Community Events – Giving Back
MEMBERS IN FOCUS
Community Events – Giving Back
CPABC members , candidates , and students participated in three community events in November and December , one of which was organized by the CPABC Young Professionals Forum and two that were organized by CPABC chapters . These events showcase CPAs in their local communities while also providing opportunities for members , candidates , students , and their families to actively support worthwhile causes .
• Christmas Toy Drive – The CPABC Burnaby / New Westminster Chapter collected more than 100 new toys during the Member Engagement Tour event it hosted on November 30 . The toys were donated to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau for distribution to lower-income families in the Lower Mainland .
• Yule Duel – In collaboration with CPABC , 25 members and guests from the CPABC Vancouver Chapter formed the Starlight Singers Choir to compete in a street-carolling competition held in Gastown on December 1 . Nicola McLaren , CPA , CA , CPABC ’ s director of professional development , volunteered as choir director . Yule Duel is an annual community event organized by the Bloom Group , a local non-profit charity that raises funds to support May ’ s Place . May ’ s Place provides hospice care to residents of Vancouver ’ s Downtown Eastside . The Starlight Singers raised over $ 3,500 for May ’ s Place .
• Ugly Sweater Food Drive – On December 7 , the Young Professionals Forum collected over 50 kilograms of non-perishable food items at their annual A Holiday Affair – Ugly Christmas Sweater Party , which was held jointly with CFA Society Vancouver and the Young Lawyers – Lower Mainland Section of the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch . This annual holiday mixer , which the three professional groups have co-hosted for the past five years , was held at Mahony & Sons .
Above : Geraldine Lai , CPA , CGA , CA , chair of CPABC ’ s Burnaby / New Westminster Chapter , adds another toy to the collection . The Burnaby / New Westminster Chapter organized a toy drive in conjunction with CPABC ' s Member Engagement Tour . Directly below : The Starlight Singers Choir , organized by CPABC ’ s Vancouver Chapter , prepares for competition at Harbour Centre . Bottom : The Starlight Singers brave the cold as they compete in the Yule Duel 2016 to raise funds for hospice care .
If you ’ re interested in volunteering in your local community , watch for upcoming event listings on chapter websites and in chapter emails . To find more information about community engagement or to suggest an event that may be suitable for CPABC volunteers , please contact David Chiang , CPA , CA , CPABC ’ s vice-president of member services , at dchiang @ bccpa . ca . Each event will be evaluated and supported where possible .
Thank you to CPABC members , candidates , students , and staff for all that you do to help your communities !
60 CPABC in Focus • Jan / Feb 2017