Repeat from last week or until no longer relevant or until I delete it:
Bob's last meeting on June 27th will be a community breakfast rather than a roast. So save your poems for Peter next year. No way he's not getting roasted. Sam is preparing the recipe which apparently needs a little more work.
July 8th, 2024 will be the first board meeting of the new year. It will be held at Peter's house starting a 6 PM.
Zoom Meeting Rules
THE LINK TO OUR THURSDAY MEETINGS WILL NO LONGER BE EMAILED BUT ACCESSED THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.
Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
1) Mute your microphone if you aren't already muted. Background noise is distracting.
2) If you are not engaged in the presentation, turn off your camera.
3) Chat function should only be used to address the speaker, not for Club member remarks during the presentation
4) Unmute when harassing the Sergeant at Arms or taking your turn during Sergeant at Arms.
5)Wait for the big one
Please direct any questions to the President or a board member of yourchoosing and we will discuss any and all questions or concerns during our board meeting. Also please refer anyone who may be interested in attending a meeting or joining the club.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
From Dr. Andy Cope via Judy “Here’s to fresh coffee, sunshine, morning walks, blooming flowers, good books and all the other simple but glorious pleasures of life.”
VISITORS
Ms. Kyoko Takahashi
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND
CLUB BUSINESS
Jeannette: New member Moe Leghari’s application will be presented at next week’s morning breakfast Board Meeting
SERGEANT At Arms Tidbits
Debbie T. didn’t get much sleep after her School Board meeting which ended at 11 p.m. last night. It was a full house, as the agenda was tense, the last of the school year. She is looking forward to cycling in the summer.
Carolyn presented at Palmer for both CFUW and Rotary and was inspired by Debbie T’s speech. Thanks to Debbie for all she does.
Amanda went to Deep Cove paddleboarding, where it was cold, but she saw the seals, one of whom followed her for 20 minutes. She had a chiro appointment after that, but has been kicked out of physio, massage therapy and chiro and needs to go to the doctor. She received the best compliment – the doctor was impressed saying she is in the top 10%, with perfect calluses on her feet.
Debbie S. is looking forward to summer but feels that she must have the best calluses.
Chris M. had Covid last week but is completely negative now. She had to cancel at least 10 events and was no longer responsible for anything at all – was able to garden, make bears, read books and go for walks. In a way, it was like a holiday. A wonderful reboot. Maybe a good idea to pretend to have Covid every few months?
Sandra loves the summer and is going to the Okanagan next week. She was late this morning, as her employee’s house in Ontario was hit by lightening and caught on fire. She has 4 kids and 2 dogs, and they all got out, but the house is no longer livable.
John’s holiday was waiting for gall bladder surgery, and he lost 5 pounds fasting for the operation. He and Sandy went for hearing tests, and both need aids. He recommends joining CARP (Canadian Assoc for Retired People) which can get you discounts, such as 70% off Sport Check and 10% off for hearing aids. Look into getting a membership!
Dalbir drove to Penticton, and was going to stay at the Sandman (was sold out and they wanted $250 for something that could be B.C. Housing) so they went to Lakeshore, which was the same price, with a view, and 3-year-old Jacob loved it. They went to Poplar Grove and came back on Saturday faced with all kinds of weather, rain and hail. He is grateful that Kyoko came to speak with us, as his mother-in-law with her hip and dementia, reminds him of the timely care that is needed. From a professional perspective, he sees that financial needs are rampant, and spends time working with clients, advising against loaning of money for housing, or putting children on the house title. He saw a court case this week in B.C. involving a family who brought the grandmother to the country and now want to kick her out. Continue working if you are!
Chris P. is going to her 40th Grad Reunion this Saturday, staying at the River Rock in the penthouse. Her girlfriend is more excited than the others, as she has a crush on the organizer so that should be interesting and Chris will try to keep her mouth shut, which she is able to do if she makes up her mind beforehand. Keep an eye out for Olympian Camryn Rogers from Richmond (went to Dixon) and is a hammer thrower. Chris won’t be here next week as she will be taking Dad to the cabin.
