Events

Guest Speaker Mary Turner, member of the Rotary Club of Olds and Past District Governor for our District in 2020-2021. She is now serving on the District Membership committee and would like to come and share resources with us to support our membership engagement.    Her focus is on member enrichment.  Our roundtable questions for discussion are:

What brought you to Rotary, why are you here, and what is yet to come?

Ian Warwick, Past President will be chairing this morning's meeting.  Our Sergeant at Arms is Johan Steenwyk.   The Set Up Crew is Frank Bauer and Susan Kmetiuk.

Reminder and please share with all past participants for awareness... This month's Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise Blood Challenge Social is planned for TIffany's Steakhouse.    JOIN US for a great time of food and fellowship.   Everyone welcome and bring a friend or two... challenge everyone in your circle of friends to become a regular blood donor.  Canadian Blood Services needs our ongoing support.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Judy-Ann Wybenga at 403-318-8163, jawybenga@shaw.ca

Oodles of Chocolate -- Come and listen to this great story of owning and operating a Chocolate Store.  

Come visit us at C8, 5580 45th St, Red Dee

Our Sergeant at Arms is Frank Bauer with the Set Up Crew of Grant Burchnall and Susan Kmetiuk.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85826484768 

How lucky to have a virtual meeting scheduled this week so we can stay off the roads and just join the meeting virtually.   See you tomorrow on line !!

Our Speaker is Steve Fine,  Founder and President Melanoma Education Foundation Board Member, Rotary Club of Peabody, MA Landline: 978-535-3080"

The average onset age is 65 years but it can strike anyone from preteen to elderly. Melanoma is often lethal but, when found early, is curable in a short outpatient visit with no need for follow-up chemo or radiation. Since mid-June 2022 Steve has presented over 500 live Zoom presentations.  Steve has devoted the past 25 years to educating adults and teen students about self-detection and prevention of melanoma. 

This event is an opportunity to mix and mingle with local businesses in Red Deer.   Let's share our Club's successes with others and invite them to consider joining our club.   Let's make some new connections and do some networking.

Set Up is at 4 pm.  Contact Grant Burchnall directly if you can help with Set Up.  

Location:  Gameland Video Arcade and Leisure Centre  #13 7619 50 Ave

"This is Us"

We will be welcoming Samantha Shandal and Rebecca Gama into our club with an official induction ceremony led by Grant Burchnall.

We will have a round robin of updates from our Board Members,  present the proposed slate of Board positions for 2026/2027, brainstorm on speakers and topics for future meetings and discuss our Club's "brand,"   Attached for pre-reading is a 5 page Brand document authored by Grant Burchnall and a copy of our current 3 year strategic plan.

Sergeant at Arms:  Frank Bauer

Setup: Jeffery Dawson & Ajoy Joseph

Team up with the Sunrise Rotarians to raise money for the Red Deer Mustard Seed on their annual fundraiser walk. There will be an after-party (approx 6:30pm) at the home of Johan and Judy-Ann where Johan will be making his delicious pea soup. BYOB. Please register on Clubrunner to let our hosts know if you plan to attend. Everyone welcome!

Here's how it works. Click on the link below to take you to the team page of Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise and then either join the team to walk, or donate to the team if you choose not to walk. If you choose to join the team, you will complete the registration process with your personal information so that you can invite friends and family to sponsor you. Our goal is $2500 and every person who sponsors you will be contributing to our goal.

https://cnoy.w-ith.me/RotarySunrise

More information on the event

This month's Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise Blood Challenge Social is planned for It's All Greek to Me.    JOIN US for a great time of food and fellowship.   Everyone welcome and bring a friend or two... challenge everyone in your circle of friends to become a regular blood donor.  Canadian Blood Services needs our ongoing support.  http://give.blood.ca/goto/ROTARY_OUR-TEAM

Please join us for our in person meeting.

Special Guest:   Janessa McCormack, Youth HQ 50th Anniversary Celebrations  

Set Up:  Dwaine Souveny

Sargeant at Arms:  Susan Walker

Classification Speech:  Rebecca Gama

Note:  meeting fee is $10 per person

Inviting all Rotarians to the third annual All Clubs Social on March 15. (see attached poster)

Our Rotary club could win bragging rights if we can bring home the win!! (no competition here right?) lol

For this contest - all bakers are challenged to bring some fine desserts for everyone to try.   Judging will be done by your peers - and truthfully - as long as we are eating yummy desserts there really can be no losers.

Details:   When: - March 15th, 2026    5pm - 8pm.

