UPCOMING MEETING APR 12, 2022
Youth Service Committee -- AUCTION
Our club's Youth FUNdraiser Auction is open for bidding and the clock is counting down! You'll find the full list of fabulous items by CLICKING HERE. Anyone can bid! Please share this link far and wide so others can join in the fun and support great Youth causes too!
The exciting live auction with Paul Martin as auctioneer, will be held immediately after enjoying our lunch meal on Tuesday April 12th. Register yourself and your guests to attend and make this the fun event it is intended to be by Friday April 8th via email admin@rotaryvancouver.org.
We would like to fill the room. Rotary is all about personal connections, and events like this are so much more when those attending create the inevitable buzz that being in each other's company creates.
UPCOMING MEETING APR 18, 2022
Janet Wansley, actor, author, coach
Jenny Story, animator, author Their journey as mother and daughter living with autism.
Janet & Jenny are going to share their heartfelt story of a mother and daughter bond as their journey intertwines with Jenny's autism. How they have taken the positivity of autism in their lives and let it shine hope for autistic families and the autistic community. They will be sharing their story, working to shed the stigma that still surrounds autism in our culture.
Jenny was born in Yellowknife but lived the majority of her life in Vernon, B.C. She attended Vancouver Film School and became a 2D and 3D Animator. In addition to her work with animation, Jenny has done short animated films/illustrations and her most recent short film is,” Sparkles Loves Bacon”. Jenny is also a best selling and award winning author. Despite being diagnosed with autism, Jenny has always remained focused on pursuing her dreams and is passionate about inspiring others to do the same.
Wolfgang recently celebrated his 87th birthday. He has been a member of our club since April of 1987. He has lived an incredible journey in his life so far, sharing a good piece of it with a presentation to our club a couple of years ago. You should write a book Wolfgang!
He played soccer for most of his life, still does, travelling and competing in many different countries with his team over the years.
He’s always been extremely active in business, with family, and supporting community. His love of beer is well known – beside being our strongest Oktoberfest supporter (for our newer members this was an event we held annually for a number of years), his company back for Expo 86 built and operated the Bavarian Beer Garden, as well as the First Nations Arts and Craft Store.
In addition to his generous support of our club’s initiatives, particularly for youth, he received his first Paul Harris Fellow in 2005, and his PHF+5 back in 2019. He has on many occasions encouraged us all to donate to PolioPlus in memory of those we lose. To follow in his footsteps. Wolfgang has over the years donated 10s of thousands of dollars to PolioPlus – both a mark of generosity and also a bit of sadness that it’s connected to those who have passed on. A wonderful way to remember them though. Thank you Wolfgang.
Wolfgang was awarded the above certificate of appreciation, given with all the love and respect our club can muster.
Nadja Gehriger, Secretary, hosted the ZOOM meeting
Jill Pennefather, Sergeant at Arms, introduced our 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.
Welcome to DG, Lorne Calder and his wife, Sue, as well as ADG, Mary Anne Velayo who joined us in-person to help us celebrate our members.
Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays, member club anniversaries, wedding anniversaries (see above)
Special announcements and members' moments:
Lulu Wang was inducted as our newest member. Welcome to the family Lulu!
Wolfgang Degemann received a certificate of appreciation from the club for his long standing support, especially for Polio Plus and youth programs.
Jeff Moore, the honorary ambassador to El Salvador spoke about the role Rotary had in getting some Vancouver city firetrucks to those who needed them desperately. Definitely a feel good story.
Rene Abi-Rached, as co-chair of the Community Service Committee shared that their committee will join with the Youth Service Committee in supporting a large initiative with ODD Squad Productions and VPD youth programs. This will be to the tune of $28,000.
Lorne Calder shared that the Ukraine Disaster Relief Fund has now surpassed the $6M mark. Our district alone has raised over $1M. This definitely talks about the generosity of Rotarians and how we stand together to help others in times of need.
Our club has had 18 people who have moved into the major donor category. Before March we had 5, another 3 have been added in the last month. Two of the three were recognized publicly: Ian Storrs & John Bathurst.
Ian Storrs is also a Paul Harris Society member, as is now Wolfgang Degemann. To qualify for this an application form will need to be filled out. CLICK HERE for more info.
The following were awarded Paul Harris Fellows for their financial contributions to The Rotary Foundation:
Nadja Gehriger, PHF (her 1st)
Gabby Dickert, PHF+2
Malcolm Hunter, PHF+8
The following were awarded Paul Harris Fellows by way of thanks from our club as an expression of appreciation for their commitment to "Service Above Self":
Gerry Glazier, for his exceptional contributions on many levels, including as Past President and as Past Chair of the Community Service Committee helping it grow into a vibrant and meaningful committee.
Jack Zaleski, for his exceptional contributions to our club on many fronts, in particular as leader of the RCV Hearing Foundation and the Ride for Hearing annual fundraiser.
Verona Edelstein, for her exceptional support and contributions to the International Service Committee, and in particular for the projects in Africa.
Franz Gehriger, for his exceptional contributions to our club’s growth and to the Ride for Hearing annual fundraiser.
Michael Woolnough, exceptional contributions to our club, in particular as long-standing chair of our International Service Committee.
Meeting adjourned with a toast to all of the award winners and everyone who has, and continues to, contribute to the club.
