New Member Application

We are pleased to let you know of a new member applicant, Trevor Hansowski. The classification that new member first name would hold is "Technology".  
 

• Proposer:       Franz Gehriger
• Seconder:      Navid Morawej         
• Mentor:         Franz Gehriger

 

If no written objection for the above proposed member is filed in writing with the Secretary (secretary@rotaryvancouver.org) within 7 days of July 18 (by July 25, 2025), Trevor Hansowski will upon payment of the dues and assessments determined by the Board, be declared elected as a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver recognized by Rotary International.

If a written objection is received by the Secretary within the 7 day period, the Board shall vote on the matter at the next scheduled Board meeting.

 

 

 

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 haven’t thought about in a while who would be perfect.

If someone comes to mind, please connect with Bill Davidson at billd@davidson-co.com.

 

 

 

 

In Memoriam – Anne Lippert

The following tribute to Anne Lippert was prepared and delivered to our members by Stephanie Lawton to honour and remember to remarkable life and contributions to our club and community: 

 

"Anne Lippert was a trailblazer, community leader, and beloved Rotarian whose life exemplified dedication, generosity, and service. Born in Germany, Anne arrived in Canada with just $50 in her pocket and went on to break barriers at the Royal Bank of Canada, becoming the first female branch manager in BC and the first female Vice President in Western Canada. Her career culminated as VP of Strategic Initiatives for BC and Yukon, including oversight of the RBC Foundation Committee.

Beyond her impressive professional accomplishments, Anne was deeply committed to community service. She chaired major fundraising campaigns for the Salvation Army and United Way, led boards such as Langara College and the Salvation Army Kate Booth House, and received the Order of British Columbia and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Women in Finance.

Anne joined the Rotary Club of Vancouver in 2006 and quickly became a driving force. Her classification was Consultant – Corporate Social Responsibility, and she brought wisdom, energy, and initiative to numerous Rotary committees, including Community Service and International Service, often hosting meetings and leading efforts with tenacity and grace. She served as Club Secretary, was twice recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, and played a vital role in the Rotary Ride for Hearing, alongside her husband, Wolfgang.

Even in retirement, Anne remained incredibly active, notably supporting BC Women’s Hospital through their annual golf tournament, helping raise significant funds. Her commitment extended to volunteering every Christmas Day for nearly three decades at the Salvation Army Harbour Light.

Anne Lippert embodied the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self. Her legacy of leadership, kindness, and dedication will be profoundly missed."

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOAN!

The Board and members of our Club  surprised our new President, Joan with a stunning handmade cake crafted by the talented chefs at Terminal City Club.
A thoughtful way to kick off what promises to be an inspiring year of leadership!

As we begin a new Rotary year, President Joan Posivy shared with the members her heartfelt vision for the year: to build a stronger, more connected club rooted in service, fellowship, and fun. Joan’s focus for 2025–26 is on deepening member engagement, fostering mentorship, and strengthening our ties with Rotaract and the broader community!

Over the past two Rotary years, under Past President Franco Gallo’s inspired leadership, our Club has embarked on bold new initiatives to strengthen our fellowship, sharpen our focus, and expand our impact.


Here’s a snapshot of the progress we’ve made—and the goals we’ve set to carry us forward:

1. New Governance & Visioning

• Board & Meeting Formats: We transitioned to a more agile EOS & L10 structure for our Board meetings—ensuring we spend less time on logistics and more time on strategic action.

• Strategic Planning Session: We laid the groundwork for our 10‑year Vision Plan (now nine years out!). We imagined the future: still at TCC, a buzzing ballroom filled with 400 engaged Rotarians—proud, purposeful, and poised for service.

2. Vision of Financial Milestones

• Rotary Vancouver Foundation: Grow our endowment to $10 million, enabling sustained support for community and international projects.

• Annual Giving: Committed to disbursing $1 million every year toward high‑impact service initiatives.

How We Track Our Success: Four Key Metrics

To ensure we stay on course, we’re measuring:

1. Member Satisfaction: Current baseline at 80%, goal to reach 90%

2. Average Meeting Attendance: Steady at 55%—with a stretch goal to grow higher

3. Member Engagement: Engaged Rotarians increased from 44 to 60 active participants

4. RoV Foundation Contributions: Targeting an additional $200 K, lifting our endowment to $3.5 million

Weekly Programs & “Talk Shop Tuesday!”

Our lineup of member‑focused programs continues to evolve. We are proud to deliver the following Program Concepts to the Club this year: 

• Guest Speaker Series — Insightful experts, inspiring topics, led by Bill Davidson & Melcom Hunter) 

• Business Panels — Led Laura Donnellan & Sandra Lowe

• Networking Opportunities — Form new connections, initiated by Mindy Tulsi - Ingram

• Professional Development — Skill‑building workshops

We’re also rebranding our regular Club Day as “Talk Shop Tuesday!”

Expect:

• Member Spotlights — Celebrate achievements and passions (Led by Sean Chan)

• Mentorship Programs — Connect seasoned Rotarians with emerging leaders (Led by Parisa Adrangi)

• Committee News — Hear the latest from every corner of our Club (Led by Richard Higgins)

• Foundation Updates - by Paul Martin & Jason Boudreau

• Evolvement of the Ride For Hearing - by Stephanie Lawton

Franco’s tenure has set a high bar—and now it’s up to each of us to build on that momentum. Let’s embrace these metrics, programs, and our refreshed “Talk Shop Tuesday”!

President Joan’s 2025–26 Commitments

1. Committee Involvement
   – Stay involved in every Committee & Encouraging every Rotarian to join at least one committee,

2. One‑on‑One Meetings
   – Have personal check‑ins with all new members

3. Rotaract Partnerships
   – Try to strengthen ties and co‑hosting service projects with our young‑professional counterparts

4. In‑Person “Rotary Office Hours”
   – Tuesdays, 11 AM – 5 PM, drop by to share ideas, ask questions, or simply say hello. 
   You can find Joan in the TCC Members lounge! 

5. Having FUN!
   – Embracing joy, fellowship, and Service Above Self!

Joan's Ask to everyone: Set Your Personal Rotary Goals!

Achieving your personal goals as a Rotarian requires you to act on the “signs” along the way.
"What will you commit to this year?"
Set and share your goal, then watch how Rotary support—and your own resolve—lead you to success!

 

Thank you Joan, for a fantastic presentation -  
the Club is lucky to have you as their President! 

 

The meeting was adjourned a toast: 

"To Achieving our Goals and Enjoying the Journey!"