Another year done! President, Wayne Fraser's
2022 Farewell Speech
109 years ago, on June 2, 1913 our club was founded. Each year thereafter, the membership continued to build the club and tried to be the very best stewards they could. We are all just stewards of our club - we do our very best to look after the club. Each of our actions, interactions, decisions and planning help ensure that the club outlasts all of us. That means each part we play, each committee we are part of, and everything we do connects our past to our future and helps our club to thrive.
We are at 109 years and counting. I'm very proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of people in a historic club with a very bright future.
This year has been a transition year. All the compromises and changes we had to make over the last couple of years have now come to an end. It's been tough but we made it. And our Rotary Club of Vancouver is solid and, I am convinced, can withstand any challenge.
Over the last year, we have come back to normal and i know we are all looking forward to continuing our service work.
Please allow me to thank each and every one of you for giving me this opportunity to support you in our efforts here at our Rotary Club. Its been an amazing experience for me and i couldn't have taken this role on without your support.
The level of engagement we have in our club is commendable and its easy to see how we have continued to thrive for 109 years. I will really miss it, although I am looking forward to attending the meetings as before, relaxing and enjoying lunch,.... A hot lunch now will be a nice change.
Many of you have commented that my year as President has gone very fast. And yes it has, it’s been a lot of fun and has been very rewarding.
I am looking forward to handing the baton to Kendall and to be there for him, to be a Rotarian ready to serve. Kendall, as with all the past presidents, we are all here to support you Kendall.
I have a few slides that attempt to capture our past year. Its been a combined effort of the board and committee chairs, and all the Rotarians of our club who pitch in and make amazing things happen. I have so many people to thank, all the committee chairs, the Board of Directors that put up with me all year long, and all of you Rotarians that did the work.
Of special mention, in no particular order:
Ian Storrs & Peter Clarke, Oscar Olson Awards
Gabby Dickert & Juno Parlange, new RCoV website (coming soon)
Franz Gehriger, new members & Ride for Hearing
Melody Hu (VYP Rotaractor) & Rhianon Chow, Business Networking Social Events
Dr. Rene Georges Abi-Rached, Odd Squad Productions & ping pong table
Jim Evans, speakers
Carolyn Treger, President & Board support
Miya Otake, live (& recorded) music
Ryan Crean, business directory
Stu Bird, international Ukraine support committee
Franco Gallo, member interviews
Sandra Lowe, member surveys
Gerry Glazier, food on the corner
CSC & Anne Lippert, ping pong table
Jack Zaleski, Hearing Foundation, Ride for Hearing, website
Joan Posivy, major youth fundraiser auction
Stephanie Lawton, Phil Webber, Nathan Hesketh, Darren Radbourne, Matt Tsinkorang (GD Commerce), and many more, Ride for Hearing
Parisa Adrangi, new member event & Ride for Hearing
Navid Morawej, lots of cool stuff he doesn't want to be mentioned for
All RCoV Committees, all the amazing work you do
2021-22 Board members, giving up your days and nights
All of you, silent, unsung heroes that make the club run and accomplish so much! Thank you.
What we did this year:
Re-established:
in-person meetings with hybrid Zoom
buffet, birthdays, and live music
new member reception
networking events
member interviews
Created:
finance committee
Oscar Olsen recognition for Rotary Club of Vancouver Foundation donors (coming soon)
business directory (coming soon)
Re-created:
RCoV website (coming soon)
Achievements:
added 10 new members to our club
balanced the club budget
celebrated the 100th birthday of Leo Allas
achieved 5 year high for:
membership (109)
Every Rotarian Every Year (25)
annual fund contributions ($65K)
total contributions ($75K)
annual fund per capita ($602 - almost double that of the District)
installed a public ping pong table at Kits Beach
completed the Menkao water and sanitation project
received BC gaming funds grant ($33K)
raised over $65,000 for Ukraine
completed 26+ service projects (ISC & CSC)
shipped 6 RWH containers
The Rotary Foundation donations added:
1 benefactor
1 Bequest Society member
5 major donors
10 Paul Harris Society members
received District award for the most members under 40 years old
awarded 23 Paul Harris Fellows to members
All of this happened because of you, the members of the Rotary Club of Vancouver. You regularly step forward and volunteer to do so much and contribute in so many ways. Thank you for demonstrating what it means to put Service Above Self and Serve to Change lives.