Marg worked with the seniors abuse person in Richmond, and notes that one of the most common things is the financial abuse of elders, perhaps using their credit card for medication, then for ‘other’ things as well. She received a letter yesterday from her first friend in Canada, whose Rotary Club is closing in Ontario. She is busy watching sports and the canning season is underway. Breakfast next week will be bacon and whatever Sam is eventually able to successfully cook?
Debbie M. reports that Manuel is near the end, with one more treatment. They want to go to San Diego, then shuttle to Tijuana for stem cell treatment. Debbie is likely going with them, with Sami, Amalia and Miles, and is a bit nervous. They don’t know if Manuel’s going to make it through and her daughter is not doing well with the added stress. It would be a difficult trip as Manuel is in a lot of pain. This Saturday she is doing the breast cancer race at Concord Pacific, and her team will be with Butts in a Boat for prostate cancer, so this is a special race. She might not be here for the next month, but she won’t know until later today. We will be thinking of you Debbie.
Judy is sorry for the strain on Debbie’s family. Her sister turns 70 and will have a birthday lunch, (then is celebrating for the whole year), including 50 people at Seasons, catered, is now in Cancun, comes back Saturday, then is taking the whole family on an Alaska cruise. Judy is going to Birch Bay and going to Bard on the Beach this evening with Lindsey. (Actually 12th night not Hamlet, yours truly and Sandy sat right in front of them. They seemed to have had a lot of wine.)
Bill says his sister (who has been coming to the gala for years), is a wedding commissioner, and did several weddings last Sunday. One venue had a ‘friendly’ dog who jumped off the porch and fastened himself to Bill’s sister’s arm, who did the wedding anyways, then went for four stitches at the hospital, and the family forgot to tip her.
Sam and Bill are playing summer hockey together, and the team is pretty good, but they are now in First Division, which is outside of their skill level. Starting at 11 p.m., and down 5 to 1, they ask themselves what they’re doing!!. In gymnastics Sam achieved a trampoline skill named ‘Barani’ – we looked it up and you can see an example on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33xtPD6vVWs Next week’s recipe is still f***ed up, so come to see if something works.
Gordon thanks Kyoko for the information and is looking forward to becoming a senior. The summer seems to be long in coming, and he has been waiting for 6 weeks.
Pat was at her tennis league windup dinner, is going for lunch today and then to see the ophthalmologist. She going to Palm Springs for a week so she will miss next week and can’t be the greeter so Elena will step up. She is so sorry to hear about Debbie’s worries.
Micheal is exhausted with work and parties and missed last week with out-of-town family. He was a tacky tourist showing them around to Ambleside, Stanley Park, the beaches, and a trip to Victoria, which was beautiful as usual. They ate fish and chips at the harbour and took the little ferry taxi. Bobby will be back next week as he’s in Toronto, where there was a big rainstorm, and the city was smelly because of the people? - not green and clean like it is here.
Peachy thanks Kyoko, and says she missed the meeting last week as she was taking care of clients. She sold one property in the Philippines, and has told her parents they have to relax and enjoy life, not worrying about money.
Elena thanks Kyoko. She is back from a month-long trip to San Francisco where you sure have to have insurance, as her sister had a stroke and it costs $750/day in the hospital. She is thinking of converting property into a Seniors Home, (which she did when her mom needed a home, raising 1 million in 8 months). Her dream is for Rotarians to have a care facility where we can all get old together.
Jeannette thanks Kyoko. She hopes Debbie’s son-in-law’s treatment goes well. She is thinking of Covid, when everyone used to deny having it because of the stigma and how people are now using it as an excuse, taking time off. The hospital is busy, as they have a new computer system as of last Saturday, and everyone is struggling, as everything is on the computer. You see the flashing and do the order. The unit is quiet, because everyone is focusing on the computer, it takes ages to give painkillers, etc. because they must log on and check everything on the computer rather than looking at the papers. You must scan the patient’s band so you have to get there and back. It’s taking time away from the bedside.
