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THE BLACK WATCH
OF CANADA FOUNDATION
by Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Birks
As we start a new decade, and as President, I thought I would take the occasion to summarize the history, aims, and projects of the Black Watch of Canada Foundation. Founded in 1995, its aims, as presented in its incorporation document, are to promote, support, and carry on the charitable activities of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada (the “Regiment”) through:
• the preservation of the traditions of the Regiment and other Highland Regiments in Canada;
• the maintenance of high standards of Highland dress and ceremonial performance;
• leadership training in citizenship responsibility and discipline;
• musical training and support of pipe & drum and brass bands;
• the provision of university scholarships for the education of young men & women;
• athletic training and the development of athletic skills & competition;
• participation at community functions, military ceremonies, and Highland Games;
• the research, writing, and publication of a Regimental History;
• the collection, maintenance, and exhibition of the Regiment’s artifacts, memorabilia, and archives in a public museum; AND,
• the health care of the sick & injured and the relief of poverty & distress amongst present & former members of the Regiment;
It is quite a challenge to accomplish these objectives, but I am proud to say your Foundation is doing so in so many ways.
The largest gifts of the Foundation are assigned to The Royal Highlanders of Canada (hereafter RHC), incorporated in 1907, to hold the acquired rights of the Regiment in the Bleury Street Armoury. Although these rights have been transferred to the Foundation, RHC continues to be the operating corporation of the Regiment, the “just do it” driver of some of the most important projects such as: publishing Canada’s Red
Hackle, acquiring Highland uniforms & accoutrements which are not supported by the Army; the operations of the Museum & Archives; the publication of the new Regimental History Book; the Regimental website; our staff; the kit shop; and, those expenses associated with Regimental representations and various other projects such as the recent thank you packages given to our soldiers who performed so splendidly on Covid-19 duty.
The Foundation directly supports our four Cadet Corps, various awards to the troops, and works closely with the Association Branches, the Black Watch Scottish Arts Society, and receives donations-in-kind for the Museum & Archives.
Although the investment fund of the Foundation is hovering near the $600,000 mark, much of the Foundation’s efforts are aimed at fundraising. We have introduced the Colonels’ Circle concept which seeks donations of $250 annually from prominent members of our community who wish to support the Regiment, both morally and financially. We receive generous annual donations from the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal to support Piping & Drumming, especially the youth teaching program. We rely on donations from readers of this magazine when they fill in the blue insert enclosed in every issue. (Please consider a donation!)
In the fiscal year 2018-19, the Foundation spent $231,472 on such projects. While this is quite an impressive amount, it did require some drawdown from the investment account.
I am truly honoured and thankful to work with an impressive and conscientious Board of Directors composed of: LCol (Ret) Chuck McCabe (Chairman); Mr. Tom Bourne (VP); Mr. John Limeburner (Treasurer); LCol (Ret) Hal Klepak; LCol (Ret) Gordon Lusk; Major (Ret) Brent Cowan, and Capt (Ret) Andrew MacKay (Chair of the Audit Committee). I note, with much appreciation, the help of Mr. Peter McAuslan and Mr. Robert Wilkins who serve on the Audit Committee as well as – although unofficially - the ever reliable and experienced eye of HCol Bruce Bolton, whose guidance is critical and whose knowledge of our Regiment is second to none.
In conclusion, the support, both moral and financial, of the Regimental Family, is essential to keep the Foundation a viable and valuable contributor to Regimental life.
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