multi-anniversary special edition

Tielines
AUTUMN 2012
CanaFYR
Newsletter of the Canadian Fellowship of YMCA Retirees
MULTI-ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION
As summer turned to autumn, fifty
CanaFYR members met at historic
YMCA Geneva Park to celebrate
three different but related
anniversaries:
5th of CanaFYR
75th of a retirees
organization in Canada
Ursula Hoehner
Bonnie Mairs
Peggy McGregor
Susan Fortino
100th of YMCA Canada
(National Council)
Spread over two nights and three days,
the program included informative
speakers; instructive meetings;
entertainment and recreation. Of course
the main activity was renewing friendships
and meeting new people in the
organization. There was plenty of
opportunity for that at meals and at social
events and free time in the Lounge.
Merle Kisby
If you were not at this event, you were
missed by your friends – we hope this
issue of Tielines will allow you to share
the sense of fellowship and good times.
Keitha Davey
Russ Davey (talking to Tony Fry)
If you were there then let this rekindle
some special memories.
Bill Thorsteinson Joyce Bernhardt Jack Bernhardt Brad Clemments
Keith Latter
Norma Latter
Grace Clemments
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In either case -- look, read,
enjoy!
Tuesday Afternoon:
We arrive, unpack in our comfortable rooms then go to see who else is here.
The perfect place is the Grand Salon Lounge with its huge fireplace and groupings of tables and
well-stuffed furniture. Time to chat with old friends and colleagues –
!. Ann Toombs chats
with Micky Johnstone
2. Jackie Kennedy
renews acquaintance
with former colleague
Gordon Ramsay from
Nation al Council
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2
Later in the afternoon there was a welcoming reception, hosted by
the Multi-Anniversary Celebration Chairman, Russ Davey. The Court
Lounge with its large fireplace and well-stuffed furniture arranged in
friendly groupings was the ideal ambiance for meeting and chatting
with hors d’ouevres and beverages adding to the warmth
Joyce Bernhardt
Jerry Prado
President of WFYR
Gary Schofield
Tielines Editor
3. Val Slater chats with
YMCA Canada President
and CEO, Scot Haldane
who will be the speaker at
the evening meal.
4. Carole Bell meets special
guest Bonnie Mairs, Chair
of Secours Spéciaux.
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3
2
2
Tuesday Evening
Scott Haldane, CEO of YMCA Canada was the after dinner
speaker. He spoke of the status of YMCAs in Canada and the
progress in the implementation of Plan Y.
Of special interest was his account of his work as Chair of the
National Panel on First Nation elementary and secondary
education for students on reserve.
EDITORS NOTE: I sat at my table, refusing to
join the writhing mass but my partner, Evelyn
Eaton, successfully identified many of the more
cryptic entries. What I remember most is that I
was pegged by at least eight players as the most
likely contributor of a clue actually submitted by
that rascal Vulliez, whose reported main
achievement as a boy was being blonde, curlyhaired and flatulent.
“Who Did What?”
This after-supper activity, fiendishly contrived by
Peter Noble and conducted by Al Crawford, was
designed to promote encounters between
everybody and everybody. In the days before the
reunion, all registrants were asked to contribute
something about themselves that might be
surprising to others. These were all made
available (without the names, of course) to the
attendees who then roamed around asking all
and sundry, “Are you the one who---”. Prizes were awarded to the
teams with most correct answers.
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Privacy and liability concerns
prevent me from reporting the
details other than that the
objective was well achieved as the
centre of the room was a congerie
Norma and Al Crawford, Carole and Gerry Lang and Bonnie Mairs, check out
of retirees trying to interview each the secrets of their table mates before joining the melee.
other as speedily as possible.
Wednesday Morning
There were reports that some early morning enthusiasts went on a before-breakfast nature walk with
Brad Clemments. Tielines reporter and photographer were otherwise engaged, so could not be
there. Later interviews with eye witnesses confirmed that this actually happened. Congratulations!
Patty McGregor gave a PowerPoint presentation
on a book, she has just published, based on YMCA
postcards collected by her father, Don McGregor.
Entitled “Don’t Forget to Write” this attractive book
has reproductions of postcard photographs of many
Canadian YMCA buildings, summer camps, and
sports activities - almost all aspects of the YMCA in
Canada are represented. About one half of the
postcards in Don’s 500 plus collection is shown in
original colour. This important piece of history will
be featured in the Christmas issue of Tielines.
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Wednesday Afternoon
large rotunda at
the entrance
features a huge
representation of a
council fire. All
around are
columns with
sculpted heads of
chiefs and elders
of the Rama First
nation people. Every hour for the first ten minutes
the fire lights and the heads tell of the history of
the tribe using animatronic technology rivalling
Disney World.
Mark Douglas is a Community Story Teller
whose is called Cloud Approaching by his
community. His “Tales of the Rama People” were
received with exceptional enthusiasm and
appreciation. There were many comments about
the dramatic and effective way he explained the
consensus building process of the seven clans in
his tribe to render decision-making and life itself
a more participatory, inclusive, equitable, and
caring way to live.
With the opening of the casino on the Rama
reserve, there have come many changes in the
life and economy of the community. The casino
building itself is architecturally impressive. A
Wednesday Evening
Norris Lineweaver, Director General (Retired) of the Jerusalem
International YMCA gave a presentation entitled:
“An Oasis in a Sea of Crisis”
His thesis was that the situation in the Middle East is due to disputes
about access to fresh water more than anything else. This is a subject
that has not been sufficiently covered by the media. It was interesting to
have the perspective of Norris on this issue because of his extensive firsthand knowledge. in the problems and politics of the region.
Scottish Dancers from Orillia performed some of the country dances of
Scotland in traditional dress, making for lively and colourful
entertainment in the Court Lounge later in the evening.
This part of the reunion was organized by CanaFYR members Ron and
Carole Bell, themselves enthusiastic practitioners of this type of dancing.
Orillia hosts an annual festival of Scottish Country Dancing and gives
lessons in some secondary school classes.
The CanaFYR Players followed the dancers with their version of a radio show
(a pre-television docu-drama) based on that most exciting event of the War of
1812 when Laura Secord and her cow travelled through the night to warn
General Brock that the “Yankees are coming”.
In the photo are Merle Kisby as Laura Secord, Al Crawford as the Announcer,
Gary Schofield as Narrator and Cow, and Jackie Kennedy as agent of the
commercial sponsors of the program. N.B. great liberties were taken with the
depiction of the actual events, however the cow really did win the war.
