Next week, we are delighted to welcome a new member to our Rotary Family:
Anna M Wood
Anna is a lawyer who practices in strata law with Bleay Both Uppal LLP in downtown Vancouver. She has appeared as counsel in Supreme Court, Provincial Court and at a variety of administrative tribunals. She assists clients in a variety of litigation matters, including construction, commercial and contractual disputes, as well as strata bylaw, property and real estate disputes.
We are pleased to let you know of a new Membership Application submitted by Sree Haridas.
Sponsor: Franz Gehriger Seconder: Navid Morawej Mentor: Franz Gehriger Classification: Architecture Sustainability Consulting
If no written objection for the above proposed member is filed in writing with the Secretary (secretary@rotaryvancouver.org) within 7 days of today, Friday, August 7, 2026, the suggested new member, will upon payment of their dues and assessments determined by the board, be declared elected as a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver recognized by Rotary International.
If written objection is received by the Secretary within the 7 day period, the Board shall vote on the matter at the next scheduled Board Meeting.
Join us on Tuesday, August 4 for a special luncheon celebrating the members who have joined our Rotary family over the past year.
Representatives from each Rotary committee will take the stage for The Great Committee Face-Off—a lively panel featuring thoughtful questions, friendly competition, unexpected stories, and perhaps a few committee secrets.
This luncheon is an opportunity to celebrate the friendships, service, and spirit that make our club special. It is also an important chance for our newest members to meet the people behind the committees and begin finding their place within Rotary.
Every member has a role in creating that sense of belonging. Please register, show up, and help us give our newest members the warm and memorable welcome they deserve.
Come in person to celebrate your birthday with Purdy's chocolates!!
Let us know what you think about our last meeting. Scan the QR code below and fill out the short survey.
Guest Speaker – Dr. Isabel Witvrouwen
Dr. Isabel Witvrouwen, a cardiologist from Antwerp, Belgium, shared how Rotary support enabled her two‑year fellowship in cardiac obstetrics and adult congenital heart disease at UBC / St. Paul’s Hospital. Thanks to a Rotary District Grant (Antwerp) and a Rotary Global Grant supported by our club, Isabel gained extensive clinical and research experience in Vancouver and will now return to Belgium to build and strengthen services for women with high‑risk pregnancies and adults with congenital heart disease, carrying Rotary’s impact forward internationally.
New Member Inductions
At this week's meeting, we were delighted to formally induct three new members into the Rotary Club of Vancouver:
Erica Mundinger – Consultant, People & Culture / Human Resources Erika grew up in Rotary, learned the Four-Way Test as a child, and spent a year in Ecuador as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. She is passionate about creating inclusive environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.
David Guo – Financial Advisor & Independent Financial Broker David works with Hub Financial and Investia and has a background in labour and market economics. He is a founding member and former co-chair of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s D2D Dream Initiatives, with extensive experience in fundraising and community service. He also holds BA and MA degrees in English literature, with a special interest in manuscripts and special collections.
Crystal Mirkazemi – Founder, Crystal Wealth Capital; Financial Advisor With nine years of experience in financial services and studies in criminology, business administration, and paralegal work, Crystal is especially passionate about financial literacy. She leads education initiatives for deaf and blind communities and volunteers with seniors in care homes, strongly reflecting Rotary’s value of Service Above Self.
President Navid emphasized that Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million members in over 22,000 clubs, and encouraged our new members to work closely with their mentors, join committees that match their passions, and involve their families and friends in club activities. The club warmly welcomed Erica, David, and Crystal as they begin their Rotary journey with us.
2026/27 Club Vision
President Navid underlined this year’s vision for the Rotary Club of Vancouver as:
Service Above Self at scale – Being part of a global network of 1.2 million members in over 22,000 clubs, using that scale to address major areas of need.
Deep, diverse community impact – Continuing and expanding our work across numerous local and international projects, including:
Around 14+ ongoing activities through our club,
8 international service projects, and
16+ community service initiatives, including a major $6 million commitment to St. Paul’s Hospital for the hearing department.
Engagement and leadership from every member – Encouraging members (especially new ones) to:
Work closely with their mentors,
Join committees that match their passions and skills, and
Offer regular feedback so the club remains innovative, flexible, and responsive.
Family and fellowship – Inviting members to involve family and friends in Rotary activities, strengthening both our club culture and our community reach.
Living Rotary’s guiding principles – Grounding all club activities in the Four-Way Test and the motto “Service Above Self”, with the reminder that:
“Rotary is like everything else—you get out of it what you put into it.”
This vision sets the direction for our projects, committee work, and member engagement for the year ahead.
Closing Remarks
" Cheers to the journey that helps the world make a better place, and to Isabel for bringing her knowledge to us and the world - and continuing her mission in doing this."
