Rotary: Meeting April 10th, 2013

Guests:  3 representatives from Rotaract (so sorry, I missed them and did not get their names). I do know that they were informing us of an event for the Gaby Davis Foundation "Trolleys on the Town"..a tour and dinner in Stanley Park and Gastown on May 25..from 5 to 11pm.  Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased at contactus@gabydavisfoundation.com ... supporting families affected by childhood cancers. We also had Gillian Kirk with us .. our guest speaker today, and Khayanga Wasike from the Rotary Club of Vancouver Quadra. Khayanga is President of the `Willing Hearts International Society of Canada`.  For more info see: whisca.org

Announcements: Looking for a fun and unusual make- up..Saturday May 18th..you can go to a Whitecaps game and get credit for a meeting..contact Al if interested.  $30 pp.
Hike for Hospice..more help is needed..both for the booth the last weekend in April and also for the actual event on May 5th...please let Trudy know if you are able to help (I think Jim MCG offered..thanks so much Jim!)

100 years of Rotary in BC..lots of great events on in celebration..and the NOW is doing an insert for us..should be coming out next week so keep an eye out. Great place for your business card.

Pres Al circulated the baggie for change for Tom W and ALS..bring your small change next week!

Welcome back to Pete..home from his extended travels!

Congrats to RWH on their great AGM last night..Dan G, Ann, Isy and Jim were there to represent us.

Poker night this Thurs at Al's..all welcome.


OUR GUEST SPEAKER:  Gillian Kirk, Industry and Community Relationship Liaison, AVIA Employment 
                   Services

Some of our members may recognize Gillian from her connections to the TRICITIES Chamber of Commerce.  She visited us today to tell us more about the services offered through AVIA..a company that  provides employment services through the new Work BC program.  Avia provides services in Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam, much like another recent speaker from Innovations Training which is based in Pt Moody.

Gillian explained that AVIA is a part of the Back in Motion Rehab company.. They have a `fee for service` contract model and receive funding from both senior levels of government.  Anyone who is over 16 and is legally able to work in Canada would normally be able to use their services. They may use one of their two centres (on a drop in basis) as a work space, come to a course or have an individual session with a staff. Services are designed to be flexible to meet individual needs..depending on the client`s levels of skills, experience and any special needs they may have..either due to language barriers or other personal challenges.. to getting or keeping employment. 
If you are an interested employer and need staff..you can fill in a form and AVIA will screen prospective applicants for you.

For more info you can contact Gillian 778-730-0171  ext 2810