Haddon back as Canadian Club president
Susan Haddon was re-elected president of the Canadian Club of Victoria. Tom Williams was re-elected vice-president, Ellen Stensholt as past president and Sharon Apsey the interim membership chair. For the 2020-21 term, Sharon Apsey was re-elected as venue chair, Marilyn Schick the secretary and Craig Schick was elected treasurer. Directors-at-large are Tony Davis, Brian Head, Marie McKee, Brian McMullen (archivist), Pam Shemilt and Naz Rayani. The Club鈥檚 honorary patron is the Hon. Janet Austin, 30th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
The Canadian Club of Victoria, founded in 1906 and one of the oldest in the country, is a non-partisan society that promotes Canadian identity by presenting notable speakers on subjects of interest to Canadians.
Murray Smith on Sports Hall board
Murray Smith has joined the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame board of directors.
Smith has been active in sport since childhood, playing soccer, baseball, basketball and football. At age seven, he captained his Cadboro Bay soccer team to the District Cup championship and later became an all-star defensive back for the Victoria Payless football team. Smith continues to play soccer and coaches Saanich Fusion men鈥檚 team. Smith has a successful career in the IT industry, but still finds time to volunteer at multi-sport events, such as the sa国际传媒 Games and sa国际传媒 Summer Games.
The other board members are Robert Bettauer, Nicholas Cumberbirch, Chris Graham, Doug Henderson, Robert Hope, Clint Hamilton, Louise Hodgson-Jones, Fern Johnson, Stacie Louttit, Cal Mackay, Lois Smith, Jim Swanson and Tom Turnbull.
Ideas wanted for helping newcomers
The City of Victoria is seeking proposals for the 2020 participatory budgeting initiative, which will see $50,000 invested for projects benefiting new immigrants and refugees in Victoria.
Anyone with an idea for a project or activity that will enhance or enrich the lives of newcomers in our community is invited to apply online at engage.victoria.ca/participatory-budgeting by 4 p.m. on July 31.
About 20% of Victoria鈥檚 population are newcomers, according to the 2016 Census. They face significant social and economic barriers to integration into the community and Canadian society. To help alleviate these challenges, the 2020 Participatory Budgeting initiative will focus on projects that foster diversity and inclusion.
Participatory budgeting is a process that gives the entire community the opportunity to participate and decide how to invest a portion of the city budget. Community voting will determine the top projects for funding.
This year鈥檚 citizen-led volunteer Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee is being co-ordinated by the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria and includes 20 community volunteers and one City staff liaison.
Projects can be put forward by an individual, groups, or non-profit organizations. All projects must take place within the City of Victoria and must benefit newcomers.
Proposals could include art installations, projects that address issues of racism and discrimination, events to build a culturally-inclusive community or anything else designed to benefit newcomers in Victoria.