Thank to the 2021-22 Board:
Secretary, Nadja Gehriger
President Elect, Kendall Jessiman
Treasurer, Kaz Kadono
Imm. Past President, Gerry Glazier
Directors, Ian Storrs, Navid Morawej, Sandra Lowe, Joan Posivy, Paul Martin, Ryan Crean
Sergeant at Arms, Jill Pennefather
Good luck to our 2022-23 Board:
President, Kendall Jessiman
Secretary, Sandra Lowe
President Elect, Jason Boudreau
Treasurer, Kaz Kadono
Directors, Alvin Zhao, Ian Storrs, Juno Parlange, Peter Clarke, Paul Martin, Saarika Varma
Sergeant at Arms, Peter Clarke
Kendall, here is the original Rotary International charter document from 1913 to hold for your year in office. It will serve to remind you of our legacy, your leadership responsibilities and your stewardship of this great club.
The draft version of the new RCoV Business Roster will be in your inbox shortly. Kindly review the format and provide any feedback you have to Ian Storrs.
We are looking for more advertisers in the directory to support the costs associated with the printing and ongoing maintenance of the directory. Please let Carolyn know if you are interested.
Thank you for your assistance in helping us build a stronger more active club able to make significant changes in our community and our world.
* come in person to celebrate with Purdy's chocolates!!
Last Meeting June 28, 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
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:
Stu Bird received his PHF+8
Ride for Hearing – Franz Gehriger shared that they now have more than 70 volunteers who will all be given key holders as a thank you. Still need more volunteers so if you know of anyone who can help out… All of the riders will receive a medal (thanks to Clarke’s Recognition Products, Peter Clarke) and a backpack (thanks to Parisa Adrangi). A sincere that you to all the sponsors and organizing committee members for such incredible support. They are looking to have more kids & family members involved in the family ride.
Christian Nielsen shared that while with his family at the Londsdale Quay, he observed a young boy playing along with the other children. This boy had ochlear implants and seeing this and how well he was integrating with everyone, it brought home what our Ride for Hearing is all about.
Franco Gallo interviewed Paul McCrae
Club was instrumental in ensuring that Expo 86 and the convention centre happened. Paul was a key person in that process. 40 years ago as President of the Club, Paul heard that Bill Bennett had cancelled the trade & convention centre build. Paul put together a group of interested individuals and got to work. The financing agreed upon between the various levels of governments was 1/8th short, so they cancelled the plan. The Federal government refused to add any more money.
Paul knew there had to be a solution. One sleepless night found it. Knowing the old Dunsmuir tunnel ran from False Creek to the peir BC, Paul figured out that rather than build two buildings, one specifically for Transpo (later Expo), they could connect the ALRT to Pier BC, to Canada Pavilion, and save $57M at the same time – land, sea, air. Helicopter. The proposal was made.
He heard nothing more for some time. A Texas company heard of it and wanted to be the company supplying helicopter. They were going to announce with a TV spot with Pamela Martin, w ell-known TV personality at the time. The interview with Paul was on the news. Grace McCarthy saw it and called Paul – Bill Bennett was furious. He was going to make the announcement the following week – Paul was a week early.
The RCoV, for their instrumental role in the project, was invited to the official announcement. Jimmy Pattison was named chair of Expo at $1 per year. He lead an extremely successful, profitable, project that has had a tremendous effect on the development of Vancouver.
The project was made even grander than original plan. The Royal Yacht Britannia tied up at pier BC; Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau invited Her Majesty the Queen to attend and pour the first concrete into the pilings. The Feds picked up the tab. It made a tremendous difference.
As amazing story of our history. Franco expressed, on behalf of us all, that he is so proud to be a Rotarian. Shows the power of an idea and a strong network of committed individuals.
Joan Posivy shared that at the annual Rotaract installation dinner last week, our Vancouver Young Professionals Rotaract Club received the two prestigious awards: Rotaract of the Year (Eric Peach), and Project of the Year (UNYA fundraiser). Congratulations to this growing, vibrant club.
Gerry Glaziershared that he had the pleasure of speaking at Mekdes Gete's fundraiser recently. This fundraiser is following up on our aid to build a library. Now they are working on raising the money to put books on the shelves. A thoroughly enjoyable event and kudos to Mekdes for such a successful project.
Joan Posivy shared a personal note -- her new initiative the Side Hustle Podcast was officially launched. If you know of anyone who has a side hustle, contact Joan. CLICK HERE to access the episodes and for more info.
Program:
President Wayne Fraser said farewell. See above for his full speech.
Meeting adjourned with a toast to toast to changing lives and to President Wayne for a job well done.
