Annual Report - Tricity Iranian Cultural Society

Annual General Meeting
&
Elections
AGENDA
1. Welcome guests
2. TCICS board of directors report
3. TCICS financial report
5. Elections
6. Networking and Refreshments
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Coquitlam Public Library-City Center
1169 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC
6:00 – 8:30 pm
TCICS Board of Directors Report
Aug, 27, 2014 – September, 24, 2015
Current Directors:
Fatemeh Zakeri, Chairperson
Parvin Fatemi: Vice Chair
Susan Neisani: Treasurer
Nasrin Sarbaz: Secretary
Mojgan Heydarpour: Board Member
Mary Nia: Appointed Member
Directors Assigned by Board
Araz Rismani
Davood Sheikhzadeh
Alternative Directors Assigned by Board
Mary Nia
Executive Summary:
One more year of hard work, dedication, cooperation, challenges, differences,
from Board Members and volunteers and of course a year of success for TCICS.
August 2014, a new board started with full energy, bringing new ideas and a
promise to follow up on inherited projects and events.
Two successful grant applications enabled the new board to organize and run
many beautiful events and projects.
Board faced challenges due to reduced number of board members and brought
in help of few dedicated community members to increase its capability in running
projects. Volunteers, as usual, were there to help in many ways.
TCICS is all about volunteer work of many dedicated and hard working volunteers,
and nothing else.
Following are some highlights of the achievements of year 2014-2015.
HIGHTLIGHTS OF ACHIVEMENTES:
Receiving the Spirit of Coquitlam Grant for the second year with the amount
of $30.620.00 for “Charshanbeh Suri” (Fire Festival) and “Nowruz” (New Year)
celebrations granted by City of Coqutilam.
 Charshanbe Suri Event
 Nowruz Event
 Nowruz Hamper Project
 Sizdah Be Dar Participation
 Volunteer Appreciation Party
 Approval of $14,280.00 from New Horizon for Seniors
 Art classes
 GALA Night Recognition
 Yalda Night Celebration
 Workshop in collaboration with ISSofBC
 All Nations Festival
 Senior Project
 Upgrading website and administration software
 Expanding our relationship with City of Coquitlam, and Glen Pavilion
Senior Center and Coquitlam Public Library
 Involving Advisory Committee
 Increasing number of sponsors and volunteers
Challenges:
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Securing office space (Some work done, not yet successful )
Making Revenue for TCICS to achieve its Goals
Working on Administration aspects
Revising TCICS By-Law
Reviewing TCICS Mission and Vision
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES REPORT
Charshanbeh Suri & Norooz 1394 / 2015:
TCICS received a grant of $30.620.00 for both these events, the highest
funding among all 29 grant applicants. In total we have had the helping
hand of 50 great volunteers, from all age ranges, collected a total of
$11,530.000 of sponsorship and paid the amount of $3925.00 of
honorarium to our partially volunteered artists.
Charshanbeh Suri – March 17: One more successful event with lots of
work around receiving City Hall, Fire Department and Fraser’s Heath’s approval.
There were more than 5000 participants at this event that enjoyed their
time to its best. Ace Heating and Cooling, provided fire pits and fire torch. One
more time, all fire pits were buried underground. With the grant we were able to
hire someone to help withthe labour work and pay for the long hrs of work for Majid
who has left his work to help us out. As last year, we got visitors from all over
Vancouver Lower mainland even from West Vancouver, where the Charshanbeh suri
has been celebratedfrom many years. Again a long wait line for fire jumping.
The DJ PM Pro and Melody live band music entertained attendees with great music
and songs.
The following officials attended our events and gave a speech.
Mr. Fin Donnelly, MP-New Westminster-Coquitlam
Mr. Douglas Horne, MLA Coquitlam-Burke Mountain
Ms. Linda Reimer, MLA-Port Moody-Couqitlam
Greg Moor, Port Coquitlam Mayor
Selina Robinson, MLA- Coquitlam-Mailllardville
Brent Asmundson, Acting Mayor and City Councillor of Coquitlam
Nowruz- March 22:
This year, TCICS went ahead and planned for an additional program for Nowruz.
