May 07, 2024 -REGULAR SPEAKER MEETING Speakers: Deborah & Barbara Peng, Co-owners of President Optical
Topic Title: "Twinty Twinty Vision"
Barbara and Deborah Peng were born into this world 2 minutes apart for a purpose greater than the sum of their parts, to carry on a family business, President Optical. Their story is one of loss, resilience, and legacy. Though they did not foresee their futures to be entrepreneurial, let alone entrepreneurial together, they have brought new life and vision to the beloved family-owned and operated business and celebrate 30 years of business this year. They look forward to bringing to the Rotary Club of Vancouver double the fun and double the vision. Twinty Twinty Vision.
May 14, 2024 CLUB DAY
Member Fireside Chat hosted by Joan Posivy featuring panelists, Mindy-Tulsi Ingram, Malcolm Hunter, Ryan Crean & Paul Martin. CLICK HERE to register.
May 21, 2024 SPEAKER SERIES
Tanya Hall, President RC Sunshine Coast
May 28, 2024 CLUB DAY
ADG Mary Anne Velayo will be visiting
May 5th is Dutch Heritage Day in Canada. On April 10, 2019, a private member’s motion in the 42nd Canadian Parliament, 1st Session was passed to recognize May 5th as Dutch Hertiage Day in Canada. In recognition of the sacrifices made by Canadians in the liberation of the Netherlands, as well as the many contributions made to Canada’s social, cultural, and economic fabric by those of Dutch heritage, the government of Canada recognizes every May 5 as Dutch Heritage Day to honour this unique bond. On its sixth anniversary, Dutch-Canadians in British Columbia are leading the way to profile the day.
The date of May 5th is also Liberation Day in the Netherlands which marks the end of Nazi Germany’s occupation during the Second World War. The date May 8, 1945, marks the end of the Second World War in Europe.
To commemorate the sacrifices made by Canadian families, veterans, and caregivers during the Second World War in Europe, the Dutch-Canadian Remembrance Committee (formerly the Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society), in cooperation with the Netherlands Association “Je Maintiendrai” (Dutch Network), and the Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vancouver, will be distributing 6,000 tulip bouquets to more than 40 senior care homes and hospitals, in the Vancouver Lower mainland and Fraser Valley on April 30, 2024 and May 1, 2024. Tulips are a unique symbol of strength and hope as tulip bulbs were a source of food during the war in the Netherlands. The Committee is grateful for the funding received from in part from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program to support the giving of tulips to seniors.
Additional Information:
To commemorate the efforts of Canadian forces in liberating the Netherlands and to mark the momentous occasion a YouTube video documentary called “75 Years Later: The Sounds of Freedom”, produced in 2020, may be watched https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYyvyDrdD64&authuser=2
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In the documentary, viewers are taken through time as a young girl discovers a crate full of war artifacts that belonged to her great-grandfather, including handwritten letters to her great-grandmother. The great-grandfather’s voice from the past recalls important events that led to the Liberation of the Netherlands back in 1945. Interwoven with musical performances from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Dutch Symphony Orchestra and the Seaforth Highlanders, WWII veterans and Dutch survivors share their stories and memories.
In the Netherlands, there are three Canadian war cemeteries where fallen Canadians are buried, namely Bergen op Zoom, Holten and Groesbeek. As well, there is an organization “Faces to Graves” seeking assistance from Canadian families to build a virtual memorial digital file. Canadian families are asked to write their story and send a photograph of their loved one buried in the Netherlands to ‘Faces to Graves’ www.facestograves.nl.
In 2020, the Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands throughout British Columbia. Many “Thank You Canada” initiatives highlighted the occasion. Supported by BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation and bulb grower Van Noort Bulb Ltd., boxes of red “Canadian Liberator” tulip bulbs were distributed widely to elementary schools throughout British Columbia and Canada. A teacher resource guide with tulip planting instructions and two history lessons on the Second World War in Europe accompanied the tulip bulbs. In fall 2021, the Society re-introduced the tulip bulb planting program for elementary schools and looks forward to re-introducing the activity in 2025.
