Report on Founding Meeting

I presume that most of you are aware of the main details of this Founding Convention, as reported in the press and through the radio and television coverage. However, to tell the story briefly:

Twenty-one delegates, representing the seven provinces participating since the original meeting in Montreal October, 1961, assembled at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa for the purpose of completing all necessary details to make the CWF an actual operational organization in the interests of conservation at a Dominion-level.

There were two full days of meetings and intensive work, resulting in a finalized constitution, the formation of the necessary working committees such as finance, publicity, education, etc., and the establishment of basic policies of administration and procedure.

…The first day’s meetings were chaired by Bill Wallinger of British Colombia, after I, as the Working Committee Chairman, had presented the formal report on behalf of this committee and completed our phase of the original assignment set up last October in Montreal…

A nomination committee was appointed, Viv Sutton had been asked to act as the pro tem Treasurer until the Executive Director is appointed, and I had the very great honour of finding myself President. The other working executive officers are – Ralph Olive of New Brunswick, as Secretary – Ted Glendening, Quebec, - Bill Wallinger, BC and Gordon Cummings, Alberta.

Several other chairmen were appointed and it was indeed a pleasure to see how this group operated in hand-picking the obviously right men for the right jobs. With committees such as this set up, I do not feel that my own functions in this organization will be as formidable as it might appear.

The enthusiasm with which each an accepted the responsibility given him was very encouraging, and left one with the impression that such committees could not but succeed. 

…During this two-day session, we had the privilege of Dr. Paul Herbert, President of the National Wildlife Federation, attend our meetings.  We also had the benefit of opinion and comment from Mr. Winston Mair, Chief of the Canadian Wildlife Service and those of you who know Mr. Mair realize what a privilege this was. Education Committee activities and your delegates suggested to the meeting that Dr. Wes Curran be approached to act on behalf of Ontario in this connection.
Copies our finalized constitution and a bulletin outlining our aims and objectives will be available very shortly to any organization or individual desirous of obtaining these for their further information.

May I suggest that these items, plus the information that will be disseminated via the Wildlife Crusader magazine, should certainly place the intent and purpose of this organization before the general public.

Let me assure you that the CWF will exist “to co-ordinate all agencies, societies, clubs and individual interested in conservation and the scientific management of renewable natural resources” – to state only one of our objectives.

…I realize that this is an entirely new venture for you, and it will be some time before you realize the full import of this organization.

Respectfully submitted,
T. S. Hodgkiss,
President