DON’T HANG UP THE GEAR!
 When the Olympic flame was extinguished on Sunday, February 28, it was like they turned off the happiness tap. Monday morning commuters were on the Canada Line, dressed in black and brown, not a piece of that amazing Canada wear from the Bay in sight. It was a smile-free zone again! Could we have packed it away so quickly? From Bill Good and Christy Clark to the rest of us, we were all asking, “How can we keep the spirit going?” The Paralympics have helped reignite the flame, but what about after that?
Sue Paish, Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia and Lorne Segal are leading the charge with Spirit of Vancouver 2.0. Spirit of Vancouver (SOV) is nine years old and was established in response to the ‘no-fun city’ label. SOV helped save the fireworks and more. Now this Board of Trade team of business leaders thinks it’s time to leverage what the Olympics have sparked in us, and build community engagement to higher levels. They are starting by encouraging everyone to wear their red, Olympic gear on Spirit Canada Fridays and make every Friday a Spirit Canada™ Friday. There’s an obvious benefit for employers to get on the bandwagon and tap into the positive energy that we had for that brief, shining moment. Make Fridays fun!
So, in this issue, we are focusing on happiness, laughter and ‘positivity’. We are going to give you ideas on where you can go have a real gut-busting laugh, how you can keep the spirit alive in your offices and on the street. We want to revisit your most happy, magical moments from the Games, and we have an interview with a woman leader who embodies positive energy—Sue Hutchison
 AT THE BOARDROOM TABLE WITH SUE HUTCHISON
We were only a few minutes into our interview with WLC Advisory Council member Sue Hutchison when we started getting flashbacks to the McKinsey event on How Remarkable Women Lead. Sue’s comments closely tracked to what McKinsey’s research showed as traits of women leaders: a strong positive framing of all situations; the unwavering belief that there are enough options so that every challenge has a solution, and even with an incredibly busy life, looking for energy-charging activities. In Sue’s case that’s skiing and being an instructor of both abled and disabled skiers. We think when you read this interview you’ll see these remarkable qualities.
To read the complete interview and find out what makes Sue so confident, her advice for Gen Y employees, and what the headline of the New York Times would be if her name was mentioned click here
PUT OUR OLYMPIC GEAR TO GOOD USE
 Weren’t those Canada clothes from The Bay the coolest things? That $90 quilted Canada jacket is now being sold on craigslist for $700. Part of SOV 2.0 is to not relegate these cool clothes to the back of the closet; let’s use them as a symbol of building a better community.
We want your ideas! Can you put a team together (in gear) to take part in the 2010 TD Great Canadian Shore Cleanup? Can your team put on their Olympic gear and go out and do work for a volunteer group?
What other ideas do you have for activities that companies can get involved in and show community spirit? Is there a cause close to your heart, where you are looking for a group to come and help you in the work you do building a better Vancouver, a better Lower Mainland, a better Canada? Is there something that a WLC team can do for our community? Share your ideas. Contact WLC vice-chair judy@workthepond.com
GOAL: LAUGH MORE IN 2010
If you haven’t been to a comedy club like the one at the Century-Plaza Hotel & Spa, you have missed a hilarious experience. There’s something about non-stop laughing that beats the little laugh you have alone in your house as you catch a Three and a Half Men joke while channel surfing. Or, get a group together and go to the River Rock and see one of the famous comics who grace their stage. If you have a place you frequent to have a great laugh send it to us.
SEND US YOUR IDEAS
Have you heard a great speaker that you think other WLC members would find interesting? Do you know an expert who wants to share his or her knowledge? Or maybe you have an innovative idea for a WLC event? We would love to hear your ideas so please send them to: info@wlcircle.com
AFTERGLOW
 Are you still basking in the glow of the spontaneous singing of O’Canada, the city-wide cheering when Canada scored ANYTHING, people hugging police officers, a massive crowd of people out to see Stephen Colbert and his moose in the plaza, and many more magical Olympic moments? Here are some others that readers shared with us:
Vinetta Peek, Vice President, Programs & Marketing, Certified Management Accountants of BC:
- “My magic moment(s) have been talking to our guests from around the world as they roam the streets of downtown Vancouver. I’ve helped a lost Olympic athlete from Slovakia find Gastown, some athletes from Sweden find a post office by walking them there (only a few blocks out of my way), and getting to know people from around the world as I stand in line for the Canada Line. Being able to be a host in the most beautiful city and province in the world is not only a great honour, it makes me proud to be a Canadian!”
