Canadian Yachting June 2023 - 39

THE CANADIAN POWER SQAUDRONS FOUNDATION
REMAINS TRUE TO ITS STATED GOALS
AND OBJECTIVES
- by Larry Hicks, AP, CPS Foundation Chair
Other than postings on the Canadian
Power Squadrons Foundation's website
and a brief report provided attendees
of the 2022 CPS-ECP AGM, it has been
a while since the foundation provided
a status report and concise update on
current activities.
In the interest of keeping communication lines open and
making sure that all members of CPS-ECP are aware of the
foundation's current status and activities and availability to
still accept donations, the membership of the foundation
thought it timely to provide a convenient, direct and readily
accessible update here.
First, though, a brief review of the history of the Canadian
Power Squadrons Foundation.
At an April 3, 1973 CPS governing board meeting, an initial
proposal and concept was provided by the national treasurer
for a " Memorial and Gifts Foundation for Education "
to be administered by five CPS members.
This concept was refined and, on November 5, 1975, Letters
Patent were issued for Canadian Power Squadrons Foundation
with the stated objectives bring " to provide training
and study courses and facilities in the field of boating seamanship,
piloting, navigation and safe handling of boats
of all kinds; to extend support to the activities of Canadian
Power Squadrons; and to do all such things as are incidental
or conducive to the attainment of the above objects. "
On June 26, 2014, the foundation received a Certificate
of Continuance with the stated purpose unchanged, with
the exception of the change of reference to the name of
Canadian Power Squadrons to Canadian Power and Sail
Squadrons.
Since inception, distributions from the foundation to CPSECP
have totalled $659,000, of which $424,000 has been
provided over the past five years. This has been possible
thanks to your generous donations.
Bringing things up to date, the foundation's website
- www.cpsfoundation.ca - has been overhauled, including
a revision in the presentation of the electronic versions of
the Memorial and Honour Roll Program logs. Website access
is easy and well worthy of a personal tour.
In 2022, the foundation's membership increased from seven
to nine of which five are directors. Members elect directors
for terms of five years. Information on each member can be
found on the foundation website's Members page.
When the request to squadrons and districts to donate to
the CPS-ECP " Give a Little - Help a Lot " program was initiated,
the foundation provided an unsolicited $100,000
donation. These funds were designated for the use of the
national educational department for course development
and upgrades.
Also in 2022, the foundation cleared the way for accepting
donations via e-transfer. This makes the donation process
easier and faster by removing reliance on mailing cheques
and documentation. Full instructions can also be found on
the website. But, of course, donations can still be made by
mailing cheques and donation forms to CPS-ECP national
office.
The Canadian Power Squadrons Foundation remains committed
to assisting CPS-ECP and appreciates your continued
support.
Details of the existing programs of the foundation - the
Memorial and Gift Fund, and Honour Roll and Affinity Pin
programs - along with funding guidelines, such as the fact
that donations are retained to help grow invested capital
to then produce the returns used for qualifying grants, are
also explained further on the foundation website. Please
feel free to reach out to any of the foundation's directors
for more information.
Larry Hicks was drawn to CPS after surviving the then 16week
entry-level course in 1975 and is a part of the Tillsonburg
Squadron educational team to this day, with 45
merit marks to his credit in 2020. He has been Tillsonburg
Squadron Commander and District Commander for Western
Ontario District, and served since 2007 as a director with the
CPS Foundation under the guidance of John Hinksman. ■
CANADIANYACHTING.CA
39
http://www.cpsfoundation.ca http://www.CANADIANYACHTING.CA
Canadian Yachting June 2023

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