On June 1, the BCIT Alumni Association shook things up at the 2020/21 Online Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Cocktail Class. The event saw more than 80 attendees, including alumni from BC and several other provinces across Canada. Participants learned about the achievements of the past year and fit in a little fun led by alumni-owned business The Bar Cart by Lavish Liquid.
“This past year was challenging and extraordinary in so many ways,” said BCIT Alumni Association President Emil Bosnjak as he welcomed AGM attendees. “But even though the world saw tremendous change, what remained the same for us is that everything we do is guided by our mission: to foster alumni success, give back to our BCIT community, and engage alumni for life.”
Emil shared the Alumni Association’s first Year in Review video highlighting the accomplishments over the past year. They included the Association’s $1-million commitment towards the INSPIRE Campaign for the first-ever BCIT Alumni Centre; the first BCIT Alumni Holiday Market featuring 25 alumni businesses; the hosting and sponsorship of more than 20 events including the Indigenous Alumni Panel, the Virtual Tea Tasting, and golf tournaments; and the funding of nearly $52,000 in awards and scholarship to 32 students.
“Thank you, all, for representing BCIT so well in your professional roles and in your communities,” said BCIT President Kathy Kinloch as she shared examples of the many contributions BCIT alumni have made to their communities. “My congratulations and thanks to all our exceptional BCIT alumni, who are helping to make our communities and world a better place for everyone through positive change and innovation.”
The retirement of two dedicated BCIT Alumni Association Board members was also announced: Vice President Kiel Landrigan (who has been a volunteer since 2012), whose role will be filled by Board Director Matthew Nolletti; and Vice President External of the BCIT Student Association (BCITSA) Claire McCallum, whose vacancy will be filled by newly elected BCITSA representative Abhay Bakshi.
During the event, attendees were treated to an exclusive cocktail lesson with The Bar Cart by Lavish Liquid. They used their pre-ordered cocktail kits (see photo) or ingredients they had on hand to follow chef de boisson Spencer Powell’s lead.
With jiggers, shakers, and swizzle sticks, they learned how to make two unique cocktails, voted for their favourite of the two, and vied for prizes as they submitted a total of 40 name suggestions for the top cocktail. The winning name, submitted by Brian Chan, for the BCIT Alumni Association’s first cocktail is “The Willingdon.”
The detailed recipes for both drinks will be published in the next Alumni Newsletter, which will be emailed to alumni in mid-June (update your contact information so you don’t miss it).
Watch the video recording of the 2021 AGM video:
View a complete list of the current BCIT Alumni Association board members. Read the BCIT Alumni Association’s 2020/21 Annual Report.
We sincerely thank our event partner, The Bar Cart by Lavish Liquid, and our event sponsor, BCIT School of Business + Media. Special thanks to our generous event sponsors, BMO, iA Financial Group, Prospera Credit Union, and TD Insurance.
Top photo caption (clockwise): BCITAA Executive Director Leslie Courchesne; BCITAA President Emil Bosnjak; BCIT President Kathy Kinloch; BCIT VP Advancement, Paul McCullough; BCIT Alumni Relations Manager Ali Siemens; BCITAA Secretary/Treasurer Reshmeena Lalani