                Where: - Eastview Community Hall - 120 Ellenwood Drive, Red Deer

                Cost: - your choice - you can pay a $20 entry fee - OR - you can bring a dessert.  

Details:

The dessert must be able to give a small sample only - so you don't have to plan on feeding all of us, just a bite for those who want to try.

Dessert can be any sweet treat that you choose - cookies, baked goods, cakes, trifle, pie - bring your favourite! 

Entry fee - $20 cash at the door please.  The $20 pays for the hall rental, the meal, the non alcoholic drinks and the prizes.  

Other details:

We will have some chili and buns, and a meat/cheese platter there so that we have a bit of savoury before filling up on sugar.

There will be a cash bar - beer and wine only - $5 per drink.

There will be water and some non alcoholic drinks.

PLEASE RSVP by March 11 by registering in this ClubRunner event posting - with your intention of being a guest or a dessert entry.  Judy-Ann will let the planning committee know how many from our club will be attending.

Needed: 

Volunteers for set up and clean up.    Please Judy-Ann know if you want to help and. Volunteers should arrive at 4pm to set up tables and snacks.    We also need a few people to put the tables away and give the floor a quick sweep and mop before handing the keys back in.  

For those who have not attended before - it will be a great casual evening of fellowship and everyone who attends is a judge - try as many desserts as you like, and pick your three favourites - judging takes place once we have all had the chance to mark our ballots.  Hope to see you there!  Sharon Moffat and Aliesha Shuparsky

Rotarians, friends, family and guests are all welcome to come help pack and sort food items at the Red Deer Food Bank

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85082555573

DISCON 2026 CELEBRATE:   Bryce Weidman, Chair and Manon Mitchell, District 5360 will be joining us to give us all the details about the upcoming District Conference happening right here in Red Deer from May 1 - 3. 

ACTION REQUIRED:  Thanks to members who have registered.   Otherwise please go to Clubrunner events and confirm Attending or Declining.   See you in the morning hopefully !!

Speaker:   Erin Peden, CEO of Community Foundation of Central Alberta

For 35 years, the Community Foundation of Central Alberta has helped form the social infrastructure of our region, providing a steady backdrop for community growth and care. These days, CFCAB is intentionally stepping forward from that backdrop to play a more active, catalytic role in driving innovation and systemic change across Central Alberta. Much like Rotary, we believe in service above self and in strengthening communities by investing in people, ideas, and partnerships that create lasting impact, turning generosity into permanent endowments and support for bold, emerging solutions. As a trusted community convenor, we work alongside service providers, donors, and local organizations to listen for community needs and connect resources where they can do the most good.

Our Sergeant at Arms is Susan Walker.  Set Up Team is The Oxleys.

Meeting fee is $10 per person

This month's Rotary Blood Challenge Social is planned at Shiso Restaurant. Join us for a great time of food and fellowship. Everyone welcome and bring a friend or two... challenge everyone in your circle of friends to become a regular blood donor.  Canadian Blood Services needs our ongoing support. 

Also, you may want to make an appointment to give blood at our Rotary Group Blood Drive on JUNE 3, 2026. Make your appointment here

You can join our team here  http://give.blood.ca/goto/ROTARY_OUR-TEAM

Guest Speaker: Gina Belich will be sharing all the details of our Rotary Employment Partnership with us.  We all need to know of the recent successes and continuing push to find real jobs for real people in our local community. 

Sergeant at Arms:  Johan Steenwyk

Set Up Team:  Lynn Stegman, Nicola Weimer

Meeting fee is $10/member

Please get yourself registered for our Zoom meeting this Wednesday a.m. to support Grant in a dress rehearsal for this table at the House of Friendship during the DISCON 5360 Conference.  Grab your coffee and click to join at 7 am on Wednesday?   THANKS

Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83027058191

The Future of Rotary District 5360: What if Data Was Used to Guide us into the Future?

                SUB-TITLE: How data allowed an amateur (me) to level the playing field with professionals

Presenter:  Grant Burchnall

Background:  I do enjoy interacting with strangers and recalled how interesting it was displaying / discussing the benefits and the risks of pesticide use in agriculture at a Parkinson’s Congress in Barcelona, Spain, in 2023.  Focusing debate on studies and data removed ideology and bias, almost depersonalizing the arguments.  Sometimes common sense is no match for the first test of the Rotary Four Way Test: Is It The Truth?

Join us for a PREVIEW of Grant's House of Friendship presentation.   He is interested to see if the presentation experience is similar at a District Rotary Conference as opposed to the global conference in Spain!  .

