Kate's Blog

Vote ONLINE in the Vancity Board of Directors Election!

Kate — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:38:32 -0700

It's finally here, Online Voting for the Vancity Board of Directors Election!

I just voted, and you can too. Here's how...

Instructions

2. Online voting is provided to members with personal accounts who bank online. Simply sign in to online banking using your Personal Access Code and click on the ‘Vote Online Now’ button on the right hand side of your screen.

3. Vote for up to three candidates by clicking the box to the left of the candidate’s name. Once you’ve selected three candidates you will not be able to select a fourth. You may de-select a candidate if you change your mind.

Read about a candidate by clicking on the Candidate Info link under their name. Clicking on the Read More button will open a window with more information.

When you’ve finished selecting candidates you’ll have an opportunity to confirm your vote. To change your selection, follow the simple instructions.

are you prepared?

Kate — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:12:54 -0700

Are you prepared for an earthquake in BC?

Free workshop to help you prepare for an earthquake here in BC

Here are some additional resources for you to consider checking out to help you make sure you are best positioned to survive in a disaster.

Who says an eCard can’t help Change Everything?

Kate — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:15:19 -0800

For the last two decades, the Vancity Community Foundation has been extending a hand across the province (and not just over the Holidays) through a variety of local initiatives. This year, Vancity will donate $1 (up to $10,000) to the Vancity Community Foundation – supporting important work in one of three key focus areas, every time you send a Vancity Holiday eCard.

Send a card now.

The Enterprising Nonprofits Program

Social enterprises represent a growing part of today’s economy, in that they achieve not only social or environmental objectives, but a financial bottom line as well. The Enterprising Nonprofits Program has grown to include 10 different funding partners which provide support and resources to hundreds of organizations. These organizations create community services, employment opportunities for marginalized populations, and generate income for local charities. For example: United We Can, a recycling depot operating in Vancouver’s downtown eastside generated $2,000,000, created 150 jobs, and diverted 20 million containers from landfills last year alone.

Affordable Housing and Homelessness

Supporting the development of solutions around the issues and underlying causes of homelessness – and contributing to increased supply of affordable local housing – is an essential part of Vancity Community Foundation’s focus. To that end, VCF supports non-profit organizations in planning and/or securing financing in order to make housing options more readily available. For example: The Surrey Homelessness and Housing Fund recently provided $1,000,000 toward the completion of Maxine Wright Place, which will create 36 new living units for high-risk pregnant women

Send a card now.

Food Systems and the Environment

Vancity Community Foundation has long recognized the connection between local food systems, the environment, the economy, and our overall health. As such, VCH supports initiatives which enhance community food production, protect land and natural resources, improve access to local healthy food, and contribute to sustainability. For example: Farm Folk / City Folk and Vancouver Farmers’ Market Society have generated more than $4,000,000 in the community and have also helped preserve more than 3,500 acres of farmland

Send a card now

Or, want to give even more? With CanadaHelps.org, you can make a direct contribution to the Vancity Community Foundation.

We launched an Events Calendar for you!

Kate — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:00:25 -0800

Workshop on branding for social enterprises

Kate — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:50:16 -0700

If you are a revenue generating busines owned or operated by non-profit organizations this workshop is for you.

Workshop on branding for social enterprises
uesday, September 14 - 5:30 - 7:30 pm
YWCA Hotel (733 Beatty, Vancouver)

Free.
www.enterprisingnonproftis.ca

An evening stroll through lovely and historic Chinatown

Kate — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:32:39 -0700

Explore the cultural richness of Historic Chinatown at the open-air night market.

You will find a pedestrian-friendly festival-like atmosphere along the several blocks that have been closed to traffic.

Market stall vendors will delight your eyes with a visual feast ranging from massive stuffed animals to brightly coloured textiles, trinkets and exotic produce. Your ears will be treated to the sounds of live music which is often coming from the mainstage. And kids running around squealing with delight along with the many smiling faces will make for forget -if even for a moment- that you are still in Vancouver. It is like a mini vacation.

The Chinatown Night Market is a must-see.

May 16 - September 7. Friday to Sunday from 6:30pm to 11:00pm.

central park

Kate — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:25:00 -0700

Central Park
Central Park is a big beautiful wooded area with lots of trails. It boasts an accessible playground, a picnic area, walking and bicycling trails and a small lake open to remote-controlled boats. One of the oldest parks in the city, it also includes an outdoor pool, small Pitch & Putt, a track and field stadium and playground designed for children with disabilities.

