Getting Involved: Joining the CPAA Board

A blog series by Stephen Lee, CP Alberta Board Member

1986 – Joining the CPAA Board

In 1986, Ken Thomas resigned from the Cerebral Palsy Alberta Association (CPAA) board. Before leaving the board, Ken suggested that I should consider joining.

I contacted Shirley Church, who was serving as CPAA President, and told her that I was interested in becoming a board member. At the next Annual General Meeting, I was elected to the CPAA Board.

At the time, the board was made up primarily of parents from the Edmonton and Calgary local associations. There were also a few board members with lived experience of cerebral palsy and one or two members from other parts of Alberta.

Board Meetings in Red Deer

Board meetings were held approximately four times a year on Saturdays. The Edmonton members would meet in the parking lot of the Saratoga Restaurant, which was located on Highway 2 south of Edmonton, now known as the Queen Elizabeth II Highway.

From there, the Edmonton group would travel together in a rental vehicle to Red Deer, where they would meet the board members travelling from Calgary and other areas.

For several years, the board meetings were held in a boardroom at the Red Deer hospital. Lunch was usually taken in the hospital cafeteria.

The board also had several committees, including Personnel and Finance. During the board meeting, members would divide into committees for an hour or two to work on specific issues before returning to the full board.

This meeting structure allowed the board to deal with both organization-wide matters and specific areas of responsibility.

1986 – Gord & Glen Golf Tournament

Another important event in 1986 involved the first CJCA Gord & Glen Golf Tournament.

CPAA was selected as the beneficiary of the money raised from the inaugural tournament. The original arrangement was intended to last for one year, with a different charity selected as the beneficiary in subsequent years.

The relationship between CPAA and the organizers continued, however, and CPAA remained the beneficiary for several years.

The tournament has continued under a different name. It is now known as the Gary Draeger Memorial Golf Classic, with proceeds supporting 880 CHED Santas Anonymous.

Edmonton CP Association

During this period, I also became involved with the Edmonton Cerebral Palsy Association. I attended its monthly meetings and served as Treasurer for approximately two years.

The Edmonton association operated primarily as a parent support group. Monthly meetings provided an opportunity for parents of children with cerebral palsy to meet and discuss issues affecting their families.

The association also provided financial assistance for equipment and car seats for families.

Annual Fundraising and Family Events

The Edmonton CP Association organized an annual carnation fundraiser. Volunteers sold carnations to raise funds while also increasing public awareness of cerebral palsy.

Two major family events were held each year.

The first was the annual Christmas Party. Children with cerebral palsy received a gift from Santa, and families attended a festive meal together.

The second was the June Family Picnic, which brought children and families together for an outdoor community event.

CPAA supported the Edmonton association by providing office space and occasional grants to assist with its activities and programs.

Continuing Involvement

By 1986, involvement with CPAA extended beyond sports. Board service, parent support activities, fundraising, family events, and community programs were all part of the organization's work.

The Edmonton and Calgary local associations provided opportunities for families to connect, while CPAA provided support and resources for programs throughout Alberta.

These activities became part of the broader network of programs and events associated with Cerebral Palsy Alberta during the late 1980s.