In November 2020, Ms. Debbie Mar, a teacher at Upper Sumas Elementary School was awarded the Prime Minister’s National Award for Teaching Excellence 2020 for her work with the tulip project “Celebrating Liberation with a Promise”. Her inspirational leadership skills and teaching talents guided grade 3-4 students to plant tulips in a planter at the school. Further, she linked the activity to an art project as the means to visually express gratitude to WWII veterans. Two commemoration panels were placed at the school, to remember and educate the wider community in Upper Sumas, Abbotsford, BC, of the “Thank You Canada” 2020 initiatives. Funds were made available by the Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society and from a grant received from New Horizons for Seniors Program – Western Canada and Territories Region, Service Canada/Government of Canada.
For further information contact Adriana Zylmans, Ed.D, vice-president, Dutch-Canadian Remembrance Committee at (604) 816-3243 or azylmans@telus.net or website: www.dutchcanada_2020.com.
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Upcoming Events
CONTACT COMMITTEE CHAIRS FOR UPCOMING DATES
please click on the titles for more info for specific events
* come in person to celebrate your birthday with Purdy's chocolates!!
Last Meeting April 30, 2024
Jason Boudreau, President, chaired the meeting and gave the invocation.
Sam Shorter, Secretary Elect, hosted ZOOM
Mindy Tulsi-Ingram, acted as Sergeant at Arms, introduced guests
Chair’s Announcements:
Welcome to our guests, new and returning, as well as our own members who have taken time out of busy schedules to attend. We are grateful to see new faces, remember guests are ALWAYS welcome at our meetings.
Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays, member club anniversaries, wedding anniversaries (see above)
Members' moments and special presentations:
Eric Peach, President of the VYP Rotaract club thought the District conference was great. He envisions Rotary clubs as a group of separate trees who share a common root system. Events like the conference certainly charge Rotarians up, bringing that root system to light. Eric came away feeling energized from talking to other Rotarians from around the province. Overall, the speakers were great as were the out trips that had a focus on Truth and Reconciliation.
Eric also presented a District certificate to the club – the largest number of new members under 40 in the District. Thank you to the membership committee on their efforts in accomplishing this.
Franz Gehriger also attended the conference and had a wonderful time there in Terrace. The Rotarians you meet are most inspirational, for example, he met a gentleman from Toronto, who is deaf, owns 5 Tim Horton’s franchises with more than 2,000 employees, of which more than 35% are dealing with some disability or another. Overall in Canada the percentage is 27%, so he is well above the average. He expressed that in his experience, the workers with challenges were more dedicated and reliable in the workplace than the average employee. An extremely positive story and one we should think of in our own businesses.
July 14this the date of the biggest event for our club, the Rotary Ride for Hearing. From the beach to the beach. You can go at your own pace, use regular, electric, solar energized bikes. A family ride is available with a smaller distance that will be fun for the whole family. Everyone is encouraged to ask your neighbours, friends & colleagues to join in, whether it be riding, pledging, sponsoring or volunteering.
On behalf of the Membership Committee, Franz expressed that we, as members, do not invite our friends to attend our meetings and events often enough if at all. Please do so! Undoubtedly, your guests will be astonished by all the good work we do in our club to better the world.
Rohan Aurora promoted the evening of elegance and excitement – the President’s Gala Back to Black Dinner Friday May 24th. It is time now to purchase your tickets, $125 per person, that includes a plated dinner, DJ hosted dancing, and a photobooth to document your evening. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. Email invitations were sent to all members. If you cannot find the link in your email, contact Carolyn. Else you can click on the poster above or just CLICK HERE.
Phil Webber promoted the ongoing reading program at Norquay Elementary. The commitment is ½ day per week to help grade 2 & 3 students with their literary skills. It is a most satisfying experience, connecting with these young people, in some cases becoming a bit of a mentor to them. We also provide paper dictionaries to all grade 3 students at Norquay and Britannia Schools.
Nathan Hesketh thanked Steve Ingram (Mindy’s husband) who was our shooter at the Hoop-a-Thon. Great job Steve!
