Vol. 102 No. 42
Bill Davidson, President
Parisa Adrangi, Secretary
MEETING MAY 5, 2020 (virtual) Diane Clement, Olympian Runner & Sun Run "Citius, Altius, Fortius - Faster, Higher, Stronger" Giving your best in sport and life
Trying to sum up Diane Clement’s career is no easy task, so let’s look at just a few of the highlights. Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, her father started the Moncton Olympic Club and started her on her path to the Olympic Games. She represented Canada in the 100 metres, 200 meters and 4x100 metre relay at Melbourne 1956. Two years later, she earned a bronze medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales. Diane Clement never stops moving forward. Her spirit of commitment, dedication and service to the sport community and beyond have earned her a new honour in 2020: Member of the Order of Canada.
Diane will share an overview of her career and experience. She will speak on what sport has taught her, as a coach, as an athlete, as a human being. How to leverage these important lessons to succeed not only in sports but in life through challenging phases. Citius, Altius, Fortius -"Faster, Higher, Stronger"- Giving Your Best In Sport And Life.
NEXT MEETING MAY 12, 2020 (virtual) Elena Schonlau, Rotaractor and Cancer Researcher Genetics and Cancer Treatment
Elena Schönlau obtained a Master’s degree from Technische Universität Braunschweig (Germany) in Biology with focus on Bioinformatics and Infection Biology in 2018. In August 2018 she moved to Vancouver and worked four months in a zero waste store before she started her current job as a Laboratory Research Assistant at the Vancouver Prostate Centre. Elena joined Rotaract in 2015, was Secretary and President of the German Rotaract Club Braunschweig-Wolfsburg, became a member of the Vancouver Young Professionals Rotaract Club in October 2018, and was the chair for Pacific Canada Experience (PACE) 2019.
The treatment of cancer, a genetic disease that causes every sixth death in the world, may change significantly in the future using the patient’s unique genetic information. The relatively new technology of next-generation sequencing uncovers the genetic changes within the patient’s cancer, and these genetic changes can then be used to determine a treatment more specific to the patient.
NEXT MEETING MAY 19, 2020 (virtual) Gregg Howald, Island Conservation's Director of Global and External Affairs Rescuing West Coast Island Bird life through Rodent Eradication
Adopt-A-School: Emergency fund helping families through COVID-19 crisis
Vancouver Sun
author Gerry Bellett, Saturday April 25, 2020
...
Vancouver Rotary Club has donated $20,000 to Adopt-A-School for two Vancouver schools, Norquay Elementary and Britannia Community Elementary.
The funds will be used to provide food to families and assist those who don’t have computers or access to the internet so students can participate in online learning. Rotary is also giving $10,000 to The Door is Open, an organization that provides daily meals to people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Vancouver Rotary president Bill Davidson said the service club was continuing its mission of “providing direct and meaningful contributions to local charities.”
“We are pleased that our contributions will assist children and families at these two schools,” said Davidson.
This year, the Adopt-A-School program distributed almost $900,000 to schools across the province so teachers could feed and clothe children coming to school hungry or without adequate clothing for the weather.
But school meal programs financed by Adopt-A-School were curtailed when schools were closed in March, leaving thousands of children who relied on school meals for sustenance in jeopardy.
A month ago, The Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund board, chaired by Sun/Province editor-in-chief Harold Munro, launched an emergency campaign to raise funds to support alternative ways to feed these children.
Many school districts, teachers and organizations have been feeding children and families through grab-and-go food sites opened on school grounds or by delivering food vouchers to homes.
To date, 35 Adopt-A-School COVID-19 applications totalling $520,000 have been received from all parts of the province, while approximately $480,000 has been distributed with the latest requests under review.
First, I want to wish you all well during these difficult times. I hope you have been able to stay safe during what has
certainly been one of the most challenging times our world has faced in recent history. Although we are (physically)
distant, we can still support one another and I stand ready to help in any way that I can.
I am writing to share some good news though. I am delighted to say that my application for the Rotary Peace
Fellowship has been successful! As you are aware, the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation choose approximately
50 fellows each year to pursue graduate studies at one of the five Rotary Peace Centres around the world.
