TorontoNAJC January – March 2018 Update
February 27, 2018
The Greater Toronto Chapter of the NAJC held its 2017 Annual General Meeting on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at Momiji Centre. The business portion of the meeting consisted of the introduction of its current Board members, a review of the chapter’s 2017 activities, a report on current financial status and election of 2018 Board of Directors. The 2018 Board of Directors elected by the meeting consists of the following members: Yosh Inouye, Lynn Kobayashi, Janet Sakauye, Randy Sakauye, Ron Shimizu, Toku Suyama, Bruce Tatemichi, Kim Uyede-Kai and Michiko Yano Shuttleworth .
Following the business portion of the AGM, Guest Speaker, Lynn Kobayashi (and newly elected Boardmember) gave a very interesting presentation on her love of long distance running. (See Lynn’s article in the 2018 January issue of the Bulletin) She explained she became serious about running as a mature adult. She set specific goals for her running, joined a local track club and undertook a rigorous training program, sometimes running up to 170 kilometers a week. Over her running career, she has run in many competitions at the local, national and international levels. Her accomplishments include setting a Canadian age‐group record for 30K at the Hamilton around the Bay Road Race, 1st in her age‐group at the Chicago Marathon and in 2007 and placing third in her age‐group at the Boston Marathon, a career highlight. She has completed several Boston Marathons – explaining she had crossed the finished line just 10 minutes before the horrific bombing of the 2013 marathon. Most recently Lynn competed in the World Masters Athletics Championships in Diego City in South Korea in 2015 for which she received an NAJC Sports, Education and Arts Development Grant and in which she earned a silver medal in the 3000 Meter race and 4th place in the 1500 Meter race in the 60-64 age group. We welcome Lynn to the Board of Directors as she brings with her extensive experience in communications, fund raising, event planning, and volunteer management in a variety of community based activities and organizations.
Finally, thank you to our faithful members who attended our annual general meeting. We appreciate your loyal support.
TorontoNAJC ‘s 2018 Board of Directors The newly elected 2018 Board of Directors of TorontoNAJC met for their first meeting of the year on February 3rd. Bruce Tatemichi chaired the meeting and welcomed new Board member Lynn Kobayashi. Lynn brings a wealth of experience to the Board in event planning, volunteer organization and public communications. Lynn is also an athlete who competes at the master’s level in long distance running. Returning Board Members for 2018 are Yosh Inouye, Randy Sakauye, Janet Sakauye, Ron Shimizu, Tokuji Suyama, Bruce Tatemichi, Michiko Yano Shuttleworth and Kim Uyede Kai.
Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Redress Settlement The Board discussed a number of possible events to commemorate this milestone in JC community history. Under consideration are a banquet type event with a featured guest speaker(s): a public panel discussion or lecture in partnership with other groups connecting the redress issue to contemporary human rights issues; a film festival on related topics and special projects to strengthen the capacity of the chapter to recruit Sansei and Yonsei members and undertake community building actions. The Board will be deciding on a final project or set of projects based on cost, workload and suitability shortly.
Chapter Membership The Board is keenly aware that the majority of the chapter’s membership are Nisei seniors. While understandable given the organization’s history, the Board recognizes that the composition of the JC community has greatly changed over the years and must adapt to that change. Accordingly, the Board has decided to revamp its membership structure beginning in 2019 by offering different types of membership with varying benefits. In addition to the current family and senior memberships, the chapter will offer youth membership and memberships with only an electronic version of the Bulletin… Specifics of the new membership package for 2019 will be available this fall. Also, we would be grateful if members could send in their renewal forms and payment for their 2018 membership as soon as possible. Please address your payment cheques to the Greater Toronto Chapter- NAJC and mail them TorontoNAJC, 6 Garamond Court, Toronto, ON, M3C 1Z5.
TorontoNAJC at Haru Matsuri – The Chapter will have an information booth at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s Haru Matsuri (Spring Festival) on the weekend of March 3rd & 4th. Please drop by our booth and meet members of the chapter’s Board of Directors. Also, the chapter is sharing the space with the Young Japanese Canadians of Toronto whose representatives will be at the booth on Saturday March 3rd.
Momiji Centre graciously acknowledged TorontoNAJC’s contribution to the replacement of its aged shuttle bus by presenting a picture of the new van with the chapter logo alongside other donors. (See pixs below)
Reminder – TorontoNAJC’s 2018 Membership Renewal Campaign is underway. Please fill in the membership application forms and send them into the chapter. Please write the cheque payable to the Greater Toronto Chapter – NAJC (otherwise the bank will not accept it). Our mailing address is Toronto NAJC, 6 Garamond Ct, Toronto, ON, M3C 1Z5. Also, our membership forms with payment can be dropped off at Momiji Centre, Toronto Buddhist Church and the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.
Reminder – TorontoNAJC’s 2018 Membership Renewal Campaign is underway. Please fill in the membership application forms and send them into the chapter. Please write the cheque payable to the Greater Toronto Chapter – NAJC (otherwise the bank will not accept it). Our mailing address is Toronto NAJC, 6 Garamond Ct, Toronto, ON, M3C 1Z5. Also, our membership forms with payment can be dropped off at Momiji Centre, Toronto Buddhist Church and the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.