Hi everyone!
Wow, time is going very quickly. The month has been full of various meetings and various things. On February 16th, the GVJCCA held a fundraiser Valentine’s Day Dance at Nikkei Place, our first dance that I know of. We were very happy to have over 200 people participate and support us in our efforts. Although we had a few concerns, we tried very hard to satisfy every ones needs. Rob Fukushima, who was definitely under ill health due to a very bad cold, did an admirable job by providing enough of a mix, from regular dances to line dancing to waltzes. I think everyone was overall pleased with the music, food, and prizes we provided for our supporters. I’d like to thank all the Board and volunteers for their support and assistance in making it a wonderful time. Your support will go a long way in supporting us for the duration of the year. Hopefully we can do this again.
Last month, I mentioned that this year, 2008, is the 50th Anniversary of The Bulletin-Geppo and that it has undergone some changes over the past 50 years. It would be interesting to hear from some of the membership what you have liked and what possible changes that you would like to see in future editions. Having the website www.jccabulletin-geppo.ca now available, what additional information would you like more available? The GVJCCA, through the Bulletin-Geppo, has always wished to make available valuable information for its membership and Nikkei community. One can also access www.canadiannikkei.ca/blog for up-to-the-minute news, events and announcements regarding the Nikkei community.
As I mentioned last month, on March 29, the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadians Citizens’ Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting at Nikkei Place from 2 – 4 PM. The GVJCCA’s work has always been important in the Nikkei community and that having a strong directorship is important in order to meet our mandate. Nominations are being accepted for our Board of Directors for the upcoming term. The GVJCCA will be seeking individuals who will be able to work within the framework of the Japanese Canadian community and its budgetary confines in maintaining its mandate and its purposes. Its purposes 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 for issues significant to its members, persons with Japanese ancestry and others of interest.
Please join us in working to build a stronger tomorrow for our children and children’s children.
Have a great month of March!
Thanks
Ron Nishimura
President, GVJCCA
