Serving the Eastern Townships English-speaking Community since 1979.
Founded in 1979, Townshippers' Association is a volunteer-based non-profit association representing some 4,000 members scattered throughout a territory measuring approximately 16,000 square kilometres, historically known as the Eastern Townships.
In the 1970s, the number of English-speaking Townshippers began to decline. As the community’s numbers dropped, so too did its influence and visibility. The founding of Townshippers’ Association was a creative response to this situation, identifying mutual concerns among English speakers and promoting their interests. Its founding meeting, October 27, 1979, took place during a period of cultural upheaval, soon after the Parti Québécois had adopted legislation to promote the French language (Bill 101) and at the time of a symposium permitting English-speaking Townshippers to meet with Dr. Camille Laurin, Minister of State for Cultural Development and primary architect of Bill 101.
The idea of Townshippers’ Association struck a chord among English speakers in the Eastern Townships. By its first anniversary, the Association had 5,000 members, and has since always maintained its close grassroots connection. Its mission has remained relevant over the 25 years of its existence.
Townshippers' Association has a long history of sponsoring community and cultural events, keeping in close touch with the Townships English-speaking community through outreach meetings and other communication strategies, and intervening in the fields of health and social services, youth, education, employment, heritage and culture. Its input is sought by federal, provincial and local governments and other bodies on a variety of issues that touch on the lives of English speakers. It has also worked hard to encourage the participation of the English-speaking community in the Eastern Townships in all aspects of the greater community, fostering the spirit of neighbourliness that has long existed between French and English speakers in the region.
President of the Association
Dick Stoddard, 1979- 1980
James Ross, 1980- 1982
Marjorie Goodfellow, 1982- 1985
Della Goodsell, 1985- 1987
Heather Keith-Ryan, 1987- 1989
Mary Mitchell, 1989-
Myrna MacAulay, 1989- 1992
Paulette Losier, 1992- 1994
David Morgan, 1994- 1995
Nancy Beattie, 1995- 1997
Theodora Brinckman, 1997- 1998
Gary Richards, 1998- 2000
Heather Keith-Ryan, 2000- 2001
Peter Quilliams, 2001- 2004
Heather Bowman, 2004- 2006
Michael van Lierop, 2006-