President Bruce Shepard welcomed all to the YMCA-located noon meeting of our Club.
It was a delight to visit the Down Town YMCA, one of Medicine Hat’s key recreational resources, which our Club has had the pleasure of supporting in different ways, over the years.
After a round of introductions, the focus fell on FINANCIAL MOTIONS:
UKRAINE: The motion to allocate USD2,000 through a Type C grant, as a contribution towards covering rehabilitation materials, training and equipment at a hospital in the Ukraine, was moved by Terry Brekko and seconded by Sandy MacKay. After questions and a discussion, the motion was carried with just one objection. The main District grant in this regard, will be applied for by the RC of Calgary North. It will unfold into a Global Grant.
MONARCHTHEATRE: The motion to allocate $2500 towards the Monarch 1911 restoration project (sound equipment) was moved by Margie Booyens and seconded by Mike Christie. After a discussion, questions, responses, the motion was carried, unanimously. Saamis Club is the lead club and will be submitting the grant request on behalf of all clubs involved. Our $2500 will, if the whole grant application is approved by the District Grants Committee, have $7500 of District Dedicated Grant money added to it, making it a total contribution of $10,000 for the Monarch 1911 project.
YMCA CEO Sharon Hayward was introduced and made a great presentation on the Down Town YMCA: statistics, vision and mission; who they are; four strategy areas; child care; employment center; programs; money raised; philanthropy strong kids; and looking to the future - their planning. Please read more in the STORY section of this newsletter.
After the presentation, those present were reminded that the noon meeting next week (18 March) will once again be held at The Legion.
Members were then treated to a tour of the wonderfully well equipped and maintained facility.
Rotary Club "What-z New":
A few more meeting helpers are required to run cameras and sound during our hybrid meetings. Anyone wishing to help should contact Mike Christie 403 878 3311.
Rotary Club Committee Membership Update:
Please continue to assist your 'team captains' and please also work in other areas of club activity, as you are able.
NEW DEVELOPMENT! Please have a look on ClubRunner in the Committee section. You should find your name on one of the committee member lists, as per your choice(s). If not, please contact President Bruce.
Rotary Club Information:
Housekeeping:
If you have a Meeting Minute, please phone, text or email the President and it will be included in the next Newsletter.
Board minutes can be found on ClubRunner, under Club Documents.
Rotary District 5360 and Rotary International News
RI CONVENTION 2025 IN CALGARY
The RI Convention was last held in Calgary in 1996. It’s going to be back in Calgary again in 2025.
DG Kurt Kowalchuk (email dated June 19) is calling for committee members, in particular but not exclusively, for the Sponsorship & Revenue committee, and the House of Friendship committee
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Host Organizing Committee secretary, Luanne Whitmarsh (l.whitmarsh@shaw.ca)
DG Kurt writes that this convention is going to be done in a way that will be transformational for Rotary in our District
PDG Sandy McKay has volunteered to be the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat's representative on the RI Host Committee.
Other District news
The annual District 5360 AGM will be held on May 13th at 7:00 pm. Our club is normally officially represented by the President-elect and another member of the executive, but any Rotarian may attend. It is a ZOOM meeting, so no travel required. Watch the WN for a link to sign up.
The 2024 District Conference. Register online at https://www.discon5360.ca . The 2024 District Conference will be in Drumheller on May 4 and 5. Because of the 2025 RI Convention in Calgary, there will likely be no local conference in 2025 and the next District Conference will be May 2026 in Red Deer.
Ideas for Future Programs
The Rotary Club's Program Committee members are Jillian Koch (jkoch@jmhca.com), Dave Panabaker (d.panabaker@hotmail.com) and Margie Booyens (margiebooyens@gmail.com).
If you have ideas for future programs, please contact them.
This is the guiding mantra of the YMCA – and the Y certainly provides a wide range of contexts, facilities and services, in which this can become a reality for all who use this wonderful, multi-faceted resource – which is proud to have a current membership of 4,600 members, plus many who purchase day passes, attend free events, and rent space.
More statistics:
CEO Sharon Hayward shared that the programs and services of the Down Town Y impacted over 7,100 people over the past year (2022-2023), in Medicine Hat and Brooks, drawing on a budget of $9.6m, and staffed by 200 employees, 23 registered volunteers and 15 event volunteers.
What kind of impact do they aim to have?
When did it all start in Medicine Hat? In the late 1950s, thanks to the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat undertaking a major fundraising campaign. Incorporation followed in 1966.
Child Care: impacted 664 children over the past year.
The Employment Center offered 12 job fairs, attended by 400 job seekers. The Center’s 14 programs assisted 1,344 people in Medicine Hat and Brooks.
The Y’s programs can be divided into three: Community Programs, Day Camps, and Health Fitness and Aquatics.