I am set to begin my studies at the UNC-Duke Peace Centre in the fall of 2020, and recently gained admission to
pursue a Master’s degree at the UNC Environment, Ecology and Energy Program (E3P).
I want to thank you for having believed in me. Thank you for not only endorsing my application, but also for your
continuous support of the years. I remember when I first joined the UBC Rotaract club and the memories that came
during my time as club president and by getting to know many of you. It’s always been fulfilling to be in the company
of Rotarians, and I hope this is only the beginning of another chapter of friendship and fellowship with you all.
You will have received a previous email advising you that we have cancelled this year's event because of COVID-19.
However, our Club is committed to supporting the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in B.C. regardless of these trying times and we invite you to help us once again raise funds to support the many children and adults that experience a loss of hearing.
This year you are invited to join our Stay-at-Home Bike-A-Thon. As in the past, you can register for this event to raise funds. But there is no registration fee, no ride to Harrison, no Lite Bite, Spa, Pools or Celebration Banquet. We just want you to contact your friends, relatives, business associates and ask them to support our work, as they have done in the past. If you register, you will have a personal web page and a link for donors to support your fundraising efforts.
This is important for all of us. There are 400,000 people in BC who need our help and 50,000 are totally deaf. The research work we support continues to improve the quality of life for the deaf. The educational services we support help children who are deaf learn to speak and families to effectively work with deaf and hard of hearing children. Help us help them.
Help the Rotary Club of Vancouver Hearing Foundation
"Bring Back the Sounds of Life"
Register for the Stay-at-Home Bike-a-Thon 2020 by clicking here.
A tax receipt will be issued for each donation of $20 or more.
Thank you for your support.
Jack Zaleski
Chairman of the Rotary Club of Vancouver Bike-A-Thon 2020
Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society
celebrating the liberation of The Netherlands
Hundreds of thousands of tulips are blooming in the BC Lower Mainland to remember the liberation of The Netherlands by Canadians.
In the coming weeks, ‘Canadian Liberator’ tulips will be blooming around the BC Lower Mainland and throughout the province. More than 740,000 tulip bulbs were planted last fall
across Canada. The Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society thanks cities, towns, the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, New Chelsea Society seniors’ homes, private citizens, landscapers, the Rotary Club of Vancouver and other groups for their participation in planting tulips. The Society initiated the “Canadian Liberator” program to honor fallen Canadian men and women, and to thank families and Canada for their contributions to end World War Two, 75 years ago.
Notable locations for viewing large plantings of red, ‘Canadian Liberator’ blooming tulips include Seaforth Armoury, Victory Square and Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver, New
Chelsea Society seniors’ homes and at the Highway of Heroes sign in the Fraser Valley on Highway One.
Pop up “Thank you Canada” posters may be seen at tulip plantings throughout the community. The thousands of tulips remind us all that 75 years ago Canadians helped European families overseas from hunger and starvation and the tyrannies of war, and today, we say “Thank you Canada”.
For more information, please contact Dr. Adriana Zylmans, President, Dutch Liberation 2020 Canadian Society at azylmans@telus.net
Virtual Rotary, announcement re
The Annual Cariboo Weekend
(from Paul McCrea)
As a non-tech guy (I live in a cave that is lit by a deer tallow candle. I eat by catching the wood’s creatures with my bare hands, and I am waiting for this computer craze to blow through.)
In light of current circumstances re human habitation, I found Antartica to be the most remote in the world. The Wunday Ranch was second.
In view of that, and world post-remnants of human gatherings, I plan on hosting the 46th Cariboo Weekend as usual on the last weekend in September.
Each guest, however, will be met at the gate and subjected to a straw being shoved up their nose. If that results in either a cough or a sneeze, entry will be denied.
I have also submitted our breakfast menu to the W.H.O. … bacon, sausages, and (not or) chicken livers, hash browns, tomatoes and eggs, (deep-basted in about an inch of bubbling bacon fat from 4 lbs. of bacon), toast, jam and coffee — following an hour of ‘Golden Dawns’, socializing.
Could I get a show of hands from those planning to come this year? New members are particularly welcome.
Paul
P.S. I’ll let you know our breakfast category ranking when I get an answer from W.H.O. -- they haven’t yet responded … for some reason.
Bill Davidson, President, chaired the meeting and gave the invocation.
