President Milan began the meeting with O'Canada and a recitation of the Rotary 4-Way Test.
Milan then advised the club that our planned speaker had to postpone due to a family medical emergency, but all was not lost because looking at the list of "minutes" and "events" to report on and promote we can easily fill in the time.
PP Mike Christie began this long string of announcements with the great news that Rotarian Dick Northcott has agreed to stand for President in the 2027 - 2028 year. He will be upcoming President Doug Flemings President-elect next year. Thanks Dick, the club needs the support of members to take on this role.
Mike also announced that Kevin Walcer has agreed to join the club Board beginning in July of 2026, and that because of a club resignation we are in need of two other Board members for 2026 - 2028.
Dick Northcott got a minute to try out the microphone, and give us a short update on the lingering effects of declining international aid around the world.
President Milan was very happy to advise that Rotarian Sandy Mackay has been made an honorary member of the club and will continue to get the Weekly News during his time at the Masterpiece Seniors Center. He was presented with a certificate last week and was very happy to be remembered. Short visits are always welcome.
Members of the Rotary Club and several partners created "food for hungry people" at Prairie Gleaners on Saturday morning. Many thanks to Sunrise Rotarian Dan Kammerer for the tour and the morning of valuable labour. It is wonderful to see what would otherwise be waste used to feed hungry people in every corner of the world. Thanks to Margie Booyen for organizing the group and something we will likely try and do again soon.
ROTARY AT DISTRICT LEVEL
Members were again encouraged to register for and attend the District 5360 conference, taking place in Red Deer from 1-3 May. It is suggested that those attending book into the same hotel, so as to be able to socialize as a group. The Holiday Inn Express on 50th is proposed.
There will be a display of Rotary intervention (projects) connected to the Ukraine at DisCon.
The dueling piano performance on the first evening of DisCon should be fun. Those attending are encouraged to spend time in the House of Friendship in which there will be tables and booths on a range of projects and programs undertaken by Rotarians and Clubs in District 5360.
See how to register in the MINUTES in the MEETING NEWS section of this newsletter.
ROTARY AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
As we have been mentioning for some time now, the next RI Convention will be held in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, from 13-17 June 2026. Those attending should please let the Board know.
See more in the MINUTES in the MEETING NEWS section of this newsletter.
MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY
As many Rotarians will know, our club, in cooperation with the Saamis Rotary Club and the Friends of the Monarch Society, has been working on restoring both the structure and the programming at the historic Monarch movie theatre on 2nd St S.E, Medicine Hat.
The Monarch is having a promotion on a "book" of tickets, check it out it is a great deal
Our club will try to keep track of events on at the Monarch, and will give members a heads-up about opportunities to serve. If you are interested in volunteering at the Monarch, please let Rotarian Janessa Anderson know (403-952-1907) and she will provide details of available shifts and responsibilities.
Volunteering at a show is a great way to connect with the community and support our historic local landmark.
Also, the Friends of the Monarch Society is having their AGM on Tuesday May 5th. If you are interested in the restoration and recovery of the Monarch Theatre, a cause our club has supported over the past few years, please make a point of attending.
Ideas for Future Programs
The Rotary Club's Program Committee members are Jillian Koch (jkoch@jmhca.com), Margie Booyens (margiebooyens@gmail.com), Alain Guerard (aguerard@telus.net), Sharon Hayward (sharon.hayward@medicinehatymca.ca).
ATTENDANCE: 23 members attended the meeting in person, plus three online.
GUESTS:
None this week.
MEETING DRAW:
There were 3 draws today from donations to the club.
Odessa Vermee won a pair of tickets to an event at the Esplande.
Mike Christie won a pair of tickets to an event at the Esplanade.
Dave Panabaker won a chocolate bar, and a “reacher” to get it with!
MAKEUPS: None were mentioned.
BIRTHDAYS:
Presley, Glen - April 3
Shanbhag, Manali - April 7
Scott, Bernie - April 9
Dressler, Lisa - April 23
ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES:
Bide, Dick - 55 years - April 11, 1971
Brekko, Terry - 37 years - April 01, 1989
Hrankowski, Joe - 26 years - April 03, 2000
Panabaker, Dave - 22 years - April 01, 2004
Shave, Brad - 17 years - April 10, 2009
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR APRIL 2026:
The Rose Runner for April is Gail Halderman.
