Please mark November 4th and 5th for two key days of connection. On November 4th, we kick off at 7:30 AM welcoming our District Governor and Assistant Governor over monthly coffee and pastry meeting; same day followed at 5:30 PM by The Common Good featuring Anoop Virk on Project HELLO at the Vancouver Club (tickets via the VC portal or concierge). On November 5th, we proudly sponsor the Whole Way House Remembrance Day Fundraiser led by Felix J. Emmanuel. [Tickets are available here https://wholewayhouse.ca/3-remembrance-day-fundraiser/ ]
Connection is not a nice extra. It is how we stay well, and how a city becomes a community. We have curated an excellent November for you, and we hope we can count on your support as we build those connections together.
Jonathan Evans
President, Rotary Club of Vancouver Waterfront
Events & Highlights
Whole Way House Lunch Service
Following successful September and October services, join us in November for a classic tradition cherished since our club founding: preparing and serving meals for Whole Way House residents. This monthly gathering keeps our momentum strong as we prepare for our major "Boxes of Hope" event at year’s end!
Belonging is not a budget line item; it is built conversation by conversation. On Wednesday, September 2, thirty-five members of The Common Good (initiated by Neil Fancourt) gathered in the Vancouver Club’s University Room around one core belief: community is something we create together, not a budget line item.
Seniors and veterans make up 22 percent of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside—people who helped build this city, yet too often face it alone. Jenny Konkin, Founder of Whole Way House, reminded us that they need far more than shelter; they need dignity and connection through family-style wraparound care. Following table discussions, Councillor Mike Klassen joined Jenny for a candid panel exploring how government and community organizations can act as genuine partners.
Insight quickly turned into action. Moved by their volunteer experiences, Dr. Briar Sexton and Craig Gauld pledged $15,000 to Whole Way House alongside a $5,000 matching-gift challenge.
Vancouver Military Dinner Committee Kickoff Meeting
Service, stewardship, and shared responsibility stood at the heart of our recent Vancouver Military Dinner Committee meeting. Mark your calendars: the dinner is confirmed for Saturday, April 3, 2027, at the Vancouver Club.
This year, we are proud to support The Goddard Fund (alongside True Patriot Love), honoring Captain Nicola Goddard by empowering female veterans through targeted PTSD recovery, specialized medical research, and shelter support. As Rotary leads this flagship event into its next chapter, our goal is to sell out 150 seats while keeping military ticket prices accessible.
To ensure a safe and welcoming evening, veteran Aral Corumlu has been appointed Director of Guest Experience and Safety to oversee guest protocol. Meanwhile, Director of Fundraising Tom Dunn and our communications team are revitalizing our website and media strategy. Speaker recruitment is underway, with Brigadier General Krista Brody as our primary candidate.
As military spending rises, bridging civilian life and military service is more vital than ever. We look forward to honouring generational sacrifice and making this dinner’s first independent fundraiser a resounding success.
310 Alexander St
