Today's meeting was run by President Margie Booyens, and she began the meeting with thanks for those who hosted Rotary Dinners this past weekend, the Brands and the Mackay's. A great social event for members and partners...and lots of fun for all.
As well, President Margie thanked everyone who worked or helped organize a shift for selling Club 1000 tickets at the Medicine Hat Mall on Saturday. Although our sales work wasn't as successful as we hoped, we learned a lot and will improve the next time.
Margie reminded everyone that our meal choices at the MH Lodge are changing and Club Service Director Heather Bach has sent out a questionnaire recently to gauge club interest in the options and the resulting costs. Please answer the survey, if you need a paper copy or a "resend" of the digital version please let Heather know. We want everyone's voice to be heard, before a decision on a go-forward position is made at the February business meeting. For the remaining meetings this month, the cost will be the same ($20) and the meal will be a soup and sandwich.
President Margie also reminded the club that Thursday Feb 20th our club is scheduled to visit the Saamis Rotary club. The meeting location will be the Home Inn and Suites (the former Callaghan Inn). The meeting will start at 6:15 pm. but Saamis meets early in the lounge starting around 5 pm. Our club will not meet due to the Family Day holiday and it seemed like a great opportunity to visit our sister club. It is hoped that club co-President Jim Marshall will do a presentation on the recent Steam Engine donation to the Friends of Medalta.
Rotary Club "What-z New":
The catering options at the Medicine Hat Lodge are changing, and will affect our lunch time meal. An explanation of some of the options and a opinion questionnaire has been sent out to all Rotarians. Heather Bach advised that the Board is considering alternatives and options, and for the month of February the lunch meal will be a simple soup and sandwich. A long term decision will be made at the business meeting of late February.
Promotion of the Rotary Club will be the focus of a new committee that Heather Bach is working on. Everything from Social Media, the Club Newsletter, and other in the community appearances, will help lift the profile of the club in the community.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
Membership Chair, Mike Christie advised the club last week that a new format, simpler and faster, will be used to bring on new members. As well, work has been done on the concept of Corporate Memberships, as well as a "Friends of Rotary" designation. The membership committee is also working on a Classification Survey, to try to diversify the membership of the club.
Watch this space in the future for more membership information.
Rotary Club Information:
Upcoming meetings:
See the club calendar adjacent or the club website.
Housekeeping:
Please bring club draw items. It is an important part of our meeting and funds to run the club.
If you have a Meeting Minute, please send President Margie a note (email, phone, in-person)
Board minutes can be found on ClubRunner, under Club Documents.
Upcoming Rotary Club. District and International Events:
The Rotary Club welcomed Honorary Member, Medicine Hat Mayor Ted Clugston to the podium today. Ted was introduced by Mike Christie, who spoke briefly about Ted's history. Mayor Ted had recently given his annual, formal "State of the City" address and he paid us a visit to give us the "Coles Notes" version. Ted has been a council member since 2007 and Mayor since 2013.
Ted began by speaking about the "team" at City Hall...both his fellow Council members, the Executive and all the staff. He is extremely proud of the performance of the organization and as shown in a recent article in the New York Times, as a community we "punch way above our weight class". He spoke about the difference in municipal politics, and how everything is not as bad as it seems in the media. He spoke of recent success, of the challenges with the recent Aurora Cannabis announcements (he expects 6 of the 36 production bays to be planted this year, with at least 50 - 100 jobs). That facility is the largest "Controlled Agricultural Environment" in the country, over 1.6 Million sq ft.
Mayor Ted spoke about the challenges in the home building sector, although commercial building is very healthy. He spoke about the accomplishments of this Council including the completion of the flood protective berms and the work associated with transforming the "Gas City" with the abandonment of many of the oil and gas assets due to the expected prices. He mentioned expansions at Cancarb and the success of Qinetiq as reasons for optimism in the community.
Ted thanked the Rotary Club for the Rotary Music Festival, he credits it with helping a shy child blossom and finished his presentation with a poem titled "Invictus"...or "the unconquered". Well done Mayor Ted.
Mayor Ted was thanked by President Margie Booyens, who spoke about the need to know the needs of the community, what issues are going unresolved or unaddressed and where can Rotary make a big impact. Our club is reviewing those things now and hopefully will be coming up with local community service projects with the biggest "needs" in mind.
Bob Arthur, a former member of the club was back for a visit.
Patty Schnieder, a guest of Margie Booyens.
Anne White, partner of Jim White.
Sharon McDonnell, Saamis Rotary Club
Birthdays: The month of February.
Gerry Nadeau Feb 13.
Bruce Shepard Feb 17.
Don Davis Feb 23.
Lavar Payne Feb 23.
Jason Hertz Feb 27.
Lisa DesRoches Feb 28.
Margie Booyens Feb 29.
Club Anniversaries: The month of February.
Gregg Martin 29 years Feb 1 1991.
Marg Mazerolle 28 years Feb 1 1992.
Ted Cowtan 5 years Feb 9 2015.
Chris Perret 11 years Feb 24 2009.
Club Draw:
Heather Bach was the winner of some table napkins.
Makeups:
Saturday Club 1000 ticket sellers.
Other makeups were recorded.
Family of Rotary:
Both Jim White and Wayne Chesley were celebrating significant wedding anniversaries.
A short update on Gregg Martin. His tumor is slightly smaller than a golf ball and will require surgery in 4 - 6 weeks. There are a number of pre-op procedures to go through, most of them can be done in Medicine Hat and then with any luck a short stay in the hospital and a couple of weeks off work. He hopes to make a club meeting in the next few weeks.
For those other members of the club who are facing health challenges, we keep you in our thoughts and prayers and also wish you well.
Minute People:
MOST IMPORTANTLY, Glen Presley spoke about the need to sell Club 1000 tickets. We have lots of tickets left to sell, and not a lot of time. There will be a credit card machine available for the MH Mall ticket sellers on Sat Feb 22, and for those with a little time there are lists of previous purchasers which can be contacted for potential sales. If you need tickets, please contact Glen or Ken Zollner.
Heather Bach announced that the Connections Intercultural Club, is meeting at the Station Coffee House on Feb 28, and has invited the Rotary Club to attend.
Heather also mentioned that club meeting change surveys are available at the back of the room, she has a .
Dave Panabaker thanked everyone who helped with the ticket sales at the MH Mall on Saturday and wished the Feb 22 group better luck!
Mike Christie advised that the next New Member Orientation will take place on Feb 21, at the Brand residence beginning at 5:00 pm.
Milan Vujovic reminded everyone to sign up for the volunteer spots at the Rotary Music Festival. Its coming up fast, starting on March 1.
Mike Christie also mentioned that the next membership committee meeting will be Thursday Feb 13, at the Cypress Club at 5 pm..
Heather Bach is working on a Promotions committee, incorporating our social media, newsletter and other forms of communication, with the idea that it can help raise our community profile. Please see Heather if you can help.
