President Mike Christie welcomed 19 members to the online Business meeting of the month – which turned out to be one of the shortest ever!
Mike referred to the previous meeting, an in-person meeting held at The Lodge, expressing the hope that members had found the discussion on service, led by Board Director Terry Cooper, helpful, and that there would be action, in due course, around some of the many service ideas that had been put forward, spearheaded by the club’s Project and Program committee.
In response to an invitation to the new and any other members to join the Program and Project committee, President Mike intimated that President Elect Milan Vujovic was organizing a ‘Fireside chat’ at his house, during which the new members would be filled in about all the options for participation, from which they could then choose how to spend their ‘time and talent’. The matter of mentors for the new members has not been decided.
President Mike mentioned that he had received some great ideas from Rotary International’s Media Centre, which he had in turn shared via email, with members involved in marketing, publicity, and awareness – Bruce S, Kitt B, Anne C, Margie B.
While the Marketing and Publicity committee is not meeting regularly, aspects of the work of this committee are underway, like the publishing of the monthly article on Rotary in the Medicine Hat News, and the planning of the April 2025 ‘Why Rotary?’ event. More will be shared, as planning of the latter event is done by Milan V, Stan S, Bruce S. and representatives of Saamis and Sunrise Clubs. Kitt expressed respect and much appreciation for club secretary, Doug Fleming’s knowledge of the history of the club, on which Kitt draws for her MH News articles – facts and photos.
Program committee: Members: Terry B, Sharon H, Jillian K, Alain G, Margie B. Next meeting: Thursday 10 October at 2pm in the boardroom of JMH. On the meeting agenda, building in the classification talks by the five new club members; confirmation of the club program for October and November. Decision-making about the programs for December and January.
Youth and Vocational Service: Thanks to Club Board member Stan Sakamoto, Rotarians in Medicine Hat are invited to a social, on Sunday 20 October, from 1-4pm, on the ground floor and in the basement of Jim Sodero’s house (502 4th St NE, Medicine Hat). Please see details in MINUTE section of this newsletter.
Attention was drawn to the District 5360 Grant seminar, the fundraiser that Sunrise Club is holding, and the Monarch 1911 Society AGM. Please see details in the MINUTES section of the newsletter.
Anniversaries of membership of Rotary: Gail H suggested that an email to members, on their membership anniversaries, should be considered. This recognition would likely be appreciated by members.
Members were reminded that a new version of ClubRunner will kick in from November and were encouraged to explore it once available.
In the final part of the meeting, President Mike referred to the havoc caused by Tornado Helene and the fundraising being undertaken by Rotary International Zones 33 and 34 (see more in MINUTES section).
He followed this with reference to the conflict in the Middle East and the Ukraine, the Thanksgiving weekend ahead, and invited members to share that for which we are grateful.
Next meetings: President Mike wrapped the meeting, reminding all that there will not be a meeting next Monday (Thanksgiving), and that the meeting on Monday 21 will take the form of a visit to another important resource in our city, the Core Association.
Mike and members wished one another a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
