President Mark Sorenson opened the meeting by welcoming everyone to this unique visit by a District Governor. He spoke about our fundraiser over the weekend, a Rotary "drive thru" Ribfest and thanked a number of people for organizing and volunteering. Particularly he singled out Club Treasurer Gail Halderman and Rotarian Roger Roy for thanks, for all the effort they put into organizing the weekend event.
As part of the "business" of Rotary, the following motion regarding a licence for our Club 1000 draw for 2021 was made to the members.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat make application to the Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission for a license to run a raffle to support the Music Festival for the 2020-21 year, or other approved Rotary projects. The draw will consist of 1,000 tickets, priced at $50 apiece for a 1st Place prize of $7,500, a 2nd Place prize of $2,500 and 3rd thru 6th prize of $500 ea and 7th thru 11th prize of $100 ea. Final draw to be made at the intermission of the Music Festival “Stars of the Festival” event on Sunday March 14, 2021
Moved by Dave Panabaker, seconded by Mike Christie.
Approved by all present.
PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FELLOW ROTARIANS, ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE NEEDS ASSISTANCE. ALSO, IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH THE CLUB, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH PRESIDENT MARK, OR NEWSLETTER EDITOR DAVE P. AND WE'LL MAKE SURE IT GETS COMMUNICATED.
Rotary Club - "What we can do"
The City of Medicine Hat website has a relatively complete list of local issues....check this out as well.
District 5360 has provided a single website to provide up to date information on other club meetings, on activities around the District and some links to Covid-19 sources as well.
The club is encouraging support for a Rotary International project of the club. The Club Rotario Bahía de Jaltemba La Peñita operates 10 soup kitchens and because of the Covid crisis, a lack of funding and many more individuals needing support the Guyobidos Mexico club needs funding. This is the club that Rotarian Roger Roy supports while he is in Mexico. Treasurer Gail Halderman has sent out a completely voluntary donation request based on five meals in June, so if you'd like to, please help out. Funds totaling $2220.00 were were transferred directly to that club this week.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
No update this week.
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
Next in person meeting will be Monday, August 17, at the Medicine Hat Lodge.
Next Bingo will be Sunday evening, August 16th from 5:00 to 10:00 pm
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 keeping with the current health situation, this years visit of the District Governor was a "virtual" one. The club welcomed Mary Turner, Rotary 5360 District Governor 2020-2021 to our meeting, accompanied by the new Assistant Governor for this area Keith Walker from the Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary Club. Both were welcomed by club President Mark Sorenson and DG Mary was introduced by Keith.
Keith introduced Mary, a Toronto native who joined Rotary in 2008 and was club President in Olds for the 2013-2014 year. She and her husband Steve operate the Wildrose Medical Center in Olds and have been active in the YEX program, hosting 3 long term students.
Mary started out by thanking everyone for attending this meeting, in this unique year and her current nickname within the District is "COVID Mary". She spoke about the upcoming partnership between Rotary and Toastmasters, the addition of a 7th area of focus for Rotary International, that being "Enviroment". She touched on the need to increase our diversity, particularly the balance of males and females in each club and she was particularly delighted to announce the appointment of Jennifer Jones, as the Rotary International President for 2022-2023. Jennifer is a Canadian, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor and will be the first female President of RI in history.
Mary also spoke about the wishes of current RI President Holger Knaack, Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany. Holger would like each club to take on a few goals for his year including.
Consider new models for membership, satellite and passport clubs.
Have at least one strategic planning meeting each year.
Be very thorough and careful in selecting members.
And remember that we are "this close" to ending Polio, and support the Rotary Foundation in this effort.
DG Mary also invited everyone to the upcoming District Conference, on May 14-16 in Drumheller, AB. She hopes it will be an in person meeting but flexibility is the name of the game currently. She ended her presentation by speaking about her "Rotary moment", working in her club to help a school in Kenya and that showed her the impact an individual and a club can have around the world.
Mary was thanked by President Mark and answered a few questions. We all wish her great success in her year and hope to see her "in person" after January of 2021.
District Governor Mary Turner, Rotary Club of Olds.
AG Keith Walker, Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary Club.
Minute People:
Treasurer Gail Halderman did an quick update on the results of ROTARY RIBFEST 2020. Although all the invoices and costs have not filtered in yet, approx 1,700 cars purchased ribs and the club received approx $3,500 in donations related to the pop and water available. Gail was pleased with this result and will provide an update in a few weeks.
Ian McLaughlin reminded Rotarians that our turn at a casino fundraiser is still set for August 20-21. He thanked all those who had volunteers and we have a full slate for those two days. There are a number of AGLC changes with the ongoing health crisis, so cancellation is a possibility, but we are planning to go forward.
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 .
Dave Panabaker advised that the next three meetings (Aug 17, 24 and 31) will be "in person", back at the Medicine Hat Lodge. A bagged lunch will be available and the meeting cost will be $20.00 for those eating and $10.00 for those not eating. Hope to see many of you there, our minimum number with the MH Lodge is 25 attendees.
Four new Club members, Peter Mueller, Shalla Shaharyar, Igor Grujic and Elaine Behiel, are currently independently exploring needs in Medicine Hat community. They will pool their findings in August and decide, as a group, to which Association or group they will donate $1,000 on behalf of our Club. This initiative, focusing on local needs and community service, is how Past President Margie decided, with Board approval, to ‘spend’ her Presidential budget allocation. A presentation to the recipient organisation / group will be made by the four members, at a regular noon Monday meeting, possibly in September.
Sandy Mackay reminded all Rotarians that October is World Polio Day, and although we held a good event last year, we need to be planning for something different this year. Please put on your thinking caps and give some feedback to the Board or Sandy, on what would be effective.
Margie Booyens passed on the news from Theresa Eisenbarth that the date for the Garage Sale in support of the MH High School Interact club is noon - 5 pm, on Saturday Sept 12. The sale will take place at the Sea-Can, behind the Bingo Hall. Volunteers will be needed to help set up the Tent and price items. If you are available on that date, please contact Theresa.
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
Gregg Martin Aug 25.
Club Anniversaries: August.
Wayne Chesley 22 years August 28, 1998.
Makeups:
No attendance being recorded during the pandemic period!
Family of Rotary: (PLEASE KEEP ADOLF INFORMED ABOUT MEMBERS SO THAT INFORMATION CAN BE PASSED ON TO ALL IN THE WEEKLY NEWS)..
Glen Presley is back in town, he was "spotted" at the ribfest and everyone wishes him a speedy recovery.
Adolf reported that Doug Thorson has undergone spinal surgery in Texas, and by all accounts it was a complete success. Again, best wishes for a speedy return to Rotary.
