Vol. 101 No. 18
Brian Street, President
Joan Posivy, Secretary
Next meeting: Tuesday November 6, 2018 Remembrance Day Program Liberation of Holland 1945
(c/o website: The Canadian Encyclopedia, "Liberation of the Netherlands")
In the final months of the Second World War, Canadian forces were given the important and deadly task of liberating the Netherlands from Nazi occupation. From September 1944 to April 1945, the First Canadian Army fought German forces on the Scheldt estuary — opening the port of Antwerp for Allied use — and then cleared northern and western Netherlands of Germans, allowing food and other relief to reach millions of desperate people. Today, Canada is fondly remembered by the Dutch for ending their oppression under the Nazis.
More than 7,600 Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen died fighting in the Netherlands. They are buried today in official war cemeteries across the country. The largest, Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery near the city of Nijmegen, holds the graves of more than 2,300 Canadians.
Canadians are fondly remembered by the Dutch as both liberators and saviors who rescued millions from sickness and starvation in 1945. The joyous "Canadian summer" that followed forged deep and long-lasting bonds of friendship between the two countries.
British soldiers from the 49th (West Riding) Division—the Polar Bears—attached to 1st Canadian Army, liberate Utrecht, the Netherlands in May, 1945.
(photo courtesy of website: Nomad Women, Remembrance Day in the Netherlands, The Power of Silence)
Upcoming meeting: Tuesday November 13, 2018 Tentative speaker, to be confirmed New USMCA Trade Agreement
(c/o website: Government of Canada, "Summary Backgrounder: United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement")
Canada, the United States and Mexico have reached an agreement on a new and modern trade agreement called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This outcome will reinforce the strong economic ties between the three countries and support well-paying middle-class jobs for Canadians.
This modernized agreement maintains the tariff-free market access from the original NAFTA, and includes updates and new chapters to address modern-day trade challenges and opportunities. Since negotiations began in August 2017, Canada has engaged constructively and pragmatically with our USMCA partners – always intent on achieving a good deal for Canadians, not just any deal.
NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS OF THE
ROTARY CLUB OF VANCOUVER
(the "Society")
The board of directors of the Society hereby gives notice that an extraordinary general meeting of the Society will be held at the Terminal City Club located at 837 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1B6 on Tuesday November 20th, 2018 at the hour of 12:30 PM, for the purpose of considering amendments to the bylaws.
Fun was had, the dance floor was full from beginning to end. Calls were made as people left to please do it again next year (we'll see about that part).
A sincere thank you goes out to all who made the night a reality. It started as Brian Street's vision 2 years ago and became a work of passion for him. Brian put in over 700 hours of volunteer time -- now that is true dedication. In the end, many people chipped in by way of volunteering, donating, attending and generally being incredibly supportive. There are so many people to thank, including the following Rotaractors, Rotarians, and others:
Adrian Zylmans, Alvin Zhao, Anne Lippert, Anne-Sophie Romec, Barbara Welsh, Ben Scheidegger, Bill Davidson, Bill Schulz, Brian Street, Carolyn Dueck, Céline Maisonneuve, Charles Flavelle, Christopher Motion, Don McPhee, Don Evans, Elena Schonlau, Eloho Akalamudo, Feyannie Hung, Franco Gallo, Franz Gehriger, Fred West, Gareth Mason, Gerry Glazier, Ian Storrs, Jack Zaleski, Jenifer Brousseau, Jill Pennefather, Jim Evans, Joan Posivy, John Richardson, John Bathurst, Justin Emilio, Kamyar Asadeibeiky, Katherine Copeland, Kay Otake, Kaz Kadono, Keith Phillips, Kendall Jessiman, Kim Lepp, Kristin Dombrowski, Lauro Sorto, Malcolm Hunter, Mark Startup, Michael Woolnough, Milton Kiang, Min Kuang, Navid Morowej, Nick Blom, Nycki Basra, Olive Kloepfer, Olivia Li, Parisa Adrangi, Paul Martin, Paul McCrae, Penny Parry, Rene Abi-Rached, Rene Fluri, Richard Higgins, Ron Suzuki, Ryan Crean, Stephanie Lawton, Thomas Miller, Tom Crean, Verona Edelstein
Please accept our apologies if your name was missed, your contribution was truly appreciated.
Upcoming Events please click on the titles for more info for specific events
President Brian Street chaired the meeting and gave the invocation.
Don Evans accompanied us on the piano for the singing of O Canada.
Joe Lopushinsky, Sergeant-at-Arms, introduced visitors and guests.
President's announcements:
President Brian attended the Vancouver City Hall ceremony (red lights lit the building) on Wednesday October 24th with John Bathurst.
Red Carpet Ball:
The final numbers should be around the break-even point when all is said and done
There were 170 attended dinner (Rotarians and Public)
There were and additional 120 guests who came for the dance
Work is a 4-letter word... why we have employees! Thanks to Carolyn who worked til the wee hours of the morning with me to get it all pulled together. We then worked together again for 4+ hours on Sunday afternoon, with Wayne Fraser and John Hayto to clean the Seaforth Armoury Parade Square.
Highlights for me personally:
~8 fellow classmates from the Class of 1982 showed up. One of them, Jim Tracey, who was a chic magnet back then, came with his husband.
