SFU BCYL Clubs Days a Huge Success!

The SFU BC Young Liberals recruited over 30 new members at Clubs Days this past Tuesday and Thursday!

Photos from Clubs Days will be posted on the web site soon. For now, you can check them out on Facebook at: http://sfu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2066234&l=b3988&id=116202225

BC Liberals Announce $14 Billion Public Transit Project to Reduce Greenhouse Gases

Premier Gordon Campbell and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon have unveiled a $14-billion public transit plan to be completed by 2020.

It is a key measure in the Province’s greenhouse gas reduction plan, touching every region of the province.

Highlights of the plan include:

• $10.3-billion investment in four new rapid transit lines in Metro Vancouver – the Evergreen Line, the UBC Line, the upgraded Expo Line and the Canada Line (for which $2 billion was previously committed);
• $1.2 billion for a new, cutting-edge energy efficient, high capacity RapidBus BC service along nine major routes in the high-growth urban centres of Kelowna, Victoria and Metro Vancouver; and
• $1.6-billion investment in 1,500 new, clean energy buses and related maintenance infrastructure to provide communities around the province with improved bus service.

The plan calls for $14 billion in investments, including $11.1 billion in new funding, with the Province committing $4.75 billion, and the remainder from partners, including the federal government, TransLink and local governments.

Increased security measures will enhance transit safety. Electronic gates and closed-circuit cameras will be installed at rapid transit and new RapidBus stations. A smart-card system for rapid transit and buses, which users can reload at vending machines or on the Internet, will be implemented.

A cumulative total of 4.7 million tonnes in transportation greenhouse gases (GHG) will be reduced by 2020. The GHG savings will be about the equivalent of parking all the cars and light trucks in Metro Vancouver for a full year by getting British Columbians out of their cars and onto transit.

More information on the Transit Plan can be found online at http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/Transit_Plan.

Did you know?

The Transit Plan complements other key provincial transportation initiatives such as the Cariboo Connector, Trans-Canada Highway upgrades like the Kicking Horse Canyon, roads to support the mountain pine beetle harvest, and projects in Metro Vancouver such as the Gateway Program. This announcement is in addition to the recently announced $180-million investment establishing rapid bus service over the Gateway Program’s twinned Port Mann Bridge.

BC Liberals Breakfast in Victoria

On Wednesday January 23rd, the BC Liberals will be hosting a Breakfast with the Executive Direcor fo the BC Liberal Party, Kelly Reichert. Kelly is the party’s senior strategist and will be the one leading the party into the next election!

The breakfast starts at 7:00 AM at the Marriott Hotel in Victoria (728 Humboldt Street). The Event is FREE as the BCYL is covering the costs for youth.

If you’re interested in attending this breakfast and hearing Kelly’s presentation, please e-mail info@bcyl.ca for more information.

Member Orientation Social

The BC Young Liberals are hosting a “Member Orientation” Social this Thursday at 4:00 PM at the SFU Campus Pub. If you’re interested in becoming actively involved with the BC Young Liberals, this event is a chance for you to meet others who are involved, learn about how the BCYL operates and get an overview of the BC Liberal Party and anything else you might be wondering about.

If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved with the BCYL but aren’t quite sure what it’s all about or how you can contribute, this is your chance to find out.

FREE appetizers and drinks will be provided. Come join us and find out how you can be involved! Please RSVP to info@bcyl.ca if you plan on attending.

Please note, if you can’t make this event, there will be more “Member Orientation” events held in the future, at various locations. More details to come soon!

SFU BCYL Clubs Days

It’s the start of another semester at SFU and that means Clubs Days are just around the corner!

Clubs Days are very important for the SFU BC Young Liberals – it’s our best chance to recruit new members and bring some fresh energy into the club.

Here are the dates/times for Clubs Days this semester:

Tuesday January 15th
SFU Burnaby Campus
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Thursday January 17th
SFU Burnaby Campus
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

If you can spare some time to help out at Clubs Days, please e-mail info@bcyl.ca to volunteer. Thank You!

"BELIEVE!" - BCYL CONVENTION 2008!

We’d like to bring in the New Year by inviting you to join us at “BELIEVE!” - the 2008 BC Young Liberals Annual General Meeting and Training Convention. This convention will be held at the Harbour Towers Hotel in Victoria from March 20-23, 2008.

We’ve come a long way together over the past few years. Thanks to the support and hard work of members like you, the BC Young Liberals has grown from a loose network of volunteers to the most active youth organization in the country.

The “BELIEVE” Convention is all about taking what we’ve accomplished and using it to create something more – an election where youth really make a difference. Join us to learn how youth can make a difference in 2009 and how you can be a part of it.

The following is an idea of what delegates can expect during the weekend:

Thursday, March 20th
o Delegates arrive in Victoria
o Optional tour of the Legislature and Question Period at 1:00 PM
o Registration from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
o Opening Ceremonies at 7:00 PM, featuring a special Guest Speaker
o Welcome Reception

Friday March 21st and Saturday March 22nd
o Buffet Breakfast with Guest Speaker
o Training Workshops (more details soon)
o Lunch Break
o Training Workshops (more details soon)
o Dinner with Guest Speaker
o Penthouse Hospitality Suite

Sunday March 23rd
o Committee Meetings – your chance to take on an active role in the BCYL!
o Checkout at 11:00 AM

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@bcyl.ca.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the team that makes a real difference in the 2009 election!

