Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Gentlemen:

On behalf of the Canadian Football League Alumni Association I would like to congratulate and thank our Alumni for the great work and the commitment your Associations have made to assist us in establishing the CFLAA.    

This year the CFLAA is already working in partnership with the Eskimo Alumni, the Grey Cup Festival committee and the EE football on hosting this years Grey Cup (as we did last year with the Calgary Alumni), continuing the vital co-operation that is necessary to have the CFLAA an the member Alumni Associations that constitute the membership, working cohesively in common endeavors.  Already I believe we have a much better network of communication between our Alumni Associations.  As in any organization the communication of the work we are all doing is vital to enhance this network and continue to build the bonds that tie us together.

I believe that our monthly Board tele-conference calls are an important vehicle in which to keep the lines of communication ongoing and informative.  It is important to have each and every team represented at each meeting, even if the member substituting for the appointed team representative is only there to gather the information to pass on to the local alumni they represent. 

Eventually we hope to have each Alumni pass on their local membership newsletter to be posted on the CFLAA website for members only to view.  In doing this we hope that general interest and knowledge of what each of us is working on can be shared and perhaps inspire other Alumni’s to initiate further programs in their area.  As well we can all keep abreast of the health and welfare of our brother Alumni members in each city. 

The Dire Needs Committee continues to work on the structure and format that will shape this committee.  Our goal is to have a working structure in place within the next couple of months so we can begin assisting the needs of our membership.   The work of the committee is ongoing.  We are also working on a national fundraising initiative with the League and member clubs which will require local alumni support.  Any fundraiser we contemplate will be consistent with our mission to enhance both local community and national awareness, raise capital for both the local and national dire needs funds and assist members in need. 

Once again I would like to thank all of our Alumni Associations for all the work and effort your membership put in last year establishing a foothold for the CFLAA and for the ongoing annual work you do in support of your local community.  You are the CFLAA and with your ongoing support and assistance, our purpose and mission statements can be fulfilled. 

Sincerely,

Hector Pothier
President CFLAA