On Wednesday, February 10th after 9:30pm there was different hardware failure that caused the main server to go down. A new server has been created to replace the old one. Emails are now being copied to a new server and will finished on Thursday, February 11th at night. After, the email server will be turned on. This is to prevent new emails from being overwritten with previous emails.
Dial-up Internet access and web sites are currently online.
Hello VCN members and guests!
This is your notice for VCN‘s Annual General Meeting. Please join us!
When: at 5:30 pm (registration at 5:00) on Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Where: the 2nd floor, 111 West Hastings Street (Woodward’s Building) Vancouver BC V6B 1H4
Pizza and light refreshments will be provided.
Everyone is welcome to the meeting. As a reminder – only VCN members are permitted to vote.
If you have not already renewed your membership, please be ready to do so at the event.
The membership cost is $15.00 per year.
As always, if you pay $25 or more, we are able to issue a Charitable Tax receipt for $25.
An informal discussion after the business of the AGM is open for member’s information, feedback and direction.
To make the most of the time we have, please reply to this email to RSVP and respond with any VCN relevant discussion questions you have. While the board and staff will make it a priority to answer every question, we will only have time to fully discuss the top few questions sent or submitted at registration.
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Registration and Refreshments: 5:00 pm
Agenda
1. Call to order 5:30 pm
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes of the previous AGM 2015
4. President’s Report
5. Staff Report on current programs
6. Presentation of the Financial Statements (attached)
7. Appointment of Accounting Firm to Perform the Annual Review Engagement
8. Volunteer Recognition
9. Nominations and Election of Directors
10. Other Business
11. Adjourn
Question and Answer Period – ending not later than 8:45 pm.
Craig McLachlan — Chair of the Board
Vancouver Community Network
VCN is closed on Monday, February 8th and will re-open on Tuesday, February 9th at 10am.
The VCN email server was down on Thursday, February 4th, 2015 from 11am to 2pm. The server had a minor hardware failure. We are sorry the for inconvenience.
VOLUNTEER SUCCESS STORY: ADA WONG
Ada has been an active volunteer with VCN on and off the past 5 years. She worked with us while she advanced her knowledge in nursing and technology. Ada felt that professionally, she needed to keep up-to-date, keep her computer free from viruses and know where to purchase computer hardware at an affordable price.
VCN helped Ada by enhancing her basic technical knowledge in computer hardware and software to the point that she was able to take on a volunteer role, answering basic computer inquires, teaching others about the use of computers, and ultimately to design and create her own professional webpage.
When asked “Why volunteer for VCN’? She says: ‘VCN has the right resources and helps many individuals, small businesses, and non-profit organizations across Metro Vancouver, and does so in a charitable way. VCN requires some core staff, volunteers, generous donors, and grants to keep its charitable services up and running. I’m thankful to VCN for helping me save my computer from the recycle bin a few times!’
Read Ada’s full story here: https://www2.vcn.bc.ca/success-story-ada-wong/
KEEP YOUR WORDPRESS SITE UP-TO-DATE AND SAFE!
WordPress is one of the most popular and user-friendly website building tools today.
Regular maintenance of sites developed with WordPress is essential for stability and to remain free of security challenges. Keeping your website up-to-date with the current releases are key in preventing your website from vulnerabilities.
In recent months, VCN’s web|team has been busy restoring sites that have been hijacked by unfriendly code, or in situations where the original code contributor no longer updates their plugin or theme. It can then fail to have the site operate the way it was designed to. It’s vital that maintenance takes place as it can be very stressful to restore it once it is down.
VCN’s web|team does this work for smaller sites on our servers but larger sites really need more support. We provide these services at an affordable rate. Contact the VCN web|team for a quote: http://webteam.vcn.bc.ca/contact-us/
2015 TAX RETURNS
The tax season is once again upon us. VCN will be issuing 2015 electronic tax returns starting in February. If you sent in a donation prior to January 1, 2016 expect a pdf in your email’s in bin soon! For contributions made to VCN through the CanadaHelps website, please check junk/spam folders for tax receipts.
Hard copy tax receipts are available upon request at [email protected].
TELUS AWARDS VCN FUNDS TO ADVANCE THE SMS PROJECT
On January 11th TELUS Vancouver Community Board and Covenant House Board Member Allan Seckell presented VCN Executive Director Tracey Axelsson with a cheque for $10,000 for the development of the Street Messaging System.
