Canadian Progress Club Calgary Downtown

The Downtown Club has chartered several clubs in Calgary and we formed the Uncles at Large Calgary program in 1970. Together with other Progress clubs we funded and directed the program until it was merged with Big Brothers Big Sisters in 1994. This is still Downtown’s main charity. We have three or four main fundraising events each year and raise an average of $250,000 per year with thirty members. We hold several social events each year such as a Golf Tournament, an Awards Night BBQ and a Christmas party and participate in community service activities such as the Food Bank, Mustard Seed and Feed the Hungry. We are a lively group of men committed to making a difference.

Canadian Progress Charitable Foundation (CPCF) was created in 1967 in  an effort to establish a lasting legacy for its’ members that would  endure over time. It would show our members and the public our Canadian  pride and our resolve to assist those in need. The foundation was  registered as a Non Profit Corporation for charitable purposes in 1968  to support the charitable objectives and purposes of the Canadian  Progress Club (CPC). In keeping with regulatory changes, it’s bylaws  were updated in 2014 and now the foundation operates as an independent  body with the full support and involvement of it’s membership.

It is recognized by CRA as a “charitable organization” pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Since the establishment of CPCF, a number of organizations have  benefited from support received through the Foundation. These include  Camp Warwa (Edmonton), Canadian House of Progress (Regina) and Bob  Rumball Centre for the Deaf (Toronto), to name but a few. We continue to  look for new initiatives to promote the ideals of the Canadian Progress  Club and support those causes that aid the disadvantaged and  strengthens the fabric that is Canada.

In 1986, the members of CPC, looking to find common ground and a  uniting focus for all clubs across Canada decided to use the resources  of CPCF to support Special Olympics. A goal was set to raise $1 million  to be kept in an endowment fund for that purpose. From that fund  periodic (now annual) donations to SOC have been and will continue to be  made. Monies donated have assisted the Canadian Special Olympians to  attend training activities, camps, skill and Coaching. The $1 million  pool was reached in 2005 at the CPC National Convention in Saskatoon ”“ a  very proud moment for all Progressians. CPC, through CPCF, is now not  just a sponsor but has become a partner with Special Olympics.  Currently, Special Olympics Canada holds training camps for athletes,  coaches and support staff that are funded by the donation received from  CPCF. A second goal was agreed upon in 2004, to raise an additional $1  million in a second endowment fund in support of Special Olympics, and  we are now half way at meeting this goal.

The resources of CPCF are available to assist those in need in all  communities across this great country where there is a CPC presence.  CPCF charitable purposes place a strong focus on persons with physical  and intellectual disabilities, as evidenced by our past activities but  other purposes are also well recognized and supported. You can be a part  of all of this by contributing to Canadian Progress Charitable  Foundation (CPCF).

The resources of CPCF are generated from funds raised by the  chartered Canadian Progress Clubs located across Canada, and their  members and sponsors. Money is also raised by individual and corporate  donations.

For more information on the Canadian Progress Charitable Foundation,  or to make a donation by more traditional means, please contact CPCF  National Office at Progressclub@rogers.com.

The Canadian Progress Charitable Foundation - On January 25, 1968 the Canadian Progress Charitable Foundation was chartered. Clubs contribute to the foundation each year and the money funds the travel and outfitting costs of Canadian Special Olympians at their World and Olympic competitions.

Conventions - A National Convention of the Canadian Progress Clubs is held annually at locations across Canada and even one, in 1977, in Bermuda. Regional conventions are also held annually.

Aims & Objects - To create and preserve in the Canadian Progress Club a spirit of friendship that is sincere, helpful and enduring.  To uphold a standard of personal self respect requiring that members’ behaviour shall cause no reproach to be reflected upon those with whom they associate in public or private life.  To live up to a code of honour which requires business transactions to be in accordance with recognized ethics.  To make each Canadian Progress Club an Association of individuals of high ideals, devoted to the advancement of the best interest of the community in which that club is located.  To aid and assist those in need.  To foster goodwill throughout the whole of Canada; to aid in uniting all the people of Canada into a nation that shall stand as one of the great and prosperous people of the world.  To show by leadership and example the pride of being a Canadian.

History -  Maurice Guenear and James Brennan founded the Canadian Progress Club in 1922. Its first club was the Canadian Progress Club Toronto Downtown. This club’s first meeting was held on November 16, of the same year. One hundred businessmen and professionals joined together to form the club. Included in this group of men was former Toronto mayor, Nathan Phillips, who was an Honorary President of the Toronto Downtown club until his death on January 7, 1976. Growth and Expansion Across the Country…  The Canadian Progress Club was centrally based until the 1960s. There was not one club outside of Quebec and Ontario until 1963, when the Calgary Downtown club was established. It has chartered many clubs in the region including the first all-women’s club, “Calgary Eves” in 1977. Today there are 36 clubs across the country. They are divided into the Eastern, Central, Great Plains and Western Regions.  (Excerpts from “A Brief History of the Canadian Progress Club” by Lee Irwin)