Beside the day program, An indoor program enabled those who were not able to
attend the day program enjoy the program and it gave an opportunity to many
local artists to perform and entertain people. Many sponsors supported us by
providing info on their services and products to attendees. Vancity and Money
Way were our two major sponsors. Everything went well till the rain started and
was followed by cold wind. People were coming to the event but could not last
long as the weather was not allowing. Still we had all arranged programs on the
stage and attendees visited the boosts. The Mega “Haft Seen Table” had attracted
many of our visitors and was the centerpiece for people to pose and take pictures.
In total we had about 25 sponsors and 6 group or individuals preformed in both events.
All performers and some people involved as volunteers, at these two events, received
honorarium for their time and contribution. There was live music and cultural dance
performances on stage. Kids enjoyed the event the most. Some played mini soccer, some
enjoyed the physical activities in the Tumble Bus, some were excited for the figures
painted on their face and some were relaxed listening to stories read by Coquitlam Public
Library. The all enjoyed craft work of making a mock from Haftseen Table. There were lots
of presents and gifts to be awarded after adult and kids participated in the games
arranged on the stage.
The evening part of the program was held at Evergreen Theater.
11 different activities such as music, dance, poetry reciting and games were amused all of
the attendees in two intervals.
The following officials attended our events and gave a speech.
Mr. Fin Donnelly, MP-New Westminster-Coquitlam
Mr. Douglas Horne, MLA Coquitlam-Burke Mountain
Ms. Linda Reimer, MLA-Port Moody-Couqitlam
Greg Moor, Port Coquitlam Mayor
Selina Robinson, MLA- Coquitlam-Maillardville
Brent Asmundson, Acting Mayor and City Councillor of Coquitlam
Nowruz Hamper Project
Nowruz Hamper Project was an initiative project proposed by a community
member and a friend of TCICS. The project was a similar project to Christmas
Bearue. A referral from was prepared and used by few people working with
Iranian community referring candidates to the project for a Hamper. We
managed to collect $2900.00 which was distributed to 20 families, in term of
gift cards worth of $50 to $150, depending on the size of the family.
Sizdeh Be Dar Participation
Mini Soccer Tournament for Sizdeh be dar event in Tricity was a new initiative in
the community. It was an intro of the game for kids in Nowruz and was the first
time ever Sizdeh be Dar event at TC. TCICS provided some support to this
program as well.
Volunteer Appreciation Party
As usual, the only way TCICS is able to appreciate its volunteer and their great
job in our events and projects was a fun and entertaining dinner party. A
discounted food from Shish Kabab and free food from Pasta Polo, was an
addition to the party. We had about 60-70 people attending and again volunteer
artists, made the night to a memorable night for all.
Building Bridges for Iranian Seniors
TCICS Board started senior’s club activities from January 2014 with 2 hrs weekly class.
The activities included: Yoga, English conversation, workshops, and games.
We celebrated Father’s Day and Mother’s Day with our seniors with food, music and
dance. Computer Classes expanded to 3 different levels and volunteer teachers were
amazing with contributing their time and knowledge.
Then the funding for ‘Iranian Newcomer Seniors Building Bridges’ project, came in
right on time. Funding from “New Horizons for Seniors Program” helped TCICS to
enhance its programs for isolated seniors. A coordinator was hired to assist us with the
project.
Since the money allocated to this position was very little, the coordinator agreed to
manage the project with contributing volunteer work as well. To this date, it is
successful project. Activities under this project were:
July 06, 2015: First Gathering
participants: 40
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Introducing the senior project and funder
Registration for senior’s project
Recruiting volunteers to help with project
Introducing upcoming events
June 25, 2015: First Field Trip to Mackin House Museum
Participants: 21
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To
To
To
To
To
assimilate and integrate into Canadian culture
Socialize in order to increase isolation
learn more about Canadian Culture
Communicate with other seniors
enjoy and having fun
July, 01, 2015: Canada Day
Participants: More then 40
 Being part of society
 Better understanding of Canadian and other cultures in Tri- City
 Interacting seniors with youth
July 20, 2015: Field trip to Mundy Park
Participants: 23
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Getting to know each other
Finding new friends
Doing some fun activities outside
Having fun
August, 10, 2015: Field Trip to Harrison Hot Spring
Participants:
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Collaboration with “South Granville Seniors Centre “
Socializing with other seniors from different ethnics
Getting familiar with new places and sights
Having fun
August, 12, 2015: Nutrition Workshop
Participants: 65
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Learning How to make Healthy Meals
Making healthy snack
Being together
Sharing ideas about healthy nutrition
Having Fun together
August, 27, 2015: Field Trip To Victoria
Participants: 43
 visiting Victoria capital city of BC
 seeing Some Famous Places in Victoria
 Taking a trip with Ferry and having fun
Sep, 19, 2015: Tea Party In library
Collaboration with Glen Pine Pavilion
 Getting familiar with different ethnic background culture like
Chinese, British ,Spanish, Korean and Canadian
 Sharing different food from different culture
 Singing songs
Drawing classes
The idea of our Drawing Classes was made by Elmira Habib, a young friend
of TCICS. Drawing classes were offered during spring and Sumer of 2015
with a session per week. In total, classes had 10 kids and 3 adults attending.
