Vol. 101 No. 40
Brian Street, President
Joan Posivy, Secretary
Next meeting: Tuesday April 23, 2019
Sam Sullivan, MLA, former Mayor of Vancouver Training of Candidates for Political Office
The Public Office Project (POP) encourages people to consider elected office in local government and also community groups. It was started by two opponents, Bradley Shende of the BC Green Party and Sam Sullivan of the BC Liberal Party who came together and agreed that promoting elected office to the general public was not a partisan activity.
The first 10 week Semester has been completed with guest speakers from across the political spectrum. 30 interested, mostly younger citizens and 14 former elected people and community leaders have participated. Sam Sullivan will describe the experience and indicate the future of the Project.
Sam Sullivan was a Vancouver City Councillor from 1993 to 2005, Mayor from 2006 to 2009, MLA from 2013 to present and Cabinet Minister in 2017. He is currently the Opposition Critic for Housing. He was made a Paul Harris Fellow by the Vancouver Rotary Club in 2006.
Upcoming meeting: Tuesday April 30, 2019
R.I. Director, Jeffry Cadorette
Director Jeffry will deliver a keynote address and will bring the latest from Rotary International, as well as answer any questions you have about Rotary and Rotary International. Let's have a great crowd to welcome him to British Columbia! Seating is limited, CLICK HERE to register. Note there is no additional cost to our members. Choose the "RC of Vancouver Members Only" ticket to reserve your seat. Pay-as-you-go and our members' guests will pay at the door the regular lunch fee.
Upcoming meeting: Tuesday May 7, 2019
Dan Peach, PhD Candidate, SFU Entomologist The Role of Insects in our World
Phil Webber has an offer that can't be beat! He unfortunately cannot make the District Conference but does have a paid registration he is wanting to transfer to someone. The price is VERY negotiable and will not be beat!!!
The conference is a great opportunity to make new Rotarian connections, learn more about our District, and generally have a great, fun weekend.
We have received a request to assist two women from South Africa who are attending a conference here in early June, who are seeking homestay-type accommodations.
A club in Kingston, Ontario is working with a club in South Africa to assist two women from South Africa to attend a large and prestigious conference here in Vancouver in early June, the Women Deliver 2019 Conference. CLICK HERE for info about the conference.
If you are able to help out, please contact Brian Street for the details.
You're invited to the Rotaract event of the year: the 2019-2020 Rotaract District 5040 Installation Dinner. Come connect with Rotaractors and Rotarians from all over the district.
This year's theme: masquerade ... and there will be a dance party! So don your favourite mask on the dance floor!
It's also awards night! Both the "Rotaract Club of the Year" and the "Rotaractor of the Year" awards will be presented by the Rotary District Governor team. Incoming Rotaract Presidents will be inducted as will the 2019/20 co-District Rotaract Representatives (DDR's) and new District Committee. You'll also get a glimpse at past, present and future club projects.
You won't want to miss this evening of dinner, dancing and fun!
Need a ride to or from a nearby Skytrain station? Let us know as pick up locations can be arranged.
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:
We have an invitation to visit the Seaforth Armoury's parade square and museum on May 13th. We will be able to have a social with refreshments in the Officer's lounge as well. More details to follow.
Everyone is encouraged to register for the April 30th luncheon with RI Director Jeffry Cadorette. Seating is limited so we want to be sure everyone has a seat.
Mass Abedi has completed a 2018 Red Carpet Gala video that we can use to promote the event. (shown to the group)
Parisa Adrangi, provided the Secretary's announcements:
Juno Parlange was inducted as our newest individual member. Welcome Juno!
Franz Gehriger reminded us that the Membership Committee is the most important committee of which we are all involved. Without members we wouldn't have a club so he appealed to everyone to regularly introduce potential new members.
Rene Abi-Rached & Jack Zaleski presented CKNW Orphan's Fund, Walli Oppal, Chairman of the Board & Sarah Dubois Phillips, Executive Director, with a $10,000 cheque. $5,000 from the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation & $5,000 from the Hearing Foundation.
Rene Abi-Rached presented Talitha Koum Society, Andrea Cordero, President, and Jenifer Perusini, Talitha Koum resident, with a $5,000 cheque from the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation. Jenifer shared her hearbreaking yet inspiring story with us, CLICK HERE to read.
Rene Fluri spoke briefly about his journey after coming to Canada 61 years ago, and introduced his book documenting the adventure, From Scratch, the Rene Fluri Story. You can request a copy of his book by contact Carolyn. If you wish to make a donation to the Vancouver Rotary Club, Rene will match it.
His story is an uplifting one showing strength and determination to succeed, of which Rene has. He started with virtually nothing, arriving in Vancouver after a road trip around the States with a friend, with 15 cents in his pocket. Enough for a coffee. He worked a few jobs that didn't last but provided enough to pay for a room to sleep. His break was when he took the initiative to approach the owner of a bakery, which had no job available at the time, proposing that he could raise their profits with his baking skills. The owner gave him 2 days to do it - he succeeded with his French pastries selling like hotcakes - well, like French pastries actually.
After a bit he got an offer for very good money from another bakery on Robson St. After a time, he was offered to purchase that bakery. Not easy with little or no money. He had to raise $2,000 and mortgage another $6,000. He was able to do it with 4 partners.
The rest is a story well worth the read. Get yourself a copy of his book and enjoy!
Thank you Rene for sharing with us.
Program:
International Service Committee, Ian Storrs (co-chair), Kaz Kadono, Verono Edelstein, Barbara Welsh, Michael Woolnough (co-chair), Jack Zaleski, and Carolyn Dueck. Projects they are working on include:
Project Life in the Philippines. Help pay for cardiac surgeons to travel, perform surgeries and train doctors locally
Kinchasa, in the Republic of Congo. Vocational tailoring training for girls. The RC of Kinchasa has partnered with the catholic church for them to help identify suitable candidates for the program
Water project providing water for approximately 30,000 people who currently do not have clean water. Digging wells, building water tower, using solar power, and laying piping to water stations and toilets
Equipment for an eye clinic in Tanzania that will support approximately 35,000 people per year
Working with our Japanese sister club on a school in Nepal. This project has stalled due to the natural disasters in Nepal but will get going again soon
Rotary World Help Network will be sending its 400th container, to the Philippines, on May 18th. An ambulance and firetruck will be going with our Club financing the shipment. There will be a grand celebration for this historic day, so please save the date - MAY 18TH @ RIVERVIEW. All are welcome.
Youth Service Committee, Kendall Jessiman, Katherine Copeland, Brian Street, John Bathurst, Joan Posivy, Adriana Zylmans, and Thomas Miller (YPR). Some of their work includes:
Youth exchange which has been a part of our Club for many, many years with the late Don Kavanaugh spearheading it. This year we have a young lade from Churchill Secondary going to Spain. We also have an inbound student, also from Spain coincidentally. Stephanie Lawton has volunteered to be her counsellor. Still looking for host families. If interested, contact Kendall.
It has been a bit of a transition year due to decisions of the Vancouver School Board, the emphasis has moved away from the lunch program and more towards literacy programs. Next week, April 23rd, a cheque will be presented to Norquay School.
Scholarships - the committee is looking to update this program. If you have any ideas and are interested in participating, contact John.
Meeting adjourned with a toast to valuable committees.
The Public Office Project (POP) encourages people to consider elected office in local government and also community groups. It was started by two opponents, Bradley Shende of the BC Green Party and Sam Sullivan of the BC Liberal Party who came together and agreed that promoting elected office to the general public was not a partisan activity..jpg)
