In this issue you will find:
- Message from the co-chairs
- Upcoming events - Online Auction, Meet and Greet
- Board news - Where to now?
- Scholarship News
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Despite some hot and humid days and unexpected internet and power outages, it seems to have been a good summer overall. We have had some glorious summer weather and should have a few weeks of it still ahead. We hope you have had a pleasant summer so far. A recent shopping trip showed that shelves were already stocked with a surprising number of orange-coloured, pumpkin-scented items. The next season will come on schedule, as it always does. Perhaps retirement makes us more inclined to focus more on the present and less focused on the weeks and months ahead.
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You can view the entire fall lineup of events by visiting our web page. There among other things, you will find our pre-thanksgiving tour, our live piano concert featuring lunch with the pianist, and the launch of our new Cinema Club. Please feel free to register for as many events as you wish. Some of the events will be delivered online and some will be face-to-face.
Below we highlight our September offerings, but visit the website to find out what else we have in store for you this Fall.
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September 1- 29
Annual Fundraising Online Auction
Our auction opens on September 1st and runs through until September 29th. Take a look at the wide array of items we have collected this year. Perhaps a six course "Tasters Dinner" for 2 with wine pairings appeals, or a dinner for 6-8 of your friends prepared and served in your home by the Augmented Chefs Program at GBC. Or perhaps a ski weekend for 4. Take a look and see if you are temped by these spectacular items. The funds raised will go toward the GBCRA student scholarship funds. If participants are interested, we are planning to make the auction "live" on its final day at a GBCRA hosted wine and cheese party held on September 29th.
You can preview the auction by clicking here or you can register to participate at the same site.
If you would like to become an auction sponsor by making a cash donation to the scholarship fund, you can do so via e-transfer to memberservices@gbcra.ca or by cheque to GBCRA Scholarship Fund, 2146A Queen St. E, Unit 46, Toronto M4E 1E3. Please make sure you indicate that the amount is to go toward the scholarship fund.
A tax receipt will be issued to you by the GBC Foundation for any cash donations over $20.00
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Thursday September 8th 2:00 pm
Brickworks Ciderhouse
Welcome back! We are hosting an informal face-to-face Meet and Greet at the Brickworks Ciderhouse located at 709 Queen Street E, Toronto.
For more information click here
Please note that this event sold out quickly, however, if you let us know you're interested, we can put your name on the waiting list. Email us at memberservices@gbcra.ca
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Thursday September 22 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Mahalia Jackson
Online with Circles Enrichment
with Daniel Aonso
Mahalia Jackson remains the most influential Gospel singer of all time. Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, and Ray Charles are just some of the many artists who looked to her as a role model. Come see how Jackson (and her peers) paved the way for African-American music and culture through the 20th century.
To save your spot, register here
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GBCRA turns 8 in November 2022
It doesn't seem possible in many ways but the GBCRA was founded 8 years ago this coming November. We began with almost 60 GBC retirees interested in the association and a small enthusiastic group leading the way. We now have over 300 members and a ten member Board of Directors that actively meets monthly planning events and putting out communications to keep us all connected.
Initially, our goal was simple: we wanted to provide opportunities for GBC retirees to reconnect with their former colleagues. Our sense was that many retirees had been unable to stay connected with folks they had worked with for, in some cases, over 30 years.
From there we added building and maintaining student scholarships, developing relations with the provincial retirees group (the Ontario College Retirees Association), establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with George Brown College, and diversifying our offerings so that more individuals can participate.
This September the Board will be meeting to discuss where GBCRA will be heading in the next several years, and we would really like to hear your opinions. To that end, we have created a short survey that we hope you will engage with.
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We need your guidance. Please take a few moments and click the circle to be taken to our planning survey
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Scholarship Fund Update
Thanks to the generous donations of our members, we now have not only met, but exceeded the $20,000 requirement to create an endowed bursary for scholarships. With this, we will be able to offer two scholarships annually: one for $500 and the other for the interest obtained from the bursary; the more we contribute to the fund, the more interest it earns, and in turn, the more money we can give to students.
Our scholarship fund was initiated in 2018 and since then four students have benefited. The criteria for this award is that the student has overcome obstacles, demonstrates an openness to learning, and sustains academic standing. The first three awards were given to students enrolled in programs which had the least number of awards: Academic Upgrading, Community Services, and Health Sciences. Since then, the awards have been offered college wide.
The 2021/2022 recipients were, Elif Kaya Atsiz of General Arts and Science and Medus Kihembo of the Practical Nursing Program. Elif said that receiving this award has made a significant impact on her life by helping to reduce financial barriers to education and helping to offset living costs. Most importantly, it boosted her motivation to refocus on her studies and opened her eyes to her career potential.
Medyus is passionate about helping people and providing the right care. As a mother living with a physical disability, Medyus has faced challenges in her life to pursue education, but she has not let it stop her. With thanks to this award, she looks forward to continuing her studies, knowing she is able to purchase all the necessary materials for her classes.
Our annual online fund raising auction will begin September first. If, in the process of downsizing, you come across something you would like to donate, please send a photo of the item, a brief description, and a fair market value to Anne MacKenzie-Thompson.
Click here to see an auction preview.
Alternatively, you can become an auction sponsor by making a direct donation either via e-tranfer to memberservices@gbcra.ca or by mailing a cheque to GBCRA Scholarship Fund, 2146A Queen Street E, Unit 46, Toronto M4E 1E3. You will receive a tax receipt from the GBC Foundation office for contributions of $20 or more.
Your support enables our students to overcome obstacles, continue their education, and lead productive lives.
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If you have something that you would like to share with other retirees, contact us and we can determine the best way to get your message out there! |
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Find out who is on the Board of Directors, how to contact individuals, how to become involved and click this link. We would love to hear from you.
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This Newsletter is compiled by a Board Committee of Bob Cox, Jennifer Cooke, and Joan Reynolds.
Various members of the Association write articles for the newsletter and we encourage member participation. This month we thank Georgia Quartaro, Dianne Diniz, Bob Cox, Joan Reynolds, Ann MacKenzie-Thompson
Please feel free to contact our Communicatons Director, Bob Cox, to provide us with feedback, suggestions, and articles by clicking here
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GBCRA 2146A Queen St E, Unit 46, Toronto, ON M4E 1E3 | www.gbcra.org |
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