President Mark Sorenson welcomed everyone to our virtual meeting today, including the former club members and guests from District. The primary program today was the presentation of the club history document, another one of our Centennial year goals.
We had a total of 40 people on the meeting today, from near and far....it was great to see everyone!
President Mark also reminded the club that World Polio Day is upcoming, on Saturday October 24. A proclamation will be done at City Hall on Friday to announce the special day, with both our AG and representatives of the other two clubs in town and Mark challenged everyone in the club to make a donation to the Polio Plus fund as ending polio across the world is the number one project of Rotary at this moment. Donations can be made https://my.rotary.org/en . and please let Sandy Mackay know if you make a donation (not the amount) so we can get a total.
Rotary Club "What-z New":
PP Margie Booyens did a minute on the activities in celebration of World Polio Day, our Proclamation is registered with RI and both Medicine Hat News and CHAT TV have been asked to provide some coverage. As well, the electronic sign at the Medicine Hat College will acknowledge World Polio Day and a few other things are planned. Kitt Brand mentioned that only 9% of Rotarians donate to the Polio fund every year and she would really like to see us do much better than that.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
If you are interested in helping this working group, 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
Our next meeting is Monday October 26, "in person" at the Medicine Hat Lodge, will be a business meeting.
Upcoming Rotary District and International Events:
Mark this date in your calendars, the 2021 Rotary District Conference is May 14 - 16, 2021 in Drumheller, AB.
Future Programs:
The Rotary Club's Program Coordinator is Jillian Koch. If you have future program ideas, please email Jillian at jkoch@jmhca.com
In the main part of our program, it was great to welcome back to the club PP Karen Blewett who provided an overview of the club history document project, which went back to our Centennial year planning group in 2015. A team of Rotarians spent a considerable period of time piecing together the club documents, photographs and projects. Karen made special mention of PP Margie Booyens, Doug Fleming, Uwe Krickhahn and Brian Rothwell for their time and energy, as well as a number of others. The history document is about 130 pages in length, loaded with graphics and photographs and ties into the Rotary Impact work done during Karen's year.
The finished document is a professional looking production, and PP Karen made a specific mention of the value of having the talents of a graphic designer, who works for her husband Sean at Community Futures - Entre Corp. Hayley Gibson's work makes the finished product something to be proud of, and something that will endure for decades. PP Dave Panabaker presented Hayley (virtually) a small token of thanks for all her work. The crystal will be delivered this week through Sean's workplace.
President Mark thanked Karen, and everyone involved, for the outstanding job. Secretary Doug Fleming advised that the Rotary Club Board will meet on Tuesday October 20th and will be discussion what formats the publication will take and how much each will cost. A sign up sheet will be created and members can pay for whichever format and how many they wish.
On Wednesday afternoon, October 7th the official "renaming" of 23rd ST NW to Rotary Centennial Drive was observed by the Medicine Hat Rotary Club. This was one of our Centennial Projects, intended to provide a lasting name to a major arterial road, to recognize a century of Rotary Service in the community. It took a while to complete, it had some bumps and hiccups but eventually it all came together and we were able to celebrate.
Thanks to Mayor Ted Clugston, and the other City representatives who were present to note this change.
A group of Rotarians worked a morning shift at Prairie Gleaners on Tuesday October 13, some cutting vegetables and others working in the bagging room. Thanks to Dan Kammerer for organizing the work party and I'm sure many of us will be back. It is a tremendous organization, taking what would become waste and turning it into valuable food.
The soup mix is sent all around the world, and the instructions for making it are pretty straight forward. Each bag of soup mix makes approximately 125 bowls of soup.
PP Karen Blewett, our guest speaker on the history book.
Hayley Gibson, who is employed by Sean Blewett at Community Futures, Entre Corp who did a great deal of graphic design on the history document and Rotary Impact posters.
former member, Brian Rothwell who worked on the history project and is now located in Edmonton.
PDG Christine Rendell, who was DG during our Centennial.
former members Uwe Krickhahn and Teresa Schile...
prospective member Edward Lipen
AG Keith Walker, with the MH Sunrise club.
Club Draw:
No draw today.
Minute People:
If you are interested in receiving an electronic version of "The Rotarian" please log onto MyRotary and follow this link. There is a form to fill out, so you can save postage and trees. You will need the information off the mailing label of your current copy of the Rotarian. The link is https://my.rotary.org/en/node/18361 .
Doug Fleming mentioned that the Saamis Rotary Club is having a "Cheer for a Year" draw this fall, tickets are available from the Rafflebox website.
President Mark mentioned that the Sunrise Rotary Club is also having a Christmas 50/50 draw. Tickets are available through the club.
Dave Panabaker and Glen Presley took a little time today to remind everyone that Club 1000 tickets are being distributed and we really depend on the Rotarians in the club to sell these to family, friends, the community and those who would specifically like to support the Rotary Music Festival.
Several recent Rosebowl winners and participants in the Rosebowl competition will be performing a concert to benefit St Josephs home. It promises to be a great afternoon of music, these are three outstanding musicians. Please book the date into your calendar and join them for this wonderful event.
Kitt Brand mentioned that the Books for Immigrant Kids, are now at the MH Public Library...lets see how this goes.
Dick Bide mentioned that our most recent bingo netted $305.00 toward the pool and John John was the winner of the guess pot. Dave Panabaker passed on that our 3 bingos in August and September have averaged a total profit of $2250.00 PER EVENT, more than we budgeted for and that will be really helpful for the clubs finances.
Community Services Director Melanie Harty advised that due to early winter weather and a delay with the tree supplier, our planning of trees at the Dunmore Rotary Park will be delayed until May of 2021.
Dave Panabaker also mentioned that our next bingo is Monday evening, Nov 2nd...the invitation is already out.
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: October.
Jack Snedden October 26.
Club Anniversaries: October.
Dale Stein 13 years Oct 22, 2007.
Terry Partis 20 years Oct 25, 2000.
Makeups:
Doug Fleming has started keeping track of attendance, as we start back at regular meetings.
Family of Rotary: (PLEASE KEEP ADOLF INFORMED ABOUT MEMBERS SO THAT INFORMATION CAN BE PASSED ON TO ALL IN THE WEEKLY NEWS)..
Gerry Nadeau is currently at home, and appreciates visits and phone calls.
