UPCOMING MEETING MAY 24, 2022
Stephen Rogers, former BC MLA, cabinet minister & speaker of the legislature Canada's Constitutional Monarchy
Former B.C. MLA, Cabinet member and Speaker of the Legislature
Stephen was a British Columbia politician and cabinet minister from 1975 to 1991. He will speak about how our Canadian political system works and how it affects everyday Canadians, including how it gently changes directions from time to time.
"Constitutional monarchy is Canada’s system of government. An absolute monarchy is one where the monarch has unchecked power. A constitutional monarch, in contrast, is limited by the laws of the Constitution. Constitutional monarchs do not directly rule. Instead, they carry out constitutional, ceremonial and representational duties. Canada’s monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is the head of state. The prime minister is the head of government. The monarch is represented by the governor general at the federal level and by lieutenant-governors in the provinces."
UPCOMING MEETING MAY 31, 2022
Lynne Kent, Trisha Baptie, and Alexandra Stevenson
Vancouver Collective against Sexual Exploitation (VCASE) Who is VCASE and stories of those who experienced trafficking
Vancouver Collective against Sexual Exploitation (VCASE) is a diverse and experienced group of individuals and organizations that has worked for several years to end the sexual exploitation of women and children through education and awareness campaigns, meetings and presentations. We are advocates, lawyers, social workers, professionals, teachers, front-line activists, sex industry survivors and retired business people who are working together for an end to commercial sexual exploitation in Canada. We also collaborate with various national and international organizations on this issue.
Our club received a message of thanks from our sister club, RC of Tokyo Setagaya South.
May 15, 2022
Rotary Club of Vancouver
Mr.Wayne Fraser, President 2021-2022
Dear President:
We are glad to report you that our 50th anniversary ceremony and party has been
successfully implemented with over 200 participants on May 10, 2022.
Although the anniversary ceremony and party schedule was forced to change several times
due to Covid-19 problem, we finally could hold a memorial ceremony and party by
presenting our future vision for next 50 years to every guest and Rotarian friend.
We hereby express sincere appreciation to you by sending us as your President message
and congratulatory money. In addition to this, we really appreciate Mr. Ian Storrs
participation, he is so nice to write us Smile Box message on behalf of RCV.
Very unfortunately we could not receive you in Tokyo, we hope we can meet you sometime
this year by lifting immigration restriction.
Again we definitely believe that our friendship will be further maintained and can develop
joint international service project together.
Very truly yours,
RC of Tokyo Setagaya South
Akihiko Suzuki, President 2021-2022
Makoto Masui, Chairman of 50th Anniversary Implementation Committee
The Rotary Club of Vancouver's Ride for Hearing is an annual fundraising event in support of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in British Columbia. Since its inception, we have raised over $3.6 million and have had a major impact on the lives of many children and adults who suffer from hearing loss.
These funds have been used to support Cochlear Implant Research at UBC, to establish the Rotary Hearing Centre at UBC Hospital, and the BC Rotary Hearing and Balance Centre at St. Paul’s Hospital. In addition, grants have been made to BC Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre of BC, The Hearing Foundation of Canada, the BC Family Hearing Resource Centre, the UBC School of Audiology & Speech Sciences, and the Vancouver Hearing Centre to name just a few.
Let's get involved! Contact Stephanie Lawson or Franz Gehriger for more info.
If no written objection is filed with the Secretary within 7 days of May 19, 2022
by (May 26, 2022)
Oberto Oberti
and
Tommaso Oberti
will upon payment of the dues and assessments determined by the Board, be declared elected as a corporate members of the Rotary Club of Vancouver recognized by Rotary International.
The classification that Oberto & Tommaso will hold is “Architecture - Project Mgmt”.
Proposer: Franz Gehriger
Seconder: Anne Lippert
*
Kamyar Asadibeiky May 23
at our Club
Sahra Homayounian 3 years
Juliet Wong 24 years
wedding
Mindy Tulsi-Ingram & Steve Ingram
26 years May 17
Gerry & Marlene Glazier
54 years May 18
* come in person to celebrate with Purdy's chocolates!!
Last Meeting May 17, 2022
Wayne Fraser, President, chaired the meeting
Nadja Gehriger, Secretary, hosted the ZOOM meeting
Jill Pennefather, Sergeant at Arms, introduced guests
Miya Otake played O Canada on the harp via video
President’s Announcements:
Thank you to all of you who came to Tuesday’s meeting. It is wonderful to see you all, both those in person and those attending virtually.
Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays, member club anniversaries, wedding anniversaries (see above)
Special announcements and members' moments:
Brittany Ford was welcomed to the club as our newest individual member. Welcome to the family Brittany!
Christian Neilsen was interview by Franco Gallo. It was wonderful getting to know Christian a bit better, as one of our newer members.
Nathan Hesketh let us know that he will be making a career change in the near future. Stay tuned for more information. Nathan's current classification is Investments - Financial Planning.
Program:
Rene Abi-Rached introduced guest speaker, Sharon Dobin, from the Sancta Maria House, a non-profit recovery/healing residential home for women struggling with substance abuse and related trauma.
Sancta Maria House has been operating as a long-term residential home in Vancouver for over 20 years. It is a resource for women who are seeking freedom from all chemical or mental addictions. They use the 12-step AA program, with Big Book studies, daily recovery groups, assessment interviews, one on one support and counselling as treatment.
They provide skills training that include quilt making, card making, and soap making as well as customized education support. The proceeds from the sales of their crafts goes back into supporting the women in the home. The current residents are supported by women that have gone through Sancta Maria House, and volunteers who specialize in art & clinical therapy. The neighbouring church provides pastoral guidance and hosts social events and activities. Coastal Health supports the residents who require further medical and psychiatric attention.
Santa Maria House values are based in Catholic/Christian values. They believe that through prayerful action women can experience unconditional love and a chance to be individually known and cared for. The environment is one of strong support for those who wish to change their lives through recovery. Through spiritual and psychological counselling residents are able to increase positive self-esteem and self-actualization. All residents are encouraged to volunteer in community activities, to reunite with loved ones for an eventual reintegration back into families.
To date there have been more than 200 women who have walked through the doors of Sancta Maria House. Many of whom remain clean and sober today, and who stay connected with Sancta Maria House. These women have gone on to lead healthy lives in the community and with their families.
All women, from all faith backgrounds, or with no faith background, are welcome when they are ready to take the difficult steps to sobriety.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to produce accurate numbers of how many residents remain successful in their recovery as there is no way to follow them over time. It is recognized that not all are successful, so it is necessary to concentrate on those who are and who remain in contact.
Sancta Maria House is very grateful to RCoV for the funds they’ve provided, used for the purchase of a quilting sewing machine, and a second integrated in-house alumni and client creative program.
Elisabeth, a past resident of Sancta Maria House, told the group her personal story of her path into addiction, her experience living with addiction, and her eventual recovery with the help Sancta Maria House. She noted that prior to her successful experience with Sancta Maria House, Elisabeth had tried recovery programs 20 times unsuccessfully. Incredible that Elisabeth never gave up and has found sobriety on her 21st attempt. Thanks to Elisabeth who brought a real face to a tragic experience of so many.
Meeting adjourned with a toast to toast to courage, and to Elisabeth for her sobriety.
