This week, our acting President was President-elect Margie Booyens who took the podium to run the meeting. She took time to thank everyone involved in the recent Music Festival and to pass along the clubs congratulations to the organizing group for the resounding success of the 64th annual festival.
Rotary Club Information:
Upcoming meetings:
Next weeks meeting, with Treasurer Gail Halderman at the helm will feature a presentation by Aurora Cannabis, on their large local development.
Margie reminded everyone of the Club Strategic Planning update, on Saturday April 6 from 9 am to 2 pm, location TBD.
Housekeeping:
Please bring auction items. It is an important part of our meeting.
If you have a Meeting Minute, please send Pres Chris a note (email, phone, in-person)
Board minutes can be found on ClubRunner, under Club Documents.
Upcoming Rotary Events:
Rotary District 5360 Convention, May 3 - 5, 2019 in Olds, AB. DG Dan is proposing a different and exciting district conference, so members are encouraged to register. So far it looks like 5 members are planning to attend.
Rotary International Conference in Hamburg Germany in June 2019
Club Strategic Planning:
President Chris Perret took the microphone to remind everyone that a short Strategic Planning Questionnaire has been emailed out to members, asking for feedback on strategic priorities and fundraising. For those that might have missed it, a second copy will be coming out this week with the invitation to the event. The location will be determined by the number of people responding . The date for that session is April 6, the first Saturday in April.
Please complete the Strategic Planning Questionnaire and either bring it to the next meeting or email it back to Chris. This is an opportunity for all members to express their opinion and to have their voices heard.
Future Programs:
For more Club activities, to keep up with events and stay in touch, check the Club website at: www.medicinehatrotary.com
If you have any future program ideas, please email Jillian Koch at jkoch@jmhca.com
The Rotary Club welcomed Celina Symmonds, Executive Director of the MH Food Bank to our meeting today. Celina is well known in the community as a former member of City Council, a current member of the Public School Board and her work at the Food Bank.
Celina began her talk by reviewing some of the history of the Food Bank, which started in 1982 as a method of enuring food security for those who were hard hit by the economic downturn occurring at that time. They were not expected to last many years, but are still an unfortunately thriving part of our social security net. The organization has a "Food First" Plan, and have been working with families to provide about 12 weeks of education, to help impress on them the importance of making food a priority. This has been remarkable successful, with many of the program graduates moving beyond needing the Food Bank, and helping lift them out of poverty.
This work has led the organization to propose a Community Food & Wellness Center, with access to a meal with friends, a teaching kitchen for food safety and serving. As well, the facility would provide contact access for other social service groups, including medical and dental care, as well as contact with organizations like Phoenix Safe house for those driven to the food bank by domestic violence. Celina played an impactful video of the food bank in action. She also provided some facts and figures on this proposed 35,000 sq ft building, at a cost of $8.5 Million. Currently MHSD # 76 has come on board as a major partner and she spoke about opportunities for service clubs to provide facilities or help access grants.
A number of questions were asked and answered, and she was thanked by Wayne Chesley with a token of our appreciation.
There were a number of guests at the meeting today
Dan Kammerer, a transfer to our club from MH Sunrise
Lisa DesRoches, a potential club member awaiting induction.
Celina Symmonds, Executive Director of the MH Food Bank and our guest speaker today.
Mark Morad, a fellow Rotarian from the Lethbridge Downtown club. He mentioned they were having a Lobsterfest as well, on May 11.
Brenda Bauman, still a Rotarian in our minds and always welcome!!
Tom Hamp, a guest of Dave Panabaker.
Birthdays:
Allan O'Byrne March 23.
Anniversaries:
None this week.
Weekly Draws:
Attendance draw today was Jillian Koch who was NOT in attendance to win a free meal.
The club draw was won by Ray Kemp who took home a box of Hawaiian shortbread cookies, donated by Dick Bide.
Club 500:
The $1,500 draw was won today by Nancy Cummings on a ticket sold by Jay Chesley.
Make Ups:
Ray Kemp attended 10 meetings in Palm Springs while he was down south.
Family of Rotary:
Herman Wahl is back in Medicine Hat, under a treatment regime from his stint in Calgary, we wish him a speedy recovery.
Terry Partis is back in Medicine Hat, after undergoing extensive testing in Calgary.
Minute People:
Dave Panabaker was looking for Rotarians interested in a Saturday visit to Swift Current to attend their annual "Lobsterfest" Actually either steak or lobster is available at $75/ticket, and it is the major fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Swift Current. If anyone is interested in paying a friendship visit and taking part in the fun please contact Dave prior to Wed March 27.
Dave also mentioned that nominations for the 2019 Community Spirit Awards are now open, several of the Rotarians in our club (most recently Stan Sakamoto in 2017) have been honored for their community spirit. If anyone knows someone who should be nominated, or would like to help with the nomination group, please contact President-elect Margie Booyens or Dave Panabaker. For more information, consult the City of Medicine Hat website and search for "2019 Community Spirit Awards".
A reminder that the MH Sunrise - Adaptive Sport & Rec Wheelchair Basketball tournament is Saturday March 23. It is a great event, please take it in if you have a chance.
Dave Stalwick gave the members in attendance a heads-up that we have two upcoming bingos, one on Sunday afternoon, March 31 and one on Thursday April 4. They are so close together because of trades to avoid conflicts with the music festival. Registration emails have gone out for the first bingo, with the second to follow late this week.
Joe Chacko provided information on the Music Festival tickets on each table, which are the responsibility of the Festival to sell.
Sandy Mackay advised that the Rotary Friendship exchange group from New Zealand will be here from July 3 - 5, and the itinerary is being planned. Anyone interested in helping out with hosting, driving or accompanying the visitors please contact Sandy.
Milan Vujovic, as Chairman of the Music Festival, wanted to thank all the Rotarians and volunteers who helped out over the past few weeks. It was a great success.
Don Davis also thanked everyone for their support at the Festival.
Brenda Bauman (and husband Doug) made a wonderful donation to the Music Festival Society, to help ensure that the Festival can continue in the future.
Doug Fleming, took a minute to review the number of volunteer positions at the Festival and the number of makeups it creates. Great work by a small army of volunteers.
