June Newsletter
…Happy Anniversary, Vic AM! You’re 28 years old today!...
Sometimes it’s a good idea to stop and take a look at where you’ve been and where you’re going. And take a look at Vic AM now! A new website, new logo, a new mission statement, a dynamic luncheon series, partnerships with community charities, new volunteers…I could hyperventilate just thinking of all the changes. Take a look:
Sometimes it’s a good idea to stop and take a look at where you’ve been and where you’re going. And take a look at Vic AM now! A new website, new logo, a new mission statement, a dynamic luncheon series, partnerships with community charities, new volunteers…I could hyperventilate just thinking of all the changes. Take a look:
…Wheels up, we’re airborne!...
“COMMUNITY LEADERS LUNCHEON SERIES” - Friday, June 8th we begin our new series of luncheons in which we invite community leaders to share their vision with us. We kick off our 28th year with Geoff Dickson, President and CEO, Victoria Airport Authority and learn about the growth of one of Victoria's most important gateways: our international airport.
“COMMUNITY LEADERS LUNCHEON SERIES” - Friday, June 8th we begin our new series of luncheons in which we invite community leaders to share their vision with us. We kick off our 28th year with Geoff Dickson, President and CEO, Victoria Airport Authority and learn about the growth of one of Victoria's most important gateways: our international airport.
…Urban woes, rural healing…
Vic AM is committed to helping make Victoria a great place to live and work. We’ve been putting on the charm for decades (decades!) by greeting cruise ship passengers, but now we’re expanding into the nitty-gritty of really improving Victoria. Our first community challenge: Homelessness. Woodwynn Farms in Central Saanich has a blueprint to address homelessness and we believe it works. The farm is based on a strategy used by a working farm in Italy that has demonstrated an extraordinary success rate – around 70%! It immerses its clients in a healthy lifestyle and provides addiction counseling, job training, fresh air and structured days. In addition, the farm will provide high-quality organic produce. Vic AM is organizing and promoting a fundraiser for the farm on August 25th. Why not plan on volunteering that day? Your involvement makes a difference. Contact Louise Chabros at 250.589.5359 to learn how you can contribute.
Vic AM is committed to helping make Victoria a great place to live and work. We’ve been putting on the charm for decades (decades!) by greeting cruise ship passengers, but now we’re expanding into the nitty-gritty of really improving Victoria. Our first community challenge: Homelessness. Woodwynn Farms in Central Saanich has a blueprint to address homelessness and we believe it works. The farm is based on a strategy used by a working farm in Italy that has demonstrated an extraordinary success rate – around 70%! It immerses its clients in a healthy lifestyle and provides addiction counseling, job training, fresh air and structured days. In addition, the farm will provide high-quality organic produce. Vic AM is organizing and promoting a fundraiser for the farm on August 25th. Why not plan on volunteering that day? Your involvement makes a difference. Contact Louise Chabros at 250.589.5359 to learn how you can contribute.
…We built a bridge to Port Angeles – in just one day!...
A group of about 16 of us headed over to Port Angeles May 30th to meet with the mayor and city council members – hey, those folks are nice! We had lunch with various business owners and city officials and brainstormed ways to mutually benefit our two communities. Port Angeles is known as a convention destination and it’s only 90 minutes away – doesn’t that just spell ‘POTENTIAL’? We plan on continuing a series of meetings to develop collaborations to benefit our respective businesses. If you have ideas on ways to ‘cross pollinate’ our two communities, join us on our next trip. We’ll keep you posted on when they’ll occur. Plus, you may get to go on the incredible yacht-manufacturing tour and the delightful walking tour of pre-1900 Port Angeles! A special thank you to Jin Yuen of Shanghai City restaurant for a spectacular and delicious dinner at the end of the day!
…it didn’t rain on OUR parade!...
Well okay, it did rain, but we hardly noticed. The Victoria Day Parade was a delight and oh – did we mention? WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! Vic AM won ‘best period costumes’ and received a prize of $500! We rode in style in our antique cars – a 1930 Ford Model A and a 1965 Pontiac convertible provided by Dino Fiorin and driven by Sheila and Terry Fiorin. Gosh, we looked great! And let me give a heart-felt thank you to John Wilson and Wilson’s Transportation for providing a lift for our weary parade-walkers both to and from the parade. It was generous and welcomed and –wow – who knew you could drive a full length bus backward for a full block?
Well okay, it did rain, but we hardly noticed. The Victoria Day Parade was a delight and oh – did we mention? WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! Vic AM won ‘best period costumes’ and received a prize of $500! We rode in style in our antique cars – a 1930 Ford Model A and a 1965 Pontiac convertible provided by Dino Fiorin and driven by Sheila and Terry Fiorin. Gosh, we looked great! And let me give a heart-felt thank you to John Wilson and Wilson’s Transportation for providing a lift for our weary parade-walkers both to and from the parade. It was generous and welcomed and –wow – who knew you could drive a full length bus backward for a full block?
…Speaking of winning, we seem to be doing a lot of that these days…
One of our long-time volunteers and the Honorary Mayor of Ogden Point, Max Caplan, won the prestigious Victoria Hospitality Award at the 18th Annual Hospitality Awards Gala Breakfast! Each year the award goes to those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide excellent service and hospitality… and Max was one of those selected. In order to win the grand prize, however, the contestants had to answer a series of grueling, nail-biting, cliff-hanging questions…about the personal life of Justin Bieber! Max was cool under fire, undaunted and flawless in answering each confounding question. Who knew Max kept up on this stuff? It paid off – he won two Westcoast Air tickets to Vancouver, two nights at the Opus Hotel, brunch for four at Aura at the Inn at Laurel Point Hotel and cash just for the heck of it. Congratulations Max!