Downloads

* Registration Form
* Sponsorship Package (for Riding Associations / MLAs)

BCYL INSIDER - January 7, 2008

For all the latest pictures and news from the BC Young Liberals, check out the January 7 2008 edition of the BCYL Insider Newsletter here.

You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Newsletter. If you don't, you can download it here

Previous Events Wrap-Up

     As you can see, despite a lack of updates (been terribly busy, sorry!) the BCYL has been very active over the last little while!

     Starting from the top down, last Saturday (December 15) we had our 2007 Christmas Party which had over 100 attendees (including Attourney General Wally Oppal and MLA Mary Polak). On December 1st the UVic BCYL held a social with Minister of Advanced Education Murray Coell and the SFU BCYL held a dinner social despite what was practically a snowstorm.

     On November 25th members of the BCYL joined Vancouver-Burrard MLA Lorne Mayencourt in the annual Santa Claus Parade (we also have a video you can watch here) and the day before (November 24th), the UBC BCYL held a social with him at Score in Vancouver. On November 21st BCYL members attended a BC Liberals Fundraiser with Health Minister George Abbot.

     November 17th was incredibly busy - we had a social with MLA Harry Bloy at The Old Spaghetti Factory and beforehand held our first ever Imagine 2020 Forum at the Accent Inn in Burnaby and had over 30 participants - and even before that the BCYL Executive held a meeting. On November 16th we had an event with Minister Rick Thorpe at UBC Okanagan; on November 13th BCYL members attended a South Island Breakfast with Minister Ida Chong and finally, on November 7th, BCYL members took to the bleachers to watch David Beckham and the LA Galaxy take on the Vancouver Whitecaps.

     We have no upcoming events scheduled for the rest of the month, so have a happy holiday and happy New Year! Get off to a great start by e-mailing info@bcyl.ca to find out how you can get involved in the New Year!

UVic Clubs Days and Social, Road to Victory Stop - Terrace, FREE Advance Screening!

     Pictures are up for the UVic BCYL Clubs Days and Kick-Off Social and the Road to Victory Tour Stop - Terrace, held between September 12th and 14th and September 21st, respectively.

     Don't miss out on either of the two FREE BCYL events in the next little while - this weekend we have our Exclusive FREE BCYL Social at Oasis Cocktail Lounge in Vancouver, and next week we have a FREE Advance Screening of "Dan in Real Life" starring funnyman Steve Carell! Be sure to sign up ASAP!

Road to Victory!

     From the 19th to the 21st of September, the UBC BCYL was able to recruit over 100 members!

     This past weekend the BCYL had two Road to Victory tour stops - Terrace on Friday and North Vancouver on Sunday, which brings our totals to seven communities visited and over 5600 flyers delivered! Photos will be added for the Terrace Road to Victory tour as well as the UVic Clubs Days and Moxies Social soon. Be sure to check out www.roadtovictory.ca to keep up-to-date with the BCYL's Road to Victory Tour!

Kwantlen University College

     Want to get involved with the Kwantlen University College BCYL? Contact BCYL President Chris Sandve at chris.sandve@bcliberals.com.

     If you haven't yet, be sure to RSVP for the BCYL Road to Victory Tour stop - North Vancouver this Sunday (September 23) by e-mailing Chris Sandve at chris.sandve@bcliberals.com.

Past Events, Upcoming Events

     Pictures are up for the events over the last little while:

• The UBC BCYL at UBC's Imagine Days
  
• The Capilano College BCYL at Capilano College's Clubs Days
  
• The UNBC BCYL at UNBC's Clubs Days
  
• The BCYL at the most recent Road to Victory Tour stop - Coquitlam
  
• The SFU BCYL at SFU's Clubs Days and Highland Pub Social
  
• and the BCYL at the Surrey-Panorama Ridge BBQ.

     Be sure to RSVP for the upcoming events, the BCYL Road to Victory Tour - North Van on September 23rd and our Exclusive FREE BCYL Social on September 29th, 2007.

Sunday BBQs

     Be sure to attend the two free BBQ's this weekend - the Surrey-Panorama Ridge BBQ and the Pitt Meadows / Maple Ridge BBQ, both this Sunday, September 16th.

     Photos will be added for the Road to Victory Coquitlam Tour stop last Sunday and several Campus Clubs days earlier this month. Check back soon!

     Finally, don't forget! The SFU BCYL is hosting a Social at SFU's Highland Pub from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. Special guests include MLAs John Yap and John Nuraney!

Northwest College, Campus Presidents

     Contact information has been added for Northwest College! If you're a student there, be sure to check the page out and get in touch with your campus club president, Caleb English.

     The following Campus Clubs have new presidents:

• Kwantlen University College currently has no president, but your primary contact is Nathan Allen
  
• Simon Fraser University's new Campus Club President is Katy Merrifield.
  
