OLYMPICS:

COC fundraising board resigns over 'directional difference of opinion'

Oct. 18, 2010 ― The Canadian Press 

The entire board of the fundraising arm of the Canadian Olympic Committee has resigned over a “directional difference of opinion,” according to a COC board member.

Larry Smith, who is also president and CEO of the Montreal Alouettes, confirmed Monday evening that all members of the board of the Canadian Olympic Foundation have recently resigned. The COF raised money for Canadian athletes in their preparation for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C.

“There were lately discussions between the COC and the COF and basically it came down to the two groups couldn’t come up with a common plan and the board decided to step down,” Smith said from Montreal. “The complete board has resigned.

“My experience with corporate change and corporate organizations, having worked with Labatt’s and some fairly big companies in my career before getting involved in the CFL, is that it’s not uncommon for these types of situations to occur.”

The foundation began raising money for athletes in 2007 via online donations, direct marketing and gift campaigns. Its successful campaign selling red mittens for $10 each raised $14 million for Canadian athletes at the 2010 Winter Games.

Smith couldn’t specify what the disagreements were or who the board members were that resigned.

“What happens inside the organization always stays inside the organization,” he said. “All I can tell you is there were long discussions, those discussion were amicable. Those discussions led to the decision that has taken place.”

A letter sent to Mr. David Zussman, chairman of the 2010 and Beyond Panel, from COF chairman France Chretien Desmarais and CEO David Armour in 2009, listed powerful names in business, industry and sport who were on the COF board.

The list included former Manitoba premier Gary Filmon, Cirque du Soleil president and CEO Daniel Lamarre, Research in Motion co-CEO Jim Balsillie and international figure skating judge Jean Senft. Desmarais is the daughter of former primer minister Jean Chretien and she resigned along with the other board members.

The COC has undergone rapid change at the top since the Winter Games concluded Feb. 28. Marcel Aubut took over for Michael Chambers as president, Jean Dupre replaced Chris Rudge as CEO and Chris Overholt was appointed chief operating and marketing officer.
Armour remains as CEO of the Olympic Foundation, Smith said.

“There’s a new board that needs to be constituted,” he said. “David in conjunction with the new members will have to work through reconstituting the board.”

Smith could not say whether athletes would see a shortfall in funding because of the resignations.

“I think we’re going to have to wait and see,” he said. “The good news is the COF and the board did a fantastic job, working hard and raising money with VANOC and with various business contacts they had. Everyone is really proud with what they contributed.”  S-Magazine