This week's meeting was run by PE Bruce Shepard, who was filling in for President Melanie Harty, as she clears up the last of her tax clients before the deadline. Bruce welcomed everyone to the meeting, commented on how full the room was and had guests introduced.
This meeting was an opportunity to thank Dave Stalwick for his contributions to the Rotary Foundation. PDG Sandy Mackay presented Dave with his updated Foundation pin, and we all will benefit from his contributions to "our" Foundation.
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 Membership Update:
Please consider joining the membership team. Check out a meeting of this team and see how exciting it is! The committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm. Contact Mike Christie to join in.
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.
Upcoming Club Program, Activities and Meetings:
Sunday April 23rd - Next Rotary Bingo (afternoon)
Monday April 24th - Rotary in the community
Monday May 1st - Business Meeting (ZOOM)
May 7th and 8th - Next Rotary Club Casino
Tuesday May 16th - Rosebowl Performance, Recital Hall, Cultural Center 7:00 pm
Friday June 16th - Rotary at the Ballpark, Athletic Park
Upcoming Rotary District and International Events
Margie Booyens provided the following District Updates.
Rotary District Club Learning Webinar: Wednesday April 19th from 7-8pm, on THE OPIOID CRISIS & DRINKING WATER CONNECTION - Project SMART. Register on the District website, using this link https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zBJQhdE-Sc2AHrYU8-PN8A
Next District Conference: Lethbridge: May 5/6, 2023. Have you registered yet? The conference website is located at https://www.discon5360.ca Margie mentioned that some ride sharing and car pooling might let more folks attend.
Rotary International Convention: 27 - 31 May 2023, in Melbourne, Australia.
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 Rotary Club welcomed an honorary Rotarian to the meeting today, in the person of Sue Withers. Sue retired a year ago as Vice-Principal of Medicine Hat High School, and was the driving force behind the MH High Interact Club almost from it's formation in 2003. Sue was welcomed to the meeting by "her friend" Anne Carrier .
Sue spoke about the formation of the Interact Club in 2003, originally by Sue Moench who was principal of the school at that time. She provided a snapshot of a great many of the activities of the club, from supporting the local hospital, and learning about philanthropy in conjunction with the Community Foundation, to international projects in Liberia and Nicaragua, to supporting the Rotary "End Polio" efforts with purple pinkie days.
Sue spoke about how many of the students have taken advantage of Rotary programs, such as RYLA and RYPEN, as well as the "Adventure Series". She thanked Rotarians who had been involved with the club, as the Student Advisor or as Club Executive.
Many of the students have continued to volunteer, either with Rotaract as they move into post secondary education or in the community as they encounter subjects they are passionate about. Sue was thanked for her many years of service to both the students and Rotary by acting President Bruce Shepard. She was given a new Rotary coffee mug, to enjoy her morning "retirement" coffee in. Thank you Sue, for all you done.
There were 27 club members and guests in attendance; with another 4 joining using our ZOOM link. A full room for sure!
Guests at the meeting today were;
Sue Wither's, our guest speaker.
Harold Wilson, former club member visiting from Nisku-Leduc
Bob Arthur, former club member
Councillor Shila Sharps
Johan Booyens, guest of Margie
Club Draw:
The winner of the club draw this week was John John, who won a collection of jams.
Please remember to contribute items for the weekly draw as the stock cupboard is running low.
Makeups:
None mentioned
Birthdays:
Glen Presley April 03
Neil Mardian April 03
Sarah Koch April 04
Bernie Scott April 09
Rotary Anniversaries:
Dick Bide Apr 11, 1971 52 years.
Terry Brekko Apr 01, 1989 34 years
Joe Hrankowski Apr 03, 2000 23 years
Dave Panabaker Apr 01 2004 19 years
Donald Davis Apr 01, 2011 12 years
Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for April 2023:
Glen Presley
Reminders about important Minutes:
Bingo
Dave Panabaker thanked all those who worked the bingo on April 3rd, the event earned $360.25 toward the pool profit and Dale Stein was the lucky guess pot winner. Another bingo is coming up soon, on Sunday afternoon, April 23. If you can help please contact Gregg Martin.
"Thank you's"
Dave also relayed two thank you's, one from Dalton Ehry of REDI Enterprises for our visit there a few weeks ago. They enjoyed hosting us and hope we stay in touch. The second was from a Music Festival participant, and many of us may be getting those, as the awards from the Music Festival are processed.
Dinner Club
Dick Bide would like to get the Dinner Club underway. He encouraged those put their names down, to send him a date for the dinner at their house.
E-bike Raffle Tickets
The e-bike raffle provides funds for the Sunrise Rotary Club to sponsor community and international causes. An important one for them is literacy, through the “Sunrise Rotary Ride the Road to Reading” program at the Medicine Hat Public Library, for grade four students in the city. Use this link to buy tickets with a credit card: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/18de336b-5b29-4ee9-8e0a-81ade75a8684
Sunrise Rotary Club anniversary
Just a reminder of the 25th anniversary celebration of the chartering of the Sunrise Club will take place in the evening of Tuesday June 20, 2023. The draw for the two e-bikes will be done same evening.
The Medicine Hat Club chartered the Sunrise Club in June 1998. Past President of our Club, Mark Sorenson, was one of the charter members. Plans will be announced when they are finalized but please mark the date.
Team Freewheel Bike project: Terry Cooper provided an update on Team Freewheel and encourages everyone to visit the project at 551 Spencer Street (Knowles Electric building). Thursday mornings are a good time to swing by for a cup of coffee and a chat with the team working on the bikes. Active involvement in the project would be warmly welcomed!
Clubrunner "Changeover" Training Series: Clubrunner, our Club Operations Software is providing a broad series of training webinars, to coincide with the changeover of club executives. Sessions on every aspect of Clubrunner are available, from District Executive, Membership, Club Executives and Website operations. Register online at https://site.clubrunner.ca/page/changeover-training
Meeting Room Setup
John John needs assistance setting up the meeting room on a go forward basis. The time commitment is about an hour before the meeting, starting at 11:00 am and about a half hour after the meeting, usually ending around 1:30 pm. If you are willing to help, please contact John or Dave Panabaker.
Family of Rotary:
The Club expressed its sorrow and best wishes to Rotarian Joe Hrankowski, who lost his brother Cliff last week.
The Club also noted the passing of Deputy Fire Chief, Brian Webster, a former member of this club.
Also, former Rotarian Ray Kemp is still in the hospital, as he deals with his current illness. Short visits are appreciated, he has made some progress in gaining back strength and expects to resume his radiation treatment in Lethbridge in the future.
Please keep Adolf Seiler 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, face-to-face meetings as of Monday March 21. A ZOOM link will still be available for those who are cautious, ill or are away on vacation.