Stephanie Lawton played O Canada on her grand piano.
Thomas Reppchen hosted the meeting via ZOOM.
President’s Announcements:
Thanks to Thomas for hosting the meeting.
Further to Saarika Varma’s talk last week about striking and moving forward with a PR/Marketing Committee, we are really pleased that the press release she put together was picked up by the Vancouver Sun. To read it – Saturday’s April 25th, Vancouver Sun, page 6, or you can google Vancouver Sun Adopt a School. District 5040 has also highlighted our COVID-19 emergency funding support on their home page. Thanks Saarika.
This last Sunday, April 26th, was EndPolio Day. The City showed support for Rotary’s efforts by lighting up the City Hall, BC Place and Telus Science World in blue and gold lights.
Adriana Zylmans has been busy working on one of her passions, the Dutch Liberation Association. She has forwarded to us recent press release that you’ll be able to read above. Essentially, highlighted is the celebration of the blooming of the Canadian Liberator tulips, more than 740,000 bulbs were planted to remember the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadians. There are a number of notable locations around the city where there were mass plantings – get the information in the Rotor and plan a drive-by viewing.
For anyone who had registered for the cancelled 2020 District 5040 conference, this is a reminder to transfer your registration to the 2021 Rotary family conference in Terrace. Check the District website for details on their very simple process to get it done. For those who had not registered for the 2020 conference but are interested in the 2021 conference, the earlier you register the better the price.
We should all encourage people we know out in the public sphere to attend our meetings. We encourage guests, albeit virtually for now. The only ask is that you let the meeting host (Thomas Reppchen) know in advance so that a meeting invitation can be sent. Please do not simply forward your meeting invitation to guests as this compromises the security of our meetings.
We received a letter from Paul McCrae regarding this fall's Cariboo weekend. See above to read his note. He is particularly encouraging newer members to join in.
Parisa Adrangi, provided the Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays:Tim Ivalko May 1st, Tugce Irtenk May 1st, Amin Eskooch May 2nd
member club anniversaries: Gerry Glazier 5 years, Don McPhee 28 years, Gordon Esau 38 years
wedding anniversaries: none this week
Special announcements and members' moments:
John Hayto introduced a few student guests attending from around the globe -- Clara here in Vancouver, Lizzy in Germany, and Mar in Spain. Fabulous to have them all!
Mar Gaston, our exchange student from Spain (now back home in Spain) shared a wonderful slide presentation and spoke about her experiences here in Vancouver. She highlighted her favourite experiences and her most cherished memories. We hope to see you again soon Mar -- it was such a pleasure getting to know you even a little bit.
John Bathurst gave a shout out to John & Cindy Hayto for going above and beyond in caring for our exchange students (both outgoing & incoming). A sincere thank you!!
Miguel Rozo, current Rotary Peace Fellow and past Rotaractor President, thanked us for supporting him. He is honoured to have been chosen as a Rotary Peace Fellow. He is scheduled to begin graduate studies in the fall at University of North Carolina/Duke in the Environment, Ecology and Energy Masters Program. Miguel is currently living in Ottawa working for the Canadian Global Affairs as a Policy Advisor (though due to COVID-19 he has returned for now to his Vancouver home). See above to read a copy of a letter Miguel sent to us. Congratulations Miguel - very proud of you!
Peter Clarke let everyone know of the upcoming Awards Night. See above for details.
Sarah Reppchen introduced a guest, Diane Clement, who attended this meeting and will be our guest speaker next week.
Program:
Keith Phillips introduced our speaker, Mary-Lynn Hanson, the Corporate Development Manager for the Easter Seals BC/Yukon chapter.
Keith was introduced to Easter Seals by Lisa Beck, the President and CEO of the BC/Yukon chapter. She gave him a tour of the Easter Seals House and showed him what a valuable organization Easter Seals is in providing much needed supports for so many families who have family members with diverse abilities and challenges.
Mary-Lynn Hanson joined us to share the Easter Seals story and the impact of the two essential services that they offer. Easter Seals House provides affordable accommodation and a home-away-from-home for BC residents required to travel to Vancouver for specialized medical care. Easter Seals Camps offer a one-week, fully accessible, overnight camp program for persons aged 6-49 with any physical and/or intellectual disability.
