Community Events – Making a Positive Social Impact
MEMBERS IN FOCUS
Community Events – Making a Positive Social Impact
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CPABC members , candidates , and students participated in four community events in January and February , which were organized by local CPABC chapters . These events showcase CPAs in their communities while also providing them with valuable opportunities to actively support worthwhile causes . Here ’ s a recap :
• Food sorting – Twenty-five members from CPABC ’ s Vancouver Chapter organized and sorted food and household items at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank ( GVFB ) on January 13 . The Food Bank ( foodbank . bc . ca ) provides healthy food to those in need and adheres to a support model rooted in education about nutrition , personal empowerment , and food sustainability .
• Serving hot meals – Several members from the CPABC Surrey / Langley / North Delta Chapter spent the evening of January 28 at the NightShift Street Ministries Society ( nightshiftministries . org ), where they served hot meals and beverages to 50 people . Nightshift provides clothing , counselling , education , and transitional housing to vulnerable , substance-addicted , and homeless people in Surrey . Due to the high volume of need , it operates 365 days a year .
• Fundraising for scholarships – On February 9 , CPABC ’ s Victoria / Southern Vancouver Island Chapter raised funds for student scholarships at Camosun College through a silent auction and raffle held in conjunction with their annual celebration of Chinese New Year .
• Working the phones – On February 12 , members from CPABC ’ s Tri-Cities / Ridge Meadows Chapter supported Variety – the Children ’ s Charity by answering phones during the organization ’ s 51st Annual Show of Hearts telethon ( variety . bc . ca ). In 2016 , the telethon raised over $ 6.8 million to support children in BC with special needs . The goal for 2017 is to surpass this amount .
Want to get involved ? Be sure to check your local chapter ’ s site ( bccpa . ca / members / chapters ) for community engagement opportunities . And if you ’ d like to suggest a community event that you think CPABC members , candidates , and students may be interested in supporting , contact your local chapter leader online or email David Chiang , CPA , CA , CPABC ’ s VP of member services , at dchiang @ bccpa . ca . Each event proposed will be evaluated and supported where possible .
Volunteering at a tax clinic ? Be sure to read the reminder regarding licensing and insurance on page 13 ).
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1 . L to R : Vancouver Chapter volunteers Michael Infante , CPA , CMA , and Gary Zhang sort food for the GVFB . 2 . Vancouver Chapter director Derek Johnson , CPA , CMA , with Ann Wicks , CPA , CMA ( a past vice-chair of the GVFB board ), and her children . 3 . Volunteers from CPABC ’ s Surrey / Langley / North Delta Chapter get ready to serve hot meals for NightShift Street Ministries Society . 4 . L to R : Sherri Bell , president of Camosun College , with Cindy Choi , FCPA , FCGA , emcee of the Victoria / Southern Vancouver Island Chapter ’ s Chinese New Year scholarship fundraiser .
44 CPABC in Focus • Mar / Apr 2017