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May 2003 West Vancouver Historical Society Page 5 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEXT GENERAL MEETING WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 17th. 2003 at 7:00 pm At the Seniors’ Activity Centre, 695- 21st Street, West Vancouver Speaker - Tewanee Joseph Topic - An Update on RI5 (The Land Under Lions Gate Bridge) +++++++++ Comings and Goings on the Board As those of you who were at the AGM in May will know, there have been changes on your Board of Direc- tors. Ian Macdonald and Laureen Jones will no longer serve as directors, but will still be active. We shall miss them and their energetic input. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome new members, Pamela Cowlishaw, Pamela Dalik and Janis Jonson. Below are a few words about our "old" directors. Laureen Jones By: Hugh Johnston Laureen Jones, the second longest serving elected Director, and an Honourary Life Member of the Society, retired from the board this year. Laureen has been the Society's “window to the community” for the last seventeen years. Through her pictorial displays she, almost single handedly, organised the Society's presence at, and contribution to, countless community events during her seventeen year tenure on the board. Her artistic sense, focused approach, and willingness to take charge, were well recognized and appreciated by the membership and as a result, when she requested help, it was always readily and freely given. The more than thirty-six display panels that she designed and prepared represent the passing stages of West Vancouver in its transition from an industrial resource-based community of Logging Camps, Sawmills, and Fish Canneries to the affluent bedroom community we know today. Segments of this display resource have been featured numerous times at, among others,Vancouver Ports Day, Community Day, Heritage Weekend, Park Royal Mall, and West Vancouver Schools. She also found time to design many other Society items such as the Hasti-Notes, Greeting cards. Decals, and Presentation Award Certificates that are in regular use today. Ian Macdonald Retires From Board After 10 Years By: Peter Hall Big Shoes To Filiy When the slate of Society directors was elected at our March 2003 AGM Ian Macdonald's name was missing for the first time since March 1993. After ten years Ian decided that it was time to move on. Ian joined the WVHS in 1991, became a director in 1993, and served as President from 1994 to 1997. He continued to serve and between 2001 and 2003 was 1st Vice President. Amongst his notable achievements was the big increase in WVHS membership to a new high of 517 when he com- pleted his three year term as president. Ian took advantage of West Van High reunions of the classes of 1948/1949/1950 to sign up new members. Perhaps his proudest moment was when, on December 5th, 1994, he presented then Mayor Mark Sager with a cheque for $55,000.00, representing the final payment on our undertaking to raise the funds needed to renovate, restore and equip the Gertrude Lawson House as a museum and archives. His greatest challenge came in March 1997 - just as he was completing his final year as president - when West Vancouver council was considering closing the museum and archives as a means of helping to offset a budget shortfall. There is little doubt that Ian's stirring presentation to Council on March 10th of that year saved the museum. His remarks were frank, direct and eloquent. In a public meeting he told councillors: "Not only would such a thing (closure) be a tragedy, it would be a betrayal of those people who have donated time and effort and money based on the commitment of an earlier mayor and council." Strong words - but they did the trick and no more was heard of museum closings. Over all the years Ian was always available to help out, whether to give advice, to pitch in when a job had to be done, or to give support. He gave us his practical common sense aproach to issues and problems in his unfailing courteous and gentlemanly way. He will be missed at the board room table. In addition, Ian served for six years as the Society's representative on the Heritage Advisory Commit- tee and served a spell on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. He will continue to work on projects, including as chair of a committee aiming to make the Point Atkinson Light Station into an interpretive centre; in keeping the society's panel at the kiosk at John Lawson Park up to date - an idea which Ian promoted in the first instance. For all he has done we thank Ian for doing it so well. For all he will continue to do we wish him well. Thank you Peter for supplying us with this well- deserved appreciation of Ian's many contributions to the society and to West Vancouver in general.