Rotary Weekly News - Sept 22, 2025 (Sep. 22, 2025)

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

President Milan welcomed all to our meeting, and lead the group to the singing of our National Anthem.

A busy agenda was mentioned starting with a presentation by South East Alberta Fetal Alcohol Network followed by Tarek Williams' Classification talk.

Subsequent to a Notice of Motion at the September 8th meeting, a Motion was put forth by Alain Guerard as follows:

MOTION: The club to provide a grant to Y Connect in the amount of $2,000 in support of a youth project outlined in a letter presented to all members on September 8th. Passed unanimously.

Housekeeping:

We continue looking for volunteers for desk reception at our Monday meetings.

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.

The next event at the Monarch is a showing of the Princess Bride, on Friday Sept 26, doors open at 6:30 pm and admittance is $5.00 (cash only)

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).

Tarek Classification Talk

At our meeting today, Tarek Williams presented his Classification talk with a theme of Faith and Family.

Born in the Bahamas and grew up in Turks and Caicos. Faith and Family has enabled him and his brother to overcome the passing of his mother soon after his brother's birth. In the mid 90's his dad got sick and this is where his grand parents moved from Guyana to help raise the kids and take care of his father. His dad passed away in 1999 and the family faith never wavered. In his will, his dad wanted them to live with his aunt and uncle in Calgary. Faith once again united this new family now with four children and grand parents in the home.

He considers Calgary home.

Completing an MBA at Trinity Western University, Tarek married his wife Brittany 12 years ago and they have two kids age four and one.

Professionally, he began a career in banking, earned a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and moved to Investment Management with Tower Asset Management. He strongly believes that money is a resource and must be managed well to the benefit of the owner and the benefit of those around him. It should be spent on things that matter and be generous , not only with money but also with your time.

Following his classification talk, Tarek was presented with his first Paul Harris Fellow pin by Sandy McKay.

Annual Visit of the District Governor

Meeting News

GUESTS:

The Club was very fortunate to receive a presentation from three ladies dedicated to preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) and also supporting those affected by it.

Myrna Stark started the presentation on FASD outlining interesting statistics of the impact of FASD on the economy and its effect on so many people in Alberta and across Canada. She described the five pillars of focus by her organization which are Public Awareness, Prevention, Assessment and Diagnosis, Support to individuals and Learning.

Kaitlyn Rebmann then outlined the creation of WRAP 2.0 instructional program to support coaching and partnerships.

Lastly, Korie Seibel talked about her efforts travelling across South East Alberta from Pincher Creek to Oyen to communicate with children in Schools delivering important messages an effort to prevent more cases of FASD.

ATTENDANCE:

There were 20 Rotarians at our meeting, 3 guests and 3 on ZOOM.
Many happy dollars for anniversaries, birthdays and good health,

MEETING DRAW:

Tarek Williams was the winner of this weeks draw.

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

Next Rotary Bingo: Gregg Martin is recruiting for the next bingo, which is Monday evening September 29 beginning at 5:00 pm.
Alain Guerard reported on the Rotary Helping Ukraine project fair and suggested our club focus on Education of dispersed children. More will be presented to the club in the next few months.
Christmas party will be on Monday Dec first at the Stampede Grand Stand.
Terry Cooper stated they have 50 bicycles that will be ready in late October and will need help to fix and distribute.
Dawn presented the club with soup bowl warmers for gifts to our guest presenters. Quite useful to eat your soup without burning your hands when watching TV

Family of Rotary

John John is int he hospital being treated for high blood pressure.
Rick Carrier continues to be affected by his commotion due to a Cycling accident

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.