President Milan opened the meeting and welcomed the guests and Rotarians in attendance. O Canada was sung with a marked improvement noted in members bearing and deportment during the anthem. This was followed by a Land Acknowledgement.
President Milan highlighted the city Rotary club BBQ last week and thanked Margie for her work on this
Guests were introduced: Genevieve Mathieu from the Medicine Hat Interpretive Program, Patricia Schneider – retired Rotarian, and Keith Walker from Sunrise Rotary.
Rotary Club Information:
Housekeeping:
We continue looking for volunteers for desk reception at our Monday meetings.
Rotary District 5360 and Rotary International News
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.
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).
Genevieve Mathieu joined us from the Medicine Hat Interpretive Program where she is the Park Interpreter. The Interpretive Program is based in Police Point Park and offers nature programs to the community and visitors. Best of all its open year around!
Police Point is the largest and most natural park in Med Hat and the center celebrates the human and natural heritage of the prairie region.
The program is managed by the Grasslands Naturalists through a contract with the City of MH Parks and Outdoor Recreation since 1994. Some funding rec’d from city as well as grant funding from various sources.
The vision of the program is that "All people embrace our connection with nature as the foundation of life." To accomplish this, the program works to implement its mission "To foster respect and appreciation for local natural history through engaging interpretation."
Did you know that Police Point Park is located along the South Saskatchewan River and is a 385 acre natural reserve with more than 10 km of trails. Some of the twisted old Cottonwood trees that form the prairie forest of the park are more than 300 years old!
The center makes just about 32000 contacts with the public from all over the world annually including in person, on phone and program participants.
Educational programs offered for K-12 as well as programs for community groups – 175 – 200 programs offered annually with 50-75 public programs offered annually to the public
Programming and schedule shared on social media including Facebook and Instagram.
GUESTS: Patricia Schneider – retired Rotarian from Brooks, Keith Walker from Sunrise Rotary
ATTENDANCE:
17 members attended in person, 3 on Zoom and 1 guest.
MEETING DRAW:
Dave Panabaker will be able to enhance his cooking repertoire after winning a Gourmet Vanilla multi-pak!
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:
Milan Vujovic Sept 4
Dick Bide Sept 5
Joe Hrankowski Sept 15
Kevin Walcer Sept 24
Stan Sakamoto Sept 30
Rotary Anniversaries:
Bernie Scott 41 years. Sept 1, 1984
Dieter Brand 31 years Sept 1, 1994
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR SEPTEMBER 2025
Dick Bide
Minutes
Membership - Mike Christie reported that our new member goal is 14 to get us to 50. Keep in mind that we lose 5-7 members a year historically.
The next Bingo is coming Sept 6 at 5 pm. Volunteers needed.
Program Committee - Upcoming meetings:
September 1 - Holiday - no meeting
September 8 - Business Meeting
September 15 - Visit of DG Manon Mitchell
September 22 - Tarek Williams Introduction of himself to the club AND guest speaker, Myrna Stark - ED of the South East Alberta Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Network.
September 27 - Guest speaker Reagan Weeks - Superintendent of the Prairie Rose School Division
The Terry Fox run organized by the Sunrise Rotary Club will be held on September 14th at Kin Coulee park. Keith Walker presented some info about the local Terry Fox Run in his role as the chair of the local Terry Fox committee. Theme this year, based on Terry’s request is that the rest of us “Finish It”. MH has hosted a run the last 45 years but has stalled after Covid. The Sunrise club has resurrected the run in Medicine Hat to occur on Sunday Sept 14 at the MHC Sunrise Rotary Trail. Please sponsor or participate in this great cause! Kitt B has featured the run in upcoming MH News! Check out the collection of Dan Reynish run shirts at the Esplanade. Dan participates every year and has done so since he moved to the Gas City.
On September 6th, Saamis Electronics project round up for disposal and recycling of used electronics.
On October 1st, The Sunrise Rotary club will have "Mothers Apron" presentations at the MH Library.
ROTARY WATERTON GLACIER PEACE PARK
There has been a change of date for the Peace Park weekend. It is now Sept 12 - 13, 2025 in Waterton. Registration can be done on their website https://www.watertonglacierpeacepark.org
Family of Rotary
The Club continues to keep Ric Carrier in our thoughts, as he deals with the long term effects of his bicycle accident.
The Rotary Club sends good wishes to Marg Mazerolle as she transitions to new accommodations in Chestermere. She was the first female President of our club, way back in 1999.
Rotary also sends get well wishes to long time club member Jack Snedden, who is currently in hospital.
Also in hospital is Anne Maclean, widow of a long time club member Dave Maclean.
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.
