Vital Signs and more...

Posted by Dan Kammerer 
on Nov 22, 2011
 

Jace called the meeting to order promptly at 7:15am.  Guests today included our speaker, Mike Christie from the Community Foundation and Fred Clark. 

Mike spoke to us regarding the roles of The Community Foundation of Medicine Hat & Southeastern Alberta (CF) as having 3 main branches:  First to raise endowment funds, second to use those endowment funds in an investment pool and use the interest gained to make grants available, and third to develop community leadership.

The latter point is heavily influenced by the development of their Vital Signs document which is a reflection of the Quality of Life Indicators of our community.    This document speaks to the needs of the community and thus helps the CF determine the areas of greatest need.

There are several initiatives that the CF have ongoing or are in the process of developing.  These include an Environmental (Local)  Legacy Endowment, Growing Active Kids (to help promote healthy lifestyles), Rural Youth and Recreation, Youth and Philanthropy, Vibrant Medicine Hat, and support for seniors and the hospice.

Mike would also like us to remember that one way to decrease the tax burden on your estate, is to consider giving to the Endowment Fund.

Meeting Notes: 

  • Gord asked us to take another look at our schedules and see if we can find time to fill 6 more Salvation Army Kettle spots (Dec 3 and 10).
  • Sharla reminded us that the Chinese Gift Exchange is December 13th.  Bring your recycled, wrapped gift to exchange.  Glen reminds us that spouses cannot be wrapped nor exchanged at this function.  
  • Les asked us to remember and to keep Bob Schank in our thoughts.  Bob was a founding member of the Sunrise Rotary Club and recently passed away after suffering with progressive dementia. 
  • The District Grants webinar is November 26th from 9am - 12.  Please consider signing up as we need someone from the club to be present to ensure that we are eligible for 2012-13 monies.
  • Happy Dollars:  People are holidaying/cruising:  Terry (recommends Vegas for off -Broadway musical Menopause the Musical); Les and Ted are off to Phoenix for golf, football and basketball; Glen is cruising somewhere off Florida; Sheila is turning Mexican for 4 months.  Gerry and Jace had birthdays, but don't look a day older.  Fred is a BC Lions fan, but sadly gave his Grey Cup tickets away when he moved here...rats.
  • 50/50 was $25, Mike Christie won the draw but didn't draw the Ace.