The April Newsletter below was sent by Sally Gellard, our Grandmother Regional Liaison, to Diane Quinn of Oceanside Grandmothers, our group liaison. It is full of updates on the Grandmothers Campaign and regional events.

SLF News from the Foundation

21 Million bucks! News has just arrived that we have reached this marker in our fundraising. Congratulations, everyone.

The messaging on the G2G Campaign is now updated to say that we now partner with 300 grassroots organizations that hold 1100 initiative projects. This means that the SLF has stuck with our partners and have increased the capacity of these organizations to expand and deepen their work.

The Tribunal film is “in the works” and should be out before September. It will be well suited for film festivals (with a trailer available soon) as it was not designed to be a “promotional” film for SLF.

The Grandmother Book is still in progress – Joanna is working on 2nd round of interviews. Looking at a launch and tour in time for Christmas 2014 sales.

Stride has a new fundraising page with funny video of SLewis. The insurance policy hasbeen worked out for holding the Stride events from May 16 through June. Check with Sydney at SLF office for more information. soastler@stephenlewisfoundation.org

A Speakers Bureau Training Package is also coming – this includes an updated photo gallery to make our presentations easier and will be up-to-date on the actions & direction of the G2G Campaign. The photos and resources are password protected so only available to our members. The SLF office asks that we let them know if we use their photos.

The newest & interesting grandmother group to form is the Globetrotters Grandmothers – a travelling group coordinated by Ellen Monaghan in Calgary, offering travel opportunities for older women. Contact ellen@platinum.ca

Aids Free World is the site of information to hear SL speak each week about the state of Africa & human rights. Check out www.aidsfreeworld.org  It is very enlightening & worthwhile.

*   *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

Calendar of Grandmother Happenings on BC Islands

April 27 – Glacier Grans in Comox: African Dinner at D’Esterre House: Sold Out

April 27 – Glacier Grans: Union Bay Spring Craft Sale 10 am– 3pm

May 9 –    Merville Grandmothers sponsoring: Presentation by Tina & Paxie. Merville Hall doors open at 7:00 pm. by donation to G2G

May 15  – Oceanside G2G “Both Sides of the Camera” poster below. At the Grand Hotel Ballroom, Nanaimo, tickets $30. 7 – 9 pm

May 24-   Holy Trinity Grans: Regalia Show 2 pm; North Saanich Holy Trinity                                          Church Hall, 2 pm, contact 250 656-0113

June 7 –   NanGos sponsoring African market; St Paul’s Anglican Church 10 am – 4

June 8 –   NanGos – Island Soul Choir; Port Theatre in Nanaimo, 2:30 pm; tickets $22.50, NanGos providing snacks & crafts for sale

June 26 – PAGO African dinner with Paxie Vreede; contact  dianedobson@shaw.ca

More info on these future events to follow in next update

Further Notes

 Currently BC Islands consists of 14 GM groups located on the Big Island and 3 Gulf Islands. Our region has lots of potential for building new groups. Paxie and I welcome inquiries from interested “grandmothers” in other communities and we’d happily help them get started. There is also an excellent resource from SLF, “ 10 Tips for Starting a New Group”.  Pass the word. Build the movement.

It is time to recruit a new co- GRL (Grandmother Regional Liason) for our region. This is a 2 year commitment that overlaps with the current GRL, Paxie Vreede. If you or someone in your group is interested, have them contact Sally Gellard and I’ll forward the GRL roles & responsibilities.

“Grandmother Groups remain the heart and soul of the G2G Campaign and the GRLs help keep communications and connections strong and in step with the work of the Foundation and ultimately – the African grandmothers – as the Campaign moves forward”.

We thank you for staying in touch with us.

Sally & Paxie.  sallygel@yahoo.ca