Driving Better Care: Stewardship and Innovation in Laboratory Medicine

Guest Speaker:   Richelle Miller, Director of the Transfusion and Transplantation Medicine Provincial Program, Alberta Precision Laboratories

From emergency transfusions to cancer care, laboratory medicine is a silent driver of patient outcomes. Learn how innovation and standardization are enabling safer, more reliable care across a complex healthcare system.

Sergeant at Arms:  Johan Steenwyk

Set Up Team:  Judy-Ann Wybenga & tba

Meeting Fee is $10 per person

Let's have some fun! Come at 5:30pm to join us for an 'a la carte' meal and some bowling fun at 7pm. Registration deadline: Saturday, April 25. Please indicate in your registration if you are coming but NOT wanting to bowl as we have to reserve lanes for bowling. Pricing for bowling is $22.50 for two games & shoe rental BUT <good news>  we do have a $200 coupon from Red Deer Food Bank from our fundraising in CNOY which will act as a credit split between us all. 

Bring your spouse, friend or neighbor! But please register before April 25

2026 Rotary District 5360 Conference is in RED DEER!! Don't miss out!!

This year's conference promises to be a dynamic weekend with Rotarians and Friends coming together to Celebrate and "Unite for Good"!

Included with Full Registration:

• Friday, May 1, 2026 (Party featuring the dueling pianos from Las Vegas)- Cash Bar
• Saturday, May 2, 2026    9:30 am – 11:00 pm (includes Muffins & Coffee - Breakfast, Lunch and Gala dinner) Official opening at 9:30 am
• Sunday, May 3, 2026     9:30 am – 2:30 pm – (includes Breakfast & Lunch) Official closing ceremonies around 2:00 pm

Registration Fees - Register HERE

• Full Registration - $339.00
  • Early Bird Discount of 15% (only on full registration)
    • Promotion Code:  EB15 – applies to registrations before Feb. 14^th 2026
  • First Time Attendees Discount of 30%
    • Promotional Code:  FIRSTTIME
  • Note:  only 1 discount can be applied per person. Enter code at checkout.
• Youth / Student/Rotaract Full Registration - $199.00 (No discounts permitted)
• Friday Night "Dueling Pianos" only - $40

Saturday Evening Gala only - $100.00

For more information about the District Conference in Red Deer, check out the website HERE 

This month's Rotary Club Blood Challenge Social is planned at FoodUA. We are excited to try the food at this new authentic Ukrainian home-style restaurant. Note that they do not serve alcoholic beverages, only coffee and sodas.

Join us for a great time of food and fellowship. Everyone welcome and bring a friend or two... challenge everyone in your circle of friends to become a regular blood donor.  

**Don't forget our "blood challenge" is coming up on June 3 where you can book an appointment with CBS to give blood with other Rotarians and then join us at the Croffle House afterwards for food and drinks. Make an appointment with our team here.

Canadian Blood Services needs our ongoing support.  http://give.blood.ca/goto/ROTARY_OUR-TEAM

Our club will be joining Red Deer's annual spring cleanup campaign GREEN DEER.  Participating in Green Deer is a fantastic opportunity to make a positive environmental impact, build social connections, and give back to your community. Plus, enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outdoors!

We will start at our current home base, Sunnybrook Farm and then go from there to Kin Canyon and Spruce Drive, following the trails, picking up garbage as we go. 

Join us for lunch afterwards at Las Palmeras Restaurant in Red Deer. 

Hope to see you all there! 

Frank Bauer

Guest Speaker Sue Carmichael from The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools -- Reading College Program 

• The Reading Program is in its 15th year, year 6 for Sue
• Designed for struggling Grade 2 students that are heading to Grade 3 in September
• Goal - reading at beginning Grade 3 level with a focus on reading, writing and word work
• Students selected by teacher & Literacy Lead at each school (based on Student Profile - score on certain assessments, parent commitment for 20 days, attendance, etc)
• Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign recipient again this year
• 2024 - Research project conducted by RDP - significant gains in decoding and fluency, 78% of students improved

Let's learn more about the successes of this early intervention reading program

Motion regarding the proposed Youth HQ Rotary Sunrise Partnership

Sergeant at Arms:  Frank Bauer,  Set Up Crew:  Judy-Ann W. and Co.    Meeting Fee is $10 per person

Please join us for our Zoom meeting.tomorrow at 7.   Stay in your jammies and grab a coffee and listen in !!