Laurie Borne ended the evenings entertainment
with some stylings on the piano that harkened
back to younger days working in the Banff area.
The music was much enjoyed, ending the evening
on a quieter more reflective note.
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Thursday Morning
Bill Thorsteinson, CanaFYR
President, spoke of the issues
and activities that the Executive
Committee are engaged in on
behalf of the membership.
Principal among these is the
future of the organization. The
median age of the present
membership is rising and there
has been a decline in new
members joining. Bill asked for
the support and the suggestions
of all present as we determine
the direction CanaFYR will go.
Louis Vulliez made portraits of all attendees singly and as couples; he was the
sound man and Audience Animator of the CanaFYR Players and this Thursday
morning did a full hour and a half on “Computer How To” fielding any computer
related questions from the participants as they were asked. Truly a renaissance
man extraordinaire!
Tielines will not try to pass on any of Louis’s tips and instructions at this writing
for fear of getting it wrong or incomplete with potentially disastrous results.
Louis has agreed to produce a regular column in future issues of Tielines giving
advice on using computers. However he wants this to be based on real problems
that members are having. Please send any questions or requests to him by email: [email protected]
He invites any question, especially basic ones that members may feel embarrassed to ask but are
often the most important to understand. Your question will be presented anonymously if you wish.
The WFYR Team composed
of Chair, Gerry Prado Shaw;
of the Secours Spéciaux
Committee; Yukio Yamasaki,
Vice-Chair/East Asia; Bonnie
Mairs, SS/SS Fund Program
Coordinator were specially
recognized at Thursday’s
lunch. Gerry Prado Shaw
explained the purpose,
structure and activities of
WFYR. He emphasized the
importance of the
participation of CanaFYR in
the organization both in terms
of what CanaFYR can do to
support and strengthen
WFYR and the advantages to
CanaFYR in relating to
retirees the world over.
Bonnie Mairs gave a similar
perspective on CanaFYR’s
contribution and participation
in the organization of Secours
Spéciaux.
Read more details of both of
these presentations in this
issue’s REPORTS SECTION
Gerry Prado
Shaw
Laurie Yukio Bonnie
Borne Yamasaki Mairs
Good company, good food, good accommodation, good entertainment, good
information, and now Goodbye! Many thanks to Russ Davey and his team that
included: Tony Fry, Ursula Hoehner, Al Crawford. Thanks also to those who
introduced and thanked the presenters; to Hal Studholme for his Devotion/
Reflection messages, to YMCA Geneva Park and their staff; to all who
contributed to making this a signal event for CanaFYR members.
See next page for 5
names of attendees
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6
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REPORTS SECTION
EDITOR`S NOTE: Some of these reports, those of Russ Davey, Bill Thorsteinson
and Jackie Kennedy, were written with the expectation that Tielines would be
circulated before the Multi-Anniversary Reunion at YMCA Geneva Park on
September 18, 19, 20. The decision to postpone the edition until after the event
means that these reports may be “chronologically challenged” to some degree
from very little (Jackie`s) to completely (Russ`s).
SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT
Geneva Park September 18 - 20, 2012
by Russ Davey
In just a few days many
of us will be face to face
and elbow to elbow at
Geneva Park. Should
there be others who
now feel they can join us
for those three special
days, just call Ursula or
me, and we will make
sure there is both space
and a warm welcome awaiting you !!!
The planning is done, so now it is just health and
circumstance, eagerness, and travel details that
separate us. Keitha and I, Ivan and Evelyn Eaton,
and Al and Norma Crawford will meet and greet
you at the entrance to Geneva Court (note this
difference, because it saves you steps and the
bother of stopping off in the Administration
Building), get you registered, and point you to
Louis to get your picture taken, then on to your
room.
A happy hour with wine and plainer drinks and
snacks will be held in the Court Lounge.
Have not Al Crawford, with considerable help from
Ursula Hoehner and Gary Schofield done a great
job with promotions - getting the information out,
and us attenders all on board? Now we will enjoy
the wizardry of Tony Fry and Laurie Borne who
have been fitting all the pieces together for a most
enjoyable, nostalgic, invigorating three days! Of
course, President Bill Thorsteinson and others
from coast to coast have also been part of the
action!!!
Tony and Laurie will be giving us a more detailed
outline of our time together, but I’d like to add some
emphasis to two activities. Some of us may choose
to attend Louis Vulliez session on computers just to
gain a little more understanding about those digital
beasts, and pose a question or two to Louis.
Others may choose to bring their own computer
along with a list of challenges they have been
trying to overcome (get your list to Louis as soon as
you can), because Louis is prepared and able to be
really helpful. An older friend of mine, whose
daughter had presented him with a computer to get
him started in the computer age struggled and
struggled to master it. Finally got he got so irritated
he took it outside and put the axe to it! When we
asked him what drove him to that extreme reaction
he replied, "No bloody machine is going to tell me I
made a ‘fatal error" !! Maybe Louis can help some
of us avoid that destructive state!!!
The second activity is Patty and Peggy
McGregor’s presentation on Donald McGregor
and his Post Card Collection which will refresh a lot
of poignant Y history for us ! This session has
attracted interest beyond Reunion attenders. A
group of people unable to come to the conference
have indicated a strong interest in being able to
share that part of the program with us as day
guests! We have assured them that they would be
welcome.
I am also, personally, looking forward to spending
time with the "Nostalgia Room displays in Room 6
that Jack Bernhardt is organizing for us. I hope
each of us brings a picture, trinket, story - any item
that brings to the present some past moment(s)
from our Y lives for Jack to display. And tongues
will wag - - See you at Geneva Park!!!
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REPORTS (Cont`d)
President’s Corner
by Bill Thorsteinson
Our esteemed Editor and I chatted on Friday
evening and he reminded me that he needed my
column for the next edition of Tielines. “Fine”, I
said, “when do you need it?”
“Sunday would
be good.” he replied. Well, there went my
weekend. I'm not the sort who can dash off a
column in an hour or so, but I'll give it a go.
The first issue is a theme. As a retired group we
don't do much and thus there is not a lot to write
about. How about Membership? We are always
obsessing about it, so why not write about it? The
fact is our numbers have been quite stable over the
years, no matter what efforts we make to increase
them. Perhaps we should be satisfied to keep a
stable base.
