April 1, 2016
Dear Friends,
I wish Stephen were here. He’d know all the right words to write and how to convey this message in the most eloquent way…with just the right amount of emotion. But he’s not here looking over my shoulder, so I’m going it alone and hoping the message comes across the way it is intended to.
After ten years of involvement in the successful evolution and extraordinary effort of the Oceanside Grandmothers group, I believe it is the appropriate time to relinquish my volunteer role as Co-coordinator, effective April 30, 2016. I will also be stepping away from the Publicity Team to begin a year-long sabbatical. Morganne Pickering has kindly agreed to share her considerable abilities and will assume my responsibilities with the Team.
I want you to know that I have been considering and weighing the factors underlying this decision for a considerable period of time and finally initiated a conversation with Carol about my intent almost a year ago. It’s not easy when you have been privileged, as I have, to work with a truly amazing group of women who are committed, as I am, to the just goals of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the Grandmothers Campaign. More than that, many of you have become very special friends. As Carol and I agreed all those years ago, after hearing Stephen Lewis speak about his goal to help those battling HIV and AIDS at the grassroots level in Africa….’we can’t NOT do something about this. We can do it, even if there’s just the two of us!’
Fortunately, there have been so many of you sharing in this effort with us. I can’t begin to express my sincere and heartfelt ‘thank you’ for the creative ideas, work ethic, support and encouragement that you have offered to me for such a long time. I would especially like to thank those of you who have taken on additional responsibilities to lead committees, ongoing projects and events. My hope is that I have conveyed my admiration and appreciation fully and adequately to each and all of you over the years.
It has been such a privilege to witness and participate in a group that has not only grown, but flourished. The Oceanside Grandmothers have demonstrated themselves to be a credible collective of creative, hard-working women guided by a just cause. In return, we enjoy the respect, trust and support of both the lay and business communities in Oceanside. The rewards are many and significant, tangible and intangible…a phenomenal success with fundraising for the Grandmothers Campaign; cooperation throughout the community; life-enhancing companionship, fun and laughter; a sense of purpose, belonging and pride. May it continue to be so for many, many years to come.
((Hugs)),
Kathy

Posted by

Carol Lundine

The information below is relevant to you ONLY if you have already registered to attend the Reflection and Renewal conference in Vancouver this coming weekend.

  

posted by Eileen Dombrowski for Joyce Eilers, our Grandmothers regional contact

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Hello BC Grandmothers Groups

 

Just about a week to go until Reflection & Renewal, when honoured African guests, SLF staff, group members from the Greater Van Gogos region and those of you from around BC will join for an amazing time together, in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. Registration has exceeded expectations and we can’t wait to see you all.  The attached R&R Information Package has all the updated information about these events, including the names of our African guests!  

 

This Regional Update has important information for you and your group members, including reminders, timing overview for both events and some parking suggestions. Please share this information with your group members as soon as possible.  

 

DON’T FORGET…

 

* To bring plenty of cash and cheques for the Friday evening craft market — with about 15 groups from around BC participating in the market and the GVG engraved pens and custom tea blends available again, you won’t want to miss it.  Some groups, but not all, will be able to accept credit card payments.

 

* To bring a mug for your hot beverage and a water bottle, if you want to use your own, on Saturday.

 

* Please plan to come EARLY.  With 500 people coming for the Friday evening reception and talk, and almost 300 registered for Saturday, it will be busy!   On Friday there will be the craft market and complimentary refreshments to enjoy before Stephen and Ilana’s talk.  On Saturday morning, there will be hot drinks, muffins and fruit to start our busy day together off right.   Information on timing for both days and detailed parking information is included below.

 

FRIDAY EVENING — SOME DETAILS

 

The entrance to John Oliver Secondary School (530 East 41st Avenue, just west of Fraser Street, in Vancouver) that we will use is on the east side of the school, near Fraser Street, through the entrance doors marked “Auditorium”.  Please note parking information below.  Timing for the evening:

* 5:00 — Doors open for registration and the craft market in the cafeteria begins.  Early birds may choose seats in the auditorium in advance, and mark them with a sticky note.  

* 5:30 — 6:45 — Reception in the cafeteria with complimentary light refreshments, as the craft market continues.  

* 7:00 – 8:30 — Evening program in the auditorium, with Stephen and Ilana as our speakers.

* 8:30 – 9:00 — Craft market open for last minute shopping!

 

SATURDAY CONFERENCE — SOME DETAILS

 

Entrance will again be through the Auditorium entrance doors on the east side of the school, as noted above.  Timing for the day:

* 8:00 — Doors open for registration and light refreshments in the cafeteria.

* 8:30 — Auditorium doors open.

* 8:45 — Music session begins in the auditorium to energize us for the day — don’t miss it!

* 9:00 – 11:30 — Conference plenary sessions in the auditorium

* 11:45 – 12:30 — Lunch break in the cafeteria

* 12:45 – 2:45 — Workshops in classrooms. Workshop attendance is pre-assigned, and will be indicated on your conference name tag.  Every effort was made to fill individual workshop requests but some workshops filled very quickly.   Not all requests could be accommodated.  We encourage attendees to share their workshop experiences with their group members at upcoming meetings.  

* 3:00 — Short closing session in the cafeteria, with door prize draw.  This will be the perfect opportunity for us to briefly reflect on our day together and look ahead to the next 10 years of the Grandmothers Campaign.

 

PARKING AND TRANSIT DETAILS

 

John Oliver Secondary School, located on the south side of 41st Avenue, just west of Fraser Street, is easy to get to and there is lots of parking available.  However, with 500 people coming on Friday evening and about 300 on Saturday, parking will be “at a premium”.  If at all possible, please do try to carpool and definitely come early.  For those of us driving into Vancouver, we need to remember that rush hour traffic on Friday may mean that our journey will take a bit longer than we think. Those of you coming by car may want to turn your radios to AM730, All Traffic All the Time for the latest updates about traffic in Vancouver. 

 

Here is a list of parking options in the area.  

 

1.      80 spaces in the staff parking lot — Located to the west of the school, these spaces are available after 5 p.m on Friday and all day Saturday.   Lot entrances are accessible from St. George Street to the west of the school, and also from 41st when heading east. 

2.      South side of 41st — Directly in front of the school parking is available (aside from bus stops) from 5 p.m. on school days and all day Saturday.  A small area immediately in front of the Auditorium entrance doors is only available as of 6 p.m. on school days.  

3.      North side of 41st — Parking directly across 41st from the school is unrestricted at all times, aside from two bus zones.  There is a light at Fraser and a demand light at St. George Street, just west of the school, where people can cross safely.  

4.      St. George Street — Parking is available on the side street just west of the school, on the school side of the street after 5 p.m. on Friday, and unrestricted on most of the residential side of the street at all times.

5.      43rd Avenue — Located to the south of the school, parking on both sides of the street between St. George and Fraser Street is unrestricted at all times.  

 

For those interested in taking transit, bus lines with frequent service run along both 41st and Fraser streets, with bus stops very near the school.  Plan your trip at http://tripplanning.translink.ca/.  If you have questions, please contact Diane at dcwalk@telus.net. 

 

If you have any other questions, please e-mail info@greatervangogos.org or judyjohnson@telus.net.   We look forward to seeing you on March 11 and 12 to celebrate, reflect on and renew our dedication to our shared work —

 

In solidarity, 

 

Diane and Judy

GVG co-chairs