The Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay currently serves in the Parliament of Canada as the Member of Parliament for the riding of South Surrey—White Rock in British Columbia.
While the objective is to raise funds, the emphasis will truly be on the FUN. Unlike last year, we can actually do this IN PERSON as well as online. Members will receive an email ahead of time with a link to the auction items up for bid that can be shared with family, friends, virtually anyone around the world!
The online bidding will be available for a couple of weeks or so, and then the finale will take place at the Terminal City Club during our regular meeting time slot on Tuesday April 12th beginning at noon, with our returning live auctioneer Paul Martin!!! While we did talk about the potential of this being an evening event, we are now confirming that it will indeed be mid-day.
Our ask to you?
For this to again be a success, there needs to be enticing auction items! Please review this short list of ideas to launch your thinking as to how you can contribute:
share your culinary skill by offering an online cooking class
create and deliver a bottle of wine and dinner for 2
perhaps you have a vacation condo, AirBnB or timeshare
arrange an experience with a "I’ve-always-wanted-to-do-that factor!" - tour a winery, brewery, horseback riding, skydiving, heli-hiking, adventure tour, movie-studio tour, access to typically inaccessible-to-the-public spaces and/or businesses, etc.
know a celebrity who would donate his/her time for an online chat?
gift cards always do well
donate your expertise! Are you a lawyer who would draft a will? A massage therapist for pain or stress relief? Can you gain access to a movie set? Perhaps you're a fashionista who could provide wardrobe advice?
As you can see from the above list, we're hoping for more "experience" type auction items rather than physical objects.
Is there a minimum or maximum value? Not at all! Please get in touch with Joan Posivy by March 6th about your auction contribution.
With your help, we will create a super-fun, successful event that will ensure continued service and support to our youth. Thanks in advance for your support!!!
VIRTUAL FOUNDATION GALA & FUNDRAISER
February 23, 2022
8:00p.m. EST (5:00p.m. PST)
Zones 28 & 32
Please join Judy and I and other D5040 members on February 23 the Zone will hold its Foundation Gala as it promises to be better than last year which was awesome!!
Join our hosts, Rotary International Vice President Valarie Wafer, and Rotary Foundation Trustee, Dean Rohrs, for our Fundraising Gala on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 8:00 pm ET. Special guests include RI President-Elect Jennifer Jones, Director-Elect Drew Kessler, and our MC for the evening, Past-Director Jeffry Cadorette.
This 90-minute, fast-paced event celebrates the work by every Rotarian in the 43 Districts of Zones 28 & 32 to support and raise funds for The Rotary Foundation.
It is simple for your District to participate. The show will be created for you - all you have to do is promote it!
BUYING TICKETS
Tickets to the virtual event are available by clicking the poster at the top or clicking this link to Buy Gala Admission Tickets.
Each Gala ticket includes a contribution of $100 USD to The Rotary Foundation, allocated 75% to the Annual Fund and 25% to PolioPlus. Your gift will be a fully credited donation to TRF - and you will receive a charitable tax receipt, and related Paul Harris Fellowship points. Plus, each donation is credited towards your District's Foundation Goals for the 2021/22 Rotary year.
As you purchase your Gala Admission Tickets, Rotarians have the opportunity to increase their contribution with additional donations. This gives Rotarians, their clubs, and Districts the opportunity to DO MORE GOOD and meet the goals they have all set for Foundation donations this year.
CLICK HERE for more info, purchase tickets & bid on auction items
Nadja Gehriger, Secretary, hosted the ZOOM meeting
Jill Pennefather, Sergeant at Arms, introduced our guests
Miya Otake played O Canada on the harp via Zoom
President’s Announcements:
Thank you to all of you who came to today’s meeting. It is wonderful to see you all, both those in person and those attending virtually.
Save a spot in your calendar for an upcoming Naloxone workshop being hosted by our Rotaract clubs -- March 13th & 19th. More details to come.
Gabby Dickert added a bit more information: What & why a Naloxone workshop? It provides training so that if you are faced, undoubtedly unexpectedly, a situation where someone is overdosing on opioids you can act and save a life. It is a free training to add to your first aid skills.
