Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Monday 24 August

President Richard Kowalchuk

President-elect

Leslie Jerry

Past President Wayne Chesley

Secretary

Gord Wright

Treasurer Gail Halderman

Sgt.-at-Arms

Paul Heywood

Directors Mary Lou Hansen

Dawn Barr Doug Fleming

Richard Kowalchuk Dave Panabaker Jeff MacFarlane Brenda Bauman

Editors

Karen Blewett Steve Maser

Valerie Fraser

Rotary International President John Kenny District Governor Steve Allan

Web site: www.clubrunner.ca/MedicineHat

President Richard Kowalchuk informed Rotarians that our District 5360 membership is up by 92 members (4.23% increase). This makes our District #1 in our Zone and 3rd in North America!

Richard also updated Rotarians on the following upcoming important events and dates:

• 2010 Rotary International Convention on June 20-23 in Montreal. To sign-up or learn more, contact Wayne Chesley.

• 2010 District 5360 Conference in Banff May 28-30. • GSE in Moscow, May 1-30, 2010 • 77th Waterton Peace Park, September 25-27

President’s Remarks

Donor Wall at REDI Enterprises

President Richard introduced Jeff MacFarlane to talk about the Rotary contribution to the Donor Wall at REDI Enterprises. To explain fur-ther, Jeff invited Allan O’Byrne to speak more about it. Allan explained that the Wall began as part of the Legacy Fund to commemorate diver-sity in our community (with special attention to our community mem-bers with disabilities). James Marshall, our acclaimed local artist, is working on the completion of this soon-to-be amazing granite wall.

This year’s Exchange Student from Thailand, Thontanut Wongwanich, did an excellent job of presenting his first speech to the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat.

Thontanut (nickname Top) informed Rotarians that this is his first trip to Canada and he already likes it so far. Last week Top went with Milan to an orientation and was happy to meet new friends.

Rotarians also learned that Top loves to play sports!

Exchange Student’s First Presentation

Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

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Greeter John Moldon

Guest Book Dick Bide

Music

Don Reid

Grace Milvia Bauman

Guests

Jody Cowan, Emily MacFarlane, Harold

Wilson, Rob McNulty, Thontanut

Wongwanich

Birthdays Norm Boucher, Gregg Martin, Hugh English

Anniversaries

Joe Chacko, 11

Attendance draw

Club Auction Elvira Smid

Editor

Karen Blewett Photos: Steve Maser

Club 500

Make-up meetings

Speaker: Mayor Norm Boucher Presents

on the City’s Energy Business Debate Mayor, Norm Boucher gave Rotarians an overview of the Ernst and Young Report on Medicine Hat’s Oil and Natural Gas Utility. This has been a hot topic in our community – particularly around whether or not the City and Council should continue running the utilities.

Ernst and Young was chosen for the busi-ness review because of their history of work-ing with Medicine Hat for the past 22 years. The report gave six scenarios and provided recommendations of how the City should move forward. Some of the attributes and questions explored were: Do we haveIthe

right place and people? The assets we need? The operational excel-lence? The appropriate governance model in place? The ability and capacity to foster strong technical innovation? The necessary capital?

Norm also talked about the many advantages of having the utilities run by the City. For example, we do not pay taxes on natural gas (but we do on oil), we have low royalty rates, we have 4,000 wells, we have the right to do more drilling and we have had net profits in the millions (92.3 in ‘08 and 72 in ‘07).

Understanding that there are other interpretations and implications of a city-run utility business, Norm indicated that the City is giving this care-ful thought. There have also been a number of changes happening (such as the City going through an interview process to have experts in the oil and gas industry serve on the Board).

Rotarians brought forward a number of good questions for Norm about the proposed recommendations and what this will really mean for the future of Medicine Hat. Specific concerns were raised regarding the governance model and the control the City and Council has in making decisions and overseeing the business.

So what do you think?

To learn more about the report, visit the City of Medicine Hat’s website www.medicinehat.ca.

Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

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$gt at Arms - Adolf Seiler

Happy Dollars Uwe Krickhahn– is happy about a few amusing old documents and what they had to say (used cars in 1834?). Who would’ve known!

Bob Arthur – got his pilot license reinstated to commer-cial

Harold Wilson – is happy to see all his fellow Rotarians, happy they sold the house in the Hat and bought a new one in T-Bay, and happy to have a new job

Dieter Brand – is happy about two meetings in a row

Jeff MacFarlane – is happy to have his family here

Allan O’Byrne – is happy for the Rotary contribution to REDI and for getting his scuba diving certificate

Ernie Benesch – is happy for the anniversary rose and the great weather in Waterton

Norm Boucher was fined $5 because he should come to meetings more often

Gerry Nadeau - for not checking with his wife

Joe Hrankowski - for going fishing

Richard Kowalchuk - for being President (er, I mean...something about Port Arthur)

Fine$

Minute People Adolf Seiler - shared the good news that this year’s Dinner Club is at 40 couples—the largest our Club has ever had! If you want to sign up, this is the last call.

Bob Arthur - talked about the benefits of the Youth Exchange program and encouraged Rotarians to considering hosting the youth exchange students as it is a very rewarding experience.

Jim Solomon - informed Rotarians that there is a Membership Committee meeting on September 8th at 5 pm (Cypress Club), Fireside gathering on September 22nd from 5 - 6:30, and Bingo on September 4th at 11:45 am.

Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

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Program Information: Ideas

Please forward to Christy Mitchell any ideas you have for coming programs. Phone 403-528-2827; E-Mail: christy@clearskyradio.com

Aug 31 District Governor’s Visit (Bring Your Mate) Sept 7 NO MEETING Sept 14 Budget Meeting Sept 21 TBA Sept 28 Evening Meeting (Return Exchange Student’s Debrief)

Remember to bring Co-op slips to the club that will bring many happy returns at payback time. Remember to donate your magazines so Don Reid can take them to the hospital for folks to enjoy.

Under the B > Bingo Schedule for 2009

Team I Bingo Day Date Arrive Tuesday 22 Sept Night Saturday 21 Nov Night

Team II Bingo Day Date Arrive Sunday 18 Oct Night Monday 28 Dec Night

Team III Bingo Day Date Arrive Friday 4 Sept. Afternoon Wednesday 2 Dec Afternoon

Guests at Today’s Meeting

Rotarians in Discussion