At this week’s meeting we were delighted to induct Heather Deal and Tom Lancaster as new corporate members representing Granville Island under the classification Nonprofit. 

Heather brings a deep background in science, public service, and governance: she holds a Master of Science in Immunology from UBC, worked in cancer research and course development, conducted research for the David Suzuki Foundation, and was elected to Vancouver City Council five times. She has served extensively with Metro Vancouver and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, recently completed six years as a director of Decoda Literacy Solutions, and is now in her second term as Chair of the Granville Island Council, as well as serving on the YVR Board of Directors. 

Tom is the General Manager and Director of Granville Island, overseeing 42 acres of land and water that host over 350 businesses, employing about 3,100 people, generating roughly $240 million in annual economic activity, and welcoming nearly 11 million visitors and more than 120 events and festivals each year. His prior roles include Manager of Regional Planning and Data Analytics at Metro Vancouver and Director of Development Services on the Sunshine Coast, where he led several transit-oriented high‑rise rezoning projects across the region. We are thrilled to welcome Heather and Tom and the wealth of experience and community commitment they bring to the Rotary Club of Vancouver.

It being the last meeting of the 2025/26 Rotary Year, President Joan provided an inspiring year‑in‑review - highlighting that the Rotary Club of Vancouver was named Outstanding Club of the Year out of 48 clubs, reflecting both strong engagement and impact. 

Member satisfaction reached an impressive 93.6%, and the Club Membership grew to a record 95 members, with notable increases in active attendance and in the 40–49 age group, after several years of decline.

 Joan also underscored the club’s ongoing commitment to signature initiatives, including Stay in School scholarships, Hoopathon to support youth basketball and keep kids off the streets, sponsorship of two Rotaract clubs, and major support for the Hearing Foundation, which is contributing $6 million to establish the Rotary Club of Vancouver Hearing and Balance Centre at the new St. Paul’s Hospital. 

Altogether, these achievements mark a year of renewed momentum, financial health, and meaningful service locally and internationally.

We also celebrated outstanding behind‑the‑scenes service through Unsung Hero Awards and a special Paul Harris Recognition. The first Unsung Hero Award went to Sevda Yurdaer for stepping up to manage many critical details of the Rotary Ride for Hearing, ensuring the event’s safety, organization, and success despite being a relatively new member. 

The second Unsung Hero Award was presented to Phil Weber, recognized for his long‑standing commitment to the ride, detailed behind‑the‑scenes work with permits and logistics, and generous mentorship to newer members. 

In addition, President Joan used her prerogative to award a Paul Harris Recognition to Ally Potel for her exceptional service as club secretary—always saying yes to last‑minute requests, handling extensive responsibilities with skill and grace, and making a significant contribution to the smooth running of the club throughout the year.