On the financial front, the Y raised $116,740 last year, through the Strong Kids campaign, capital/greatest area of need, and events, the latter raising $35,961 of the total.
Turning to the future, CEO Sharon spoke about the Y aiming to expand its impact. In what respects? Included are an increase in licenced child care spaces; sustainability in a competitive market; and increased collaboration with the City of Medicine Hat regarding the possibility of a new recreation center in South Ridge. Clearly, funds development is needed and envisaged, to support all these and other expansions.
Go, YMCA, go! We, the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat, are proud to have been instrumental in raising funds for the establishment of the Y and to have been supporters of different initiatives, over the years.
A big thank you to CEO Sharon and all the staff and volunteers, for your dedication and for the spectrum of services you offer, through which you make a significant contribution to promoting the well-being and the development of the potential of residents, at all stages in the life cycle, in our communities.
Guest speaker Sharon Hayward (YMCA CEO), Kristen Dietrich (YMCA Director of Philanthropy and Executive Assistant to CEO), Johan Booyens
The meeting at the Down Town YMCA was attended by 25: the above three guests, four on Zoom and the rest in-person.
CLUB DRAW: None
Please remember to contribute gifts for the weekly draw. The stock cupboard is looking a tad bare!
Makeups: None mentioned .
Birthdays:
Dan Kammerer March 4
Dave Panabaker March 7
Terry Cooper March 25
Rotary Anniversaries:
Stan Sakamoto 40 years March 1, 1984
Jack Snedden 35 years March 1, 1989
Dave Stalwick 22 years March 4, 2002
Mike Christie 22 years March 4, 2002
John John 21 years March 10, 2003
Bruce Shepard 10 years March 10, 2014.
Alain Guerard 1 year March 13, 2023.
Dawn Barr 20 years March 29, 2004.
Wedding Anniversary Rose Runner for March 2024:
Gail Halderman
Minutes:
SECRET 3K WALK
The "Secret 3K Walk for Women and Children" was held on the Sunrise Rotary Trail on International Women's Day, Friday March 8 at 5pm. Gratitude to Keith Walker and the Sunrise Rotary Club for organizing the event - and to Keith for taking the group photograph!
This was the third annual walk in support of this District-wide initiative. It was not as cold as last year, and there were 17 who participated in the walk - friends and members from all four clubs. Milan, Almira and Margie held up a flag for our Club!
The $200 raised will be going to a non-profit in Canada called 30 Birds, which is "dedicated to ensuring that all Afghan girls can pursue their academic and professional dreams, make meaningful contributions to their communities, and acquire the knowledge and connections they need to pave the way toward a bright future for themselves, their new homes, and for Afghanistan" (30 Birds website, thanks to Keith Walker).
WHY ROTARY? EVENT: Wednesday April 24, from 6:30pm
Mike Christie asked for volunteers to decorate the Stampede Grounds Ballroom. He said that Interact members and selected Rotary Music Festival participants would be in attendance, as would members of the other Rotary Clubs in town. There will be a cash bar. Coffee and liqueur are included in the $30 pp ticket. The event will be run like a typical Rotary Club meeting. The Events Committee has found a few sponsors, but donations for door prizes are needed.
BINGO
Dave Stalwick reported that the Bingo session on Thurs 7 March had only generated $10.25. There had been seven workers but only 53 players. Who won the pot? Terry Brekko. Next Bingo session will be during the Easter weekend, on Saturday 30 March, in the evening.
ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Rose Bowl: Dave Panabaker reminded members that the Rose Bowl will take place in the theatre of the Medicine Hat College, on Friday 15 March, at 7pm. A second volunteer is needed for door monitoring, alongside Milan Vujovic.
Club 1000 raffle tickets: Final day to sell AND HAND IN tickets to Dave P: Thursday 14 March.
JAMES (JIM) MARSHALL
Dave Panabaker drew attention to the upcoming celebration of Jim Marshall’s 85th birthday and his wonderful art works. A reception will be held in the Yuell Galary at Medalta, on 10 April at 7pm.
Add invitation.
CHURCH BASED PROJECT
Dave Panabaker told members about a St John’s Presbyterian church project called MHart. He invited members to attend an event being planned by MHart, on Thursday 21 March, at St Johns, at 7pm. There will be two speakers, both professionals with Immigration Services, talking about some of the good and the bad experiences of newcomers to Medicine Hat.
TEAM FREEWHEEL BIKE PROJECT
Ken Zollner reminded members that the spring handout of restored bikes would start on Thursday 4 October 2024.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 18 March at noon at The Legion. Bring your card to pay for your choice of meal and liquid refreshment. The menu is great!
Family of Rotary
No mention of anyone today.
Please keep a Board Member informed about members health changes, so that information can be provided to the club through the Weekly News.
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has returned to meeting in person. Our first meeting of every month is a ZOOM business meeting. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
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