To find it, head out to the space between Burnaby and Vancouver. More specifically Follow either Kingsway or the Trans Canada Highway to Boundary Road. Turn south to reach the park. Central Park is also easily accessible by the SkyTrain at Patterson Station.
(604.294.7450)

ALMOST FREE PNE

Kate — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:06:24 -0700

The weekly newsletter is a day early this week because tomorrow, I will be with a truckload full of other Vancity staffers volunteering at the PNE. Because.......TOMORROW IS MEMBER DAY at the PNE!! Vancity is saying thank you to our members with a $5 entry fee! You cna find me with the other volunteers at the gates, we'll be welcoming Vancity members and letting people know how to get into the PNE for only $5 tomorrow morning! Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, August 24th 10 am – 7 pm
Vancity is hosting a member appreciation day at the PNE on Tuesday, August 24th. As a benefit of being a part of Vancity, all members and one friend will pay only $5 admission each for entrance to the PNE on August 24th. This is a way for Vancity to give back to our members and let the whole family enjoy the PNE.
The PNE Fairgrounds – Hastings and Renfrew Street
$5 each for a Vancity member and one friend

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Want a chance to be a good ChangeEverything host? Drop on over to Nick D’s profile to say 'welcome' to the CE community. And here is another chance to be part of the unofficial welcome wagon for a person new to Vancouver. Bonus points if you have a spare bike to lend her.

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Thought we'd share the beautiful spirit of community in Northern India with you.

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Almost free things to do before summer is over!
Central Park
Central Park is a big beautiful wooded area with lots of trails. It boasts an accessible playground, a picnic area, walking and bicycling trails and a small lake open to remote-controlled boats. One of the oldest parks in the city, it also includes an outdoor pool, small Pitch & Putt, a track and field stadium and playground designed for children with disabilities.

week in review

Kate — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:48:53 -0700

Do you give a damn?

New guest column post! TheChange’s Annalea writes about where she came from and where she is taking TheChange! including , heard of it?

EVENTS

Britannia Community Centre Presents Artful Sundays: A Multimedia, Outdoor Visual Arts Market

Britannia Community Centre
1661 Napier St, Vancouver, BC V5L 2M6 604-718-5800
August 8, 2010 - September 5, 2010 – SUNDAYS 12-5pm

For 5 Sundays this summer, Aug 8 through Sept 5, Artful Sundays features local art in the vibrant Commercial Drive neighbourhood. It is an outdoor, multimedia, visual arts market hosted by Britannia Community Centre including artist demonstrations, workshops, live music and more! In Napier Square (Napier at Commercial Drive)

Tsawwassen Outdoor Movie Nights - Saturday, August 21st
Grab a blanket and the lawn chairs! It’s a family outdoor movie night on a big screen, featuring “Men in Black”. Come for the pre-show concert, food, activities and demonstrations offered by local businesses and community groups.
Diefenbaker Park, Tsawwassen
Movie starts at dusk, pre-show activities in the afternoon

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW! Vancity Member Day at the PNE is coming up!!!
Tuesday, August 24th 10 am – 7 pm
Vancity is hosting a member appreciation day at the PNE on Tuesday, August 24th. As a benefit of being a part of Vancity, all members and one friend will pay only $5 admission each for entrance to the PNE on August 24th. This is a way for Vancity to give back to our members and let the whole family enjoy the PNE.
The PNE Fairgrounds – Hastings and Renfrew Street
$5 each for a Vancity member and one friend

‘Almost-free’ summer activity idea of the week
Capilano Salmon Hatchery
You can take part in a self-led tour and observe one of the great life-cycle stories in nature at this federal government hatchery in North Vancouver. Download a brochure and take it with you to guide you as you witness the life and death cycle from juvenile Pacific salmon in the ponds to returning adult salmon as they struggle up fish ladders to spawn. Open year round, but late August through to November provides good opportunities to view returning salmon, leaping up the river for spawning. (604.666.1790)

do you love farmers markets?

Kate — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:26:57 -0700

Do you have a local farmers market near you that you love?

My ChangeEverything challenge for you this week:

Share a reason why you love farmers markets so that people who do not yet frequent them, might be inspired to check one or two out.

Write a blog post about farmers markets!

Kate