Executive Director’s Report (April – May 2005)

Sring is here in Vancouver once again: cherry blossoms are in bloom outside my office window, the sun is peeking out behind the buildings and the song birds (towhee birds) are chirping their spring songs. At this time of year, we begin again to reflect on the last year, the great things we have accomplished and the great things to come. My overall impression is that things are very good at 411. The organization continues to be vibrant and forward looking.

In April we look forward to Volunteer Week when we will honour the volunteers who work in all areas of the centre including: store clerks, assistants in the kitchen, woodworkers, those who help out in administration and do reception, those who counsel seniors about benefits, those who put together the radio show, our tireless board and committee members, those who help people on the hostess desk, pick up goods for sale, sell lottery tickets, sell memberships, work at the bingo at Main and 12^th , move furniture, do recycling, pick up to can donations and much more. Thanks to all the volunteers who have participated in the projects, particularly the Seniors Advocacy Steering committee, workshop volunteers and the steering committee of WE*ACT. Thank you everyone, and I hope you are never tired of hearing we couldn’t have the vibrant centre that we do without you folk.

Our Income Tax clinic, though a little slow in terms of attendance, was extremely well organized and again we thank all the wonderful volunteers who have been assisting seniors. Thanks to Joanne who again so ably put the clinic together.

It is that time again where we are looking for new board members. If you are interested please contact the President Gil Evans or me. We will have four or five new vacancies and the nominating committee is looking for likely candidates. Remember everyone that this year we will be following our new procedure which is to post a list of candidates four weeks before the Annual General Meeting which will be held June 8 this year. If anyone wishes to be on the slate and your name is not there, you must find eight members to nominate you and then get your nomination to the Nominations Committee in the next week, at which time we will post the new list.

Thanks again to the City of Vancouver for the continuing grant for 411, and for a new grant for the Outreach Counselling program Thanks also goes to Public Health Agency (formerly Health Canada) for supporting the Seniors Summit and to New Horizons for two grants.

I also wish to welcome new staff person Judy Jolicoeur who joins the staff in the cafeteria. I would also like to congratulate Quentin Finlay, Food Services Coordinator, for winning an award from Disability Resources Centre for his work with disabled placement volunteers. Happy spring holidays to everyone!

~Margaret Coates