Events

Johanna is the Business Development Manager for the Canadian Blood Services Plasma
Donor Centre in Abbotsford. Her combined 20-year business experience across the
Americas and aim to make a difference led her to the non-profit segment 18 months ago.
Johanna is honoured to be serving our communities by making meaningful impact on
patients who rely on lifesaving medications made from plasma.

We will induct new members David Wang and Gary Dhindsa during the meeting.

Following the induction we will show a Rotary video about membership development.

Literacy is much bigger than reading – it’s a human right that help us make sense of our rapidly changing world.  This presentation will introduce you to the Literacy Matters Abbotsford (LMA) organization and its programs. We’ll also look at literacy in the broadest sense of the word as I also share the LMA’s hopes and dreams for the future.

Kathy has been involved in literacy work for the past 10 years. She started as a volunteer tutor (one to one) with Chilliwack Learning Society (CLS) and moved into the position of “Volunteer Tutor Program Coordinator” in 2017 until 2020. Kathy began to work with Literacy Matters Abbotsford in 2021 as the “Literacy Outreach Coordinator”.

Clearbrook Library, a member of the FVRL system, has a diverse collection which includes many different kinds of materials from books and DVDs to online databases with educational resources as well as magazines, streaming movies and documentaries.  Playground items support hands on learning experiences with telescopes, birding backpacks, disc golf sets and, most recently, Air Quality Monitors and Thermal Leak & Radon detectors. Programs for all ages are free and promote reading and other kinds of literacy such as science and health literacy which are so important for people to thrive in our communities.  Skilled staff are available to assist in finding materials, navigate online searches or in the use of free public computing.  Printing is available for a small fee. Whatever your age, interest or skill level, FVRL has something to support residents quality of life, learning and literacy. Library cards are free and there are no fines on overdue items.

Balbir has been living in Abbotsford since 1991 when he immigrated to Canada.  Since 1994, he has worked in various libraries and positions throughout the Fraser Valley Regional Library.  In 2000, he was hired as a multi-lingual librarian and is now working as a Community Librarian at the Clearbrook Library of FVRL.  Balbir is passionate about a making difference in people’s lives.

Shelaine Strom has worked with Food for the Hungry Canada since 2016 and serves as the Public Engagement Manager. She is a gifted facilitator, speaker, and life coach. She loves designing and leading workshops on the root issues of poverty and healthy ways to help, team building, personality and communication, leadership development, and healthy boundaries. Shelaine’s engaging style and use of storytelling, humour, and life applications draws people into the learning experience. She is a published author with an inspiring personal journey—one she incorporates into her facilitating, preaching, or sharing at retreats and conferences. Shelaine is also co-host for the Ending Poverty Together podcast.

Sheryl MacMath is the Director for the School of Education at the University of the Fraser Valley. She has spent over 15 years working with teacher candidates in the areas of planning, assessment, math methods, and social studies methods. Her research interests include decolonizing assessment, helping teachers reduce their math anxiety, teacher education admissions, and social justice in education. Sheryl is also the president for the Canadian Association for Teacher Education, as well as the chair of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization Committee for the Canadian Society for Studies in Education.

Driven by the economic potential of the Fraser Valley, Alex is the CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce where she works to ensure the voice of Abbotsford's business community is heard at every level of government.

She brings a decade of combined communications, public relations, and economic development experience.  Previously Alex was a Director with Hill + Knowlton Strategies, one of the world's leading public relations agencies, where she provided strategic advice on corporate reputation, media relations, and crisis communications planning to clients across Canada.

She has also held roles in the municipal economic development space with a focus on sector development in clean technology, agriculture, and ag-tech. Her work has also placed her across the Asia Pacific Region, across various levels of government and industry.

Alex holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University and a BA in political science from the University of British Columbia. She was a fellow in SFU Beedie School’s Social Innovation Lab (RADIUS), recognized by BC Business with the Top 30 Under 30 Award, and a '10 Weston Loran Scholar.

In her spare time, Alex is passionate about food and wine and hosts numerous events and tastings as a WSET certified sommelier (London Wine and Spirits Education Trust). She also serves on the Board of the Fraser Valley Child Development Centre, Tourism Abbotsford, and is proud to call Abbotsford home.

FDNS is a charitable non-profit organization that was established 20 years ago to bring together disability groups in the Fraser Valley to increase employment outcomes and resource sharing for people living with a disability. The society has come from a  grass roots beginning to a provincial and sometimes international expansion throughout it’s history. 

Annette Borrows has been serving on the Focus Disability Network Society board for nearly 20 years. Annette lives in Abbotsford and is an active Rotarian at Langley Central Rotary Club. Annette works as the Provincial Employment Manager for Community Living BC.