Advocacy Letter Writing for Seniors

Hybrid event in person and over Zoom!

Tuesday, June 13, 2023
12:45-3:00pm
In-person: Lakeview Room, Bill Copeland Sports Complex
3676 Kensington Ave, Burnaby

Online: Held over Zoom

For our second Workshop of the Seniors Empowerment Series, we would like ask you to remember all those times when you thought "That's just not right!  I should write a letter about that!".

Now is your chance to learn how to write a letter that will make your voice heard!  A letter to the editor, an elected official, your strata council and more will be covered.  You will learn what works best to have your voice heard.

Please see the poster for more information.

This is a hybrid event, presented in-person and via Zoom.  You will be able to choose either option on the registration form.  Registration is required to attend the event.

TO REGISTER, CLICK THE LINK HERE.

Self-Defense for Seniors Workshop

Date: Tuesday, May 30 2023
Time: 1:00-3:00pm
Place: Lakeview Room, Bill Copeland Sports Centre

To register:
https://forms.gle/erpjUzEfc7JcExHm8

We are excited to announce the first Workshop of the VOBSS Seniors Empowerment Series, Self-Defense for Seniors.  It is a repeat of the one we had on May 16 that was offered to members only.

The instructor, Tim Short, is a retired RCMP officer, Law Enforcement Foundational Instructor and Martial Arts Expert who has developed a self-defense workshop for seniors who want to feel empowered, confident and competent with an immediate level of protection walking in their communities without fear of personal harm or injury.

For teaching purposes, the instructor has limited the number of participants in the class.  We will keep a waiting list in case of cancellations.  If demand is great, we may have another class later in the year.  In case you need to cancel after you have registered, please let us know so someone from the waiting list can attend.

VOBSS Event at the 2023 Burnaby Festival of Learning

[Event completed.]

Hybrid event in person and over Zoom!

11:00am-12:00pm, May 9 2023
In-person: Lakeview Room, Bill Copeland Sports Complex
3676 Kensington Ave, Burnaby

Online: Held over Zoom

The Burnaby Festival of Learning (BFOL) is a FREE, multi-day celebration of lifelong learning, taking place in venues throughout the City of Burnaby on May 5-9.

VOBSS is again taking part in this year's BFOL.  This year the theme is Belonging.  We have asked Seniors to put pen to paper and write about what Belonging means to them.

At the VOBSS event at BFOL on May 9 from 11:00am-12:00pm, join us in listening to a reading of a selected number of these and meet the authors.  It is free and refreshments will be provided.

This is a hybrid event, presented in-person and via Zoom.  You will be able to choose either option on the registration form.  Registration is required to attend the event.

TO REGISTER, CLICK THE LINK HERE.

Workshop on Frauds and Scams

VOBSS is hosting a workshop presented by the Seniors’ Health & Wellness Institute (COSCO).

Frauds and Scams - Learn How to Protect Yourself

1:00-3:00pm
April 20, 2023   
Lakeview Room, Bill Copeland Sports Complex
3676 Kensington Ave, Burnaby

FREE!  Refreshments provided.   
Registration is required.
[Event completed.]


VOBSS Participates in Dig-IT Program

VOBSS is helping to bring IT awareness and literacy to low income seniors by participating in the Dig-IT program.

This program is designed to enable older adults learn basic and essential digital literacy skills such as connecting to WiFi, tablet gestures, using the camera and accessing email and the internet. 

With the help of VOBSS several seniors were identified for the program and VOBSS volunteers acted as Digital Coaches to these participants.

Extreme Heat: Notifications, Vulnerability, and Preparedness

Disha Katyal
Environmental Health Officer, Fraser Health

Download the presentation slides.

CommunityExtremeHeat-FraserHealth.pdf

VOBSS Membership

While most of the activities conducted by VOBSS are open to everyone, we encourage you to become a member of VOBSS.  Membership entitles you to the right to vote at meetings, eligibility to hold a Board or Committee position, receive email, newsletters and information bulletins.

For more information about membership and a brief summary of the activities VOBSS has been involved in over the past year please visit the Membership page.

Workshop on Online Security Basics and VOBSS Update

Thursday February 18, 2021
1:00-2:00pm

onlinesecuritybasics.pdf

Workshop on Password Security and VOBSS Update

Thursday December 17, 2020
3:00-4:00pm

password-security-talk.pdf

Advocacy Work in the Era of COVID-19

VOBSS has been busy doing advocacy work during COVID 19 with the seniors not only for Burnaby but also for all of this great nation.  This include:

Previously Completed

From September 2018 to June 2019 VOBSS received New Horizons Seniors Grants and presented workshops and projects on various topics related to seniors.

Calendar of Events 2018 - 2019

2019

January 29:  Housing Options for Seniors

January 30:  Safety for Seniors Walk-about -Patterson Station-Willingdon Ave.-Central Blvd.

February 4:  Safety for Seniors Walk-about -Confederation Park to Hastings St.

February 7:  Facebook and Twitter for Non-Profits -College for the Retired, Burnaby

2018

June 8: The Decision Tree

June 21: Seniors’ Safety and Awareness

September 11: Stay on the Road

October 23: Understanding Dementia and Supporting Those Around Us

December 4:  Say “Know” to Drugs: Questions to Ask About Every New Prescription

In June, 2018 VOBS sent and Advocacy letter to Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General regarding the cost of completing a Driver’s Medical Examination Report (DMER)