NEW MINUTES AND REMINDERS:
ROSEBOWL WINNER SHOWCASE: Rotary Members, guests and supporters of the Rotary Music Festival are invited to the Medicine Hat Public Library on Monday evening, April 27th at 6:00 pm to enjoy a performance by the Monet sisters, winners of the Rotary Rosebowl trophy the past two years. The Club really encourages members to bring guests who support the Music Festival, to witness the kind of talent that the Festival produces. No cost, and light snacks will be available after the performance. We would love to pack the library theatre.
ROTARY CENTENNIAL DRIVE CLEANUP: Dale Stein is organizing our annual cleanup of Rotary Centennial Drive NW. We will meet at Division Ave N and Rotary Centennial Drive at 9:00 am on Saturday April 18th. We will split into two groups, one will go to the 10th Ave NW intersection and work it's way east and one will work from Division to the west. A good turnout will make the work easier.
BBQ SOCIAL: Kinette Kitchen, Kin Coulee. Members are asked to put Thursday 21 May from 5-8pm in their schedules. President Milan and the Club Program Committee are organizing a relaxed, fun time together on this date, in Kin Coulee, enjoying special food (the nature of which will be shared nearer the time!) not only with our Club members but with all Rotarians in Medicine Hat, plus family and friends!
CASINO DUTY: A reminder that our Club will be ‘staffing’ the casino on Tuesday September 22 and Wednesday September 23 . Ken Zollner was recruiting volunteers. Please check your calendar to see if you are able to help out.
TERRY FOX FOUNDATION: The Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary Club has organized a fundraising event at the Public Library on May 6, 2026 beginning at 7 PM. It will feature a presentation by Greg Johnson, Tornado Hunter. He has entertained groups in the city before and puts on a great presentation. Definitely worth looking into for a good cause.
RAYEK: The Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary club is supporting RAYEC (Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp) with a raffle this spring. Please contact one of the local Sunrise Rotarians, or use the QR code below to purchase tickets.
MEETING DOOR GREETERS NEEDED: Please talk to Dave Stalwick. Consider getting your name on the roster. Being a ‘meeting greeter’ is a great way to welcome and to get to know fellow members.
MEDALTA CLAY PRODUCTS DOCUMENTARY: Members of the Rotary Club (which was an early sponsor of the restoration work at Medalta are encouraged to attend the airing of Luke Fandrich's documentary on the history and restoration of the Medalta site. If you are not attending District Conference, it will be a great thing to do on April 30, May 1 or 2.
NOMINATE A SENIOR FOR THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TOP 7 OVER 70 AWARD
Eligible nominees are seniors aged 70+ who live in Medicine Hat, Redcliff, or surrounding counties and special areas. Nominees should be recognized for new achievements started after age 70, rather than lifetime accomplishments.
The award honours individuals who demonstrate excellence, creativity, innovation, or collaboration in areas such as agriculture, health and recreation, arts and culture, science, business, volunteerism, the environment, overcoming adversity, or making a difference.
For nomination forms and details, visit https://cfsea.ca/top-7-70. You can also talk to Margie Booyens, who is one of many ambassadors of this 2026 award.
Deadline for submission of nominations: June 30, 2026.
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS: The next fast-paced, informative session - ideal not only for new members but for any Rotarian who wants to learn more about Rotary - will be held on Thursday April 23 at 7:30pm EST. Registration is available on the District website.
WHY ROTARY? The 2026 Why Rotary event will be held on April 29 in the Stampede Ballroom from 05:30pm - an event for and with all Rotary clubs in Medicine Hat. Tickets will be $20 per person this year and will include appetizers, not a full meal.
BINGO UPDATE:On behalf of Gregg Martin, Bingo Chairperson, Dave Panabaker recruited a couple of additional floor workers for the bingo this Sunday afternoon.
Please keep a Board Member informed about members health and/or any other changes, so that information can be provided to the club through the Weekly News.
It was great to see a couple of photos from Kitt and Dieter Brand, who are visiting Peru. Travel safe!
Our first meeting of every month is a business meeting, but all meetings are both in person and available on ZOOM. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
Mike also announced that Kevin Walcer has agreed to join the club Board beginning in July of 2026, and that because of a club resignation we are in need of two other Board members for 2026 - 2028.
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