VCN will work to improve the architecture of the Street Message System to include new features. Funds will be used to further revamp the site to serve the needs of the community.
TELUS’ Grant Program focuses on supporting local initiatives working to positively impact local communities.
VOLUNTEER, PAY DUES and/or DONATE TO VCN
VCN’s vision to ‘bridge the digital divide’ has never been more essential. Our work began with offer local people a public amenity for each to freely access what is now the single most important economic instrument of our time – the Internet. It’s a fabulous success story!
But any bridge builder knows the work more precarious as it gets closer to the final gap. VCN knows this and works with low income and marginalized people every day who are in real danger of being left behind.
As VCN approaches its 23rd year of operation, help to keep VCN’s open and inclusive program going by keeping your membership dues paid, and donating what you can – including your time!
Please give: https://www2.vcn.bc.ca/get-involved/donate/
tech|team Manager, Chris Chanhsamone, and Ada Wong
The Vancouver Community Network would not be able to fill our organizational mandate to serve, engage, and improve public access and knowledge of the Internet and information communications technologies without the help of our dedicated volunteers.
VCN’s help|desk assists members and the general public from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday right here at Woodward’s. Many who seek help are from the Downtown Eastside. The staff and volunteers help by trouble-shooting hardware and software challenges associated with setting up a computer, training on a variety of software packages and internet applications, and troubleshooting for any of our VCN services such as using dial up internet access, email, mailing lists, and web hosting for individual accounts and for group accounts.
The majority of help|desk volunteers are youth interns from BCIT and UBC along with recent immigrants/refugees looking for in-country experience, training, and career development support. In 2015, 26 volunteers with diverse backgrounds worked over 3000 hours to offer our community members technical support.
Ada Wong, former RN practitioner and help|desk volunteer, shares her experience at VCN:
How did you become involved with VCN?
I was introduced to VCN while attending university from one of my best high school friends. I was told VCN provides free computer support and free electronic mail. Sold, I became a VCN member right away.
In what capacity are you involved with VCN?
Officially, I became an active volunteer with VCN on and off the past 5 years or so while I was advancing my knowledge about nursing and technology. Professionally, I needed to keep up-to-date, and keep my computer free from various software viruses and learn where to go to purchase computer hardware at an affordable price. VCN helped me tremendously by enhancing my basic technical knowledge about computer hardware and software to the point that I was able to answer basic computer inquires, teach others about the use of computers, and design and create my own professional webpage.
What motivated you to give your time to the organization?
VCN has the right resources and helps many individuals, small businesses, and non-profit organizations across Metro Vancouver, and does so in a charitable way. VCN requires some core staff, volunteers, generous donors, and grants to keep its charitable services up and running. I’m thankful to VCN for helping me save my computer from the recycle bin a few times!
What have you learned from working with VCN?
VCN helped me a lot, [the] people are kind, and I was given the opportunity to share my nursing knowledge and skills back to others by helping them with their computer inquiries and by sharing my knowledge about health/wellness questions. Some of VCN walk-ins require some basic knowledge and life skills before they could start their path to health and wellness, to look for productive employment, and to maintain a stable and caring friendship and relationship with others.
VCN taught me how to research mine and others’ inquires about computer hardware and software. Chris, Nhan, Patrick, and Tracey had been immensely helpful to me in their feedback during my learning process. From VCN, I learned how to respond to technical questions; how to answer e-mail and telephone inquiries using web request tracker; and ways to teach and manage walk-in inquiries at VCN, at 411 Seniors Centre Society, and at the Vancouver Public Library. In addition, I learned how to approach and teach basic computer usage to all kinds of people; how to manage and set-up basic computer hardware; and how to use various operating systems and software.
What type of knowledge have you been able to impart on to community members?
Over the years, I [have] met lots of people from VCN and from 411 Seniors Centre Society. Generally, they are interested in using the computer for writing e-mails to loved ones, for on-line shopping, for watching movies, for researching travel and leisure, or health and wellness.
VCN introduced me to their Street Messaging System [streetmessagingsystem.ca] – this platform allowed me to communicate health and wellness information to receivers across Metro Vancouver, and to apply my nursing expertise with those who may benefit from my nursing knowledge and skills.
How has volunteering helped you in your life?