So, how about services? Apart from Tielines, what
do you get for your $25 or $45. The opportunity to
contribute to Secours Speciaux? We are
Fellowship and actually we do that quite well.
The Atlantic group get together a couple of times a
year and enjoy each others' company.
In May the Eastern Ontario and Quebec gang got
together at the Bonnenfant Y Outdoor Education
and Leadership Centre.
There is a group in Winnipeg that has breakfast
every so often.
certainly looking
forward to it.
Folks are
coming from all
p a r t s
o f
Canada, Louis
from Vancouver,
Colin and
Heather from
Edmonton, Hal
and Marilyn
from Winnipeg,
Grace from
Sarnia, Mickey
from Orillia, Ivan
and Evelyn from
Niagara-on-the
Lake, Gary from
Ottawa, Peter
and Gerrie from Halifax and I haven't even
mentioned the folks from the USA, Gerry PradoShaw and Bonnie Mairs as well as our
International guests Norris Lineweaver and Yukio
Yamasaki. This is really a cross Canada and
beyond event.
I started writing at 10 am. And it is now 3:15 pm, so I
didn't finish in an hour. I did, however, take time out
to go to the Y and have my work out. As well, I
spent some time on the phone with Jack
Bernhardt; I guess I didn't do too bad. See you at
Geneva Park, I hope.
Gary visited Vancouver and wrote about how
much he enjoyed the fellowship out there.
The Southern Ontario folks enjoyed their recent
luncheon and the speaker, Medhat Mahdy, CEO of
the The YMCA of Greater Toronto. There certainly
is exciting news from Toronto – the collaboration
with the Pan Am Games committee and the plan
for 10 new Y's in the next 10 years!
As I reread the last paragraph, I realize that for a
group of retired people we really are quite active.
And I haven't even mentioned the Reunion at
Geneva Park. As I write this, that event is a week
or so in the future and when you read this it will be
well in the past. I know Russ and his committee
have worked hard on this event and I, for one, am
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REPORTS (Cont`d)
Membership Matters
by Jackie Kennedy
Just an aside - we came
through one of our most trying
highway experiences - a 5hour trip on the Queen
Elizabeth Way (QEW) from
Niagara Falls to Toronto
which usually takes 1.1/2
hours. We left at 8:15 p.m.
and arrived in Toronto at 1:15
a.m. Bumper to bumper rows of trucks and cars, all
anxious to get somewhere. There were lots of
construction notices and narrowing of a 4-lane
highway to 1 lane, off and on along the way, but never
a worker in sight, perhaps they would be there later in
the night or possibly the next day? ...and then dense
black smoke in the distance ahead of us. We finally
came upon the scene of a burnt out car. We didn't
have time to really take in the scene. At a much
needed service stop farther down the highway, I
commiserated with a young father who was carrying
his half-asleep son who told me they were trying to
get to London that night (and we were only going to
Toronto). This and the thought of those involved in
the accident bring you back to reality very quickly and
the realization of what the important things in life
really are.
On to business -- last call for this year - it's never too
late!! After a reminder letter to those who had not
paid their membership fees for this year and followup by the Regional VPs, 198 of our 256 members
have paid their 2012 fees. If you feel you may have
missed doing this, just make out a cheque to
CanaFYR for $25.00 single or $45.00 couple and
mail it to our Treasurer:
Ursula Hoehner
72 Citation Drive
Toronto, ON
M2K 1S8
OR if you are not sure about this, call me, Jackie, at
[email protected] or (416) 485-4372 and I will check
our record of payments received to confirm things..
We are working hard at following up with prospective
new members and always grateful to those who are
able to suggest names. Surely there is someone out
there who would like to join our group. They should
be coming in droves!
We seem to have lost track of Les Stoodley. The last
address we had is P.O. Box 416. Grand Bank, NL,
A0E 1 W0. If anyone has information on a new
address or if you have heard which area he may be
in, we would appreciate hearing from you.
Secours Spéciaux
by Laurie Borne
As of September 26, 2012 contributions stand at
$8025 from 64 members. This is slightly ahead of
last year.
The 2011 total was $11, 497 and I am hopeful this
can be met or surpassed this year. Since 2000, our
average annual contribution to the YMCA World
Alliance fund has been $12,233 with the highest
contribution being $23, 505 in the special campaign
for the Year of the World Brotherhood 2004.
Within the past few years Secours Speciaux has
provided financial assistance to Y staff and
volunteers in the Philippines, Colombia, India,
Portugal, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria.
The world Secours committee recently approved an
award of $3113 for a medical operation required by
the former General Secretary of Ghana who was
also former Executive Secretary of the Africa
Alliance. Direct financial support was also provided
both by the YMCA of Germany and the Africa
Alliance.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Bonnie Mairs
(USA) , Chair of the World
Secours Speciaux committee
and committee members Jerry
Prado Shaw (a Bolivian now
residing in Chicago), and
Yukio Yamasaki (Japan).
Each of these individuals
came to our recent CanaFYR
event at Geneva Park, all at
their own personal expense.
As your representative on the world committee, this
was my first opportunity to meet face-to-face with
other members. I was very impressed with their
motivation and commitment to Secours Speciaux.
In her remarks, Bonnie noted Canada's long
standing support of the fund and our exceptional per
capita member contributions.
All members who have not yet done so may make a
contribution by making a cheque to "YMCA Canada Secours Speciaux" and mailing it to Laurie Borne, 41
Joymar Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L5M 1G1.
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REPORTS (Cont`d)
SS/SS FUND PROGRAM COORDINATOR:
Bonnie Mairs
EDITOR`S NOTE: Bonnie Mairs, the Secours Spéciaux
Coordinator for the World Fellowship of YMCA Retirees, wrote
the following report to the WFYR Leadership Team following
her attendance at the Multi-Anniversary
Hello Friends,
Greetings from New York City. I hope you all are
well.
The photo below was taken at the CanFYR
(Canadian Fellowship of YMCA Retirees)
conference September 18 - 20 at Geneva Park
YMCA conference camp, 2 hours north of Toronto,
Canada. It was a grand event in a beautiful
setting. The planning committee did an excellent
job. It was both educational and fun. Four of our
Secours Speciaux committee were there. It was
wonderful to meet Laurie Borne in person; he was
on the conference planning committee and we
found out he is a terrific piano player!. Jerry Prado
spoke about the World Fellowship of YMCA
Retirees, Yukio Yamasaki was a special guest,
and I was able to thank the Canadians for their
long and excellent support of Secours Speciaux..