An oddity - a fellow that apparently met me back in 1979 at the PNE where I worked as a sweeper, remembered me from back then. ??
Tom Crean expressed a huge thank you and gave me a fantastic compliment for a great event. Tom said he saw people there that he hadn't seen in ~20 years.
There was a positive atmosphere in the air the whole evening. Definitely That's Where the Happy People Go.
The next morning, I breakfasted with the DJ, Robbie Leslie, at the Listel Hotel. Who was there? None other then Kaz Kadono with his wife. Thank you Kaz for comping our meal.
The whole event ended on a happy note!
Mass Abedi put together (shown to the group) a short video of the evening. He will produce a final version as time permits and will share it with us as soon as he can.
Katherine Copeland, standing in for our Secretary, Joan Posivy, provided the Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays:Phil Webber Nov01, Chris Motion Nov05
member anniversaries:Bill Davidson 25 years, Don Evans 32 years, Stu Bird 41 years
wedding anniversaries: none this week
Special presentations:
Don Evans, representing the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
Presented the Club a recognition certificate in Appreciation for support of the EndPolio Now over the last year
Presented Rene Fluri, one of our longest serving members, his Major Donor Level 1 pin in recognition of his contributions to the Rotary Foundation.
Mark Zhou was inducted into the Club as its newest individual member. John Bathurst will be Mark's mentor. His classification is Health Care: Pharmacy.
Alvin Zhao was given his name badge and plaque; he was inducted last week.
Member's moments:
John Bathurst let everyone know that the next New Generations/Youth Committee meeting will be a combined meeting & social at John Hayto's home (see above notice for address). John encouraged anyone and everyone who has an interest in helping youth to come out. The committee is looking for fresh ideas moving forward.
Charles Flavelle and his wife, Lucile, went to a prison play in Victoria. It was extraordinarily well-done. Created and performed by the men of William Head Institution, WHoS plays have invigorated and stirred audiences for 37 years. This year was their 57th production. Tickets are only $25. Keep an eye out for their next production.
John Hayto's wife, Cindy, has started a new business to support seniors - ARC (Active Rehab Consulting). Providing help with physio, etc. Please contact John or Cindy for more information.
Katherine Copeland thanked members, Wolfgang Degemann, and Kendall Jessiman for their help and teachings.
Mark Busse gave a bit of information about the Binners' Project. Binners’ Project is a group of waste-pickers aided by support staff dedicated to improving their economic opportunities, and reducing the stigma they face as informal recyclable collectors. They are holding a fundraiser on November 22nd. Contact Mark for more information. It was also suggested that Mark bring this initiative to the Community Service Committee for funding consideration.
Jenifer Brousseau thanked the Club for all of its support, especially Franz Gehriger and Tom Crean. Though Jenifer doesn't attend often (she is usually travelling the country working on projects), she is very thankful for the association. On the list of upcoming projects, her play will be at SFU on April 12, 2019. We'll be invited so save the date.
Navid Morawej thanked Franz Gehriger for being his travel companion on a recent business trip to Hong Kong. It must be said that you can always be as young as you want to be and Franz is the living proof! Fantastic, thanks.
Kim Lepp gave a special thanks to all who put the Studio 54 event together. It was a big job and a huge risk. Great job done! Kim is looking for someone who can service a church organ, please contact her if you can help.
Verona Edelstein reiterated Kim's thanks for the hard work done to bring the Studio 54 event to life, especially Brian Street.
Program:
Chris Motion led us through the Foundations of Rotary, providing a refresher for some and new info for others.
We have three Foundations
The Rotary Foundation
This is managed by Rotary International. You can direct your donations via their website. It does walk you through the options.
The Rotary Club of Vancouver Hearing Foundation
This Foundation gets its money primarily from the bike-a-thon. There is a link on our website to donate to this fund.
Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation
This Foundation supports all of our internal Club programs. You can donate to this fund also via our website.
The Club's strategic plan states as goals:
Grow participation in Every Rotarian Every Year to TRF
Grow participation in Paul Harris Society ($1k/yr)
Increase assets of VCRF to $4.4 Million by 2025
The Rotary Foundation
Some of the donation options:
Annual Fund - you can designate the area of focus
Polio Fund
Miles to End Polio
Endowment Fund - you can designate for Peace Centres or World Fund
The Rotary Club of Vancouver Hearing Foundation
Supports deaf and hard of hearing programs in British Columbia
Bike-a-thon is the major fundraiser
The Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation
Supports Club committee projects
The larger the Foundation, the more funds are available for these projects
As of July 1, 2018 it had $2,401,757 (managed by PH&N)
Wanting to grow this Foundation to double it's size in the next 6 years
Why do we have Foundations?
They support your club committees, and thereby your initiatives to help others:
Community
International
Youth
Hearing
It is not limited to the above, the more we have the more we can do.
How can you donate?
For the Rotary Foundation, online at Rotary International, CLICK HERE
For either the Rotary Club of Vancouver Hearing Foundation or the Vancouver Club Foundation, online CLICK HERE
Are there tax benefits to donating to the Foundations?
Yes. Ideally you are donating to support your charity but a tax break always helps. There is potential for up to a 43.7% tax credit.