My current success is because of what I have shared and what others have shared back to me – unconditionally – I believe this is what volunteering is all about. I definitely encourage those who are interested in computers and technology to volunteer at VCN – you only get as much out of it as what you put into it. Thank-you VCN and 411 Seniors Centre Society for taking me in as a volunteer!
SUPPORTING SYRIAN REFUGEES: VOLUNTEER WITH VCN!
As Canada welcomes 25,000 Syrian refugees across Canada by the end of March 2016, at the community level Canadians are rallying to provide immediate, essential services, and long-term settlement support new refugees.
Here at VCN, we are fully committed to ensuring a safe haven, successful settlement, and integration of Syrian refugees into Canadian society.
Currently offering service in seven different languages, VCN is seeking fluent Arabic & more Farsi speaking volunteers to join the team! Volunteers will offer technical support for refugees who are looking to build skills as well as helping connect refugees to much-need information and telecommunications technology to help thrive in their daily lives.
If you would like to get involved, please look at our website for more details http://volunteer.vcn.bc.ca/apply/
VCN HOLIDAY HOURS
This holiday season, starting on December 21st to January 1st, VCN will be reducing help|desk hours and limiting technical support. VCN help|desk hours are as follows:
Thursday, December 24th 10am – 2pm
Friday, December 25th Closed
Thursday, December 31st 10am – 2pm
Friday, January 1st Closed
Hours will resume as normal on Monday, January 4th, 2016. Season’s tidings and happy holidays to you and your loved ones!
GIVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
This year for Canada Helps’ annual Giving Tuesday Campaign plus donations from members of the community, VCN raised close to $2,000 in just 36 hours!
VCN is grateful for the outpour of support to sustain our work towards social justice and vital programs aimed at increasing digital inclusion of our most vulnerable and marginalized communities, including seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, and the street-involved.
Thank you to Canada Help and their partners INTERAC and PayPal for matching donors’ contributions.
The online matching campaign will last until 31st December 2015. For this holiday season, make your donation go further by donating with your PayPal account or through the Canada Helps website: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/paypal-1-match-2015-terms-and-conditions/
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TRACEY AXELSSON IN SO IT IS: VANCOUVER
VCN’s own Tracey Axelsson was featured in a new book So It Is: Vancouver created by Adam and Kev Photography.
The book tells the story of our city through remarkable people who live in Vancouver today.
Other notable names include Judy Graves, David Suzuki, Rick Hansen, Marc and Jody Emery, and the Boom Booms.
For a copy, visit their website: http://www.soit.is/buy-the-book/
RECODING OF STREET MESSAGING SYSTEM IN FULL SWING
With funds awarded by TELUS to advance the architecture of the Street Messaging platform, recoding of the website is well underway! Our mighty team is hard at work to incorporate feedback and features suggested by community workers and clients to improve the system.
Follow the project’s new twitter account @SMS_VCN for the latest news and updates!
VCN PROTECTS PRIVACY AND INFORMATION OF USERS
Do you ever notice after perusing or purchasing an item online, pop up ads touting similar products would appear on Google or Facebook?
In this day in age, data mining plays a large and increasing role in market and consumer analysis. Data mining occurs when computers, high-level algorithms, cluster-analysis sift through and collect data to elicit patterns, relationships, future behaviours, and trends.
There are many positive purposes of data mining, with collected information used to improve healthcare, weather forecasting, and transportation. Companies are able to determine the future behaviour of customers, allowing companies to target their marketing strategies and provide the products people want.
While the benefits are many, data mining is often an opportunity for misuse. Some companies have been aggressive in data collection, with contention stemming from what is done with the information once collected.
Canadian privacy law requires companies and organizations to obtain consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. Data processing poses risks when the data is used in ways that was unintended or unethically.
It is VCN’s policy not to collect data and to protect the privacy and information of all registered users. All client information is kept confidential and secure, unless VCN is legally obligated to release the information.
DONATE TO VCN
VCN has a monthly bill of $1100 to for our Internet Service Provision. The servers there host hundreds of organization’s websites that without us would fail to truly have the web presence they need to keep diverse messaging available in a commercialized realm.
