President’s Message

Hi everyone!

As you all probably know, the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association has produced The Bulletin/Geppo for 50 years and this particular issue commemorates its inception. The Bulletin/Geppo has undergone many changes in these 50 years, from a few type-written pages providing information on local Nikkei community events to one that looks at some of the more controversial issues in today’s global community. One of the benefits of GVJCCA membership is that The Bulletin/Geppo is delivered to your door every month. It gets mailed out to homes throughout BC, across Canada, and to the US and Japan. A new website, www.jccabulletin-geppo.ca, allows readers all over the world to read The Bulletin.

Since its inception, The Bulletin has provided critical information to the community, particularly during the years of the Redress movement. The Redress period was an important period in that it empowered the Nikkei community, allowing for the airing of many deep-seated views and in some ways dividing the community. Today, The Bulletin still has the ability to look at some of the more controversial issues.

We have always appreciated the many articles provided by organizations and community members each month. This is also a special year in that the Nikkei community will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Redress with a special celebration on September 19 and 20 in Vancouver. I would like to encourage our membership and readers to send in articles to our editors John Endo Greenaway or Kazuko Takahashi about this period which impacted our personal lives and affected our relations within our community. We are always looking for articles that can be read at the national level.

On Saturday March 29, the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association held its Annual General Meeting at Nikkei Place. Although the group was small, the people attending allowed us to form a good solid base for the coming year. Forming the new GVJCCA Board of Directors for 2008/2009 is:
Ron Nishimura
Shag Ando
May Hamanishi
Mieko Amano
David McIntosh
Harry Aoki
Pearl Williams
Gary Matson
April Shimizu

I would like to thank Hisako Gaynor and Masashi Takahashi who were part of the GVJCCA Board the past few year but due to personal issues will not be able to be part of our current group. Perhaps things will change in the near future.

As a reminder to all avid golf enthusiasts, the GVJCCA Golf Tournament is set for Sunday June 22 at Meadow Gardens. You don’t have to be a professional for this event, you just have to enjoy the company of other amateur golfers. Please contact Shag Ando via email at shagando@hotmail.com or please leave a message at the GVJCCA office 604.777.5222.

Thank you for your ongoing support,
Ron Nishimura, President GVJCCA