Friday Update, November 29, 2024

Attention Please: Thank You | Board Minutes | New Member Welcome | Food hamper donation | Lost & Found
Call for Volunteers:Friday Flicks | Marketing & Communications
Activities Update:Mon. Travels | Tues. Lectures | Wed. Discussions | Friday Flicks | Blue Christmas
Upcoming Events:Member Forum | BH Big Band Concert | Raise the Stage | Handbell Concert | Christmas luncheon
Miscellanea:Peake Feast To Go | How to do an e-transfer | Submissions

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Attention

Thank you to our volunteers, conveners, and members!

What an outstanding Winter Fair!

Dear Brock House Society members, volunteers, and staff,

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone for making the Winter Fair of 2024 such a tremendous success! Your generous donations of jewelry, gifts, games, books, vintage clothing, and treasures were instrumental in raising operational funds. Our conveners worked tirelessly throughout the year to create and offer a wonderful selection of handmade crafts—ranging from porcelain painting, woodwork, and needle crafts to jewelry, artwork, greeting cards, and gardening items. We were thrilled to see so many of you enjoying these unique creations, bringing joy to yourselves and your loved ones, all while savoring delicious homemade chicken wraps, hot apple cider, and cookies. A special thank you to The Bean Around The World for their generous coffee donation once again this year.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our volunteer leaders who poured their time, energy, and big hearts into making this event a success. It’s been an honor and a joy to work with such incredible leaders in our community.

Beyond raising over $30K, the true highlight of the Winter Fair was the strong sense of community that filled the air. As a Seniors Activity Centre, our mission is to cultivate social connections, hospitality, community spirit, and volunteerism—and we not only met this goal but exceeded it, welcoming over 1,200 members and non-members in just under six hours. The joy of seeing familiar faces, reconnecting with friends, and making new connections truly embodied the spirit of togetherness.

Please mark your calendars for the Summer Fair on July 12th, and be sure to keep an eye out for updates from us. Wishing you all a wonderful end to November!

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to email us atfair@bhsociety.ca.

Sincerely,

Eda Ertan, Executive Director

Joanne Haramia, President, Brock House Society Board of Directors

Oct. 31 Board Minutes

Click here to view the meeting minutes of October 31, 2024.

New Member Welcome event postponed

This event has been rescheduled and will take place on Tuesday, February 11.

Donate to BHS food hamper until Dec 22

In Brock House, we cherish community and encourage the spirit of sharing. We will be collecting non-perishable foods to donate to Collingwood Neighborhood House Society and Kingsway Continental Building, two organizations suggested by BHS Chef Najia Elacel, who provides meals to them throughout the year.

Please place your donations in the box by the Christmas tree in the foyer. Cash donations for holiday meals for the community are also very much appreciated.

Lost & Found

Have you left a bottle of water, a sweater, jewelry or money at Brock House? It could be waiting for you in the BHS office. Just go up to the third floor and describe your lost item to the office volunteer.

Kindly note that since our space is limited, all unclaimed items will be donated by the end of the year.

Calls for Volunteers

Friday Flicks

The Friday Flicks group is looking for a new convenor. Whether you are a novice or seasoned cinephile, this is your chance to dig into the seventh art and propose some great movies for members to enjoy. Help preserve the lovely tradition of bringing film lovers together on Friday afternoons. Emailanapaula@bhsociety.cato volunteer.

Marketing and Communications Committee

We’re looking for volunteers who want to support Brock House and who have skills and experience related to marketing, communications, writing, editing, and/or social media platforms.

Our goal is to help build effective communication in order to raise awareness of BHS activities both internally and externally, to build relationships with our community and supporters, and to reach new audiences.

What do we do?

• Help raise awareness of our events, programs, and values.

• Help plan communication strategies that drive awareness and engagement.

• Provide guidance and support to other committees, Brock House staff and the Board of Directors.

• Collaborate with other BHS committees to ensure consistent, stimulating messaging.

