Stories
Melinda Mills- The National Conversation

Melinda Mills, MBE, FBA is a professor of Demography and Population Health at the University of Oxford and Nufield College where she is the Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Health.  Always a popular speaker, Melinda is welcomed each year as she expands our knowledge of the role of demography in our society.   Melinda shared information about The National Conversation, a major UK-wide public listening initiative, inviting people right across the country to share views on community life and the kind of communities they want to build together.  It is an opportunity for members of the UK to have their say on what they would like their country to be. This study hopes to reveal what factors tear apart a community and what brings them together.  Preliminary findings and general trends were also presented.  This is timely as there may be many similarities between trends in both the UK and Canada, particularly as Alberta approaches the Oct 19, 2026 referendum vote.

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Meeting Update

Leigh Sands hosted the meeting with Thelma Maris as Sarge.  
 
Thoughts and prayers were extended to the communities in BC who are experiencing challenges due to wildfires.  We also paused to remember those in Columbia who are dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake.
 
Thelma imposed a variety of fines today including ones for phone ringing, complaints about the cooler weather, not wearing a name tag, etc. 
 
August is Membership Month.  Thelma provided us with information regarding the Rotary Friendship Exchange.  This is a wonderful opportunity for club members to travel and experience a different culture and then have the opportunity to host a couple at a later date.  Our district currently is exploring an opportunity to travel to New Zealand in the spring.  For more information, click here
 
Guests of Rotary
We had a plethora of visitors today as our guest speaker is well known to many.  Unfortunately, the author forgot to write them down!!!!! :(
 
Remembering Rotarians
Darcy Mykytyshyn shared the sad news of the passing of District 7790 DG Serge Poulin in a tragic traffic accident.  Serge was featured in the July 2026 Rotary Canada magazine for his efforts in mental health wellness.  Read and be inspired.  
 
Gloria Beck shared an update regarding the celebration of life for Carmen Boake.  Carmen's late husband Ken was a member of this club for many years.  Her family invites all to the Parkland Garden Centre on Tuesday August 18 at 2 p.m. for a Garden Tea Party to celebrate Carmen. 
 
Reminder to all of the service for Rotarian Bill Olafson on Thursday, August 13 at the Harvest Centre, Westerner Park at 2 p.m.  Bill was a member of this club for nearly 33 years.  He will be missed by many for his committment to serving his community. 

Happy/Sad and other Fun Things

 Patricia Arango: The earthquake in Columbia took place in the city where her family resides.  They are fine but asked for thoughts and prayers as they seek support. 
Dawna Allard: Happy to be back in Red Deer and have recently celebrated a family member's 75th birthday
Jerry Pasman: Shared information about the Sunday Aug 16 Red Deer Sportscar Championship at the Westerner. Races begin at 10 a.m.
Jim Foster: It was a bit too chilly today in the meeting space so after exploration it was discovered that the thermostat was set for 17degrees and was adversely affected by the placement of the coffee pot.  Controls for temperature are managed by those higher up- Jim will remedy the situation and report back next week. 
Dean Williams: Changing his role within the Rebels organization so will be rather busy in the future.  He advised us to watch for electronic bulletins regarding more details.  
Phil Pattison: Enjoyed his traditional family getaway to Kimberly with his family, especially the breakfast, mid morning, lunch, mid afternoon, and evening calls to head to the pool PDQ!
 
 

Community & Project Updates

Leigh Sands shared that the Black Tie Bingo committee will be meeting on Monday, August 17 at 5:30 p.m. at her office in Gasoline Alley.

 
 
 
Aug 10/26 
 
Dates to Note
Thurs. Aug 13/26 
Funeral for Bill Olafson.  Harvest Centre, Westerner Park.   2:00 p.m.
 
Tues. Aug 18/26.  Celebration for Carmen Boake. Parkland Garden Centre. 2:00 p.m.
Upcoming Events
Holiday - No Club Meeting
Oct. 12, 2026
Oct 19th - Club Meeting - Red Deer Chamber - Frank Creasey
Oct. 19, 2026
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Oct 26th - Club Meeting - End Polio Now - Jackie Hobal
Oct. 26, 2026
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
David Harrop
October 3
 
Shelley Dalueg
October 4
 
Christopher Warren
October 12
 
Cheryl Gascoyne
October 15
 
Bruce Buruma
October 18
 
Zainab Mohamoud
October 21
 
Debbie Valyear
October 22
 
Terry Balgobin
October 22
 
Ron Moisey
October 26
 
Dagmar Knutson
October 27
 
Erin Peden
October 27
 
Robert Lampard
October 27
 
Join Date
Harold Barnes
October 17, 2012
14 years
 
Cheryl Gascoyne
October 18, 2022
4 years
 
Judith McIntyre
October 18, 2022
4 years
 
Scott Robinson
October 30, 2023
3 years
 
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Rotary Foundation
 
Member Experience
 
Fundraising
 
Public Relations
 
Community Engagement