President Terry Partis welcomed everyone to this virtual meeting of the club, but an annual event we all look forward to and that is the visit from our District Governor. He welcomed Martin Parnell, who would be introduced later.
President Terry announced that there has been a last minute change in dates for Rotary Rib-Fest, it is now August 6-August 8. Volunteers will be needed all three days.
Terry also spoke a little more about the "Move for Polio" initiative, several people had asked for more information about navigating the site, or doing donations, so some "pdf's" will be emailed out this week.
If you go to that page, and click the "participants" tab, you will see the 5 members of the club (Partis, Booyens, Bide, Christie and Panabaker) who have set up individual pages. Remember that if you identify yourself, you will receive Foundation points as well as an income tax receipt. As of Wednesday morning, July 28th, our MH team has raised $1,975.00 and is ranked 2nd in the District.
Please help us get to $2,500...remember Wayne Chesley's pledge to match that amount!
President Terry also mentioned that will help from AG Keith Walker and our Margie Booyens, some tri-club social meetings will be attempted in the fall. Each of the clubs will organize a place to meet, on the last Friday of the month, purely as a social get together.
September 24 - MH Rotary, MH Brewing Company, 5:00pm - 6:00pm. A pure social event!
October 29 - Sunrise Rotary
November 26 - Saamis Rotary
Please save those dates.
Great to see so many Rotarians on the meeting,
Rotary Club "What-z New":
The new club laptop made an appearance today, more equipment to facilitate hybrid meetings is on the way. Many thanks to Mike Christie and Edward Lipin for learning to work the technology and provide this enhanced club meeting experience.
If our hybrid meetings continue in the future, a few more meeting helpers will be required to help run cameras and sound. We are all learning as we go along here, but these type of meetings are manpower intensive.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
If you are interested in helping this working membership team, please contact Mike Christie.
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
Thursday July 29 - Rotary Bingo
Monday Aug 2 - CIVIC HOLIDAY, no meeting
Wednesday Aug 4 - Rotary Bingo
Friday Aug 6 - Sunday Aug 8 - Rotary Rib-Fest
Monday Aug 9 - In Person meeting, MH Lodge
Upcoming Rotary District and International Events:
The annual Rotary Waterton Glacier Peace Park celebration is scheduled for Sept 17-19, in Waterton.
The next District 5360 Conference is a "single day" event in Cochrane, on Saturday May 14, 2022
Future Programs:
The Rotary Club's Program Coordinator is Jillian Koch. If you have future program ideas, please email Jillian at jkoch@jmhca.com
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat is proud to participate in 2021 Rotary Rib-Fest again this year. A big "THANK YOU" to Murray Chev Cadillac for allowing the use of their property again this year.
The dates have recently been confirmed as Friday August 6, 2021 (starting at 11:00 am) and running through to Sunday August 8, 2021 (finishing at about 7:00 pm). It does take "serve" to a completely different place, but based on last year's wonderful ribs, they will "change lives"...so come on out and enjoy.
The annual tradition of a visit from the District Governor continued at Rotary today, as our newly installed DG Martin Parnell, of the Rotary Club of Cochrane, joined us by ZOOM. Martin was introduced by Assistant Governor Dan Kammerer, who was "pitch hitting" for AG Keith Walker.
AG Dan introduced Martin Parnell, a long term Rotarian from the RC of Cochrane, married to Sue, with 3 children and the 3 "best" grandchildren. Martin left the mining industry after 25 years, but he certainly didn't "retire". He has had a long term personal project in terms of a "Quest for Kids", and has run a number of overseas marathons, completed a 250 marathon in one year task and has raised over $1.3 Million dollars for the organization "Right To Play".
Martin is an author, with his latest book coming out this year, and has been a long service Rotarian.
Martin began his talk with a land acknowledgement for District 5360, and spoke about the transition from a "virtual" world to the "new normal", which might not look quite like the normal we left 18 months ago. He stressed that we need to be flexible and adaptable in Rotary, especially this year as we move back to "in person" meetings.