Please do contact Virginia O’Connell, Committee Chair atvirginiaa.oconnell@gmail.com.

Activities Update

Monday Travel talks, Dec 2

Toronto Museums; Bata Shoe, and Khan Museum

The Travel Series is pleased to present Rose Taylor for this Zoom talk. Contact the Travel Series Convener atbrock.house.point.grey@gmail.comif you 'd like to be added to the Zoom mailing list.

Mondays, 10:30 to noon. Halpern Room and via Zoom.Free. Drop in.

Tuesday Lecture, Dec 3

Art Beyond Words: How Toastmasters Cultivates Confidence and Community

Presented by: Doug Host, Toastmasters Association. To receive a weekly email reminder and Zoom instructions for the Tuesday lecture series, contact Allan Strain or Mike atbhtuesdaylectures@gmail.com.

Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Live on Zoom.Free.

Discussion Series, Dec 4

Topic: Was Canada right in abstaining from the UN vote on Palestinian membership?

Wednesdays, 10:30 am to noon, drop-in. Halpern Room.Free.

Friday Flicks

Nov 29: I Called Him Morgan

Drama/Documentary, 2016, 92 mins, Sweden/US

Dec 6: One Life

Drama, 2023, 110 mins, Australia/UK/US

Fridays, 1 to 3 pm. Halpern Room.Free. Drop-in. No registration required.

Blue Christmas

Grief and the holidays

If you are grieving or know someone who is, Christa Ovenell will offer practical tips and create a supportive space to help you navigate this difficult time.

Thursday, December 05. 10:30 am to noon. Halpern room. 1 session. Members $30 Non-members $40.Registration required.

Upcoming Events

Member Forum

Join us for a one-hour roundtable where you can ask questions and share your ideas and suggestions with our Executive Director, Director of Membership, and other BHS board and committee members. Learn about BHS programs, events and activities, and talk to convenors about their programs. All members are welcome, whether new or longtime. Light refreshments offered. Because we are an organization driven by members and volunteers, we value your input. Meet in the Sun Room or on Zoom.

Note also that twenty-minute Brock House tours are available before and after the Forum at either 11:30 am or 2 pm.

December 5, 10:30 to 11:30 am, Sun Room or on Zoom.Free.Registration appreciated but not required.

Brock House Big Band Dance

Raise the Stage

Theater Outing!

The Raise-the-Stage groupmeets once or twice a season, depending on theatre offerings. Brock House theatre enthusiastswill be meeting up to see “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

Saturday, December 7, 2pm.Jericho Arts Centre,1675 Discovery Street, Vancouver.

BH/Kerrisdale Handbell Ringers

Christmas Concert(click to view poster)

Sunday, December 15, 2pm. KCC Auditorium,KCC Auditorium, 5851 West Boulevard.Free(donations welcome).

BHS Christmas Luncheon

Thursday, December 19. 12:30 to 3pm. Whittaker Conservatory. Members $25 Non-members $30.Registration required.

Miscellanea

Peake Feast To Go

You can also order other sides and holiday treats. Check out Peake’sholiday offeringsand pre-order by emailinginfo@peakeofcatering.com!

Place orders by 3 pm, Dec 18.

Pick up on:

• Mon, Dec 23, 9 am to 3 pm

• Tues, Dec 24, 9 am to noon.

Quick and easy ways to pay

You probably know that you can pay for BHS transactions by credit card, but did you know that you can also pay by e-transfer?Here’s how.

In a mobile app, you may access your bank account, click “Interac e-transfer”, and first you will need to add Brock House to your bank account contacts. To do this, you only need the email addressaccounting@bhsociety.ca.

Once this is done, you may select “Send money” and insert the amount, typing in the message the product/service you’re paying (membership, course, Christmas Luncheon, etc.)

Friday Update submissions

Submissions for the Friday Update must be received bynoon of the Wednesdaypreceding publication. Content may be edited for brevity, clarity, and accordance with BHS Style Guides. Send submissions tocommunications@bhsociety.ca.