Vancouver Commandery
The Vancouver Commandery, founded in 1986, is the largest of the four Commanderies in the Grand Priory of Canada. With its vision of delivering support to the sick and poor, the Vancouver Commandery has played a strong role in the funding and delivery of palliative care programs, hospice and other services in our community.
Membership is vital to the success of our organization. With over 180 members, the Vancouver Commandery continues to attract individuals who are prominent in their professions, community or local affairs and who actively support charitable works.
Vancouver Commandery Vision, Mission and Values
Commanders of the Vancouver Commandery
To make PAYMENTS to the Vancouver Commandery, ‘click’ on Payments
Committees of the Vancouver Commandery
Almoner
The Vancouver Commandery is known in the community as an organization that specializes in the support of palliative/end of life care projects. The Almoner Committee (Projects) is tasked with reviewing opportunities and bringing forward recommendations for future projects and initiatives to the Commandery Council. Its activities include the examination of end of life care trends and best practices, the exploration of training opportunities to enhance end of life service delivery and the provision of support to organizations engaged in the development of end of life facilities.
Almoner Committee Terms of Reference and Committee
2021 Annual Report – Almoner Committee – Final
GRANTS
Events & Social
This Committee plans, schedules and organizes events with their venues for various meetings and special activities throughout the calendar year. The purpose is to engage members of the Vancouver Commandery to get to know each other through social, fun and educational
activities. One that comes to mind is arranging the Christmas luncheon.
In a non covid year the Committee was choosing and arranging gatherings in different restaurants for members to come out and meet members, or attend an opera. In the past we have arranged speakers to talk about current topics that are related to helping
the Lord’s sick and poor or pertinent to our hospice and palliative care work throughout the province.
The Committee organizes the Investiture Gala dinner, booking the hotel, choosing the menu and working with the Marshal’s Committee. On the investiture weekend the Committee organizes the Friday night reception for Aspirants, dignitaries and invited guests.It is also involved in the planning of the Orientation evening for the Aspirants.
Foundation
Herald
Hospitaller
The purpose of the Hospitaller Committee is to provide Members of the Vancouver Commandery with opportunities to engage in Charitable Volunteer Activity that assists the Lord’s sick and poor and reflects our New Vision and Mission Statements.
Volunteer work may include:
● Fostering Orientation and training in Hospice and Palliative Care
● Encouraging and facilitating trained members volunteering with Palliative Care provider organizations and ongoing volunteering in the Home Care Support in our Community
● Engaging in equally important charitable volunteer programs supporting the poor, sick and vulnerable populations in our community who are not in the Palliative Cohort.
In addition, the Committee prioritizes and pilots the Volunteer Programs chosen and identifies specific goals, expectations and deliverables, timelines, and measurables and key performance indicators.
Marshal
The Marshal’s Committee is responsible for organizing the Investiture each year. The Committee is composed of the chairs of multiple committees whose work intersects with the Investiture.
Membership
The membership committee receives nominations for potential Aspirants, vets nominees and upon approval of the Commander, initiates and follows up on the membership applications process. Members of the Commandery, and the Sovereign Order as a whole, are encouraged to consider who in their networks would be a good addition to the Vancouver Commandery. Three important aspects that are considered in membership applications have been summed up as “Time, Talent and Treasure”.
Vancouver 2022 Sovereign Council Meeting Planning
The Vancouver 2022 Sovereign Council Meeting (SCM) Planning Committee was established, on behalf of the Commander, Vancouver Commandery, to plan, prepare and host all members of the Sovereign Order of St. John, Knights Hospitaller, and their guests to the week-long activities in support of the constitutionally-required biennial meeting of Sovereign Council. Activities include the Investiture Church Service, social events and tours during and after the SCM.
It is the intent of the Committee to invite every member of the Sovereign Order to attend the SCM week and know they – and their guests – are welcome to observe the Sovereign Council in action during their two days of Meetings. It is a unique opportunity for members who might not otherwise ever see or hear senior officers discussing policy and making decisions on items that will set the course of the Sovereign Order for the future. Each member’s participation for even part of the time is encouraged to further understanding of the important work this significant organization is engaged in.