Notice of AGM P.3 Ivy s Game Changer P.5 Hearing Health Fair P.6 Nomination Committee Report P.4 Free Income Tax Night a Success! P.

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1 Spring 2017 Newsletter Notice of AGM P.3 Ivy s Game Changer P.5 Hearing Health Fair P.6 Nomination Committee Report P.4 Free Income Tax Night a Success! P.7 Charitable Registration Number: RR0001

2 President s Musings Our Board of Directors Executive Committee President: Barbara M. Brown Vice President: Ava Hawkins Treasurer: Miron Gazda Secretary: Dr. Graham Bryce Our Directors Dr. Eugene Lechelt Joy Gong Lisa Dillon Edgett If you have any feedback, questions, or ideas, please contact Barbara M. Brown at: President c/o WIDHH 2125 West 7th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6K 1X9 president@widhh.com The WAVE Contributors Creative & Content Editor: Ruth Blackburn Contributors: Barbara M. Brown, Ivy Snow, Anja Snow Official Cover Photographer: Michael Levy The welfare of each is bound up in the welfare of all. Helen Keller Never were truer words spoken! Many, many days (and some nights) have been spent designing and perfecting the spaces that will be our new Head Office. Susan Masters, our Executive Director, Department Heads and Staff have worked diligently to find the ideal compromise between wants and needs. We are now just weeks away from signing the contracts that will result in our new WIDHH Centre of Excellence. You will recall that in our last WAVE, I commented on the board diversity research in which I participated on behalf of WIDHH. The research results on the Diversity on Non-Profit Boards were presented to the public on March 29, 2017 at Trout Lake Community Centre. It was interesting to note that the researcher had targeted 750 people to participate and only 72 completed the questionnaire. Of the 72, only 27 agreed to be interviewed. I was one of the 27. There were questions and answers as this is a learning forum that examined the current levels of diversity on governing boards, compared to population diversity. The research examined board diversity in metro Vancouver and several Canadian cities. Board members were invited to attend this great learning experience with me. The research report and the content of the forum will be provided to us over the next few weeks. Some of our members are likely aware that the BC government requires non-profit Societies to draft new bylaws by the year At WIDHH we have completed this work, and we will present our new bylaws at our Annual General Meeting. Mr. Michael Blatchford LLP of Norton Rose Fulbright will assist us by introducing the bylaws and walking the membership through the highlights. Until then, farewell, and take care of one another. Barbara M. Brown, WIDHH President 2 The Wave

3 Notice of Annual General Meeting You are invited to attend our upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, April 27, 2017 in the Floral Hall at Van Dusen Botanical Gardens. A quorum of the membership must be present for the meeting. A quorum is represented by at least 20 eligible voting Members of the Society. To be eligible to vote, you must be a Member in good standing of the Society at least 21 days in advance of the AGM date (i.e. you must be a Member in good standing by April 6, 2017 to be able to vote). We hope to see you there! When: Thursday, April 27, 2017 Doors Open at: 6:00pm Meeting Starts at: 6:30pm Where: Van Dusen Botanical Gardens Floral Hall 5251 Oak Street Vancouver, BC, V6M 4H1 (near 37th Avenue) The purpose and business of the AGM, as required by the By-Laws are: To formally report to the Members on the activities of WIDHH for the 2016 year. The Annual Report for the 2016 year will be presented. To formally report to the Members on the financial status of WIDHH for the 2016 year. The Audited Financial Report will be presented for the year ending December 31, To elect the Board of Directors. ASL Interpreters, Relay Interpreters, and RealTime Captioning will be provided. Light Refreshments will be served. Become a WIDHH Member Today! WIDHH was created by community members to address their needs. Become a Member today and help us grow! Benefits of membership include: quarterly newsletter, member prices for workshops, voting privileges at our annual meetings, and more. The Wave 3

