RCoV Overview of the Year with
2025/26 President Joan Posivy
As we settle into the new Rotary year, we are thrilled to continue our journey of Service Above Self under the leadership of this year's President Joan Posivy.
Join us as Joan shares her vision, priorities, and hopes for the 2025–26 Rotary year. With her enthusiasm and deep commitment to Rotary, Joan will outline how we can build on our club’s rich legacy while embracing new opportunities for impact, innovation, and connection.
Please show your support and be part of shaping the future of our club. We look forward to seeing you there!
This Rotary year, we’re adding a dose of humour to our Secretary announcements. Have a good clean joke? Send it to jokes@rotaryvancouver.org — yours might be featured at an upcoming 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 Memory of Erwin Doebeli Sr. 1938 – 2024
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of long-time Rotarian, philanthropist, and community leader Erwin Doebeli Sr., who left us on June 29, 2024. His beloved family—Josette, Erwin (Jacqueline), and Philippe (Chantal)—mourn the loss of a devoted husband, father, and friend, as do all of us whose lives were touched by his generosity, spirit, and unwavering commitment to Service Above Self.
A proud and active Rotarian, he was a founding member of the Rotary Ride for Hearing, riding alongside Rene Fluri in its inaugural year, 1984—so fast, in fact, that he was once issued a speeding ticket on his iconic pink racing bike in Stanley Park. A beloved figure in our Rotary Curling Club, he was also a co-founder of the spirited “Swiss Mafia” team (Erwin, Rene Fluri, and Franz Gehriger), raising record-setting funds and collecting numerous trophies for their efforts.
Over 21 years, Erwin cycled thousands of kilometres to support hearing health and those in need—embodying the Rotary motto in every mile.
Details regarding a service or Celebration for Life will be shared as they become available.
In Memoriam: Remembering a Long-Standing Rotarian - Anne Lippert
It is with heartfelt sadness that we share the news of the passing of one of our long-time members, Anne Lippert.
While her illness was known to some within our Rotary family, the news of her passing has come as a sudden and unexpected loss.
She was a dedicated Rotarian who left a lasting impact on our club and the community we serve. Her contributions over the years exemplified the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self, and she will be deeply missed.
We extend our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones.
Details regarding a service or Celebration for Life will be shared as they become available.
Celebration of Life - Verona Edelstein
Verona’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday,
July 26 at 11:00 AM at Kearney Funeral Home.
For planning purposes, Verona's Niece Suzanne Green is kindly requesting RSVP's.
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.
A message from a fellow Rotarian:
Dear Rotary Vancouver,
I am Mushegh Grigoryan, fine artist based in LA. I am a member of Rotary Club Glendale (noon). Here is my website Mushegh Grigoryans official website
My daughter Karin is relocating to Vancouver in September and she is open to work opportunities. She is a Canadian Permanent Resident. She has been in customer relationship/administrative managerial positions before. She speaks English, French, Russian and Armenian. She has also served as an executive assistant to an IT CEO, which she enjoyed. She is interested in any position that she can be helpful in, and since it's going to be her first job in Vancouver, she is flexible to discuss salary and location options. She has a double Bachelors in Economics/General Management from Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University.
Her Resume for quick reference is available upon request - Please email your Administrator Patricia at admin@rotaryvancouver.org.
Thank you in advance and looking forward to meeting you when I visit Vancouver!
Best,
Mushegh
Meeting Recap
July 8, 2025 -
2025 Rotary Ride for Hearing – 40th Anniversary Summary
by Franz Gehriger, Co-Chair
Franz described the ride as “the best experience I’ve had in 40 years of riding”—a breathtaking, serene morning through Stanley Park, with no traffic, sea air, the sound of birds and cruise ships, and the low hum of speeding bikes creating a truly unforgettable atmosphere.
The 2025 ride saw 140 cyclists take part and raised over $140,000, thanks to an incredible team effort.
Special thanks to:
All 140 riders and our 55 dedicated volunteers
Co-Chair Phil Webber, who coordinated all agreements with the Parks Board
Sevda Yurdaer – Who coordinated the volunteers
Graham & William – New Chairs, who dealt with all day-of logistics and operations
Stephanie – For securing sponsors and partner support
The Donnellan Family, Aaron & IRL Group – For providing a fantastic beer garden with food, drinks, and live Irish music
Peter Clarke, who led the charge on trophies, medals, and signage, which he all donated to the Club!