We four met to talk about Secours Speciaux. I had
emailed the Secretary General of the World
Alliance, Johan Vilhelm Eltvik, to get his advice on
fundraising, promoting the use of the fund and on
retirement planning. He responded that we
should 1) continue our efforts at fundraising as it is
impossible to know what will be needed in the
future, and 2) be cautious in promoting use the
fund in order to avoid possible abuse of it. On the
question of retirement, he reported that, in Africa,
more YMCAs now either have or plan to have
retirement funds. The problem they face is in
Greetings from WFYR
by Jerry Prado Shaw
Chair of WFYR
knowing how to set up a secure retirement fund.
Johan has received a formal request from Carlos
Sanvee, staff to the Africa Alliance of YMCAs,
asking for assistance from Secours Speciaux or
the World Fellowship of YMCA Retirees in
studying how to set up such funds. We four from
the Secours Speciaux committee feel that our
committee does not have either the mandate or
the expertise to undertake such a study. Before I
respond to Johan officially, I would like the opinion
of the rest of our committee. Do you have ideas or
suggestions about how to respond to this request?
Best wishes to you all. Bonnie Mairs
Left to right: Jerry Prado, Laurie Borne, Yukio
Yamasaki, Bonnie Mairs
EDITOR`S NOTE:The following extensive report is from a
PowerPoint presentation made at the Multi-Anniversary
Reunion. It was sent to Tielines later and adapted to this
report format by the Tielines rewrite staff.
Ubuntu. I am humble and grateful to be at your
presence. I bring warm greetings from many of
your colleagues and friends from around the world,
warm greetings yes, but, with a strong foreign
accent. I also bring the love and sincere gratitude
for all what you have done, and generously
continue doing for many of our colleagues from
overseas, including me. This has being a
remarkable, invigorating and
joyful celebration, for which I
am most grateful to all of you,
indeed it was a great
opportunity for sharing good
memories with longtime
friends, and for making new ones, enjoying your
always warm and caring Canadian hospitality.
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REPORTS (Cont`d)
Jerry Prado Shaw, WFYR 2010-2014 Chair
WFYR purpose and mission
To build and maintain fellowship among YMCA
retirees around the world both as individuals and
organized retiree groups”.
Background and history
The World Fellowship of YMCAs Retirees (WFYR)
was founded in 1994, exactly 18 years ago, when
retiree’s representatives from 10 national
movements came together at this historical place of
Geneva Park, where so many memorable events
took place in the past. The gathering was a
culmination of correspondence and consultation with
the aim of creating structured opportunities for
YMCA retirees to widen and deepen their
international relationships to bring together the
various organizations serving YMCA retirees into a
worldwide fellowship, and work for the inclusion of
retirees in countries were no appropriate
organizations existed. And you were very important
and essential architects of such a great endeavor.
Structure, functions and priorities
The structure is very simple, and very horizontal, we
have a “Leadership Team” lead by a chair person,
and nine regional vice chairs: Africa, East Asia,
South Asia, Canada, Europe, Latin America &
Caribbean, Middle East, Oceania and USA. In
addition we have a Communications Chair, The
Bridges Editors, a Treasurer and the Secours
Speciaux Chair as at large member. The officers
serve for a four year term, coinciding with the World
Alliance of YMCAs World Council Meeting, venue
where they are appointed in a so-called “WFYR
Quadrennial International Gathering”, where you are
invited to participate by virtue of right. They have a
very active e-mail interaction, one or two annual
conferences calls, as necessary, and three face-toface meetings within a service period.
We have only two budget lines: Operations and
Events. Every member on the Leadership Team
covers their own expenses. There is neither dues
structure nor fees. The budget is build thanks to
generous personal contributions from their members
and supporters; the smallest gift we received was for
US$ 15, the largest for US$ 4,500. WFYR never had
a deficit.
The main function of the WFYR Leadership Team is
to make the organization viable and relevant,
keeping in touch with its membership as much as
possible. In terms of priorities, basically it is threefold, action, service and advocacy:
1.Promote and sustain world fellowship among
retirees
2.Support the Secours Speciaux Fund of the World
Alliance of YMCAs
3.Support the Global Operating Plan of the World
Alliance of YMCAs for movement strengthening, in
two areas:
1.Volunteering with expertise that could
assist in movement strengthening
2.Fostering the attention of unsecured
retirement issues for YMCA staff
Membership
Affiliation in WFYR is open to any national or regional
organization of YMCA retirees, as well as any
individual YMCA retiree in any country. Each
affiliated organization is autonomous in defining its
membership as well as conducting and financing its
own affairs.
Currently we have 17 national organizations
affiliated to WFYR: Australia, Canada, France,
Germany, Honk Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea,
Nigeria, Philippines, Peru, Scotland, Sri Lanka,
Sweden, United Kingdom and USA.
In process to formalize affiliation: Brazil and Uruguay
In process to be organized: Chile and Taiwan
Active WFYR individuals in another 20 countries:
= Africa: Botswana, Gambia, Ghana and Kenya
=Asia: Bangladesh and New Zeeland
=Caribbean: Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago
=Europe: Finland, Greece, Netherlands,
Switzerland
=Latin América: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba,
Mexico, Paraguay and Venezuela
=Middle East: Lebanon
Bridges
It is the most important piece of our
communications strategy; the quarterly
publication of our newsletter Bridges, currently is
reaching about 400 destinations in 41 countries. It
is translated to Japanese thank to the tireless
efforts of our good friend Rev. Yukio Yamasaki, for
which we are most grateful. Discussion is under
way to see if it will be feasible to translate Bridges
into Spanish, as well. I would like to take the
opportunity to thank our editors Joyce and Len
Wilson, that despite of their current leadership role
with AYR they still dedicating great time and effort
11
REPORTS (Cont`d)
Jerry Prado Shaw, WFYR 2010-2014 Chair
MESSAGE
Why CanaFYR is important to the world?
Because you were, you are, and your commitment
and achievements over the years indicates that
you will continue to be a strong positive YMCA
influence in the world. Moreover, you have the
talent and the proven capacity to inspire others,
and uplift the spirits of our colleagues around the
world; it is not because of your wealth or
resources, but your passion, faith and caring spirit
for others. You are positively contagious; your
active participation in CanaFYR is a great example
to others, making them strong and viable. That’s
why CanaFYR is important to the world.
