In early January 1997, Canadians Janice Laureen and Elizabeth & Jim Little talked about creating a new social organization for Canadians in Southern California. They pooled their knowledge of Canadians and key organizations in and around Los Angeles who might be interested in being a part of this new group.
On the list was Lulu Leszczynski whom Janice had met the previous summer at a Canadian Society event. Coincidentally, Lulu and her friend Diana Reisman were planning a small literary salon for Canadian writer, William Weintraub, Diana's uncle and author. He was visiting Los Angeles to discuss his recently released book about the history of Montreal. The timing and event was perfect to test the feasibility of a new group. Janice approached the recently appointed Consul General, The Right Honourable Kim Campbell and inquired whether she would like to host the salon at the Consul General's residence. Charming and willing to assist, Ms. Campbell agreed and invitations were sent to a pool of Canadians in the Los Angeles area. Over 50 people attended the book reading in late January.
The success of the salon inspired Janice to hold, over the next several months, a number of residential pizza and beer meetings to establish a board of directors. Invited to these meetings were a diverse group of people from all over Canada, with varying careers and across many age groups. These first meetings were quite boisterous and very social in nature. Everyone enjoyed meeting other Canadians whom they might not necessarily have met back in Canada and common bonds were established from the onset. Janice presented aggressive agendas at each meeting and much was covered in establishing the parameters of a new group.
In April 1997, the following 18 individuals voted to become an official organization. These individuals became the group's first board of Directors: Dr. Lynn Elen Burton, John Dale, Gerry Farrell, John Kapelos, Janice Laureen, Lulu Leszczynski, Elizabeth Little, Jim Little, Suzanne Lyons, Reina MacDonald, Kathy O'Brien, Mario Piamonte, Glenn Poy, Howard Tenn, Dr. Jay Smith, Kathie Stephenson, David Swanson and Michael Zakula. Peter McLaughlin attended the meetings as a representative from the Canadian Consulate.
Several issues needed to be dealt with before the group could truly become an entity and offer membership benefits. Among the immediate issues was a name for the group and the winning title suggested by Lulu was "Canadians Abroad, Les Canadiens a l'etranger". It was decided that it would be best to incorporate the group before "starting in business", and this was aptly handled by Reina MacDonald, Chief In House Counsel with an international manufacturing firm. Under her direction, by-laws were prepared and incorporation paper drawn up. Before the incorporation process could proceed however, the group had to come up with the associated fees of incorporation. This was resolved by creating a Charter Member category, whereby individuals and families could put forth $100 at the onset and become a Charter Member. A number of individuals stepped up to the plate and the documents were filed -- on May 27, 1997, Canadians Abroad became an official organization.
Janice Laureen served as the group's first president. The first official event occurred on June 4th, 1997 at the Official Residence of the Consul General, The Right Honorable Kim Campbell. Over 60 people turned out to hear the former BC Minister of Health and Canada's first female Prime Minister, discuss the Canadian Federal election which had been held two days prior. Ms. Campbell gave an eloquent introduction and the evening was a grand success. Over the course of the first few years, the word quickly spread and the group welcomed many new members.
Past Presidents have included Twyla Mensch, Glenda Broughton and Clancy Grass who spearheaded the first Maple Leaf Ball in Los Angeles. Lee Fraser led the group as President from 2002 to 2009 overseeing the move to electronic membership management and leading several incredible events including the 1st All Canadian University Alumni Event in 2008 and the Solar XOF1 Car Event in 2009.
Now in it's fourteenth year, Canadians Abroad is ready to reach out to the large population of Canadians in Southern California.