Easter Seals House
The Easter Seals House in Vancouver has been there for 35 years. In 2019 they celebrated their 1M bed night. They provide approximately 30,000 bed nights per year with guests from over 350 communities in BC/Yukon. The House has 49 self-contained suites they provide at a cost of $60/night. Stays range from one night to over a year as the family’s needs require. It is located near the hospitals and treatment centres so that travel is minimized. The facility has been undergoing renovations and have 10 rooms remaining to do.
Though there are communal areas, most families appreciate the self-contained aspect as they are tired after intense days and simply want to relax in privacy. This is a difference between Easter Seals House and, for example, Ronald McDonald House – they have more communal space and less private space.
Easter Seals Camps
The Easter Seals Camps are the only camp in all of BC that can serve any and all disabilities. They are truly fully accessible outdoor camps that have been running for 51 years. The funding available affects what camps are up and running and the number of campers they can subsidize. Currently they have a couple of camps that are closed because they do not have funding to support them.
The Easter Seals Camps accommodate 400-800 children and youth with diverse abilities. The week the campers attend provides important respite for their families. The families can rest assured that the camp is a safe place for their loved one(s) with on-site medical care, specialized meals and customized programs. They have a 3:1 camper to counsellor ratio to ensure all campers get the attention they need. The experience has been proven to improve skills, build confidence and independence, and create lasting friendships.
To provide such a high-quality experience, the cost is not insignificant at $3,600 per camper per week. $500 is paid by the camper’s family, the balance is subsidized by Easter Seals (donations).
An excerpt from a letter received from a repeat camper’s Mom: “I know that myself and the other parents cannot put a price on the happiness that camp brings to our kids. Our son truly feels like Easter Seals Camp is the best place in the world!! That’s a wonderful feeling for me as his mom as I’m packing his suitcase. Thank you for giving my boy the happiest experiences that are shaping his view on the world!”
Impacts of COVID-19
The Easter Seals House has suspended normal operations for 3 months at least. The facility is being used temporarily by Atira Women’s Resource Society as a transition house for women and children fleeing violent homes – something that has unfortunately increased during the pandemic.
For people with diverse abilities and their families this time of isolation is creating heightened stress and anxiety. Normally daily routines include visits to hospitals, treatment centres and programs of various sorts. All of this access to critical services and programs is lost right now. There is no respite for caregivers who are often providing 24/7 care. The important peer-to-peer support for the children, youth, and the caregivers is seriously lacking. Not to mention the financial uncertainty.
They are currently working on Bringing Camp to Campers, a virtual camp with a target of launching this 2020 summer. The current COVID-19 situation has provided a wonderful opportunity for Easter Seals to evaluate what they offer and how they offer their services. They will provide campers with a sense of community and peer-to-peer support while also extending a much-needed respite for caregivers. The programs offered will include art, music, culture, environment, employment skills training, sports, health, fitness and leisure, COVID-19 info sessions, to name just a few.
The benefits they can foresee are:
Rather than the 8-week period that has been their traditional camp “season”, they’ll be able to offer a year-round program
Support can be provided to camper families through continuity of programming
An even greater impact without geographic or seasonal constraints
The programs they will be able to offer will include a wider range of guests and experiences (vs in situ). They are looking for and welcome supporters who can contribute. For example, Keith Phillips has offered to put together a virtual marine biology class.
Please contact Mary-Lynn if you have any ideas or offers.
They are also looking at updating and reimagining their camp facilities. All of the camps have older buildings that are not winterized. This makes them only usable for the summer weeks, however, each camp has caretakers living on site to care for the properties all year round as significant cost. The goal is to find new ways to sustain the camps while at the same time reducing the dependence on donor dollars. This led to the current capital campaign to refurbish all of the camps. They are working on raising $5M over the next 10 years to accomplish this. Then they’ll be able to look at other sources of income, such as renting out the camps when Easter Seals are not using them.
In closing, Mary-Lynn encouraged people to reach out to her with ideas, even if only to comment on her presentation. She welcomes all conversations and stories and let us know that there are lots and lots of volunteer opportunities available with Easter Seals. Mary-Lynn’s email: mhanson@eastersealsbcy.ca.
