US Consul General Tom Huffaker Shares with Rotarians

Transcription

1 Rotary International President Wilfred Wilkinson District Governor Bernie Carriere Web site: Monday 17 March 2008 President Mike Christie President-elect Wayne Chesley Past President Dave Jones Secretary Gord Wright Treasurer Gail Halderman Sgt.-at-Arms Paul Heywood Directors Mary Lou Hansen Bob Arthur Doug Fleming Richard Kowalchuk Terry Partis Dave Panabaker Editors Karen Blewett Al Gray Steve Maser Dale Stein US Consul General Tom Huffaker Shares with Rotarians The highlights of Tom s presentation focused on: US-Canada / Alberta Relations The Border The US Economy / NAFTA Afghanistan Introduced by Rotarian Harold Wilson, US Consul General Tom Huffaker spoke with Rotarians about the important ties and friendship between Canada and the United States. Delighted to be in Alberta - and particularly Medicine Hat - Tom shared with Rotarians that he is happy to be back in Canada where he previously served the US Embassy in Ottawa. Did you know that United States and Canada have the largest trade relationship in the world? In numbers that is 1.5 Billion dollars of trade per day, or approximately 1-Million dollars a minute! The US-Alberta connection is also the largest Energy relationship in the world. Beyond trade, our countries have a long history of working together. In Afghanistan, for instance, we are standing together for Freedom. Tom opened the floor for discussion and some Hatters were curious if the process for a 24-Hour Border Crossing at Wildhorse could be expedited. After all, it would enhance our relationship even more! ***************** Tom Huffaker assumed his duties as United States Consul General for Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories in August Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

2 Greeter Doug Fleming Guest Book Jim Solomon Music Allan O Byrne Grace Dave Jones Guests Johan Viklund Many other special guests Birthdays Stu Smith Brenda Bauman Janet Rose Roy Archibald Anniversaries Stan Sakamoto, 24 years Attendance draw Club Auction Raul Zalazar President s Message President Mike Christie welcomed Rotarians and guests to our meeting. We have many special guests today including US Consular General Tom Huffaker, Rotary District Governor Bernie Carriere, Mayor of Medicine Hat Norm Boucher, Alderman Jeremy Thompson, Mayor of Bow Island Alan Hyland, Sunrise Rotarians, local media and many other guests. Mike outlined the meeting for today to include our regular Rotary club news followed by a presentation by US Consular General Tom Huffaker. Updates: Rotary Music Festival A heart-felt thank you goes out to all the Chairs of Committees and volunteers that made the 53rd Rotary Music Festival a huge success. International work Our club is very active in international work. Two projects that will be updated on at the next meeting will be the South Africa and India trips. Club 400 is a draw that takes place 24 times per year. Today s draw by Uwe goes to Dave Carter who is here today at our meeting! Good news is that Rotarian Don Reid is out of the hospital. Mike s trivia did you know that our Rotary Club is the oldest service club in Medicine Hat? Editor Karen Blewett Steve Maser photos Club 400 Winner Dave Carter Make-up meetings Herman Wahl (Barbados) Leslie, Joan and Nadia (Red Deer) President Mike Christie gives roses to Herman Wahl and Brenda Bauman for their birthdays Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? 2

3 Around the Meeting District Governor Bernie Carriere encouraged Rotarians to participate in the District Conference being held in Lethbridge on May 23-25, Look at all the happy Rotarians and guests! Passing on our Thanks US Consular General Tom Huffaker is honoured with Medicine Hat cowboy hat and special traditional artefact. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? 3

4 St. Patrick s Day Rotary Meeting Winner Shirley Moss Rotarians in Action Sgt at Arms Paul Heywood sending tables to food. (The Editors table is still baffled as to why it was second-last!!!!) Who is this guy, Nadia? Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? 4

5 Program Information: Ideas Please forward to Brenda Bauman any ideas you have for coming programs. Phone ; Events 24 March No meeting Easter Monday 31 March Allan O Byrne on REDI Enterprises. 21 April Evening Meeting at the Esplanade - Rotary Music Festival Rosebowl winner 26 May 26 Evening Meeting - Johan Viklund, Youth Exchange Student presentation 30 June Evening Meeting -Induction of the new Executive SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB REMINDER Rotarians are invited to attend the Sunrise Rotary Club meeting on March 25 to see a video presentation of the trip by Medicine Hat Rotarians to Mexico for the Mexican Schools Project. The presentation focuses on the travels of a Rotary group of 16 that visited school projects sponsored by the Sunrise club, and perhaps in the future by our club." You may help 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 Team I Bingo Wed. 16 April Evening Tues. 3 June Evening Team II Bingo Thurs. 27 March Evening Mon. 12 May Evening Sun. 22 June Afternoon Team III Bingo TBA Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? 5