monarch website at
Our club will try to keep track of events on at the Monarch, to give members a heads-up that the opportunity to serve exists. If you are interested, please let Rotarian Janessa Anderson (403-952-1907) know and she can provide details of available shifts and responsibilities.
Volunteering at a show is a great way to connect with the community and support the historic local landmark.
Ideas for Future Programs
The Rotary Club's Program Committee members are Jillian Koch (jkoch@jmhca.com), Margie Booyens (margiebooyens@gmail.com), Alain Guerard (aguerard@telus.net), Sharon Hayward (sharon.hayward@medicinehatymca.ca).
Fraud identification, reporting, and prevention were three key foci during the interesting presentation made at our noon meeting on Monday 19 January, by Sergeant Adam Gregory.
Sergeant Gregory represented the Medicine Hat Safe Community Association (MHSCA).
So how is fraud defined?
It is a wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
Sergeant Gregory found that most Rotarians at the meeting had been contacted in several of the ways that fraudsters use to communicate with their victims: phone, email, online and in person. On invitation, members recounted their own experiences and those of family and friends.
Statistics provided facts and figures about fraud in Medicine Hat.
In 2024, the top five fraud types in our city were: computer, food, mass marketing, securities and transaction card. Over $2.2 million was lost locally to fraud related crime – up from $2 million in 2022 and down from $3million in 2023.
Sergeant Gregory provided many tips on how to be safe from fraud. These included:
Do not provide personal information. Legitimate places already have it.
Call back to businesses at their office number.
Do not provide down payments or full payments for a product or service without seeing the product or knowing the provider.
Ask lots of questions! Legitimate agencies/companies will have no problem answering your questions.
Only open links from known, trusted sources.
Do not allow someone you do not know, to come collect money from your house.
So what do you do, if you become a victim?
DO NOT BE EMBARRASED TO REPORT IT! Reporting is important!
Notify your bank.
Contact the Medicine Hat Police Service to report it – 403-529-8400.
Notify Equifax, TransUnion Credit Report or Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Veiner Centre Outreach for seniors – 403-529-8368.
Sergeant Gregory provided links to access various services, centres, bureaus and associations, including:
Fraud is rife. It was great having Sergeant Gregory in our midst to share the many ways we can prevent becoming victims, as well as what to do, should be fall victim.
We are better informed, thanks to your presentation, Sergeant Gregory! Thank you so much!
ATTENDANCE: Today's meeting was attended by 22, plus three guests and four online.
Seating was at a premium:
GUESTS:
Guest speaker Sergeant Adam Gregory
Inbound NGSE participant Isadora Brum Nesi
Derek Nielson, guest of Dave Stalwick
MEETING DRAW:
Ken Zollner won the lucky draw. His prize was a mug with pencil and (ADDDDDD!!!)
Please remember to contribute gifts for the weekly draw. If you are somewhere interesting, a small gift to the club for the draw is much appreciated!
Makeups: None were mentioned.
Birthdays:
Sieg Kappler January 1
Dick Northcott January 13.
Mark Sorenson January 23.
Melanie Harty January 25.
Jim White January 31.
Rotary Anniversaries:
Gail Halderman 30 years Jan 01, 1996
Debra Best 30 years Jan 08, 1996
Peter Mueller 6 years Jan 20, 2020.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR January 2025:
The January Rose Runner is Odessa Vermee.
MINUTE REMINDERS:
A reminder that our District is invited to participate in Zone 28 new member orientation webinars:
New Member Orientation Webinars
We are excited to share the dates for this year’s New Member Orientation webinars. These fast-paced, informative sessions are ideal not only for new members but for any Rotarian who wants to learn more about our amazing organization. The first was held on October 21. Coming up:
BINGO UPDATE: The next Rotary bingo is Thursday January 29th. Dave Panabaker said he had a full team lined up, for which he was grateful.
SATURDAY MEAL PROGRAM: Lionel Brideson invited members to offer hands-on help any Saturday afternoon during the Saturday Meal Program at St Barnabas Church on 4th Street SE. He said the number of homeless people or people just needing a meal, ranges from 80-170 each week.
2026 ROTARY CLUB 1000 RAFFLE IN SUPPORT OF THE ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL: Last week, Anne Carrier and Tarek Williams advised that the 2026 Club 1000 tickets were available for sale, and that packages were being given out. This week, Anne enquired about a number of members who had yet to receive their ticket sale packages. Our commitment to the Rotary Music Festival for 2026 is $32,000 and this raffle contributes most of those funds. A reminder to sellers that our email address for the raffle has been set up for e-transfers, however please to follow the rules for such a transaction, as it may be difficult to tell where the money is coming from.
ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERING: A schedule has been emailed to members. Dave Panabaker requested all to have a look and to pick opportunities to volunteer during the two week festival.
MONARCH THEATRE AGM: The AGM for the Monarch Theatre Society will be held on Thursday January 22, at 7:00 pm at the theatre. All Rotarians are welcome and are encouraged to attend.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION: For those who like to venture a little further, the Rotary International Convention is in Taipei, Taiwan.
Family of Rotary:
A reminder that Sandy Mackay has moved to his permanent room in Masterpiece Long Term Care wing (Room 222). He would love visitors. Jane is in a community bed (No. 311) in St Josephs Home. She would appreciate a text or a visit anytime.
Former Rotarian John John is also at Masterpiece.
Kitt Brand is ‘on the mend’. She and Dieter return to Medicine Hat on 22 January.
More good news: Ray Kemp is back home after a stay in the Regional Hospital
Please keep a Board Member informed about members health and/or any other changes, so that information can be provided to the club through the Weekly News.
Our first meeting of every month is a business meeting, but all meetings are both in person and available on ZOOM. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
