"For without belittling the courage with which men have died,
we should not forget those acts of courage with which men have lived.
The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle
than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less
a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy.
A man does what he must -- in spite of personal consequences,
in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures --
and that is the basis of all human morality."
Through a multi-club Global Grant, Clubs in District 5040 has provided computer and Internet technology to Kyaithani and Lower Yatta Secondary Schools. In partnership with Kenya Connect Inc based in Elkridge, Maryland and their Kenyan field operation located near the secondary schools, teachers are offered support in using the technology. However, hands-on help is needed from experienced teachers to assist their Kenyan colleagues to successfully teach with technology.
The Vocational Training Team made up of six BC experienced, practising middle and secondary school teachers and a Rotarian leader travelled to Kenya earlier this year. The teachers with a variety of subject specialties provided support to teachers from the Kenyan Secondary Schools through a series of information exchange sessions and workshops at the Kenya Connect Learning Resource Centre and at participating schools.
After the Kenyan portion of the project, six teachers/principals from the Kenyan schools, along with key Kenya Connect field staff, are coming to BC to visit BC schools and learn new techniques employing computer technology and using the Internet in their teaching.
The team will need to have home stays for a group of Kenyan teachers while they are in Vancouver. Dates are Monday December 9th to Friday December 13th (they are scheduled to leave Dec 13th). Also needed are people to help with transportation needs during their stay.
If you could help or would like more information please correspond directly with John Anderson (johnlanderson@telus.net) and copy John Bathurst.
Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC
When, as a young man, Thomas P.J. Crean took over the funeral business his grandfather had founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, funeral homes comforted and served local families and their communities. The "rationalization" of the industry in the 1970s brought multinational conglomerates that bought out countless funeral homes and kept up a "family business" façade while sacrificing integrity to shareholder profits.
Since 1975, Crean has fought for the rights of the bereaved, exposing the deceptive, unethical, predatory practices of big corporations. It's Your Funeral is a compelling account of Crean's life--and his mission to restore integrity to the funeral business.
You are invited to Tom's book launch on October 25th.
If no written objection is filed with the Secretary within 7 days of November 15, 2019
(by Nov. 22, 2019), Anna Mandryko will, upon payment of the dues and assessments determined by the Board, be declared elected as a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver recognized by Rotary International.
The classification Anna Mandryko will hold is E-Commerce - Sales & Marketing
Proposer: Franz Gehriger
If no written objection is filed with the Secretary within 7 days of November 15, 2019
(by Nov. 22, 2019), Scott Stroshin will, upon payment of the dues and assessments determined by the Board, be declared elected as a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver recognized by Rotary International.
The classification Scott Stroshin will hold is Real Estate - Management
John Bathurst, Past President (2016-17), chaired the meeting.
Stephanie Lawton accompanied us on the piano for the singing of O Canada.
Peter Clarke, Sergeant-at-Arms, introduced visitors and guests.
Chair's Announcements:
New Member Reception for members who joined 2 years ago or less. The event will be at the rev Deeley on Boundary Rd. on Wednesday November 27th, 6-8 p.m. Please RSVP to the email invitation coming to your inbox on Wednesday November 13th, or call Carolyn.
Craig Beliveau’s funeral: Thursday November 14th, 1:00 p.m. in South Surrey.
Important reminder re credit cards: if you need to use a new or different card for any reason at any time, or if your expiry date is updated, please let Carolyn know asap to prevent issues with club billings.
Gladstone Scholarship Alumni reception: Thursday November 14th @ Gladstone Secondary.
Message from the RCoV Young Professionals Division:
Hello fellow Rotarians,
The Vancouver Rotary Club Young Professionals Division will be hosting a coats, socks and blankets drive to help those in need during the cold winter months. 100% of all donations will be going to the needy through the Union Gospel Mission.
We will be collecting donations during Rotary meetings on November 26th and December 10th from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Please bring any warm coats, socks and blankets you would like to donate to those meetings and we will collect them and deliver them to the Union Gospel Mission.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Scott Stroshin, Justin Emilio, or Mark Zhou. Thank you.
Secretary's announcements provided by Parisa Adrangi:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays:Nick Blom Nov 16th
member anniversaries:Ryan Crean 3 years, Wayne Fraser 8 years, Kaz Kadono 8 years
wedding anniversaries:Richard Higgins & Diana Robinson 32 years Nov 14th
Special announcements and members' moments:
Barbara Welsh received a Paul Harris +6
Mar Gaston, our current exchange student, gave a brief update on the activities she’s been part of lately and again expressed that she is really enjoying her time here.
Peter Clarke provided some feedback from the 41st curling bonspiel held in Squamish last weekend. It was lots of fun. The food was delicious, the curling was exhausting, slept well (except for the aches & pains). This is an event that all should really consider for next year; it is in need of some revitalizing with some new faces and energy.
John Hayto has posted an invitation on his Facebook and is extending the invitation to all – the Hayto annual Wine & Cheese will be on December 21st. You bring the wine, they supply the cheese. Kindly let John know if you will be attending.