One of our long-time volunteers and the Honorary Mayor of Ogden Point, Max Caplan, won the prestigious Victoria Hospitality Award at the 18th Annual Hospitality Awards Gala Breakfast! Each year the award goes to those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide excellent service and hospitality… and Max was one of those selected. In order to win the grand prize, however, the contestants had to answer a series of grueling, nail-biting, cliff-hanging questions…about the personal life of Justin Bieber! Max was cool under fire, undaunted and flawless in answering each confounding question. Who knew Max kept up on this stuff? It paid off – he won two Westcoast Air tickets to Vancouver, two nights at the Opus Hotel, brunch for four at Aura at the Inn at Laurel Point Hotel and cash just for the heck of it. Congratulations Max!
…Honey, I have to work late at the office…
Our next mixer is at the Office on June 26th. Everybody is welcome to join us – no membership required! Our mixers get great reviews from our guests – you know, we’re just good company. Plus, our venues supply some seriously excellent appetizers. Did I mention we have door prizes? What’s not to love? See you on the 26th…we’ll be working late with you.
Our next mixer is at the Office on June 26th. Everybody is welcome to join us – no membership required! Our mixers get great reviews from our guests – you know, we’re just good company. Plus, our venues supply some seriously excellent appetizers. Did I mention we have door prizes? What’s not to love? See you on the 26th…we’ll be working late with you.
…My, but that Douglas fellow is statuesque…
One of our very special members, Armando Barbon, has just finished his most recent sculpture: that of Sir James Douglas, dedicated on May 21 at the Government House. You might remember that Armando was the artist who created the Town Crier statue at Ogden Point. Vic AM commissioned it in 2009 as a way to honor our volunteer criers who welcome in the cruise ships. Now Armando has one more piece displayed for Victorians to enjoy!
One of our very special members, Armando Barbon, has just finished his most recent sculpture: that of Sir James Douglas, dedicated on May 21 at the Government House. You might remember that Armando was the artist who created the Town Crier statue at Ogden Point. Vic AM commissioned it in 2009 as a way to honor our volunteer criers who welcome in the cruise ships. Now Armando has one more piece displayed for Victorians to enjoy!
…We rubbed elbows with Emily Carr!...
Well, someone who acted the part of Emily, anyway. Vic AM’s award-winning Victorian-dressed volunteers welcomed attendees to a recent Breast Cancer Foundation fundraiser, “Wild Lilies-Evening at the Castle”. You guessed it – it was held at Craigdarroch Castle. Emily Carr’s painting, “Wild Lilies,” was bequeathed to the Foundation in honour of Emily’s eldest sister Elizabeth, who died of breast cancer. It was an event Vic AM was proud to play a part in!
Well, someone who acted the part of Emily, anyway. Vic AM’s award-winning Victorian-dressed volunteers welcomed attendees to a recent Breast Cancer Foundation fundraiser, “Wild Lilies-Evening at the Castle”. You guessed it – it was held at Craigdarroch Castle. Emily Carr’s painting, “Wild Lilies,” was bequeathed to the Foundation in honour of Emily’s eldest sister Elizabeth, who died of breast cancer. It was an event Vic AM was proud to play a part in!
…a tip o’ the top hat to our new volunteers!...
A big thank you to all our new volunteers who saw our ads and were interested in joining us! We’ve had almost two dozen folks express and interest and have found their way to our dock-side office to attend our orientations. We have plans to grow, so if you’re interested in greeting, don’t be shy! Give the office a call or send an email - it’s a ton of fun!
A big thank you to all our new volunteers who saw our ads and were interested in joining us! We’ve had almost two dozen folks express and interest and have found their way to our dock-side office to attend our orientations. We have plans to grow, so if you’re interested in greeting, don’t be shy! Give the office a call or send an email - it’s a ton of fun!
…The last word from our president…
Wow! I can hardly believe that it is already June and we are well into the busiest Cruise Ship Season ever. I'd just like to say how really proud I am of Vic AM and to extend a huge “Thank You” to our amazing Board of Directors, greeter volunteers and all of the members. Without the extraordinary efforts from all of you we couldn’t do the great work we do! We are thinking bigger. We are doing bigger. We are getting involved and making a difference. Vic AM is growing and expanding. We have almost doubled the number of our volunteers and soon our member base will be growing as well. We are reaching out into our local community in new ways -- partnering with Woodwynn Farms and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Our recent trip to Port Angeles was a rousing success and we are looking forward to building on the positive energy with our closest neighbor, to our mutual economic benefit.
Wow! I can hardly believe that it is already June and we are well into the busiest Cruise Ship Season ever. I'd just like to say how really proud I am of Vic AM and to extend a huge “Thank You” to our amazing Board of Directors, greeter volunteers and all of the members. Without the extraordinary efforts from all of you we couldn’t do the great work we do! We are thinking bigger. We are doing bigger. We are getting involved and making a difference. Vic AM is growing and expanding. We have almost doubled the number of our volunteers and soon our member base will be growing as well. We are reaching out into our local community in new ways -- partnering with Woodwynn Farms and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Our recent trip to Port Angeles was a rousing success and we are looking forward to building on the positive energy with our closest neighbor, to our mutual economic benefit.
Great job, everyone!