President’s Message

Hi everyone!
On Saturday February 25th a Special General Meeting was held at 511 Broadway, Vancouver, BC. At this Special General Meeting, the Greater Vancouver Japanese Citizens’ Association membership approved the entering of a joint venture agreement with Tonari Gumi in the purchase and development of property at 42 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC. The key term of this venture agreement would be the selling of the JCCA’s property at 511 East Broadway, Vancouver, BC. The sale proceeds less $50,000 would be the JCCA’s contribution to the development of this property. Upon entering into this joint venture , the JCCA will hold 49 percent beneficial interest in the property at 42 West 8th with Tonari Gumi, conditional on its contribution of sale proceeds from sale of the Broadway property less the $50,000.

What it comes down to is that the JCCA would enter an agreement with Tonari Gumi, who have been searching for a larger facility to provide more and improved programming in the Japanese Canadian community specifically for our growing seniors population. As the Japanese Canadian “Baby Boomer” population increases, there is a growing need to provide additional programs and space for these seniors and others in the Japanese Canadian community. Within all these plans, there will not be a lessening of the JCCA’s role with the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, Burnaby, BC. In fact, there will be a need to provide a bigger role. Further on this next month.

On March 17th, 2012, from 2 – 4 PM, the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting in the GVJCCA office at the Nikkei Centre. We will be accepting nominations for our Board of Directors for the upcoming terms. The GVJCCA will be seeking individuals who will be able to work within the Japanese Canadian community and its budgetary confines in maintaining its mandate and its purposes. If you are not aware of some of the purposes, they are outlined below:
•    developing and maintaining a communication network with multicultural societies in Canada and internationally
•    promoting the appreciation and study of the arts and culture of Japanese Canadians through the organization of community and cultural events
•    educating the Canadian public about the history and cultural heritage of Japanese Canadians and the preservation of these values
•    the education of the citizens of Canada in the various responsibilities expected in Canadian citizenship
•    protecting and promoting the rights and freedoms of all individuals without any discriminatory practices
•    and publishing a forum in the means of a journal (the Bulletin/Geppo) for issues significant to its members, persons with Japanese ancestry and others of interest.

At this AGM we will be looking at the future needs and plans for the GVJCCA and its roles within the Japanese Canadian community and its new arrangement with Tonari Gumi at 42 West 8th, Vancouver BC. Please join us in working to building a stronger tomorrow for our children and children’s children and our aging Nikkei Community.

Have a great month!
Ron Nishimura
President GVJCCA