Why the world is important to CanaFYR / John
17:21
We were not created to live in isolation, so we
cannot denied, nor ignore one of our most
fundamental characteristics that make the YMCA
unique: our roots and tradition are international,
we need each other, then who better than us to
express the concept stated in our motto of John
17:21 “That all may be one”; especially during this
time of convulsion and uncertainty around the
world. Let’s continue finding creative ways to
exercise our role of solidarity among each other,
walking side by side, bringing hope and
encouragement through our unity and our actions.
Keeping CanaFYR strong makes the world
stronger
REQUEST
Share, motivate, keep in contact, and support
Secours Speciaux
Explore the feasibility to establish a partnership
with other retiree fellowship
Participate in the next World Council Meeting
CLOSING
“May the Lord continue blessing your journey, as
He has blessed us with your friendship, exemplary
leadership and good works through the YMCA;
let’s keep working together as our great
predecessors always did”. Thank you! Merci!
Gracias!
Front page of the June
issue of Bridges the
Newsletter of WFYR.
There is news and
updates of YMCA
retiree organizations
from all around the
world.
You can see the whole
issue at:
www.yretiree.org
12
REMEMBERING
ANDREW "ANDY" STEWART
Mr. Andrew
"Andy" Stewart
Allan of Sussex
and formerly of
Saint John
passed away on
January 27, 2012
at the age of 79.
He was the son of the late W. Forrest
and Lucy (Smith) Allan. Andy is
survived by his wife, Miriam "Mim",
his daughter Leslie Johnston (Frank)
of Saint John, his son Drew (Kim) of
Waterford, his step children: Allan
Foley (Peggy) and Anne Moore (David)
all of ON; his grandchildren: Laura
and Blake Johnston and Amanda and
Matthew Allan; his step
grandchildren: Christopher and Drew
Moore and Donald Foley; his sisterin-law, Sandra Freeman (Bryant) of
Riverview; as well as several nieces,
nephews, cousins and many
wonderful friends. He is predeceased
by his rst wife, Carol (Josselyn)
Allan who passed away in 1997
and by his son, Stewart E. Allan
who passed away in 1981.
Andy was retired from W.F. Allan
Warehouse and Transport Ltd. He
was a member of Zion Lodge #21
F&AM and Portland Lodge #10
F&AM Saint John.
Andy Allan was one of eight fellowship
students at the Montreal YMCA, while
attending Sir George William
University (now Conchordia). He later
returned to his home time where he
worked at the Saint John Y for a few
years before entering the family
business. One of his Y jobs was Camp
Director. CanaFYR member Ken
MacKeracher remembers him as a
person, like himself, who had been
positively inuenced by the YMCA. A
few years ago he met Andy and Mim at
the house of a mutual friend, Dick
Simpson in Sussex.
Another Y retiree, Bill Gerhardt, tells
us that Andy was his best YMCA
friend. Although his career in the Y
was not that long, he was deeply
committed and maintained a close
r e l a ti o n w i t h th e o r g a n i z a t i o n
through Y’s Men Club (he was a Past
President) and other volunteer
connections. His community
leadership extended beyond the Y
notably to the Masonic Lodge
where he served a term as Grand
Master and to athletic activities
especially those at Polley
Mountain Ski Resort.
The street address and email
address of his wife may be found
in the Roster under the
“ALLAN, Miriam” entry.
Help Needed. We have no system for learning of the passing of persons who
have had a significant involvement in the Canadian YMCA other than what is sent
to us by our members and friends. We wish to honour and recognize all who have
had a connection and may be known to our members. If you hear of the death of
such a person please inform us by contacting the Remembrance Correspondent:
Ken MacKeracher, 31 Alexander Street, Suite 1419, Toronto, ON, M4Y 1B2
mack@!sympatico.ca, (416) 966-8660
13
EVENTS
CanaFYR Spring Gathering
Eastern Ontario and Quebec Region Thursday, MAY 24th
at Bonnenfant Y Outdoor Education and Leadership Centre
by Gary Schofield
This well used facility of the National
Capital Region YMCA-YWCA is
named for Louis Bonnenfant who was
the General Secretary of the Ottawa
YMCA when first I began my fulltime
career with the Y in 1957. He was a
hardworking, dedicated man who
inspired the staff and the leaders to
produce their best by the example he set in
his own work. He was CEO when the YMCA and the YWCA amalgamated and then successfully took on the
largest financial campaign in the history of Ottawa (by a charitable youth-serving organization) and then
oversaw the building of a new YMCA-YWCA on a property that was once the site of the arena where the
original Ottawa Senators played hockey. CanaFYR members Ivan Eaton, Sandy Keir, Bern Grady, Vic
Hryhorchuk, Mary Hackett, and Bill Thorsteinson, and probably several others whose names do not come to
mind as I write this, worked with Louis as colleagues or subordinates over the years. A group of volunteer
leaders, now in their 70's still get together once a year in his memory.
Louis was an enthusiastic canoe tripper. It is fitting that this
camping operation (formerly “Camp Y on the Ottawa”) bears
his name. Kate Boyd, a product of the Y girl’s Camp Davern,
manages the facility and hosted the ten members of the
CanaFYR group. The unique feature of the centre is the
climbing apparatus scattered about the camp. There are eight
separate sets from the simple climbing net and slide
combination for young campers to the high rope apparatus,
challenging for any age and skill level.
Posed typically on the dining hall steps are:
Top steps: Jack Bernhardt, Mary Douglas; Roger Wilson; Ann Wilson; Kate Boyd.
Bottom steps: Joyce Bernhardt, Bill Douglas, Irene Watson. Not shown: Frank Stacy, Gary Schofield
14
EVENTS
Central and Southern Ontario Region
Spring luncheon Thursday, May 31, 2012
A total of 38 CanaFYR members and guests turned
out to hear and see Medhat Mahdy’s PowerPoint
presentation on the Toronto YMCA’s involvement
with the 2015 Pan Am Games and the large and
impressive facility that will become, after the games:
The Cherry Street YMCA. Medhat is the President
and CEO of the YMCA of greater Toronto. He must
be congratulated for his part in negotiating this
stunning opportunity for the YMCA.
The meeting took place at the Metro Central YMCA,
a new facility with some striking and interesting
features, that we hope to highlight in future issues.