Donna White, Provincial Director BC & Yukon, The Terry Fox Foundation shared this story of cancer survivor, Anna Solnickova, who carried the torch (see photo):
- “In September 2002 at the age 17, Anna Solnickova was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, the same cancer that Terry Fox was diagnosed with more than three decades ago. Within two weeks of her diagnosis, she started an aggressive chemotherapy regime and underwent surgery to remove the tumour-affected bone and muscle in her right leg. Unlike Terry, and thanks to research dollars, Anna’s leg was saved. More chemotherapy followed, but by March 2003 she returned to school and graduated, with her peers and a straight ‘A’ average. However, for the next several years Anna underwent extensive physiotherapy, in addition to subsequent operations and chemotherapy to fight infection and the spread of cancer to her lungs. The good news is that today she is healthy and happily married. Originally from the Czech Republic, it was in her Canadian ESL classes that Anna learned the story of Terry Fox. She thinks of Terry every day and knows that it was his efforts, courage and the millions of dollars that have been raised in his name that saved her leg and her life. On February 16, Anna was an official Olympic torch bearer, chosen by Douglas College to represent them by carrying the Olympic flame through New Westminster. This was truly a magical moment for Anna and one she will never forget. As she says: ‘Terry’s approach was to meet life’s challenges head on, which is what the Olympics are all about. I try to take this approach too. You can do whatever you put your mind too.’ Anna is an incredible young woman who epitomizes strength, courage, perseverance and hope. I feel truly blessed to know this incredible human being. She personifies the human spirit.”
Please share your Olympic/Paralympic stories on the WLC blog at: http://wlcircle.blogspot.com
BUILDING OUR BEST
By Sian Blyth, High Performance Director, Disabled Skiers Association of BC (DSABC)
We have all been truly inspired by the women and men who competed for Canada over the last few weeks in the 2010 Winter Games. The world watched them overcome personal challenges, the weather and of course the intense competition! Now we are being overwhelmed by the talent and abilities of the incredible athletes competing at the 2010 Paralympic Games, many of whom are from B.C.! That’s due to the work of organizations such as the Disabled Skiers Association of BC (DSABC) based in Vancouver since 1973, which provides opportunities for all participants to enjoy the benefits of adaptive skiing and snowboarding.
Through it’s ‘Building our Best’, (BOB) program, DSABC is helping to build some of these athletes and future Paralympians. Since its inception in 2003, the BOB program has focused on increasing the number of B.C. athletes on the podium during the 2010 Paralympic Games. DSABC also wanted to provide more support to athletes on the provincial team so they would be able to make the transition to the national team easier. After five seasons, there have been over 60 recreational skiers that have been introduced to racing and three who have gone on to make the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team. DSABC is proud that two of our ‘Building our Best’ alumni are competing for Canada.
The program is now focused on developing new talent beyond 2010 and recruiting and developing future generations of ski racers. Two of these up-and-coming racers are women. Chelaine McInroy from Vernon, B.C., is only 15-years-old, but has already shown huge potential and an amazing maturity as she starts out in this highly competitive alpine world. She recently won a bronze at the BC Western Canadian Championships. Andrea Holmes is a Paralympian from long jump who competed in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. Andrea is already inspiring people with her abilities in alpine skiing, as well as her considerable talents in public speaking.
BOB is certainly a true legacy of success as a result of hosting the 2010 Paralympic Games!
NOTE: Sian Blyth joined DSABC in 2004 after helping the BC Wheelchair Sports Association of BC launch its successful recruitment and retention program called Bridging the Gap, (now a national program). She has over 15 years experience working within recreation for individuals with a disability.
 SWORDPLAY, SERIOUSLY?
Is your workout in a rut? Another 30 minutes of the elliptical trainer… you know the feeling. We were driving by the SFU downtown campus one dark and rainy night (OK, there might be a pun in this) and across the street we saw a large glass-fronted studio full of people fighting with swords! This is Vancouver; we are a nuclear-free zone so what’s with all the fighting going on? This is one heck of a different way to work out—learning the art of sword, shield, long-sword and falconry. And it’s not just for alpha males. When we were in their studio, it was full of women, as well as men. And your kids―if you have a tad of nostalgia when you read books like the Dangerous Book for Boys and the Daring Book for Girls, then you can send them to Knight Camp where they learn not only swordsmanship and falconry, but also the knightly virtues of chivalry, fairness and generosity. You can even have your own corporate parties or get a group together. Think differently; act differently. That’s what happened to all of us during the Olympics—we were brave, we talked to people, smiled at them; we even wore all the same clothes! For more info: http://www.academieduello.com
 MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW
DRESS FOR SUCCESS – IMPACT an Event for Change: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Birks Vancouver Flagship store featuring CKNW’s Christy Clark as the MC.
12TH ANNUAL Courage To Come Back Awards Gala: May 6, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver Hotel with hosts Jill Krop and Kevin Evans.
YWCA Women of Distinction Awards: Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at The Westin Bayshore (5:30 – 6:30 p.m., General Reception and Silent Auction, 6:30 p.m., Awards Dinner). Tickets will be available April 6, 2010 from YWCA Vancouver.
 PARK FOR LESS AT YVR
Did you know that as a member of The Vancouver Board of Trade, you can get a 20 per cent discount off the daily rates at the following parking facilities when you show your valid Vancouver Board of Trade membership card?
- Gateway Valet & Concierge
- YVR Long-Term Parking Lot
- YVR Economy Parking Lot
Check out page 17 of the Members’ Benefits booklet (PDF).
YOUR FEEDBACK
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments, ideas for this newsletter, for speakers, for content to: info@wlcircle.com
|