Paul McRae paid tribute to the best designer – the person who designed the Remembrance Day poppies with their pins. It is the most effective fundraiser – buy one lose one, buy another lose another, and on and on.
Deiter Grewer & Norm Blair visited from RC Sechelt to ask if our Club would be interested in a joint effort with the arts community. Norm spoke about an opportunity to engage younger members, more members, and the general public by hosting/producing a play. The event provides a perfect venue for Rotarians to engage while actors entertain. All will benefit financially as well with, as he suggests, a 60-40 split of profits. This would ensure the actors get paid a decent wage as well as the Club benefitting. Norm will meet with someone from our Club to discuss further.
Program:
Peter Clarke introduced our speaker, Aimee King. Aimee is a partner at the Slater Vecchio LLP law firm. They specialize in injury law.
Aimee apologized that James Richards could not make the meeting as he was representing a client.
She continued to explain the mechanics of recovery taken by Slater Vecchio. A client goes through the following steps in their road to recovery:
Initial meeting with a Slater Vecchio lawyer.
The firm gathers all of the facts around the case.
The firm supports their client in receiving any treatments necessary to facilitate their physical and mental recovery from the accident.
The firm works to get a fair resolution of the client’s claim.
The case goes to trial if necessary.
The old recovery framework had the plaintiff (person making the claim) providing the burden of proof that the accident was not their fault (liability) and also evidence in 5-areas of loss (quantum of damages):
The level of pain and suffering
Any past income loss
Potential future income loss
Requirement of future care
Evidence of special damages
Under the old recovery framework, the Supreme Court, would preside and settle the cases.
The changes to the recovery framework are:
A minor injury cap
The venue for decision making
Part 7 Benefits
For reference, minor injury is defined as a physical or mental injury that does not result in a “serious impairment” or “permanent disfigurement”. A serious impairment is on that is not resolved within 12 months and (a) results in a substantial inability to perform the essential tasks of a person’s regular employment, occupation, profession, training, or education program, despite reasonable efforts to accommodate the impairment, OR (b) substantial inability to perform activities of daily living.
The latter point, activities of daily living, includes shopping for personal needs, management personal finances, performing housework to maintain a place of resident in acceptable conditions, using public or personal transportation, preparing own meals, performing personal hygiene & self-care, managing personal medication.
This means that there is a disproportionate effect on stay-at-home parents, working poor, students, immigrants, seniors and those with pre-existing conditions that limit their function.
The minor injury cap has been set to $5,500. Some examples of how this will effect cases:
A stay-at-home parent with a concussion, depression and chronic pain with poor prognosis for a full recovery. As they can manage activities of daily living they are awarded the maximum $5,500
A retired person who has chronic pain but is able to manage the basic activities of daily living, awarded $5,500
A 50-year old trades worker who suffers a chronic back injury that improves but does not resolve and the prognosis is poor. They missed a month of work then continues to work while suffering pain, awarded $5,500
A previously disabled person who is unemployed and not enrolled in an educational program who suffers aggravation to their disability of chronic pain but they are able to manage the activities of daily living, awarded $5,500
A 20-year old student who suffers soft tissue injuries to the neck and back but does not miss any time from school and whose injuries are resolved in 1.5 to 2 years, max. award $5,500
All of the above scenarios would have received, under the old recovery framework, 10-80 thousand depending on the severity of the case.
The venue for decision making is now a Civil Resolutions Tribunal (CRT). It has the exclusive jurisdiction for determining “minor injury”, for part 7 issues, and for determination of liability. It deals with claims of up to $50,000. The CRT is made up of lawyers, not judges, who have less experience and knowledge of precedence for cases compared to the Supreme Court judges.
The main differences between the CRT and the Supreme Court are, as mentioned, less experience and training, no longer a choice of a judge vs a trial, a limit on the number of experts providing evidence as well as the amount of money that can be recovered for the cost of said experts. Appealing a CRT decision is nearly impossible.
Part 7 benefits maximum has been increased (good news) from $150,000 to $300,000. Part 7 benefits include treatments to facilitate recovery such as chiropractor, massage, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist, housekeeping, funeral benefits, and survivor benefits. ICBC has increased the rates that they will pay for these treatments, e.g., $79 per physio session up to a max of 25 sessions.
That is all good except that an injured claimant can no longer recover any amount over the prescribed rates. So, if your provider with whom you have a long history charges more than they prescribed rate, then you are out of pocket for the difference.
In closing, what are the impacts of these changes:
There is a grossly diminished right to full and just recovery.
Access to justice is denied.
There is a disproportionate effect on the elderly, disabled, stay-at-home parents, and students.
The results are unjust.
Meeting adjourned with a toast to apply the Rotary 4-Way Test to insurance.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
When, as a young man, Thomas P.J. Crean took over the funeral business his grandfather had founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, funeral homes comforted and served local families and their communities. The "rationalization" of the industry in the 1970s brought multinational conglomerates that bought out countless funeral homes and kept up a "family business" façade while sacrificing integrity to shareholder profits.