4 Nomination Committee Report The Nomination Committee of the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is pleased to present the following individual who has agreed to run for office on our Board of Directors. New Candidates to be elected: Nora McKellin: I am currently a Social Worker in Physical Rehabilitation at Providence Health Care with a B.A. in Sociology and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Toronto in More recently, I was elected by my peers to be the Assistant Chief Steward Representative for the Health Sciences Association. I served on the WIDHH Board of Directors from 2010 to 2016 and am interested in returning to assist with the transition to a new head office building and to ensure that Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals continue to have access to services. I also have experience with support groups, senior and disability issues, conducting workshops with the Provincial Government on specific projects, and working at the University of BC. Board Members who are continuing with their second term: Dr. Graham Bryce Terms: Joy Gong Terms: Dr. Eugene Lechelt Terms: Board Members who are continuing with their third term: 1. Barbara M. Brown Terms: Board Members who have completed three consecutive terms: Ava Hawkins Terms: Miron Gazda Terms: Board Members who are not standing for re-election: 1. Lisa Dillon Edgett Terms: Respectfully submitted by: Joy Gong, Nomination Committee Chair 4 The Wave

5 Ivy s Game Changer Ivy needed hearing aids for the first time. She went to a private clinic to start the process of being fitted with hearing aids. Ivy had an unsatisfying experience because the clinic was unable to accommodate her needs. Luckily, Ivy and her mother Anja found out about the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing through their doctor. They made an appointment to see Praise Chow at the WIDHH Willow Office and quickly knew they made the right decision. Anja said, Praise took the time to meet our needs. We appreciated the specialized service and Praise even thought of things beyond just the hearing aid. Ivy enjoys listening to music and was equipped with a Bluetooth transmitter so she can listen to her favorite songs through her hearing aids. Ivy has been working at Starbucks for 7 years and found the hearing aids were not only helpful in her day-to-day activities, and communicating with friends and family, but were very beneficial at work. I wish we knew about WIDHH first. Everyone is so friendly and we had a great experience. Anja explained, Coming to WIDHH was a game changer! You can help WIDHH save on mailing and printing costs! Sign up for our e-newsletter today and we will deliver The WAVE directly to your inbox. If you would like to sign up for the e-newsletter please contact: Ruth Blackburn info@widhh.com Phone: TTY: Your privacy is guaranteed and you can unsubscribe at any time. The Wave 5

6 This FREE unique event is open to the public and will focus on hearing health care issues: - Free Hearing Screenings, Lectures, and Exhibit Hall - - Fully Hearing Accessible - - Free Lectures by Registered Audiologists and University Professors - - FABULOUS DOOR PRIZES & LIGHT LUNCH!!!* - Thursday, May 4, :00am till 3:00pm Holiday Inn, 711 W. Broadway, Vancouver, V5Z 3Y2 For more information: Visit Call: TTY: *Pay *Paid parking avaliable available at the hotel and nearby streets. streets. Come and learn about your Ears and Hearing! Charitable registration number: rr The Wave

7 Free Income Tax Night a Success! On March 23, 2017 the WIDHH Interpreting Department organized and provided the Annual Free Income Tax Night for Deaf, Deaf Blind, and Hard of Hearing individuals who are on a low or fixed income. We were able to help 44 individuals file their taxes with a qualified accountant and ASL Interpreter. This service would not have been a success without the volunteer accountants; Stephanie Gee, Vivean Ready, Kelly Chan, and Alnoor Ladha. Clients were able to fully access tax information with the assistance of 4 ASL Interpreters. We would like to extend a big thank you to the volunteer accountants from the firm of Tompkins, Wozny, Miller & Co., the WIDHH Accounting Team, and the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program; for giving their time and expertise at our annual event. Buy Your Gala Tickets Today! You are invited to join us at our biggest fundraising event of the year! The Making Waves Gala will be an evening of entertainment and inspiration with emcee David C. Jones at The Arbutus Club, 2001 Nanton Street in Vancouver, on Friday, June 9, There will be a Live and Silent Auction, 50/50 Draw, a Photo Booth to capture memories from the night, and much more! Making Waves Gala Along with our Exclusive Gala Partner Funds raised will go towards sustaining the services and programs that our community desperately requires such as audiology services, interpreting services, employment counselling services, a seniors outreach program, a communication devices showroom, and much more. In addition, this amazing gala will generate community awareness about WIDHH and the issues facing our province. Early Bird tickets are available now for $95 until April 28, Tickets can be purchased in advance from any WIDHH location or through our website at The Wave 7