On another note, Nathan let us know that Rotary World Help has a container going to Cuba soon. It’s being loaded this Saturday, May 4th. There will be a Canadian doctor on location in Cuba to receive the shipment ensuring it all goes where it is intended. All volunteers welcome to help; 9:00 a.m. loading at Riverview site in Coquitlam. Contact Nathan if you can make it.
Program - SPEAKER:
Mindy Tulsi-Ingram welcomed speaker, Victoria Jung. Victoria is the current chair of the Vancouver School Board.
"Victoria works in Environmental Consulting, where she supports environmental management in land development and contaminated sites. Victoria also brings years of board experience as VP, Information for the Environmental Managers Association of BC and a demonstrated commitment to the community, having volunteered with the Vancouver Women’s Crisis Centre since 2011. Together, this experience has provided Victoria with a strong foundation for leadership on the Vancouver School board. Victoria holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Masters of Business Administration. Together her academic training, professional experiences, and community engagement have fostered a strong belief in a foundation of childhood learning to continual, extended learning through opportunity and support." (source: https://abcvancouver.ca/team/victoria-jung/)
As a trustee of the Vancouver School Board, Victoria expressed feeling very grateful. The job of the school board is to advocate, not get involved with operations. They do, however, have regular contact with the Superintendent (the only employee of the Board).
Some highlights:
There have been new courses approved including, a Filipino language and culture course at Tupper, an AI course, a Queer & Trans history in BC course, and a Music Theory course.
They’ve developed a feeding funds framework to deal with food insecurities in schools.
They have prioritized developing more green spaces students can access.
Victoria recognized Rotary for providing such wonderful support for VSB students. Interact clubs have been in existence for more than 60 years. Since 2007 Hoop-a-thon has raised great sums to support students on, what has become, an annual basis. Rotary has purchased equipment to help students with dyslexia in grades 4-7 who are part of the Thrive program.
There is a large number of languages spoken the the Vancouver District, 160 actually. 40% of students speak another language, other than English at home. Diversity is huge. 52,000+ students right now. 88 elementaries, 18 secondaries, 1 distributed learning school. There are also a large number of before & after school care programs.
Food Security and Programs: One out of 7 kids live in poverty in BC. (14.3%). There is an incredible need for food in the education system. VSB was given funds from the ministry to help for a period of years. They have had an app developed where that is getting great reviews from staff, students, and families alike. Food can be ordered, some pay and those who cannot afford to will get subsidized without the students knowing who can and who can’t.
Some exciting growth and improvements are underway:
Hamber Secondary on Oak St. is getting seismic upgrades. Along with a neighbourhood learning centre that is being built and greater childcare space.
Coal Harbour Elementary is being built. It is a completely different build design than the ‘normal’ school. This is an example of the incredible community partnerships that VSB is part of. The school will be on the 1st – 3rd floors, childcare on 4th, and social housing above. The hope is that it will be completed by end of 2024 or early 2025.
Olympic Village finally received funding this April to build an elementary school. Unfortunately, it won’t have childcare spaces there but will have before & after school care. Given the location, this build is a bit more complicated than others. It will serve 630 students with a rooftop greenspace for students.
Henry Hudson Elementary will be seismicly upgraded and will be increased in size with 6 more classrooms added.
One of the hot topics that the VSB has been dealing with – the reintroduction of the school police liaison program. There has been lots of discussion and consultation to determine what were the best changes and ways to implement the program. One of the changes is to have a 3rd party review of the program annually. It continues to be a topic of debate but the VSB is confident that with the changes, and ongoing evaluation, it will be a successful program.
Safe commuting to schools is yet another area of concern for the VSB. They are actively encouraging environmentally friendly commuting and reduced speeds around schools.
Overall, the VSB is working hard to ensure all the students, and their families, have a positive learning experience in Vancouver, regardless of their individual circumstances. They are happy to talk to all should you have any concerns or feedback – don’t hesitate to contact Victoria or any other member of the VSB.
Meeting adjourned with a toast to the Vancouver School Board and the work they do for our kids.
Barbara and Deborah Peng were born into this world 2 minutes apart for a purpose greater than the sum of their parts, to carry on a family business, 