Medhat Mahdi points out some architectural drawings of
facilities planned for the Cherry Street YMCA
Below and at right:
Attendees share good food and
fellowship and an interesting update on
YMCA prospects in Toronto
Attendees
Ron and Carole Bell
Jack and Joyce Bernhardt
Laurie Borne
Don and Kay Brundage
Al and Norma Crawford
Franca D’Angelo
Russ and Keitha Davey
Bill Dobie
Susan Fortrino
Ursula Hoehner
Jackie Kennedy
Merle Kisby
Henry Labatte and
Jean Cuddy
Gerry and Carole Lang
Ken MacKeracher
Medhat Mahdi
Shirley Marescaux
Alan and Grace McCann
Janet Howell (McCann)
Peggy McGregor
Marlene McPherson
Peter and Cathy Noble
Hyacinth Reynolds
Gary Schofield
Valerie Slater
Jake Smythe
Bill Thorsteinson
Jim and Roberta Wise
Mehdi Zobiery
15
EVENTS
This YMCA centre will be a legacy of the Pan Am Games, a partner in creating a vibrant and
diverse community. A state-of-the-art 51,000 square foot centre, it will feature youth and
community spaces, a gym, swimming pool and fitness studios. This YMCA Centre of
Community will serve more than 8,000 people in a neighbourhood whose population is
projected to increase 13.5% by 2020. From: http://canarydistrict.com/canary-district/ymca/
16
CONTRIBUTIONS
EDITOR’S NOTE: At the Eastern Ontario and Quebec CanaFYR meeting on May24, 2012, Bill Douglas told of the bike
and barge trip he made with wife and some family members. I asked him to write it up so other members could share
the experience and perhaps be inspired to do something similar. Here is his contribution. Thanks Bill!
A FEW DAYS IN TWO BEAUTIFUL
COUNTRIES
by Bill Douglas
There have been significant changes in Holland
and Belgium. I can only imagine how it was when
my Dad served in the Canadian Army. People
were starving and had little comforts of living.
Our tour guide told us, in a tearful manner, how
her Dad had been taken away to work in the
German factories during the Second World War
and how they boiled tulip bulbs to eat.
My own father was very taken with the Dutch
people and only had good things to say about
them. My mother would send over packages of
food and goodies so my Dad could give them to
the children.
I did visit Belgium and Holland in 1972 on a short
trip. I was impressed by how prosperous and
clean the countries were, particularly Holland,
with it's extensive canals in the cities and villages
and throughout the country side
t was with this background that my wife Mary and
her two brothers and spouses decided that we
would do a Bike and Barge trip to Holland and
Belgium to celebrate my wife's 70th birthday. We
spent 2 weeks traveling the rivers and canals and
biking 400 km mainly on back roads, through
small villages and on the dykes. Biking is a big
thing in Holland and Belgium and the bike paths
are excellent.
We went with the Road Scholar Organization
(formerly Elderhostel) so the emphasis was, as
well as biking, on learning about the two
countries culture, history, economics and
politics.
The day we arrived May 5th was the
Remembrance and Liberation time. Everything
in Holland stops for 2 minutes to remember the
war and give thanks for the liberation of Holland.
Several times individuals thanked us for the
Canadian's contribution in the war and the
sacrifices of many young Canadians.
Bill and Mary
Douglas
I certainly agree with my Dad's assessment of the
Dutch and Belgium people. They are friendly
and very service oriented. Both Belgium and
Holland are beautiful countries. Many of their
houses are brick with tile roofs and carefully
manicured hedges and flower beds. They are
continually fighting against floods and they say
that is what unites them as large parts of the land
are below sea level.
The day we arrived May 5th was the
Remembrance and Liberation time. Everything
in Holland stops for 2 minutes to remember the
war and give thanks for the liberation of Holland.
Several times individuals thanked us for the
Canadian's contribution in the war and the
sacrifices of many young Canadians. We
thoroughly enjoyed our trip and have great
impressions of the people of Holland and
Belgium.
17
CONTRIBUTIONS
LUNARPHOBIA
I hate the moon. I always have, at least since I was eight. It haunts me, that pale, insipid orb
with the leering face. Even when it's around the back of the earth I sense it lurking there, ready
to steal the satisfaction of a warm summer's eve. It mocks me. It remembers.
Why this phobia about our beloved satellite, you ask? It's a long story; get comfortable.
I was eight years old, a kid a bit too chubby for my size, but still full of you-know-what and
vinegar. Like all eight year olds I had a vivid imagination, Red Ryder, Buck Rogers, Johnny
Weismuller, all idols. And given the era, any sort of Canadian war hero, I was all these and
more. So it was a natural that when I had a chance to go to YMCA camp for the Victoria
weekend, I jumped at the chance. Mom was worried of course, but my dad was all for it,
especially since my big brother was paying the $12.00 cost.
Camp started out as more than I expected, a fun bus ride, a long hike lead by terric leaders
followed by a dinner of beans and wieners, stuff every kid loved. And then to cap it off, a camp
re with songs and yells and a scary ghost story. But I never let on that it scared me, no siree!
When the one light bulb in our small cabin was turned off it suddenly dawned on me, I had
never been away from mom and dad before, never slept anywhere but in my own bed, never
been enveloped in absolute blackness for a whole night. Icy ngers of fear began to slither down
my spine.
Then I noticed a faint light coming in from between the boards of the wall by my head. I looked
out and there it was, a full moon. Suddenly the ghost story, which featured a full moon came
back. As I looked out the moon seemed to pulse with my speeding heart rate. I was sure it was
making the faint outlines of trees waver and shift. I became aware of faint noises just outside,
scratching and squeaking. Some creatures were trying to get in! And that moon with its bulging
eyes and leering smile just stared down, enjoying my predicament. No matter how hard I held
my eyes shut, the light of that moon worked his way in. To add to my dilemma I had to pee.
I don't remember going to sleep. I woke up curled into a tight ball at the foot of my bed roll. But
the light coming in gave me hope, it was a bright sun. I had survived my night of moon-lit terror.
Just then our leader came in. He asked, "Did you see that great full moon last night?" Then he
announced with equally sickening enthusiasm, "Tonight we'll have another terric campre and
ghost story because there'll be another full moon." I nearly threw up.
