President Milan opened the meeting with the bell and O'Canada. He spoke about this month being Rotary Foundation month. The foundation, which is the charity belonging to all Rotarians, both provides our District grant process, to help us do good in our community, and aids the Polio Plus program, to work toward the eradication of polio, a Rotary promise to the world some 40 years ago.
Our Rotary District is working at increasing the number of Polio Plus Society members from each club and have set us a target of 12 members of our club to support the society this year. Society membership requires a donation of $100 US in a Rotary year. Milan encouraged those present to consider how important our polio eradication project is, and to consider a donation. Donations can be made by going through the Canadian foundation site. https://www.trfcanada.org
President Milan was then happy to present a Polio Plus Society certificate to Dick Bide, who is a member of the society.
Milan then introduced our guest speaker Delynne and the meeting proceeded.
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. Some of the upcoming events are highlighted below. To stay completely up to date, consult The Monarch website at https://themonarchtheatre.ca
And On Friday November 29th, a true Christmas movie....
On Saturday November 29th, a fundraising event for McCoy High School Production Arts
And on Sunday December 1st, at 2:00 pm in the afternoon.
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).
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat welcomed the Executive Director of the Rotary Music Festival, Delynne Lorentzen to our meeting today. Delynne has now been the Festival Director for 10 years, and she spoke today about some of the upcoming festival changes and about the value of music education for youth.
Delynne began her presentation with a "pop" quiz, and of course the Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival was the correct answer for most everything, including being the longest running music festival in the province, now entering our 71st year.
The MH Rotary Music Festival is one of 38 local member festivals of the Alberta Music Festival Association. The competitive aspect of the Festival season culminates in Edmonton in May, with the Provincial Festival. Our participants have always done exceptionally well.
What is more important than the competition is the participation of youth in music. Delynne spoke about the proven mental health and developmental improvements in children who study music. Support for the festival and music programs has a number of great benefits
Provides opportunities for otherwise marginalized kids.
Music makes kids smarter.
Mental health
Keeps kids out of trouble.
Supporting Youth in the arts creates successful adults.
Delynne went on to give a number of great examples from our Festival, not just of music excellence but being contributing successful community members.
ATTENDANCE: 21 members attended in person, 6 members joined by ZOOM and we entertained one guest.
GUESTS:
Delynne Lorentzen, Executive Director of the Rotary Music Festival
MEETING DRAW: We had two draws today. Tarek Williams and Milan Vujovic both won a ticket to the "Good Lovelies" show at the Monarch on Dec 4th, Thanks to Terry Brekko for the donation.
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:
Dieter Brand December 10
Dale Stein December 12
Gail Halderman December 16
Ken Zollner December 18
John John December 19
Kitt Brand December 28
Rotary Anniversaries:
Nadia Deenen 24 years Dec 03, 2001
Terry Cooper 18 years Dec 04, 2007
Brent Secondiak 5 years Dec 14, 2020
Linnsie Clark 4 years Dec 13, 2021
Brenda Mercer 1 year Dec 16, 2024
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR DECEMBER 2025 IS:
The December Rose Runner is Tarek Williams.
MINUTES
After our club meeting, Delynne asked to have the following musical event advertised in our Weekly News. Something great to do after the New Year.
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: Next bingo is on Wednesday evening, November 26th. It is now fully staffed, thank you to those who volunteered at the meeting.
THE LOBSTER MOBSTERS MINI MOBSTERS FUNDRAISER: Dawn Barr reminded everyone that they have until December 8th to order and take part in this fundraiser. Orders can be placed online at
The Rotary Club and the YMCA, as well as Saamis Immigration are cooperating on a joint clothing project for winter wear.
The Club Christmas party will be held on Monday 1 December from 5:30pm in the Ballroom at the Stampede Grounds. Open to family, friends and prospective members. Cash bar starting at 5:30 pm and dinner served at 6 pm. Tickets are $35 each. Pay cash at a meeting or e-transfer to Odessa Vermee at DESSY10@Telus.net . Two members are needed to greet at the door and take tickets. Anyone interested in assisting in this regard are asked to contact Margie B. This group currently comprises: President Milan, Board member Stan Sakamoto, Gwen Dirk, Susan Sakamoto, Sharon Hayward and Margie Booyens. There will NOT be a moon meeting this day!
Please bring a festive centrepiece to the Rotary Club of Medicine hat Christmas Dinner on Monday 1 December. You may use a centrepiece you already own and wish to take home afterwards, purchase a new one, or create your own.
Simple arrangements, such as flowers, are welcome. Centrepieces that will not be reclaimed will be up for silent auction, with proceeds donated to the Root Cellar’s Brown Bag Lunch program. We look forward to your participation! It will be fun! Thank you.
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING - Sign up sheets were available at the meeting and online registration has been sent out. We are doing both doors at Walmart, on two different days. Friday November 28 or Tuesday December 16th. If you need assistance contact Lionel Brideson who is organizing the support for the Salvation Army. Some help is still needed if you are able to assist!
CLUBRUNNER NOVA TRAINING - Our club operating software will undergo a significant upgrade over the Christmas holidays. A webinar to help all members navigate this new environment has been set up for Tuesday Dec 2, 2025 beginning at 7:00pm and expected to run about 90 minutes. Pre-registration is required, please sign up at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/ameRs8RTQ0-MhA-JKNAq1w#/registration
The All Club Christmas Party will be held at Desert Blume. $50 per ticket paid at the door. Doors will open at 4:30 pm, there will be a Happy Hour and dinner is approximately 6:00 pm. Dave has sent out an invite as a head count needed. We have 10 people signed up to attend at this point.
Ukraine Support- update from Kitt B. A significant need right now is electrical generators for schools and shelters as Russia is targeting infrastructure in Ukraine. Opportunities to donate and financially support this need are now available.
Family of Rotary:
The Rotary Club sends its deepest condolences to the Barr family, on the recent loss of Dawn's niece in Thunder Bay.
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.
