Canadian Progress Charitable Foundation

By Janey Davies
CPCF Chair
  

Dear Fellow Progressians,

Wow, here it is 2005.  How quickly the time goes by.  It seemed like only a few short weeks ago we gathered in Edmonton to celebrate our successes and renew old acquaintances.  Congratulations, Edmonton, on a terrific convention. 

The Board of CPCF is celebrating as well, as $10,240.00 was raised for the Foundation in support of Special Olympics Canada during 4 short days.  What an amazing accomplishment.  On behalf of the Board I would like to thank each and every one of you for your involvement through donations, purchases and support of the pin program.  A very special thank you to the Foundation Directors for the long hours put in from Tuesday evening until Sunday afternoon.  Your dedication is commendable.

We are also celebrating the success of Special Olympics Canada being chosen as our charity of choice.  We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with them.  On that note, there has been concern raised about the fact that the Chair of the Foundation sits on the board of Special Olympics Canada.  I would like to assure you that, as always, the Board will ensure that the best interest of Progress and the Foundation has and will continue to come first and to that end we have obtained advice from two independent attorneys (not connected with Progress) and they have assured us that it is this is a very common scenario amongst related organizations, and especially related volunteer and charitable organizations as well as a matter of convenience for both and often provides valuable input to both respecting their separate deliberations.

As you all know, there are many Progress clubs that have members sit on the boards of the charities they raise funds for.  This practice is not new to the Foundation.  It started and has been ongoing for more than 10 years and was formalized in September at the request of the Foundation Board. 

We are also in the process of formalizing our agreement with Special Olympics Canada in regards to the endowment fund, which is also being conducted by independent attorneys. 

My goals, as Chair, are simple this year.  I would like to get back on track and do what the membership has mandated to this board, and that is to raise funds for our National Charity and to successfully complete our initial goals established two years ago and that is to complete our manual revisions and re-write the bylaws.

I would like, on behalf of the members of the Board, to extend our best wishes for a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Yours for Progress,
Janey Davies