In this Issue:
New Web Site and Facebook pages Coming Soon
Celebrating Our Volunteers
Our Newest Virtual Program BC BLIND SPORTS Active Living Network for Adults
Insight in Schools
An Opportunity for All
Tennis
Membership 2021-2022
In Memory of Carolyn Gunn
NEW WEB SITE AND FACEBOOK PAGES COMING SOON
We are looking forward to the launch of our new Website and new Facebook page. Watch for an announcement coming soon and check out our new look and feel. One of the newest additions on the site will be that you can complete your membership application and payment online. Check out the many ways to enjoy physical activities when we send you the link!
CELEBRATING OUR VOLUNTEERS
This past year has been very challenging for all. However, we had some very resilient volunteers. They came out to programs and continued to work with individual athletes on their workout plans and adapted to new ways of doing things such as virtual fitness and training, all this while following all public health restriction and protocols.
Our volunteers remain our greatest resource. We at BC Blind Sports take this opportunity to give a big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers. We celebrate the commitment, and enthusiasm you bring to our programs. Thank you for your valued time, dedication and support of our athletes and programs. From across BC, and beyond, our VOLUNTEERS have a tremendously positive impact on our athletes, programs, and the communities they live in.
Whether it is at the grass roots, community, high performance or Paralympic level – our VOLUNTEERS give their all. They help athletes reach their goals in their sport.
Our Board of Directors, athletes, and staff; thank our volunteers for everything they do. We hereby recognize all of you for the role you play by saying THANK YOU!
OUR NEWEST VIRTUAL PROGRAM – BC BLIND SPORTS ACTIVE LIVING NETWORK FOR ADULTS
This new program is based on the cross-Canada Women’s Active Living Engagement Network, an idea conceived by Marilyn Rushton from BC, and sponsored by the Canadian Blind Sports Association. Marilyn is a recently retired Vision Teacher and blind from birth. She learned the benefits of everyday walking and body movement in a fun and supportive way and is excited to share the fun with others.
Program purpose: To bring people together to support each other and celebrate the value of all daily physical activities, whether walking to the mailbox with a white cane or guide dog, moving around home, climbing stairs, going for a bike ride, or going for a relaxing stroll with a friend.
How the Program works – The first virtual gathering will be an informal conversation for all participants to meet each other and share ideas to create a plan to accomplish our activity goals together. For example, someone has expressed interest in walking from Vancouver to London.
In addition, we will determine frequency of meetings as well as presentation topics to promote health and wellness through the pandemic and beyond.
Between meetings, Network members will send in a weekly activity log of a physical activity of their choice and level. Marilyn will crunch the numbers and send out the weekly combined total to the group. It will be fun to see how far we can go and how many interesting places we can visit along the way. FYI: the Canadian women’s network is currently on a virtual cruise from Vancouver to the Hawaiian Islands, with members planning daily cruise activities and port excursions to sample different foods and cultural events.
This program celebrates all levels of physical activity in daily routines. There is no competition or comparison of individual achievements, and only the combined total weekly activity amount is shared with the whole group.
If this opportunity for some virtual travel and fun appeals to your sense of adventure and to learn more about this program please contact us by email info@bcblindsports.bc.ca
INSIGHT IN SCHOOLS
We continue to be in frequent contact with schools for personal consultations to assist students to be physically active. Read more…
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
Please checkout the new materials in An Opportunity for All – a virtual motor skills program appropriate for all ages.
TENNIS
Tennis continues in a limited way as public health orders permit. It is still offered on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm, for information on what you need to know to participate or how to register, please contact Mike Lonergan at the office 604-325-8638 or email him at mike@bcblindsports.bc.ca Information on return to sport is also available on our website.
MEMBERSHIP 2021 – 2022
Memberships are now due. Once our new website has been launched, you will be able to submit your membership and payment online. You fill the form out on line and have four choices to pay your membership. If you require help with the new online membership, please email susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca
Payments can be made:
- From our new website – on line by credit card through paypal.
- Credit Card payment by calling the office.
- E transfer to David at david@bcblindsports.bc.ca
- Or mail in the form with a cheque to the office.
Please do not send cash in the mail. Please do not drop into the office without speaking to us first due to public health restrictions.
IN MEMORY OF CAROLYN GUNN
It is with much sadness that we let you know of the passing of one of our BC Blind Sports Members of the Board of Directors, Carolyn Gunn, Member at Large. Carolyn passed away on April 10, 2021.
Carolyn joined us more than ten years ago. She was a dedicated volunteer and participant in our Fitness class in Nanaimo. She was very connected to many groups and clubs both in the blind community and in the sighted community. Carolyn was able to recruit Brian, our Nanaimo fitness instructor to our program. Carolyn also was a great promoter and advocate for our members and programs. Carolyn will be missed in our programs and at the board table.
Here is a link to a memorial page and guest book. Carolyn Gunn (arbormemorial.ca)
Stay safe and stay active
Jane, Mike, David, Linda, and Susan