Hal Studholme, Winnipeg, June 2012
18
CONTRIBUTIONS
The “Y” Secretary’s Job
To know a bit about the law
A little bit, in point of fact
Of United Nations’ latest act
Jobs for the unemployed to find
To read what may improve the mind
To keep abreast of politics
The news, and plays, and latest flicks
As serpent subtle, dove-like, wise
And day by day evangelize…
When he on high hands in his check
I’ll bet St. Peter says, “By heck,
A common man? Good Lord, not very!
Another Y.M.C.A. Secretary!”
To make a speech, to sing a song
To run a decent restaurant
To do accounts and keep the books
To interview with touts and crooks
To use a racquet, cue or bat
To have offenders on the mat
To help a lad who’s in disgrace
To keep another in his place
To run committee, and in between
Produce a local magazine
To help, to teach, to lead, to learn
To do a statistical return
To curb the hostel’s rowdy boarder
To see the plumbing is in order
And if he has the gift, perchance
To help to raise the joint finance
To see the cleaners don’t get lax
To deduct the income tax
To help the members, old and new
To answer letters from H.Q.
To use a hammer and a saw
By: J.C.G. Marshal
Bournemouth (Hampshire), England
Reproduced from “Secretary” (Journal of the
World Federation of Associations of Secretaries
of YMCAs)
Contributed by Ed Fox
1963 III 2
A staff retreat at Camp Sunfish in 1951
17
18 19
Contributor: Ian Fleming
21 22 23
24 25
20
26
9
11
10
1
2
27
12 13
4
5
14
6
30
28 29
15
16
7
8
3
Do you recognize any of these guys? If so, please send us the names
referenced by the numbers. We would like to identify them all.
Please send by email if possible to Editor: [email protected]
This is intended for next issue of Tielines.
19
CONTRIBUTIONS
Lisgar Collegiate - Ottawa - Boys Hi-Y Club 1953
3
2
1
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the Year Book photo of this club the year after I graduated. It was left in the
“Nostalgia Room” at the YMCA Geneva Park during the Multi-Anniversary Reunion; I saw it just as I
was leaving so I scooped it up as a personal memento of my first official involvement with the YMCA.
(I used to go to the Y to play table tennis in the spacious adult lounge, but was never a member).
This participation in Hi-Y led me to become a counsellor at camp, a Saturday Morning part-time
staffer and later a career Secretary. It was certainly a piece of nostalgia for me. Although I was no
longer in the club when this picture was taken, the names and faces triggered memories of those
great teenage years – I was a happy nerd.
Of more general interest are the photos of some who do appear: (1) Bill Thorsteinson, our CanaFYR
President, (2) Neville Poy - brother of Adrienne who became Governor-General and now a wellknown GTA Plastic Surgeon in his own right, (3) Mort Low - son of Solon Low, then leader of the
Social Credit Party.
Lisgar Collegiate is a special school – something I did not realize when I first went there. Its
`catchment` included Rockcliffe Park the ritziest of the Ottawa districts as well as some middle to
lower economic class neighbourhoods in suburbs like
Sandy Hill (where I lived). It has a long history of
academic excellence and provincial `firsts` - first to admit
girls, first to hire a female teacher etc. The Wikipedia
entry on Lisgar Collegiate gives many examples of the
honours won over its history that began in the mid
1800s. Most interesting, is the list of well-known alumni,
among whom are: Paul Anka - Singer; Dan Aykroyd - Comedian, actor, screenwriter, and musician;
Adrienne Clarkson - noted broadcaster and 26th Governor General of Canada; Eugene Forsey Former Canadian Senator, constitutional expert; Lorry Greenberg - Former Ottawa mayor; Lorne
Greene - Newsreader, actor, and Star of TV's Bonanza; Ann Heggtveit - World and Olympic ski
champion; Donald Jackson - World champion figure skater, first to perform a triple lutz jump; Peter
Jennings - ABC News anchor; Rich Little - Impressionist; Shelagh Rogers - Journalist.
Although I have done nothing to advance my old high school`s reputation, yet I take a certain
undeserved pride in having attended. It's a lot like I feel about being Canadian: very lucky!
20
A Special Appeal
As many of you know, CanaFYR received a bequest from the Roy Brookbanks estate in 2007, just as the
organization began. The bequest has not been touched so far; but it has provided some hundreds of dollars in
interest to the general funds.
Several members of the Board have wished to use these funds in support of deserving YMCA projects, but
there was never a consensus as to which these were nor whether the funds should be used in this way at all.
Since the bequest came “with no strings attached” the matter remained unresolved and the money remained
in our bank account.
At the Board Meeting in May, our V-P West, Val Slater, brought to the attention of the Board some very
interesting work being done by the Prince George YMCA in partnership with First Nations communities in the
Nass Valley, northern BC. Val was asked to contact the Prince George YMCA to determine if there was a
specific project we could support that was within CanaFYR’s limited ability. What follows below is a slightly
edited version of the project they would like CanaFYR to financially support. Please read it carefully.
Healthy Kids Day at Gitlakdamix
A Partnership Project of the
The Family YMCA of Prince George was established in 1964 to provide recreation programs and services for
people of all ages and abilities.
The Family YMCA's 2011 – 2016 Strategic Plan includes expansion into other northern communities,
increased local program delivery, creating new stakeholder partnerships, infrastructure enhancements and
the desire to be the key organization delivering wellness programs in northern British Columbia.
Regional outreach completed since 2011 includes summer recreation programming offered in Fraser Lake
and Vanderhoof, child care expansion into Vanderhoof and attending the upcoming Fort St. James Health
Fair. We expanded the marketing of our national Fitness Certification course and attracted participants from
other communities such as Quesnel and Fort St. James.
GITLAKDAMIX (New Aiyansh)
Located in the heart of the Nass
Valley, Gitlakdamix is one of four
First Nations communities known as
the Nisga'a Nation: Gitwinksihlkw
(Canyon City), Gingolx (Kincolith),
Lax Galts'ap (Greenville).
The
Nass Valley is home to
approximately 2,000 residents and
is located 150 km north of Terrace
(the largest city in the area and
closest airport). The area has
been inhabited by the Nisga'a for
thousands of years.
Alaska
Nass Valley
Prince
Rupert
Terrace
Prince
George
The Nisga'a Final Agreement was finalized in 2000, settling land claims and creating self-government.
