Let’s work together to make the Lebanese Canadian Society of BC the Best Community Ever!
Dear Community Members,
It is a special honour and a privilege to begin my term as president of the Lebanese Canadian Society of British Columbia (LCS of BC).
Our past president, George Rouhana, deserves an enormous thank you from all of us for guiding and serving the society for the past nine years, as well as establishing the Arabic Language School.
My mission, which is inspired from the LCS objectives, is to give my best to this community; to increase the relationship and communication amongst all LCS members around Vancouver. As President, I am committed to working with all members as we strive to bring together all the Lebanese residing in the lower mainland under the LCS umbrella.
As a new President alongside the newly elected board, we will put the extra effort to expand our social and cultural activities. We will provide our full support, especially to the youth, to enable them to arrange their own events within their Lebanese community as well other communities in BC or nationwide; at the end of the day, they are the future of our society.
It is my pleasure to introduce to you our newly-elected Board members. We are fortunate to have so many capable, interested, and dedicated members willing to serve the society, and I encourage each and everyone of you to get involved as well.
Thank you for giving me the privilege to serve our community
Mr. Henry Zarifeh, WLCU BC Council President, presenting a plaque of appreciation to Mr. George Rouhana LCS past president.
Recognition
Mr. George Rouhana, LCS past President, presenting a plaque of recognition to Mrs. Yolla Bathani; As well as Certificates of Appreciation to the Youth: Samir Chahine, Melanie Kahwaji and Sabine Kahwaji
Dr. Nick Kahwaji
Vice President Resident of BC, and member of LCS since 23 years. My Wife and I became active in the society in an objective to nurture the Lebanese roots in our born Canadian kids. Past president of LCS and of the WLCU-BC council. I became a World Secretary General of the WLCU (Oct 2009-Mar 2012 ), and a main representative of the WLCU in the UN-Department of Public information since 2009. I would like to help in any way the board needs me. I am proud to work with the enthusiastic new board members to keep the Lebanese cultural alive, and to connect all the Lebanese together in the lower mainland, as well as in the province, and worldwide.
Carla Zarifeh
Secretary My family emigrated from Lebanon in 1989. In 2001, we joined the LCS and have been involved in the association since then. Since 1995, I have been working at a private swim school, Aquaventures Swim Centre. I am the managing director and my position provides the grounds to combine my passion for running a business and teaching. Both my parents have served on the board of directors of both LCS and WLCU, so I have always been actively involved in the association in many ways (preparing food for picnics, MC’ing when the ambassador was visiting, helping out with the sound system, ladies’ brunch, and much more.) I am proud to be a member of the new board of directors and will continue to do whatever it takes to keep the Lebanese Canadian Society moving forward and growing while enhancing the Lebanese spirit, heritage and culture for my children and other youth.
Nicolas Zammar
Treasurer My family and I immigrated to Canada in 1991. We lived in Ottawa for a few months before relocating to Vancouver. I was a mechanic for about 20 years and had my own Auto Body shop, but am now retired. My family and I have always been actively involved in the community. I was a member of the Mashghara Association before immigrating to Canada when we joined the LCS in 1992. It wasn’t until 2004 that I became a member of the board of directors of the LCS as the Treasurer. As we live in a multicultural environment, I strongly believe that we should all do everything we can to ensure that our roots are carried over to our children and grandchildren. As a proud member of the board of directors, I strongly value the Lebanese culture and the heritage. My mission for our society is to encourage the community involvement and continuous growth of the Lebanese culture so we may never forget our roots.
Nesrine Jabbour
Director My Name is Nesrine Jabbour, I immigrated to Canada in 1996 and living in Vancouver since. Today, I work as a financial advisor with Freedom55 financial, working with clients on their overall financial plans. I help my clients and their families to implement investment and insurance strategies that will help them in their retirement and minimizing taxes today. In 2008 LCS nominated me to present British Columbia for the Miss Lebanon Emigrant, which I did and it was an unforgettable experience. I joined the board to help advocate the work we do here to connect people and abroad. It is important to stay in touch with your culture; we live in a multicultural environment and if there were no representation of our culture and people we most definitely would forget and neglect our roots. My mission and vision for the organization is to bring exposure and help connect people with our organization so we can keep the voice of who we are going.
Gretta Chidiac
Director In 2006 when Israel was trying to invade Lebanon my husband and I fled with our two boys to Vancouver, I began working as a special education assistant at St. Michael School. Regardless of the harsh circumstances that made us leave Lebanon, I still have a strong passion for Lebanese culture, heritage and traditions. This is the main reason I decided to become a member of the LCS as a director on the board, my main goal is to instil the same passion I have for Lebanon in our youth in the hopes that they will carry it on in the future.
Nicolas Haddad
Director I immigrated to Canada since few years back. Currently working with HSBC Bank of Canada as Account Manager for Business Banking. Being a volunteer in two different NGO organizations in Lebanon and organizing 4 entertainment/educational events during my years of university in USJ I believe that I can offer and create new ideas / concepts along with the LCS board that will place the Lebanese Community in BC in an exceptional position. My focus will be mainly on the Lebanese youth in BC and my objective is to represent LCS as a role model for others.
