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My Royal Purple Experience started in Prince George, BC. My first convention was in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. At which time Joyce Spilchuk and Lynda Nolan convinced me that I should be on the National Finance Committee. Finally conceding to their always present looks, nods and cheshire smiles, I was on the committee. Under the tutelage of Pat Holowath I was constantly learning the ways and means of Royal Purple of Canada finances. When Pat decided that she could comfortably resign, that’s what she did. So now I was head of that committee. Wow did I call Pat a lot !!!. Well that was a long time ago, so it seems. I then evolved to being a Director of the Canadian Royal Purple, working my way up to the position I now hold as President.
I want to take this opportunity to say thank you all for the support and confidence you have given me over the years. It means so much! |
I have always volunteered since I was a young person, as both my Mom and Dad belonged to the Army and Navy and also the Legion as members. We as young adults were given jobs to do at bazaars or game days.
I was born in Richmond BC and I lived on Sea Island until I was roughly 18. I then decided to try Alberta. I got a job with the government as a Keypunch Operator. I worked there for the Tax Season and then moved on to Regina, Sask. I got a job in a bakery, hoping it would put some meat on my bones as I was a soaking wet 98 lbs, It did not work! So back to BC I went and like most of my family I worked at the Vancouver Interna- tional Airport. I worked for Cara Operations, first as a cashier and worked my way up to management. After a few years of the stress I decided another move would be good.
I moved to the Yukon and found where I belonged. I worked various jobs mostly for the Federal Government and Private enterprise. I started my own bookkeeping service there and continued with that on the side for many companies. I volunteered with Dawson Softball, Klondike Visitors Association and was a member of I.O.D.E.
Over the years I met, married and divorced. Then,eventually met my partner of 40 years, Mike Church. We moved to Prince George in 1985 and in 1999, I started my own printing business in Prince George. This has grown over the years to be a successful enterprise that allows me the freedom to have some time so I can do some visiting of lodges throughout Canada. At this time I can not say what travel I will do, as my partner has health issues that have to be dealt with. For sure I will make each Provincial AGM .
I have two boys and 5 grandchildren . Mike has 2 children and 4 grandchildren, so together we have quite the family, not to mention the pets. We have a great grandchild due in October, so we are looking forward to that.
Our Past National President’s theme was “Attitude of Gratitude” reflecting and appreciating the positive
things in our world. My theme for the this year is “Changing Gears” which to me means moving forward .
“Without Change there is no Struggle, Without struggle there is no change “ “Be a Voice not an Echo”
Jan Gammie
I was born in Richmond BC and I lived on Sea Island until I was roughly 18. I then decided to try Alberta. I got a job with the government as a Keypunch Operator. I worked there for the Tax Season and then moved on to Regina, Sask. I got a job in a bakery, hoping it would put some meat on my bones as I was a soaking wet 98 lbs, It did not work! So back to BC I went and like most of my family I worked at the Vancouver Interna- tional Airport. I worked for Cara Operations, first as a cashier and worked my way up to management. After a few years of the stress I decided another move would be good.
I moved to the Yukon and found where I belonged. I worked various jobs mostly for the Federal Government and Private enterprise. I started my own bookkeeping service there and continued with that on the side for many companies. I volunteered with Dawson Softball, Klondike Visitors Association and was a member of I.O.D.E.
Over the years I met, married and divorced. Then,eventually met my partner of 40 years, Mike Church. We moved to Prince George in 1985 and in 1999, I started my own printing business in Prince George. This has grown over the years to be a successful enterprise that allows me the freedom to have some time so I can do some visiting of lodges throughout Canada. At this time I can not say what travel I will do, as my partner has health issues that have to be dealt with. For sure I will make each Provincial AGM .
I have two boys and 5 grandchildren . Mike has 2 children and 4 grandchildren, so together we have quite the family, not to mention the pets. We have a great grandchild due in October, so we are looking forward to that.
Our Past National President’s theme was “Attitude of Gratitude” reflecting and appreciating the positive
things in our world. My theme for the this year is “Changing Gears” which to me means moving forward .
“Without Change there is no Struggle, Without struggle there is no change “ “Be a Voice not an Echo”
Jan Gammie
I want to thank the members for having the faith in me, to continue working with the dedicated directors and members as I cannot do the work alone. You as members have a role to play also, we need your input “Be a Voice not an Echo”
“If we do not struggle we will not have strength” those two Quotes have meaning, and I hope you all will think about them.
We are like a car. We can reverse and go backwards, we can stay in neutral idle, or we can CHANGE GEARS and move forward. In the last 5 years we have not been in reverse and we have not sat idle. We have sped through first gear, and second gear is now history. I think we are in third gear and revving up! We are the new turbo charged vehicle in our communities. Some of the new models have 4, 5, & 6 forward gears and that’s what we as CRPS members are. We are the new models. We are the 4th, 5th and 6th gears.
As we try to navigate these complicated times, which brings me to this: What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have, and I'm especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal time... I want all of you here and now to know that a new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men too.
I have found the sweetest, the most precious gift of all, is the lesson I learnt on the value of kindness. Every kindness I received, small or big, convinced me that there could never be enough of it in our world. To be kind is to respond with sensitivity and human warmth to the hopes and needs of others. Even the briefest touch of kindness can lighten a heavy heart.
We are linked. We are not ranked. And this is a day that will change us forever because we are together. Each of us individually and collectively will never be the same again. When we elect a president we too often just go home. No! Not this time, We're staying together. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Make sure you introduce yourselves to each other and decide what we're gonna do tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow as we are not turning back.
Another reference, from JFK, but I changed it a bit to fit us
Ask ,not what your community can do for you,
Ask, what you can do for your community."
“If we do not struggle we will not have strength” those two Quotes have meaning, and I hope you all will think about them.
We are like a car. We can reverse and go backwards, we can stay in neutral idle, or we can CHANGE GEARS and move forward. In the last 5 years we have not been in reverse and we have not sat idle. We have sped through first gear, and second gear is now history. I think we are in third gear and revving up! We are the new turbo charged vehicle in our communities. Some of the new models have 4, 5, & 6 forward gears and that’s what we as CRPS members are. We are the new models. We are the 4th, 5th and 6th gears.
As we try to navigate these complicated times, which brings me to this: What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have, and I'm especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal time... I want all of you here and now to know that a new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men too.
I have found the sweetest, the most precious gift of all, is the lesson I learnt on the value of kindness. Every kindness I received, small or big, convinced me that there could never be enough of it in our world. To be kind is to respond with sensitivity and human warmth to the hopes and needs of others. Even the briefest touch of kindness can lighten a heavy heart.
We are linked. We are not ranked. And this is a day that will change us forever because we are together. Each of us individually and collectively will never be the same again. When we elect a president we too often just go home. No! Not this time, We're staying together. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Make sure you introduce yourselves to each other and decide what we're gonna do tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow as we are not turning back.
Another reference, from JFK, but I changed it a bit to fit us
Ask ,not what your community can do for you,
Ask, what you can do for your community."
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