People

Patsy Craig

Patsy joined the Board in 2013. She is the board Secretary and representative for the Information & Referral Program and participates on Seniors Issues and Nominations Committees. As an Information and Referral Volunteer at the ‘Centre, she assists fellow seniors in navigating, accessing government and community ‘systems’ benefits & resources. As a Member, Patsy is particularly dedicated to fellow seniors to recognize & acknowledge their own strengths, navigate and access positive and critical enhancements to their life & well-being in a constantly changing/evolving world. She’d like to continue to actively participate in reaching the Members’ immediate goals – becoming “Seniors Connected” and entering the real or virtual doors to a new, vitally active ‘Centre.

Gerald (Gerry) Dragomir

Gerald has only just realized, in his 70th year, that he is a fully qualified senior. However, that is not stopping him from continuing to work full-time in his accounting practice that primarily serves the NPO sector. In addition, Gerald is finishing up a Masters at UBC in High-Performance Coaching and will be lobbying ardently to be admitted into a doctoral program once that is wrapped up. If that was not enough, Gerald enjoys coaching high-performance Olympic athletes and will be (carefully) making his way to Japan for this version. Hopefully, his athlete will finally get his gold medal and he will be able to tone it down a bit.

Richard Gauntlett

Richard has lived in England, Africa, Labrador and for the past thirty-four years in North Vancouver. He has been a teacher, school board administrator, has worked with a charitable housing association in the UK and has been a community centre manager both at Britannia Community Services Centre and in North Vancouver. He is now retired but volunteers actively at the Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre (as president) and on the strata council where he and his wife, Trish, live.

Richard is deeply committed to community development and to diversity and inclusion in all his activities.

In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, reading, travel, exploring new places and spending time with grandchildren. He has five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Lisa Hall

My name is Lisa Hall and I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC.  I am 62 and live in the co-op in the east side with my cat, Niall.

I started my work life with Canada Post.  I worked there for about 12 years.  I became involved with CUPW which educated me in Union structure as well as a broader understanding of the role Unions & Women play in the world.

While working with Canada Post, I lived with a group of folks who wanted to buy the old building we lived in.  After much work and many meetings, we became a new Co-op.  My home to this day!

From there I began working in the Downtown Eastside with DERA.  I worked there for close to 25 years on & off.  Helping to build safe communities within the neighborhood was extremely rewarding.  About 10 years were spent at the Front Desk of DERA, triaging the folks that came for help and getting them to the resources that would best address their need, be it an advocate or information.  The other years were spent in the Social Housing that DERA ran.

After 25 years in the Downtown Eastside I was looking for something a bit gentler and found the BC Compassion Club.  A consensus based holistic care group.  These folks were selling cannabis & using the profits to offer free health care to those in need.  I loved working there and had many roles in the 15 years I was there.  Most of my work involved the Board of Directors in some capacity.  I was often the liaison between the Consensus Group and the Board.

Sadly, the Club closed and I am fresh on to a new path.  I am looking forward to volunteering with 411 in whatever capacity I can.  I can offer some skills with organizing and would be very happy to help with transitioning into the new space!!

I look forward to the AGM & to find a place in your awesome organization.

David Handelman

David lives in Burnaby. For about 17 years he was an elementary school teacher in Surrey. He then attended UBC Law School and practiced in Vancouver in the areas of Immigration Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights Law, and Labour Law. Since retiring from practice David has served as a panel member of the Property Assessment Review Panel and the Employment Assistance Appeal Tribunal. David sits in on the Program Committee and Membership Committee.

Gory Horswell

I have been a member in good standing of 411 I believe since 2006. I have been a Vancouver resident since 1972 originally from Toronto, Ontario.

Education:

• I have attended several universities in undergraduate studies
• University of Toronto, sociology program
• University of McMasters EAP special studies
• Rutgers University new Jersey, USA special corporate affairs program.
• BCIT Business Administration
• International Trade Diploma BCIT [FIT Certified} Forum for International Trade

Employment

• Owner/Operator Plumb Square On The Level Contractors on going today
• Past president and vice president 2 yr. terms Pacific heights Housing Co-oP
• Executive Director Forbes Center Adult EAP residential care center
• CEO Eastern Pacific Management International Trade

These are few of a long list of positions I have held during my working years. I am currently semi-retired. I have travelled extensively throughout S.E. Asia and Greater China, for business and pleasure. Indeed, my wife and extended family are from the region, Myanmar to be specific. We travel annually to our family home for approximately 2 months during the winter. I have some foreign language skills of a basic nature. I would bring a set of skills both of a cultural diversity, business experience and board experience.

Jeannie Kamins

Jeannie Kamins has been an artist for over 40 years and a social justice activist her whole life. From fighting for “Black Power” in the 60’s for Women’s equality and Peace in the 70’s. Fearing incarceration decided to fight the good fight through her art. Believing that art is a language she has put together national exhibitions on censorship and provincial exhibitions by women. Her own work is predominantly political covering all political issues from sexual abuse to the environment. Recent work has been about depleted uranium through weaponry and it’s spread throughout the earth by the wind. When asked what she is doing now at nearly 80 she responds, “still marching”. Jeannie has been on the Board of 411 Seniors Centre Society for the past year and is one of two

Alana Kenyon

Alana Kenyon was born in Winnipeg Manitoba. In her early teens, her family moved to Edmonton, Alberta, where at the age of 19 Alana became a full-time postal worker. During her time with Canada Post, she was introduced to the labour movement. Through decades of violent strikes and worker unrest, Alana developed a passion for workers’ rights. She immersed herself in Union education programs. Alana received a scholarship from the Canadian Labour Congress, and completed the Labour Studies program at Laurentian University. Through hard work and dedication, Alana became a recognized national facilitator, and worked beside other Unions helping educate workers on human rights, health, and safety. As a long term shop steward, Alana also sat on several committees over the years. She had the distinct privilege to be a loaned agent to the United Way of the Lower Mainland, and worked with them for 4 years, until she retired. Alana enjoyed her work with the United Way, finding it both challenging and fulfilling. After 36 ½ years working at Canada Post, Alana has retired. She has been retired now for almost 4 years, spending time enjoying outdoor activities and her small grandson. During the current pandemic, people feel somewhat disconnected from community, and are looking for ways to reach out. Alana was pleased when a friend and mentor Marion Pollack invited her to volunteer at the 411 Seniors Centre. Alana looks forward to participating in and contributing to the good work of the non-profit or foundation.

Marika Kocaba

My name is Marika Kocaba, and I have over 20 years of experience as a producer / executive producer / project manager in both television and animation. While  retired, I considered sitting on a board where I could make a difference – and in my research, I found that I would most like to join the 411 Seniors Society Centre. In 2021, that’s exactly what I did. Meeting the membership team, we agreed that it would be most beneficial for me to participate in the Editorial  Committee. With Greenhill Communications (Brad Hornick and Juliet Neun Hornick), we were able to successfully create a new logo for the Centre and most importantly, created a new website. This website is integral to connect our senior members – as the big picture is to Inform and Connect. As the end of construction of the new building is set for 2023, I know that the Centre will offer all (and new) volunteer board members a diverse choice in committees and commitments. Looking forward to 2023!

Setty Pendakur

Dr. V. Setty Pendakur is Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia (School of Community and Regional Planning. He taught at UBC for over 30 years, has worked in more than 30 countries as a Transportation Policy Advisor for international agencies such as the Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, The UNDP, Economic Commission for Africa and the World Bank. Currently he serves as a Senior Policy Advisor to the State Council of China and the Government of Singapore. He has published extensively in scholarly journals all over the world. He also serves as Honorary Professor at the Management School of China National Academy of Sciences. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences of China and of the USA.

Over the past many years, he has been a Vancouver City Councilor and Deputy Mayor as well as the Director of Metro Vancouver. He has served on several Boards including the PNE, Vancouver Board of Variance, Vancouver City Planning Commission, BC Real Estate Foundation (13 years of which 3 years as President), and the BC Transit Authority. Among the community Boards, he has served are United way of Greater Vancouver (6 years and 3 years as Chair of the New Building Committee), Round House Community Centre Board (13 years of which, 5 years a President), Association of Neighborhood Houses (10 years of which 3 years as President) and the Alexandra Housing Society (6 years of which 3 years as President). He currently serves on the Boards of Immigrant Services Society of BC, Western Theatre Conspiracy Society, Alexandra Foundation (President), Seniors Centre Building Committee of the Akali Singh Sikh Temple (Chair) and the Facilities Committee of the 411 Seniors Society.

Marion Pollack

Marion Pollack is a retired postal worker and a long-time activist with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). She has held Union positions at the Local, Regional, and National level. She was recently elected to be a retiree representative on her pension plan. She has a keen interest in women’s issues and continues to work for the full economic, social and political equality of all women. She is a former Board member and a Past President of the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW-ICREF). Currently she is the 411 Board President and an I and R volunteer. Shealso participates in the new facility, program, personnel, and seniors’ issues committees. She is inspired by the dedication, spirit, and tenacity of the Board, staff, and members of 411.

Kanwarjit (Kan) Sandhu

Kanwarjit was born and raised in Punjab, India. After finishing university, he left India to travel the world. He travelled to places such as Singapore, Australia, and eventually settled in the U.K. After living there for a several years, he decided to migrate to Canada and then got married. He raised two girls in Richmond and after 36 years of service as a bank manager, he is now retired. Kan’s life experiences have taught him to deal with many difficult issues such as racism, discrimination, being an ethnic minority, and now dealing with senior issues. Being retired has afforded him the chance to give back to the community that provided him with so many opportunities.

Kan is very active in the community and has participated in various workshops over the years. Kan has recently been appointed to the Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee by the City of Richmond.

He has been on the Board of Directors for Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) in various capacities such as President, Vice President and Secretary. This society deals with settlement and seniors’ issues. He actively participates in their seniors’ program that involves yoga, healthy eating, and dealing with various senior’s issues. He is also on the board for the Indo Canadian Business Association (ICBA) and chairs the Scholarship Committee to help students be able to fund their university education.

His involvement with various workshops has created fruitful discussions on how to deal with real and living issues in our society. Such workshops include Balance between Security, Human Rights and Accountability at the Justice Institute of B.C., mental health issues seminars at S.F.U., Diversity in Policing Conference at the Justice Institute of B.C.

Kan was also involved with the National Association of Canadian of Origins (NACOI) and was elected as President of the BC Chapter and Secretary at the National Level. This organization facilitated regional and national conferences and liaised between provincial and federal government officials.

Kan is a member of the Finance committee.

Gwen Willox

Greetings, Fellow Seniors. I am a member of 411 Seniors Centre Society, in good standing since 2013. As a member of 411, I have participated in the Book Club since its inception. I have, for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, been a volunteer tax preparer in the CVITP program. As well, I have attended numerous workshops and other presentations, with a special interest in poverty and housing issues, especially for single seniors.

I hold an undergraduate degree in Sociology, as well as a Certificate in Financial Management from BCIT (2006). In 2013 I retired from my last paid employment. For 19 years I worked as aFinancial Assistance Worker with the Ministry of Social Development, the last 10 years on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Previously I worked with women in the corrections system, working toward positive community reintegration. As a volunteer, I have served at various times as a crisis line volunteer for WAVAW (Women Against Violence Against Women), a support and trainer for the Buddy Program in the early days of AIDS Vancouver, and have until recently been a reader for a disabled friend. I served on the founding Board of New Page Society. I have recently moved to the Lower Sunshine Coast, an easy commute to Vancouver. As a healthy active senior, I plan to continue to be involved in support and advocacy. Gwen is the chair of the Finance Committee and Treasurer for the 411 Seniors Society.