Kal says Happy Birthday to Dalbir, and prayers to Debbie. He’ll ask John to give him the info about gall bladder operations so he can have 3 taken out for weight loss for Lavina’s birthday.
Meanderings
So June 21 was National Indigenous Day in the National Indigenous History Month, so follow this link for more information
Ms. Kyoko Takahashi from the Senior’s Services Society of BC.
Kyoko was born and raised in Japan and immigrated to Canada in 1993. She started her career in the Financial Service Sector and received many accolades for her work over the next 20 years.
After 20 years in the financial industry, Kyoko transitioned into a new career path in the social services sector. She received a diploma in Wellness Counselling and Life-skills coaching and since then, she has worked as a homeless shelter worker with Salvation Army, a housing outreach worker for seniors and assumed some managerial roles within the Seniors Services Society of BC for the last 9 years. Most recently, she gained some experience in the palliative care field to support people at the end of their life. She is passionate about supporting older adults by providing practical assistance and wishes to empower them through many programs offered by the Seniors Services Society of B.C.
Her team consists of 15 members, ranging in ages from early 20s to mid 70s, speaking 11 different languages, and being supported with many accommodations to help them thrive in their roles.
To support older adults in our society, SSSBC focuses on housing and system navigation, knowledge and mobilisation, reaching seniors all over B.C., both online and in person. In 2022, there were about 1.58 million seniors, with those numbers growing 6 times as quickly as the number of children. Of these seniors, 1of 4 live alone. Seniors are living longer, and municipalities on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands have a great and growing senior population. In March 2023, the official homeless count was over 4800, a 32% increase from previous years. Of those, 22% are seniors 55+ and 1 in 2 were faced with homelessness for the first time, renters faced with increased rents, new developments, with nowhere to turn. These are the folks who are supported by the Seniors Services Society. About 63% of immigrants with language barriers find themselves vulnerable, possibly with no income. Some seniors 65+, earn less than $23,000 annually, which presents many barriers for housing, limited leisure activities, limited social networks, and poor mental health. Homelessness can be the result of eviction, mental health issues, lack of friendships and family, low income, victims of violence and abuse. In general, couples are better off than single seniors. Cases exist of grandmothers brought to the country to look after the grandchildren then abandoned, or a senior homeowner giving power of attorney, financing or house title to adult children or acquaintances. Financial abuse is the most common form, followed by neglect, spiritual abuse, medication abuse or sexual abuse.
Programs are both provincial and local and SSSBC has 10 partners in B.C. doing similar work and their goal is to expand the agency network from 10 to 20 or more, to be available wherever seniors live in the province, “Better at Home” is an agency helping with medical appointments, Outreach, the Homeless Prevention Program and rapid access shelter. The motto is High Touch, Low Tech as online doesn’t always work with seniors – there are many volunteer opportunities to help. Seniors are vulnerable in homeless shelters, sharing room with strangers and worrying about their belongings. Self-contained furnished individual units are rented from B.C. housing, with one quick access shelter space in New Westminster. Kyoko provided a Service Map for the flow and triage for seniors in need.
SHINE includes10 navigation partners and 4 affiliate partners who provide legal services, planning assistance, deal with tenant-related issues, provide both in-person and virtual counselling, and treatment for drug and alcohol struggles. In Richmond, they work through RCRG.
THP (Temporary housing program) is like living in an apartment, and seniors in need can stay for 3- 6 months then can usually move on.
Housing Ready provides finances, medical and dental support, helping seniors to become empowered and confident to live their lives. Last year about 3000 people used the services, 1500 for information referral.
Staff require 6-8 months training. SSSBC is hoping for multi-stable funding focusing on hiring staff and training them.
upcoming events
July 8th 2024 6 PM Board Meeting at Peter's House.
Friday May 2, 2025 Sunrise Rotary Gala Auction
TODAY'S CHUCKLEs
My son's fourth birthday was today. When he came to see me, I didn't recognize him at first. I had never seen him be four.
I recently went to the "World's Tiniest Wind Turbine" exhibit. Honestly, not a big fan.
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