Vol. 102 No. 1
Bill Davidson, President
Parisa Adrangi, Secretary
Next meeting: Tuesday July 9, 2019
Graham Harrop, Cartoonist
Graham Harrop is a self-taught cartoonist based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His humorous work has been published in The Globe and Mail,The Vancouver Sun, Tabaret, Mac Today, and other publications, and he has illustrated four books. He has a special interest in volunteers and cats, which is evident on his website.
Someone who can play the piano, willing to play O'Canada, Happy Birthday, etc. at our weekly meeting.
Doesn't have to be every week. The more people able and willing, the better to lighten the load for all.
Kindly let Carolyn know if you can help.
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Deighton Cup Saturday July 20th 11am to 5pm
Horses are rounding the bend, as the sounds of champagne bottles pop in the distance. Grab your finest fascinator & best silk bow tie, it’s time for a good old fashioned day at the races. Bet on the ponies & see where your luck takes you – shake your tickets harder ladies & gentlemen! It’s time to be entertained at the sport of the kings.
The most stylish event of the summer returns for its 11th anniversary on July 20th, 2019 for another edition of rousing derby action at Hastings Racecourse. The daytime festival will be bigger and better than ever, with one giant marquee and concourse playing host to well over 6000 derby revellers.
In 2019, the Deighton Cup is excited to return the grand connection of the Marquee and Concourse, once again opening up the entire area as one complete VIP experience. Attendees will have full inclusive access to traditional areas hosted by The Deighton Cup in year’s past including the Mile’s End Motors Field of Dreams, picnic area, cigar lounge & champagne stage.
Rotarian Student seeking accomodation in Vancouver August 19-30, 2019
We have received a request from a Rotarian in Munich asking for our assistance on behalf of one of their Rotaractors. Below is a copy of email message received.
Dear fellow Rotarian:
My name is Martin Blankemeyer and I write to you from the Rotary Club Bavaria International in Munich (www.rc-bavaria.org), whose president I am (for one last week).
Our club is proud to have also a number of very young members in its ranks, mostly deserving Rotaractors. We are convinced that this is helpful for the future both of our club and of Rotary as a whole.
These young members, unlike average Rotarians, have not yet reached the zenith of their professional lives, and therefore need support from time to time. With such a request, I turn to you today: Our member Nadine Völker, 30 years old, is completing an MBA at the University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce in Vienna. She has received a scholarship to study at Capilano University in Vancouver from August 19 to 30 this year. The scholarship only covers tuition fees, and she wonders whether she can afford the stay - and that's where you come in.
Do you know a member of your club who could take Nadine in during her two-week stay in Vancouver?
I would be happy if you could present this request to your club and find someone who can and wants to help. Please contact Nadine directly at nadvoel@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at +49-152-21098392.
Bill Davidson, President, chaired the meeting and gave the invocation.
Kayo Otake accompanied us on the piano for the singing of O Canada.
Peter Clarke, Sergeant-at-Arms, introduced visitors and guests.
President's Announcements:
We are reminded that Don Evan’s Celebration of Life this coming Sunday, July 7th, 2:00 p.m. at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in the CN Roundhouse, located in Squamish, BC. If you are thinking of making a contribution in Don’s honour, they have asked that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either the West Coast Railway Association or the Rotary Foundation (Canada).
Parisa Adrangi, provided the Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays:Keith Phillips July 7th
member anniversaries:Parisa Adrangi 2 years, Nadja Gehriger 1 year, Jeremy Towning 1 year
wedding anniversaries: Jeremy & Rebecca Towning 7 years July 7th, Malcolm & Janice Hunter 44 years July 5th, Franz & Hildegard Gehriger 47 years July 7th
Special announcements and members' moments:
Katherine Copeland invited everyone to join her at the 2019 Deighton Cup, Hastings Park, on July 20th. For more information see above and/or contact Katherine.
Sandra Lowe presented Bill with the club banner she received from the RC of Amsterdam that she visited while in Europe to attend the RI Convention. This RI convention, in Hamburg, was the first she’d attended, and she was “wowed” with the numbers and enthusiasm of the people there. She noted that if every person there did just one good thing for their community or humanity, it would change the world. She recommended everyone, whether you’re a newer member or a more seasoned member, attend a RI convention. It’s a fantastic experience. The next one is in Hawaii.
Rene Abi-Rached and Gerry Glazier, as representatives of the Community Service Committee, presented L’Arche Greater Vancouver, with a cheque for $9,500. The funds will be used to support their Supports for Healthy Living program. For more information about L’Arche, CLICK HERE.
Bill Davidson was interviewed by Franco Gallo. We learned about what is most important to Bill, what he attributes his professional success to (surrounding himself with good people), how he chose his career in accounting (it was a fluke when in University he needed to fill a 1st level elective and chose accounting – a path was forged and the rest is history). As well, he spoke of what brought him to Rotary (he was invited to attend a meeting by a friend and really like what he saw so joined), and what keeps him here (the incredible work that all of the committees and individual members do on an ongoing basis), and more anecdotally, we heard the story of the birth of his daughter (he delivered her on the kitchen floor of his home with 911 on the phone); a great story for his family.
The video of the 400th container loading that was coordinated by Brian Street, and produced with the help of Mark Busse, was successfully shown (after unsuccessful attempts the last couple of weeks due to technical difficulties). It is a wonderful video highlighting the great work of the Rotary World Help Network. CLICK HERE to view it on YouTube.
Program:
Brian Street introduced this week’s speaker, Ashley Smith. Ashley was one of the youngest people to every be elected to the REBGV’s Board of Directors in 2012. Ashley is the 2019-20 President of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV). The REBGV is the professional association of the more than 14,000 Realtors and real estate brokers across Metro Vancouver.
Ashley noted the two most talked about subjects in Vancouver are real estate and rain. We haven’t had much rain, but we’ve certainly had a lot of speculation about the ups and downs of the real estate market. Vancouver has been a real estate town since its founding.
In 2015-16 sales hit the highest in history. In 2005 sales were approximately $17.5 billion, with 4,434 sales per month. In 2016, for three months in a row, sales surpassed the $41 billion mark. Incredible. In 2017-18 sales dropped back, closer to what is considered normal.
Due to a variety of factors, including the new stress test, the new taxes that have been implemented, and high home prices, demand is easing. In fact, this year, there has been a record low demand, resulting in an increasing supply. It is a basic economic principle that the relationship between supply and demand determines price. We are seeing prices drop now.
We are in an era of heavy government intervention with the use of public policy causing problems and disruptions in the housing market.
It is interesting to note that in 1991 census figures showed that approximately 60% of people in Vancouver lived in single-family homes. This dropped in 2019 to approximately 29%, showing a huge change in demographics.
All of that said, real estate is still a safe bet in Vancouver. Yes, over the short-term there are and will continue to be ups and downs, however, over the long-term there have always been and will continue to be gains.
uest, I turn to you today: Our member Nadine Völker, 30 years old, is completing an MBA at the University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce in Vienna. She has received a scholarship to study at Capilano University in Vancouver from August 19 to 30 this year. The scholarship only covers tuition fees, and she wonders whether she can afford the stay - and that's where you come in.