Support VCN’s work by donating here: https://www2.vcn.bc.ca/get-involved/donate/
NEW REINVESTMENT OF CANADA’S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
PM Trudeau and the Liberal Party have dissolved Industry Canada and consolidated federal efforts to foster science and technology innovation, appointing Ontario MP Navdeep Bains as Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
Industry Canada, which has administered VCN’s Youth Internship Program since 2009, could not confirm whether the department would continue to exist in its current form. Analysts say that the move will result in an advancement of federal research and development in Canada.
Since ushering in the new Liberal Party, the government has pledged to invest $900 million in Canada’s burgeoning tech community with a significant amount of funds earmarked towards small tech start-ups in various regions of the country.
Writer Ivan Semeniuk for the Globe and Mail writes, “With virtually all areas of industry under rapid transformation because of digital technologies such as data mining and additive manufacturing (3D printing), a revamped federal ministry could help spur innovation culture in Canada.”
BC TECH SUMMIT 2016
On January 18-19, 2015, BC Council for Innovation will be holding a two-day #BCTECH Summit aimed at showcasing BC’s flourishing and dynamic technology industry. The event will offer cross-sector networking opportunities to exchange ideas aimed at reshaping how the industry does business.
Entrepreneurs, investors, industry buyers, researchers, students and government officials will be in attendance, and participants will exchange fresh ideas.
To register and for more information, visit their website http://bctechsummit.ca/
Through Homeless Advocate Judy Graves, for the past several months *Eagle Little Boy has been consistently dropping by the second floor of the Woodward’s building to access VCN’s computer terminals and community support.
Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Eagle Little Boy relocated to Vancouver in 1992 with the help of his cousin. As with many youth in the government care system, Eagle Little Boy experienced trauma, hardships, and obstacles during his childhood that led to a dark past involving “gang-life”, substance abuse, and crime.
By the time Eagle Little Boy reached 16 years of age, he had been in and out of 45 replacements and was aging out of the foster care system, pushing him out to make room for others. He recounts, “They didn’t want nothing to do with me no more”. His psychiatrist at the time said, “Congratulations, you’re free. I hope you’re happy.”
Feeling abandoned, Little Eagle Boy was suddenly without a support system. “No one was there to grab my hand and tell me everything is going to be okay… that really fucked me up. No one to guide me what-so-ever.”
At 16 was when his “life on the black road” began. At a time of desperation, he turned to a path of crime to provide sustenance. “That’s when I broke into people’s homes. I had to. I had to eat, needed clothes on my back, how else could I do that? I had to.”
“For 29 years, I chased away death numerous times. For 29 years I had neglected my whole entire family. I didn’t bother contacting them or phoning or asking them for help what-so-ever. I’ve been in and out of jails in Alberta. I came to B.C. and I’ve been in and out of jails.”
Now at 45 years old, Little Eagle Boy has been clean and sober for 163 days and counting, “right in the middle of the devil’s playground” stating, “I don’t have the urge to do that no more.”
With the help of community supports like VCN, Eagle Little Boy has left all that behind him. In this safe space, Eagle Little Boy receives the help he needs to maintain and (re)build relationships with family and friends. VCN staff and volunteers offer Eagle Little Boy technical as well as emotional support to help him thrive day-to-day. Eagle Little Boy has expressed that access to VCN’s services and computers have been influential to his recovery.
He has also attributed his successful recovery to sweats, where he was given his spirit name. The gatherings have provided him with emotional support and opportunities for self-reflection. Sweat lodges have been a tradition for First Nations throughout North America. The sweat lodge ceremony cleans and heals the body. It heals the mind – bringing clarity – and it us often a testing place, offering a rite of passage where a participant can demonstrate endurance, strength, and courage. They are also holy places where Aboriginal people can renew their deep connection to the universe and to the spirit realm.
Cultivating positive lessons from spiritual teachings and healing circles, Little Eagle Boy says, “Circle represents power in numbers… everyone is equal. No one is better than the other. We can cry, laugh with no judgment, discrimination, it’s a safe space. There is power in those groups.”
“[I] learned out how to survive on the streets but one thing I know is the love and compassion towards/between people in the streets. They were willing to share whatever they had – whether it was drugs alcohol, pipe spoon whatever, pillow anything, food, makeup or last pair of socks or last fifty cents. They were like a family away from your own family. People live people die, the streets taught me how to survive and that’s why I’m alive today.”
*Alternate Name Used
VCN will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th, 2015. The office will re-open on Thursday, November 12th, 2015 at 10am.