Judy-Ann

Zoom link:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83027058191

Passcode:  340527

Guest speaker:  Tim Creedon of Rotary Club of Mahone Bay NS

Join us to meet Tim and hear all the details of the projects and initiatives that are underway on the East Coast.

Good morning!  Hope to see you TOMORROW.   Please go into ClubRunner and indicate "attending" or "declining."  

DREAM BIG !   ASPIRE has MAJOR plans to secure land and build a new space for our community. There’s a lot of exciting progress ahead, and JoAnne Hayden, Executive Director of Aspire Child Development Centre would love to keep us in the loop.   We will also be presenting a $10,000 cheque to JoAnne for the PARK IT program this coming summer.

Set Up Team:  Frank Bauer, Lori Begg

Sergeant at Arms:  Frank Bauer

Meeting attendance fee is $10.

Rotary Clubs of Central Alberta has a team event planned for blood donors! Consider joining us by making a blood donation on June 3rd  BOOK YOUR BLOOD DONATION APPOINTMENT HERE and then come and have a great time of food and fellowship at the Croffle House!  If you cannot donate blood, come support the cause and join us at the restaurant.

Everyone welcome, bring a friend... challenge everyone around you to support the blood giving lifeline :) 

[This will be our last Blood Social Challenge event until September 2, 2026]

Join in for the 6th annual "Rotary Branches Out" where we will be joing Rotary Club of Red Deer to plant 16-inch white spruce saplings.

Everyone is welcome—youth groups, families, Rotarians, students, and anyone needing volunteer hours. Thanks to the City of Red Deer, we’ll have 100 spades to use. If you have any spades, bring them please.

At 10:00 AM, Rotarian Dave Swindlehurst from Weyerhaeuser Drayton Valley will give a 10-minute eco talk about tree planting, followed by the planting itself. Susan Katzell, the City's urban forester, will also provide a safety briefing.

At noon, youth participants will receive pizza and pop. Special thanks to Boston Pizza for donating pizza; Central AB Co-op for supplying water, pop, plates, and napkins; Rotarian Eric from Prime Boiler for tables and garbage cans; Weyerhaeuser for providing 1,600 saplings; the Advocate for promoting our event; and Rotarian Dagmar from Ten Peaks Innovation for advertising and organizing.

McKenzie Trails Recreation Area is a part of the Waskasoo Park system in north east Red Deer at the end of 45 Avenue. It can be accessed from 55 Street; travel north on 45 Avenue until the road ends.

Guest Speaker:   Dianne Wyntjes, City Counsellor with City of Red Deer     Memorable Moments and Learnings

Sergeant at Arms:  Ajoy Joseph

Set Up:  tba

Meeting Fee:   $10 per person

This is an informative in-person meeting replacing our regular ZOOM meeting.

This meeting will focus on "Think Rotary" where we will be talking about all things we have acomplished this year as well as BOLD ideas for going forward into the next exiting year. At this "Think Rotary" meeting we will be sharing the results of our club's recent membership satisfaction survey.  Lori, Nicola and Grant will also share learnings from the DISCON Conference in May.

This will be our last 'meeting' of the year before we all take a well-deserved summer break (but don't forget about our 50/50 ticket selling event at Westerner Park this summer).  

Sergeant at Arms:  Ajoy Joseph

Set Up:  Susan Kmetiuk, Grant Burchnall, Nicola Weimer

Meeting fee is $10 per person

Resending just to be sure everyone has responded "attending" or "declining."   No meeting this week.   See you on Monday, June 29.

Year end party at Casa Gouda:  45 Talisman Close, Red Deer  T4P 0T7

Meal will be provided.   Pay $20 / person at the door.  Bring a guest !!  and BYOB

A time to CELEBRATE all our accomplishments of this Rotary Year and informally welcome the new Board. 

We plan to present a Ceremonial cheque to Youth HQ 

Once again we are priviledged to host a fundraiser in partnership with Westerner Park. Jeff Dawson is the lead on this project and can answer any of your questions pertaining to the rules and regulations that we must follow, as well as set-up, takedown, and all things fundraising! Thank you Jeff for your dedication to making this fundraiser possible for our club. 

Judy-Ann and Lynn will be the admin side of the event and can answer any questions you may have about volunteer shifts, training on the raffle terminals, etc. 

Thank you all for your dedication to our club's efforts to give back to the community. We can be proud our past fundraising efforts which have moved us forward in our club vision and checked off many boxed in our strategic plan.

We may be small but we are mighty! But most of all, WE HAVE FUN AND GET THINGS DONE!!