There's lots to look forward to at this Rotary Meeting!
Lisa will be launching an exciting new weekly club feature, Rene will spotlight some key impacts made through our Community Service Committee (CSC), and we'll proudly induct our newest member, Trevor Hanowski.
Also featured will be roundtable discussions for shared insights and fresh ideas.
Come for the lunch but stay for the fun, fellowship, inspiration, and impact!
Due notice having been given; the following individual member has been declared elected as a member of the Club.
Name Trevor Hanowski Classification: Generative AI
nProposer: Franz Gehriger Seconder: Navid
Morawej
We are looking forward to welcoming Trevor to our Rotary Family. His Induction date will be Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
đ Got Jokes? Weâre All Ears!
This Rotary year, weâre adding a dose of humour to our Secretary announcements. Have a good clean joke? Send it to jokes@rotaryvancouver.org â yours might be featured at an upcoming meeting!
Franz Gehriger, 40 Years
Rumana Monzur, 6 Years
Tamlyn Mafika, 3 Years
Alvin Zhao, 17 Years
Nadja Gehriger, 13 Years
* come in person to celebrate your birthday with Purdy's chocolates!!
Let us know what you think about our last meeting. Scan the QR code below and fill out the short survey.
Who do you know who is remarkable - someone whose story or expertise would captivate a room full of experienced business and community leaders?
We're looking to build a short list of headliner speakers to invite to our upcoming Rotary Club of Vancouver meetings. Think thought leaders, change makers, or trailblazers in business, sports, innovation, public service, or philanthropy.
Take a quick scroll through your LinkedIn connections. You might spot someone you havenât thought about in a while who would be perfect.
If someone comes to mind, please connect with Bill Davidson at billd@davidson-co.com.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Terminal City Club on Sunday, 7 September 2025 at 1:00 pm for Bill Dauphinee.
You can RSVP to Wendy Dauphinee via email: wendy@dauphinee.ca or call 604.985.9693 anytime up to five days before the event.
Wendy, Randa, Connor and Kyra hope to see you there.
Weekly Meeting Recap
Last week's meeting - Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Meeting Chair: Joan Posivy
Secretary: Sam Ally Potel
Sargent-at-Arms: Lisa A
This Week at the RCoV
Remembering Jim Evans
The meeting began with the sad news of the unexpected passing of Jim Evans, a dedicated Rotarian and honorary member since 1979.
Jim passed away on August 3rd at VGH from complications of Gillian Barre Syndrome, a degenerative nerve disease.
A full tribute will be shared at next weekâs meeting, and information about any Service or Celebration of Life will be shared once available.
Help Carla Launch Her Career
Carla Loubere, Co-President of the UBC Rotaract Club, is seeking a paid internship or part-time role in:
đ„ Format: 30-second reel
đ Deadline: Aug. 26, 2025
đ Every entry wins a Purdyâs chocolate bar
đ Aug. 27: UBC Rotaracts pick the top 3
đą Sept. 2: Winners announced!
đ§ Email all Reels to: rotary.joan@gmail.com
Weekly Program
Member Spotlight â Sevda Yurdaer, by Paul Martin
Sevda has called Vancouver home for seven years, originally from Turkey. After completing her studies, she built a successful career in the North American aluminum market before starting her own business in Burnaby, focusing on the BC market while frequently traveling to the US and through Canada for work.
Her Rotary journey began after leaving her job in Abbotsford, when she sought new social connections. Encouraged by her partner, she appliedânever expecting to be acceptedâand is now an enthusiastic volunteer, notably contributing to this yearâs Ride for Hearing.
Sevda values kindness and giving back to the community. She admires many fellow Rotarians she has only meet a few months ago and values their friendships and connections.
She also immensely admires her father, who embraced change with an open mind.
If she could dine with two inspiring figures, sheâd choose Mustafa Kemal AtatĂŒrk, founder of Turkey, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reflecting her interest in learning more about Canadian politics and leadership.
We are so happy to have you as a new member, Sevda!
Roundtable Highlights â Table Talk
The second part of the program invited members to connect through small group discussions on two thoughtful questions:
How do you deliver value to others?
Many agreed that connecting peopleâwhether for business, friendship, or mentorshipâis one of the greatest gifts one can offer. Other examples included sharing expertise, offering encouragement, and giving time generously.
Whatâs the best piece of advice youâve ever received?
Memorable insights included:
Never lose your integrity.
Surround yourself with people you can learn from.
Seek out those who are kind and passionate.
Donât try to be a big fish in the oceanâstart as a big fish in a small pond before moving on to bigger waters.
The conversations sparked fresh perspectives and reminded members of the everyday impact they can have. Thank you for everyone's contributions!
Guest Presentation â Dr. Ehsan Hoque
The meeting concluded with a short presentation by Dr. Ehsan Hoque, founder and Executive Director of Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI). His lifeâs work is dedicated to supporting infants and children born blind or visually impaired, and helping them and other underprivileged youth flourish through education, healthcare, and advocacy.
Dr. Hoque himself was born with congenital cataracts and underwent multiple eye surgeries in childhood. His experiences propelled him to become a pediatrician, earn a PhD, and establish DCI in 2003 with a mission to end preventable child blindness and support vulnerable children in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Nicaragua
DCI's core programs include the âSun Child Sponsorship Program,â medical clinics for underserved communities, blindness prevention initiatives, orphan support, and community awareness campaignsâall aimed at empowering children to break free from cycles of poverty
Dr. Hoque closed with a heartfelt call to action: âPlease open your heart to a child whose future depends on your generosity. You can make a world of difference in a childâs life.â
The meeting was adjourned with a toast by President Joan Posivy:
Sevda has called Vancouver home for seven years, originally from Turkey. After completing her studies, she built a successful career in the North American aluminum market before starting her own business in Burnaby, focusing on the BC market while frequently traveling to the US and through Canada for work.