Dear GVJCCA Members and Community,
Hello and greetings from me, Judy Hanazawa as your new GVJCCA President. I again thank past President Lorene Oikawa for her incredible energy and commitment to community, our organization and The Bulletin.
As the new president of the GVJCCA I am sensitive to any concerns and questions which you might have about the transition. We are working hard to make it as seamless, and as open as possible.
Here are some highlights since the last message:
- We have had a successful Golf Tournament and all reported it was lots of fun and a good fundraising event. It also demonstrated the great partnership we enjoy with Tonari Gumi. Thanks to all who were organizers, donors, and participants.
- Soon we will be hiring our summer students to fill roles such as archival assistant, communication administrator and event coordinator.
- Over the months ahead I will be asking for various board members to provide their profiles, including photos so that you will know who they are and what they do. We have a group of dynamic, committed and skillful people on our board and you should know who they are. I am personally thrilled we have strong and articulate young leaders in our midst.
You the membership are the most important part of what we do and why. There are activities which are coming up which demonstrate what our community mandate is all about. Here are some examples:
- Powell Street Festival on August 4 and 5. As usual, we will be running the Salmon Barbeque as well as the Human Rights Committee Community Booth.
- Special General Meeting of the Membership in late summer or early fall to ask for your approval of revisions in the GVJCCA Constitution due to changes in the BC Societies’ Act. There will be information details for you in the bulletins leading up to the meeting.
- The NAJC has developed a strategy for the provincial government to work with the NAJC to develop meaningful redress measures resulting from their 2012 Apology to Japanese Canadians. We will keep you updated on community activities which will be scheduled as part of the NAJC’s proposed strategy.
I hope you are enjoying the summer and that I will get a chance to meet more members in person. From our Nisei Elders, Ijusha members, families and youth, including LGBTQ members – we are an interesting, multicultural and diverse mix of people and it is a genuine privilege to be representing and working with you. Thanks for your support of the GVJCCA!