Our speakers committee, AKA Jim, is looking for suggestions for speakers. We have had some fabulous people presenting to us. In keeping with that I am asking the membership to let us know who in your circle inspires you. Who has a story to tell, one that can educate and/or entertain us? If anyone comes to mind, kindly let either Jim or I know so that we can ask them to be speakers at one of our weekly meetings.
Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays, member club anniversaries, wedding anniversaries (see above)
Special announcements and members' moments:
Malcolm Hunter shared about his wife who recently came back from the Olympics where she was judging figure skating. He shared things like how the Covid testing was unbelievable and the restrictions they faced moving about were incredibly tight and controlled at all times. It took her 36 hours to get home. Great to have her home safe and sound.
Christian Nielson, our newest club member, shared that almost a year ago he had open heart surgery. The doctors found a heart murmur during a routine check up in May 2021 required for his VISA in advance of moving to Canada. Christian was young, 38 years old, very active and healthy, a new Dad for the 2nd time. With further testing to find the cause they found out Christian had a faulty aortic heart valve.
"Life is so precious when we learn to appreciate its gift. I’m so thankful to have been found out and swiftly fixed. Every day the little ticking from my mechanical valve (my heart valve voice) reminds me not to take life for granted and to live life to the fullest. I’m not going to waste my second chance!"
Christian encourages everyone to take a moment to learn the signs and symptoms of valve disease. Heart held Voice. Even though feeling well, you can still have heart valve disease – get checked. Know it is not always age related. As their local ambassador in BC, Christian is happy to share his story and answer your questions.
CLICK HERE to learn more about heart valve disease
CLICK HERE to learn more about Heart Valve Voice Canada
Mass Abedi has recently come home from 4 months in Hamburg. He was in his 5th month after his 2nd Covid vaccination and while out walking saw people lining up for booster shot at a local church. He inquired as to whether him, being Canadian and not a member of the church, would be able to receive the booster. He was welcomed with open arms - -no expectation to join the church :o) Mass joined the line and got his shot before his family were able to do so here in BC. Great to be back in BC. Welcome home Mass.
Program:
Jim Evans introduced speaker, Queenie Choo, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Queenie was born in Hong Kong, Queenie immigrated to Canada in 1980 after completing her nursing studies in the UK. Since making Canada her home, Queenie has held many senior leadership positions in various large-scale organizations.
Known for her passion for diversity and inclusion, Queenie was appointed as CEO to commission the first culturally based seniors care home in Edmonton, Alberta. In 2010, she became the Executive Director at Alberta Health Services, responsible for redesigning the home and community health system.
In 2012 Queenie moved to BC after being appointed as CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S, one of the largest non-profit social service organizations in the province. Queenie has a unique ability to blend a rigorous and results-oriented approach with a genuine sensitivity to people. At S.U.C.C.E.S.S., she leads committed teams to develop and provide innovative programs in the areas of employment and language training, business development, newcomer settlement, family and youth counselling, as well as culturally appropriate seniors care and affordable housing.
Under Queenie’s leadership, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is an active advocate for multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion. In recognition of her experience, Queenie has been appointed to many related committees and councils. These include the Canadian Armed Forces’ Joint Task Force Pacific Advisory Council on Diversity; the RCMP Commanding Officer’s Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Board; the OMNI Pacific Advisory Council; the provincial Minister’s Advisory Forum on Poverty Reduction; and the Premier’s Chinese-Canadian Community Advisory Committee.
Queenie was a nominee for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Excellence in Nursing Administration Award and the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award. In 2016, she was recognized by BCBusiness as one of BC’s 35 most influential women. In 2018, Queenie was appointed by the Minister of National Defence as an Honorary Naval Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Source: Immigrant Employment Council of BC website (https://iecbc.ca/bio-queenie-choo/)
Queenie told the group of the absolutely vast array of services S.U.C.C.E.S.S. provides to support immigrants settling in Canada. For the last 49 years they do not serve only Chinese newcomers as some think, they serve people of different backgrounds, ages, genders, education, etc. As long as they have a need, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. will help them.
Learn more about S.U.C.C.E.S.S. from their website, CLICK HERE
Stay tuned for information about the 2022 fundraising gala, Bridge to SUCCESS Gala, which will be hosted at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver on April 23 (please mark your calendar).
Meeting adjourned with a toast to S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and all the wonderful work done to support our immigrants.
