August 24, 2020 - Rotary Weekly News (Aug 21, 2020)

President Meeting Remarks:

President Mark Sorenson, recently returned from the wilds of Northern Saskatchewan opened the meeting today and welcomed everyone to our regular "in person" meeting at the MH Lodge.

Mark hoped everyone was enjoying our lunch experiment with the Medicine Hat Lodge and we will discuss our future plans at the business meeting scheduled for August 31st.

Rotary Club "What-z New":

President Mark was given his Presidential Pin by Secretary Doug Fleming and Past President Margie Booyens was presented with a "thank you" keepsake from the club for her service as President in 2019-2020.

POST MEETING NOTE: For all of you who supported the Saamis Rotary Club raffle, for 2 kayak's, a roof rack and life jackets, the winner was drawn last Thursday and was Clarence Archer. Saamis Rotary wanted to express their thanks to everyone who supported the raffle, and they are planning a "Cheer for a Year" raffle in the October time frame.

Rotary Club Membership Update:

No update this week.

Rotary Club Information:

Housekeeping:
- Please collect club draw items. It is an important part of our meeting and the funds generated help to run the club.
- 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.

Upcoming Club Program, Activities, and Meetings

The meeting of Monday August 31st is scheduled to be a business meeting for President Mark.
The meeting of Monday September 7th is CANCELLED, as that is Labour Day Monday.
Next Bingo will be Saturday afternoon, September 5^th from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm

Upcoming Rotary District and International Events:

Mark this date in your calendars, the 2021 Rotary District Conference is May 14 - 16, 2021 in Drumheller, AB.

Future Programs:

The Rotary Club's Program Coordinator is Jillian Koch. If you have future program ideas, please email Jillian at jkoch@jmhca.com

Mustard Seed in Medicine Hat

The Rotary Club welcomed Mustard Seed Managing Director Colette Eirich to our meeting today. Colette was introduced by President Mark and provided a short slideshow to speak to the work done by the agencies that went before the Mustard Seed and how that changeover came to be.

Colette spoke about her career before this one, she spent a total of 32 years working at the YMCA. She finished there in 2017 after the completion of the South Ridge Y and took a year or so off. After that she began volunteering and then working at the Champions Center, helping write grant applications.

Colette spoke about the three organizations that have merged their functions and resources with the introduction of the support of Mustard Seed. Champions Center started in 2008, Hope Street Ministry's began in 2002 and Oasis Cafe was 2009. During pre-COVID times, there were approximately 68 individuals considered homeless and in poverty. That number was from 2018. COVID has changed all that, and the individuals needing assistance has skyrocketed.

It was a great presentation, Colette left everyone with a Mustard Seed magazine. More information is available at www.theseed.ca

Meeting News

Posted by Dave Panabaker on Aug 24, 2020

Guests:

Colette Eirich, Manager of the Mustard Seed.

Club Draw:

Margie Booyens was the winner of coffee beans and vanilla essence.

Minute People:

If you are interested in receiving an electronic version of "The Rotarian" please log onto MyRotary and follow this link. There is a form to fill out, so you can save postage and trees. You will need the information off the mailing label of your current copy of the Rotarian. The link is https://my.rotary.org/en/node/18361 .

Club Treasurer Gail Halderman did a brief update on the results of "Ribfest"...not all the invoices are complete, but it appears we are on track for a profit of just over $5,000..based on 1,700 vehicles going through the lines. Lots of learnings from this event for future years.
Dave Panabaker advised that a few Rotarians were still required for the bingo on Saturday September 5th, an afternoon bingo from 11:45 to 4:00 pm.
Theresa Eisenbarth has advised that the date for the Garage Sale in support of the MH High School Interact club is noon - 5 pm, on Saturday Sept 12. The sale will take place at the Sea-Can, behind the Bingo Hall. Volunteers will be needed to help set up the Tent and price items. If you are available on that date, please contact Theresa.
If you have photos or a story to include in the Weekly News, please submit it to Dave P and we'll try to publish it.

Birthdays: August

Gregg Martin Aug 25.

Club Anniversaries: August.

Wayne Chesley 22 years August 28, 1998.

Makeups:

Doug Fleming has started keeping track of attendance, as we start back at regular meetings.

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

Adolf passed along that Gerry Nadeau is now at home recuperating, and any and all phone calls would be greatly appreciated.