President Paul Martin, who served as Master of Ceremonies and Ambassador throughout the day!
2025 Rotary Ride for Hearing – 40th Anniversary Summary
by Phil Webber - Co-Chair
Phil, dedicated Ride for Hearing Co-Chair shared a few challenges the committee was facing this year:
Tight Permit Timeline: Conditional approval for the Stanley Park road closure and related park‑use permits arrived only 60 days before Ride Day—leaving Phil mere days to finalize agreements with the Park Board, City of Vancouver, and BC Government.
Complex Multi‑Agency Coordination: Securing permits across three institutions (City, Park Board, Province) required navigating overlapping requirements and last‑minute negotiations.
Short Promotion: With formal approval coming at the end of April, Phil and the team had only two months to publicize the Ride—design, print, outreach, and registration all had to be executed at lightning speed.
Logistics: Organizing road‑closure logistics, vendor contracts (e.g., VPD, valet bike parking), and stakeholder communications in a condensed timeframe demanded round‑the‑clock emails and calls.
Ensuring Safety & Experience: Despite the rush, Phil remained focused on rider safety—confirming aid‑station placement, traffic‑circle routing, and volunteer coordination to deliver the signature “silent‑park” experience.
Phil's Personal Moments & Rider Triumphs
Dawn with Alex: Phil and his 12‑year‑old granddaughter Alex embarked on the 50 K at first light, cycling through the serene Stanley Park loops—accompanied only by birdsong, sea mist, and a spontaneous exploration of Pipeline Road. A memory they’ll treasure forever.
Bill Schulz’s Climb: After missing the seawall turnoff, Bill took on Prospect Point Hill—and loved it so much he conquered it four times in a single ride!
Sandra Lowe’s Determination: Though the main 100 K route called for nine loops, Sandra powered on for a tenth, proving there are no limits to Rotarian spirit.
Record‑Breaking Peloton: A group of eight riders blitzed three Stanley Park loops in under 40 minutes—averaging less than 15 minutes per loop—raising the bar for future “Riders’ Rides.”
Why We Ride
For the pure joy of cycling in a closed‑park dawn, and—most importantly—to “Bring Back the Sounds of Life” for those in our province who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Thank you to every rider, volunteer, and sponsor who helped make Phil’s tight‑timeline vision a reality. Let’s keep that giving momentum going—sponsor a participant at rotaryrideforhearing.org and continue to turn miles into meaningful impact.
📸 Photo Gallery Now Available
Check out the smiles, sweat, and spirit of the day in our online photo gallery.
From solo milestones to impressive team efforts, we captured it all!
Meet the 2025/26 Board of Directors
Finally, on July 8th, the new Board of Directors was introduced.
Rotary Club of Vancouver begins a new chapter on July 8, as the 2025/26 Board was inducted.
Past President John Bathurst led the inauguration of new President Joan Posivy; followed by introducing the rest of the board.
We are proud to introduce our incoming Board of Directors — a dynamic team of dedicated Rotarians committed to service, leadership, and innovation:
Joan Posivy, President Paul Martin, Past President
Navid Morawej Nathan Hesketh Malcolm Hunter Richard Higgins Stephanie Lawton Sean Chan
Inauguration Speech by John Bathurst
Please welcome your new President
Handing over the original Rotary Charter from 1913
Lastly,Paul Martin extended his deepest gratitude to the outgoing Board for their dedication, guidance, and countless hours of service above self. Outgoing Directors are:
Sam Shorter, Parisa Adrangi, Nadja Gehriger and Jason Boudreau.
Jason Boudreau then expressed his appreciation to Paul for stepping into the presidency after Franco’s departure—recognizing Paul’s commitment to fellowship, leadership and integrity.
Please join us in thanking both our outgoing Board and (now) Past President Paul Martin for embodying the Rotary ideals of service, leadership, and community impact this past year!
Message from the Rotary Club of Vancouver:
"To all Rotary Members and the Rotary Board of Directors!"
In Memory of Erwin Doebeli Sr.
In Memoriam: Remembering a Long-Standing Rotarian - Anne Lippert
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