Vancouver Island Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Society
Special General Meeting
Date: Monday, February 2, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM (PST)
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You are invited to attend a Special General Meeting to VOTE on the following resolution to approve the amalgamation of VPWAS and Ribbon Community Society.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Vancouver Island Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Society amalgamate with Ribbon Community Society, per the terms of the amalgamation agreement dated January 19, 2026.
To view the Amalgamation Agreement, click here.
http://vpwas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-28-Amalgamation-Agreement.pdf
If you wish to attend the meeting, RSVP to info@vpwas.org.
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Vancouver Island Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Society and Ribbon Community Society (founded as AIDS Vancouver in 1983) are pursuing amalgamation. This amalgamation will ensure the continuation of a peer leadership within the HIV response throughout the Islands and create new opportunities to support and empower communities living with – and impacted by – HIV and HIV stigma. This new chapter as an amalgamated Society will continue our shared work to pull together the past, present, and future of the HIV response in BC.
Over the past several months, VPWAS and Ribbon have collaborated closely on services for people living with HIV. We are confident that amalgamation will allow for a continuation of each organization’s strengths, programs, and services, including peer navigation available through Penny and Numa, and the women’s group.
Throughout the month of February, VPWAS and Ribbon will be working with our memberships to complete the legal process of amalgamating these two Societies, expecting this to be effective April 1, 2026. We will continue to provide updates throughout this process as we amalgamate as Ribbon Community Society and ensure ongoing peer leadership in the future of the HIV response.
VPWAS Board Chair Robert Birch (Robert.Birch@vpwas.org) and Ribbon Community ED Sarah Chown (SarahC@RibbonCommunity.org) are both available to answer questions and provide support through this change.