• University of Victoria's new Campus Club President is Kris Zellweger.
  

     Be sure to get in touch with your new President and be sure to stop by your campus's table at Club Days!

Insider, Road to Victory, Highland Pub Social

     What a great year 2007 is turning out to be! Since January, the BCYL has held over 30 events across the province, recruited hundreds of new members, launched the Road to Victory Tour and maintained the most active and innovative online presence of any youth wing in the country.

     Since I became involved in the BC Young Liberals over five years ago, I have found endless opportunities for myself and others to become involved and make a difference.

     Throughout September, the BCYL will be recruiting at College and University campuses across the country, encouraging youth and students everywhere to make their mark and with the 2009 campaign just a year and half away, the opportunity to get involved and “make your mark” is greater than ever before.

     With that in mind, I am proud to unveil the BCYL’s new look and theme. I hope you’ll choose to “Make Your Mark” by getting involved with the largest and most active political youth organization in the country today.

     I look forward to seeing many of you this month at Colleges and Universities across the province!

Chris Sandve
President
BC Young Liberals
chris.sandve@bcliberals.com

***

     The BCYL Insider for the month of August is now avaliable for download. As usual, be sure to right click the link and select "Save as..." (varies by browser).

     Also, get ready for the first Lower Mainland Road to Victory tour stop in Coquitlam, this Sunday (September 9th) from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Check out the event page here and the Facebook Event page here

     We're holding a social on Wednesday, September 12th, from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM at SFU Burnaby's Highland Pub. Special guests include MLAs John Yap, John Nuraney, and possibly Iain Black. As this event occurs just after SFU's club days, this is an excellent opportunity for new - and old - members to meet! Check out the event page here and the Facebook Event page here.

Edits, Campus Clubs Days

     Sadly, the BCYL Mentorship program has been discontinued for various implementation reasons.

     On a lighter note, we've added a Videos Sidebar to the left hand side of the screen to make it easier to select the videos you want to watch and make it easier to tell which ones you've missed. We've also added an events page for the BCYL Campus Clubs Days with a list of all the campuses that will have a table at their respective clubs days. Be sure to stop by your campus BCYL table to sign up or just say hi!

     Pictures have been added to the BCYL Road to Victory Tour, Terrace and Prince Rupert event page. If you haven't seen them on www.roadtovictory.ca yet, now is as good a time as any. Also, if you missed it, the BCYL Road to Victory tour made the local paper in Prince Rupert! Check it all out on www.roadtovictory.ca.

Updates!

     Pictures are up for the last of this month's events - Iain Black's 2nd Annual Softball Tournament on August 26th, the BCYL ActNow Event with Minister Gordon Hogg on the 25th, and the BCYL Summer Party and the Minister Rick Thorpe Hike and BBQ, both of which took place on the 18th.

     We have plenty of events planned for September, so make sure to check back regularly, and be sure to visit your campus' BCYL club table at the upcoming Clubs Days!.

Photos, Parties, Events, Hikes, and BBQs!

     Pictures are up for Dave Hayer's 7th Annual BBQ. In attendance were Donna Campbell (wife of the late MP Chuck Cadman), Brenda Locke, MP Nina Grewal, Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon, and of course, Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave Hayer. We also have a video of Dave and Kevin's speech on the event page and in our video section, here.

     We also now have Facebook event pages for the BCYL Summer Party (Saturday Night at the Old Corral) here and the BCYL ActNOW Event with Minister Gordon Hogg here. Be sure to RSVP in advance! Also, if you don't have a ride to the Summer Party, post on the wall for the event page and BCYL President Chris Sandve may be able to arrange something. With exactly three weeks (sorry for the reminder!) until the beginning of the Fall University semester, these are two great events you won't want to miss!

     If can't attend the BCYL Summer Party and happen to live close to Bear Creek Provincial Park, be sure to attend our Minister Rick Thorpe Hike and BBQ!

     News older than August 1st, 2007, has been archived

Event Wrap-ups, Road to Victory

     Sorry for the later-than-usual updates, but your humble web administrator was busy with final exams :)

     The rest of the photos from the HSBC Celebration of Light at Lorne Mayencourt's are up, as are photos from John Yap's 1st Annual Richmond-Stevenson BC Day BBQ. Also, photos from Dave Hayer's 7th Annual BBQ will be added later today, along with a video from the event.

     BCYL President Chris Sandve along with local BCYL members in Terrace and Prince George have been busy this weekend on the second leg of the BCYL Road to Victory Tour - highlights of the weekend include a Prince George Flyer Drop, a tribute dinner for former MLA Bill Belsey, and a video of BCYL Vice President Donny Van Dyk engaged in a wake-up call! Be sure to check out both the Road to Victory website and the BCYL flickr page to keep up to date!

Fireworks Photos

     The first batch of photos from the HSBC Celebration of Light's August 1st's show, hosted at Lorne Mayencourt's apartment, are up here.

     You can now find photos from BCYL events on our brand new flickr page! Photos will now be added here and the events page! Be sure to view your favourite photos and leave comments on Flickr!