PARTNERSHIP
Since 2007, at the request of the YMCA Western Region Management Resource Centre, the Prince
George YMCA has served as the first point of YMCA contact with the community of Gitlakdamix. Since then
YMCA staff have traveled to this remote First Nations community several times, led youth fitness leadership
training for staff here in Prince George to take back to Gitlakdamix and donated our gently used fitness
equipment to them all at our own expense. In the summer of 2011, the CEO of YMCA Canada travelled to
Gitlakdamix accompanied by the CEO's of the Prince George and Vancouver YMCA's.
21
Healthy Kids Day at Gitlakdamix (cont’d)
In 2009, we organized ten youth from Gitlakdamix to attend the Great Canadian Youth Migration
exchange with youth from North Vancouver and Toronto. Many of these youth had never travelled
outside the Nass Valley!
The YMCA contact in Gitlakdamix is Alvin Wright who manages the
Recreation Centre. Alvin travels to the YMCA AGM every year and was instrumental in our efforts to
bring Healthy Kids Day to his community.
In 2012, nine YMCA staff travelled by YMCA bus to the Nass Valley to hold the first Healthy Kids Day.
This annual community wellness event is celebrated in June by every YM/YWCA in Canada and
promotes healthy living for children and their families with free, games, activities and more. Prince
George has been hosting the event since 2008.
YMCA staff visited Gingolx and Lax Galts'ap before settling in Gitlakdamix where they were
treated to a traditional Nisga'a meal consisting of locally caught salmon, sea lion and sea weed. Gifts
and welcomes were exchanged between the YMCA and Nisga'a elders in the traditional Nisga'a way.
The Gitlakdamix Healthy Kids Day was June 28th and attracted over
200 children to the local Recreation Centre from the surrounding villages. Games ranged from
infant/toddler to school age with tail tag, fitness demos and our bouncy castle. Every participant was
given a gift bag with nutritional info, suggested activities, and water bottle.
Response to this event was extremely positive on both sides. The YMCA took first steps to re-establish
a presence in the area and was very much welcomed
by the community. Please visit www.pgymca.com and
click on the You Tube link to watch the video we
produced on the trip.
THE FUTURE
The Family YMCA of Prince George is keen to return to
Gitlakdamix in 2013 and beyond with Healthy Kids
Day.This is a mobile program that travels well and can
be adapted to whatever setting we find ourselves in.
Our team learned quite a bit from the first event, and
adjustments for 2013 include a date change to later in
the summer and hosting different activities.
The Prince George YMCA is asking us to sponsor this
event in the amount of $5,200.00 which is based on there actual expenditures to do the same thing
earlier this year:
Significant expenses associated with Healthy Kids Day in Gitlakdamix are travel and staff time. It's a
650km drive from Prince George - one day there, and one day back (there are no shortcuts). The Prince
George YMCA has committed $6000.00 to the project for total revenues of $11,200. Their expense
budget for the project in 2013 is as follows:
Salaries of 7 Y staff plus the bus driver,
$6000;
Hotel Accommodation
$2100;
Transportation (the Y bus),
$ 750;
Food,
$1000;
Gifts and Promo T-shirts,
$1,350.
A total of $11,200
Prince George YMCA is putting in $6000, CanaFyr was asked to contribute the remaining $5200
22
Healthy Kids Day at Gitlakdamix (cont’d)
Valerie Slater presented this proposal at the Board meeting that we had during the reunion. Although
the Board was impressed by this project, the request was turned down because the now prevailing
opinion is that Roy Brookbanks more likely meant the bequest to be used to strengthen and maintain
CanaFYR than to be given away to a project, however worthy, that was not closely associated with our
work with YMCA retirees.
Although the latter is the position I have taken from the outset, I felt badly that Val working in good faith
with a mandate given by the Board had raised expectations that we now would not fulfill. Could we
make this a special appeal to the membership? Might there be other YMCA projects that we could
investigate on behalf of the members then recommend financial support? Neither of these suggestions
met with any enthusiasm. Our special charity is Secours Spéciaux; we do not want to start any
fundraising that might compromise our support for this important and very relevant cause.
As editor of Tielines, I asked for and received permission to explain the circumstances to the
membership in the newsletter. Any who cared to give one-time support to the Gitlakdamix can do so
but there will be no other communication by letter, phone or email. Contributions go directly to the
Prince George YMCA. There has already been a substantial donation. An anonymous donor who made
a large contribution to the travel pool has given permission for the unused portion to go to Healthy
Kids Day at Gitlakdamix. Also at the meeting, during the discussion I said I would support the
program with a donation; and I will. So there are two contributions for a start. An email sent to Val gives
instructions to any other members inclined to support this project, on how to donate .
Hi Valerie
Your members can donate two ways: cheque or on-line.
1. Cheques can be mailed to:
Family YMCA of Prince George
Box 1808
Prince George
BC V2L 4V7
Please ask your members to indicate that the donation is for New Aiyansh.
We will send them a receipt.
2. People can donate on-line
http://www.ymcastrongkids.ca/
Click Donate, then Prince George
Receipt is processed at time of donation.
Thanks for your support!
The Gym Equipment put to good use.
Traditional Nisga’a Dance Group
Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a Institute
23
Retirement Living for Y Staff and Volunteers
Open House October 31 Midnight to Dawn
There’s a place
for you at
CanaFYR
anor
Don’t worry about how to get there - - we’re coming for you!
Tielines is the official newsletter of the “Canadian Fellowship of YMCA
Retirees” or “CanaFYR” as it is called more informally. It is published
three times per year with logistic help from YMCA Canada.
Executive Committee:
Provincial Representatives:
Past President - Jack Bernhardt
President - Bill Thorsteinson
President Elect - Gary Schofield
Vice President West - Val Slater
Vice President Ontario - Ron Bell
Vice President Atlantic - Peter Green
Secretary - Merle Kisby
Treasurer - Ursula Hoehner
Membership Coordinator - Jackie Kennedy
Secours Spéciaux Chair - Laurie Borne
Tielines Editor - Gary Schofield
British Columbia - Louis Vulliez
Alberta - Garth Toombs
Saskatchewan - Peter Whitenect
Manitoba - Brent Thomas
Ontario West - vacant
Ontario East - Bill Douglas
Quebec - Bill Russell
New Brunswick - Ed Fox
Nova Scotia - vacant
P.E.I. and Newfoundland Labrador - Gary
Bell
Membership is open to former YMCA staff members and long service volunteers now retired.
For more membership information contact:
Jackie Kennedy, 56 Petman Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4S 2S8; [email protected]