Martin talked about an African proverb, " if you want to go fast, go alone...and if you want to go far, go together". He liked that image, because as Rotarians when we are together we can go a long way.
Martin spoke about his focus on the Strategic Plan of the District, the "Family of Rotary" and his three special initatives. He mentioned "Move for Polio", and reminded everyone that donations to the campaign are matched 2:1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He spoke about Wed March 2, 2022 which will be Rotary Day of Service, with an emphasis on empowering and supporting girls and women. His third special promotion was the 2022 District Conference, a one day event in Cochrane on Saturday May 14, 2022. They are hoping for 400 participants, and the charity partner that day will be Shelterbox.
He asked some questions of the club and answered a few questions from the group. We look forward to an exciting year Martin, thanks for visit!!
Our 2021-2022 District Governor, Martin Parnell of the Rotary Club of Cochrane.
Club Draw:
No draw this week.
Minute People:.
Gail Halderman, did a minute on the upcoming Rib-Fest. He confirmed that the Rotary Rib-Fest is a go, for August 6 - 8. The date change was a surprise this weekend, and alternations to the advance publicity are taking place today. Planning is underway, volunteers will be needed and there may be a walkup area for eating as well as a drive through. Gail has sent out requests for sponsorship, primarily by businesses who will get signage and media (social and radio) advertising for helping out. If you have that weekend available please set aside some time to help out. Gail is particularly interested in the volunteer recruiting, and Melanie Harty mentioned she and Community Service could help with that.
The next Rotary bingo is Thursday evening, July 29th, and the team is full...thanks to everyone!
Gregg Martin advised that our August bingo has been moved to Wednesday evening, August 4th, to avoid conflict with Rib-Fest, and Casino That is two bingo's in a week, so jump up and volunteer for one or the other.
Doug Fleming mentioned that the Rotary Centennial History document is now published and printed copies are available for $20.00. An electronic copy (the digital file is very large) will be available on a flashdrive if there is enough demand. An email will go out this week and the printed books available for purchase at the next "in person" meeting on Monday August 9th.
Ken Zoller advised that our next casino will be August 21 and 22, and all the volunteers have stepped forward, Great work all, thanks.
For those who are interested in learning about our indigenous neighbors, Dan Kammerer sent along a free course, sponsored by BMO which is used in their internal training and provided through the First Nations University of Canada. The course is free until July 15, and can be accessed through this link. https://www.fnuniv.ca/partnerships/reconciliation . As well, a much more comprehensive course, titled "Indigenous Canada" can be accessed through the University of Alberta. It is also free, and can be found here. https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada .
Dave Panabaker also announced that a blend of "in-person" meetings and "ZOOM" meetings are planned for July and August. Currently August 9th and 23nd are booked at the MH Lodge, WATCH for attendance invitations as we work with the MH Lodge to reopen things and have personal meetings. An email is out, looking for greeters at this meetings.
Dick Bide advised that he has pie cherry's ready for picking, please come by and help clean out the tree.
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
Wayne Chesley August 4th.
Terry Partis August 5th.
Ken Feser August 8th.
Gregg Martin August 25th.
Club Anniversaries: July and August.
Glen Presley 6 years July 27, 2015.
Kitt Brand 12 years July 29, 2009.
Ken Zollner 38 years Aug 1, 1983.
Jillian Koch 5 years Aug 8, 2016.
Wayne Chesley 23 years Aug 28, 1998.
Makeups:
No report.
Family of Rotary: (PLEASE KEEP ADOLF INFORMED ABOUT MEMBERS SO THAT INFORMATION CAN BE PASSED ON TO ALL IN THE WEEKLY NEWS)..
Fran Wahl advised that a small, graveside service is being planned for Herman, which will take place in Hillside Cemetery on Saturday August 21st, at 1:30 pm. A reception will follow in Herman Wahl Memorial Park in Redcliff. Please save that date.
The Rotary Club members send their best wishes to PDG Rick Istead, who is undergoing stem cell treatment in Calgary.