There was a $5 charge per session and teachers received some honorarium.
New round of classes will start in Oct 2015. Student had the opportunity to
showcase their art work at TCICS booth at Canada Day event.
Canada Day Celebration
As many other past years, TCICS was an active participant in Canada Day celebration
organized by City of Coq.
We had a booth, displaying art craft, music, costumes art, face painting. The most
amazing part of the event was that we matched member of our senior club with young
kids from TC Mini Soccer to participate in the Parade. One more fun event for all.
GALA Night Recognition
This year “The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society” was focused on Persian
Culture. TCICS was recognized as a successful and active society in Tricity and was
nominated to receive an award. Board Members attended the Gala Night on May 29th
and received the award on behalf of the Iranian community at TC.
Yalda Night Celebration
This year we had collaboration between three local organizations, Art and
Literature Club, TCICS and Hafez Literature Club. Thanks to Morteza
Moshtaghi, who did the most of the work and coordinated all aspects of the
event. A night with speeches, poetry, short film, music and finger food
made a Yalda Night Celebration.
Workshop in collaboration with ISS of BC
TCICS on its series of Educational Workshops had a very successful one with
the partnership of ISS of BC for its members with the topic of Skills connect
for immigrants with 37 participants on Jan. 12 , 2015. This informative
workshop helped the participants to get to know about a program which
can help skilled immigrants to find a job that matched their skills, training,
experience and career goals.
All Nations Festival:
A new two-day event in Coqutilam organized by City of Coquitlam.
TCICS was invited to attend and refer music and dance groups.
We had a booth on July 25th and displayed Persian art and hand craft.
Upgrading website and administration software
TCICS web site was redesigned, by volunteer work of a community
member. A website was designed and linked to TCICS website to give
visitors access to computer lessons, English and many useful programs.
The online payment system was installed on TCICS website ,giving
members and doners opportunity to make easier and faster payments .
A new email account was created to make sending group
e-mails possible.
TCICS website:
Design new WWW.TCICS.COM
Design new website for English and computer classes students
www.604canada.com
Involving Advisory Committee
TCICS has many friends who could lend their helping hands when
needed. Advisory committee was formed to get a systematic help from
these friends.
Advisory Committee had 4 meetings with Board to discuss matters such
as Nowruz Events planning
Board and Member Meetings and Matters
Board Meetings: Directors held 14 Board meetings.
Proposal Writing
As per last few years, TCICS have submitted proposal for grants. A
proposal was prepared for Charshanbeh Souri and Nowruz 2015. TCICS
received the amount of $30.620.00 to celebrate these two events.
The proposal prepared and submitted in year 2014 to New Horizon for
Seniors Program, by Ministry of Employment and Social Development
Canada, for enhanced senior program, was successful and the amount
of $14,280.00 was granted to TCICS.
A small grant application was submitted to Port-Coq Foundation for a
collaboration work between TCICS and TC Mini Soccer Festival for
Sizedeh Be Dar event, but it was not successful. Also $5000.00 Grant
application was submitted to EventHost BC, still waiting for result.
Future Plans:
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Planning to submit a proposal for 2016 “Chaharshanbeh Soori” and “Nowruz”
Planning to submit a proposal for one more round of Senior Programs
Planning for an Iranian Festival Day in Summer
Planning to make Revenue to be more self sufficient
Organizing educational workshops and art projects for Iranian of all ages
Working on securing an office space
Increasing number of TCICS members, sponsors and volunteers
A sub-committee working on By-law
Long Term Goal: Establishment of an IRANIAN COMMUNITY CENTER