8 Support Groups & Services Head Office (at Arbutus) 2125 West 7th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6K 1X phone tty fax Willow Office (at Broadway) # Willow Street Vancouver, BC V5Z 3N phone tty fax Tri-Cities Office (at Westwood) # Lougheed Highway Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 5Y phone tty fax The WAVE is published quarterly, please contact the Editor, Ruth Blackburn, at to submit an article Charitable Registration Number: RR0001 Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) - Vancouver Branch A consumer-based organization formed by and for Hard of Hearing Canadians. Provides support, education, and socialization in learning to cope with a hearing loss; for youth to seniors, and their family and friends. chhavancouver@gmail.com Greater Vancouver Association of the Deaf (GVAD) A consumer-advocate group on behalf of the Deaf Community. gvadoffice@gmail.com Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) - BC Chapter A consumer-based, non-profit working with Hard of Hearing consumers to decrease isolation and remove barriers by providing supportive environments, education, resources, referrals, and advocacy. info@chha-bc.org Family Network for Deaf Children (FNDC) A parent run non-profit supporting families with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children that use Sign Language or are interested in learning sign language. fndc@fndc.ca BC Balance and Dizziness Disorders Society (BADD) BADD provides information, support, and advocacy for persons with balance, dizziness, and all vestibular disorders. info@balanceanddizziness.org WIDHH is supported by Public Donations, Grants, or provides services under Contract from the following: Provincial Health Services Authority, Province of British Columbia, Vancouver Foundation, Ministry of Children & Family Development, United Way of the Lower Mainland, and the City of Vancouver. We proudly acknowledge financial assistance from the Province of British Columbia.

9 2125 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6K 1X9 Phone: TTY: Fax: Make a Difference in Your Community! Since 1956, the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH) has been passionately committed to addressing concerns about accessibility and quality of life for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in BC. Make a one-time donation or a monthly donation to support vital programs in our community. Your gift will allow Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to access WIDHH s services in Audiology, Counselling, Interpreting, and Communication Devices. YES! I want to Support WIDHH! $50 per month (ongoing) $20 per month (ongoing) $10 per month (ongoing) Other: $ per month for months One-Time Donation of: $100 $50 $20 Other $ All donations over $20 will automatically receive a charitable tax receipt. Individual Donor Name: Corporate Donor Organization Name: Address: City: Postal Code: Phone/TTY: I prefer: A printed newsletter mailed to my address above An e-newlstter sent to my inbox above Payment Method My cheque is enclosed (payable to WIDHH ) Credit Card: Visa MasterCard Credit Card #: Expiry Date: / CVD: Name on Card (if different than above): What day of the month should we process your donation? By signing below, I am giving my consent for WIDHH to make pre-authorized withdrawls (if I am a monthly donor) from my account or credit card. I may revoke my authorization at any time, subject to providing notice of 30 days. Signature: Date:

10 2125 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6K 1X9 Phone: TTY: Fax: Become a Member Today! Since 1956, the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH) has been passionately committed to addressing concerns about accessibility and quality of life for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in BC. WIDHH was created by community members to address their needs. Become a Member today and help us grow! Benefits of membership include: quarterly newsletter, member prices for workshops, voting privileges at our annual meetings, and more. YES! I want to Become a WIDHH Member. $100 Lifetime Membership $15 Annual Membership (April 1 to March 31) Individual Name: Corporate/Organization Name: Address: City: Postal Code: Phone/TTY: I prefer: A printed newsletter mailed to my address above An e-newlstter sent to my inbox above Payment Method My cheque is enclosed (payable to WIDHH ) Credit Card: Visa MasterCard Credit Card #: Expiry Date: / CVD: Name on Card (if different than above): Signature: Date: