FOUNDATION
Coquitlam lawyer Julie Fisher is the new chair of the Coquitlam Foundation's board of directors, replacing the retired Colleen Talbot. "I am very grateful the board has selected me as chair," Fisher said in a press release. "It's a real honour and a tremendous responsibility. Colleen did a tremendous job in her six years as chair, and set a high standard for all who follow." Fisher served as vice-chair and secretary of the board in past years. Janet Toddington, who served two years as the board's secretary, becomes the new vice-chair, and Sam Nakai is the board's new secretary. Bob Tanaka continues as treasurer. The foundation has also welcomed Desiree Dupuis to the board as the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce's representative, replacing Janine Davies, who has become chair of the new Port Coquitlam Community Foundation. Dupuis is co-founder of Three Sixty Financial Group. Long-time community volunteer Linda Meneghello joined the board earlier this summer. As well, the board has approved the re-appointment of directors Toddington, Ron Roberge and Terry O'Neill to new four-year terms. For more information, visit www.coquitlamfoundation.com.
CAPITAL CASH
The Community Volunteer Connections Flying Squad received a $15,000 grant from Coast Capital Savings to support youth engagement in the Tri-Cities and New Westminster. CVC Flying Squad's 380 volunteers help out where and when their community needs them, from festivals to fundraisers and clean-up days. "We want young people to get involved early and often in their communities, so we built the CVC Flying Squad to make it easy for kids and teenagers to volunteer," said Stacy Ashton, CVC executive director. "It's a win-win; youth gain confidence and community organizations benefit from the energy and enthusiasm of young volunteers." Wendy Lachance, director of community leadership for Coast Capital Savings, said the credit union chose to support the Community Volunteer Connections Flying Squad because of its focus on helping youth give back to their community.
GREEN BUILDING
Drivers worried about passing their driver's test or renewing their identification may not even think about the green elements to the new Port Coquitlam Driver Licensing Centre. But the Port Coquitlam building has just achieved a LEED Gold green-building certification for its energy saving and environmental details. The LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) certification is recognized worldwide as the highest grade for measuring building sustainability and environmental standards. The centre, located at 1930 Oxford Connector, was recognized with the LEED Gold certification for reaching all of its environmental targets in reducing its energy and resource use. The building's leading features include: a green roof incorporating solar power and made from carbon-reduction materials; motion-sensor lighting and fixtures throughout the building; recycled rubber flooring inside the building; bioswales to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water; and photovoltaic panels, high-efficiency boilers and heat-pumps. The ICBC building brings the number of recently built green roofs in Port Coquitlam to three, including the new Walmart and Canadian Tire buildings in the Dominion Triangle.
MEMORIAL AWARD
Coquitlam resident Seiko Kazemi won the Rafaela Wilson Memorial Award of Distinction at the recent graduation ceremony for students in the Douglas College Home Care Support Worker Program. Shown with Kazemi is Silvia Wilson, Douglas College associate dean of health sciences.
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