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Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995

ACRA ARAC logo bil 450x71
The short history of Air Canada Recreation Association (ACRA) formerly Trans-Canada Air Lines Recreation Association (TCARA). 

Originally founded in 1941 in Winnipeg, TCARA/ACRA was a company sponsored association supporting social activities for both management and union employees. It was a part of the Awards and Recognition branch and was funded by the company and membership dues.

Unfortunately, company sponsorship ceased during the CCAA restructuring during 2003/04. ACRA groups still exist at individual stations but are now wholly funded by member contributions. 


tmb tcara curlers 1942 1943 champsHere we have the 1942-43 Curling Champions of the TCA Recreation Association. On March 2 they concluded a triumphal march with their successive victory as against no defeats.

From left to right: Charlie Johnson, Rene Baudru (skip), Fred Wood and Bill Harvey.

 


'ACRA' ...providing leisure and building teamwork.

Below is an excerpt from and article that appeared in 'Horizons' magazine dated November 1997, including comments from a group of ACRA representatives. 

It's after work and the fun is just beginning for thousands of Air Canada employees on any given day of the week across Canada and as far away as Los Angeles and Frankfurt, thanks to the efforts of local chapters of the Air Canada Recreation Association (ACRA).

Close to half of the airline's employees worldwide are ACRA members, who through the association have access to a range of leisure time activities limited only by their own imaginations.

Baseball, bowling, art shows, floor hockey, yoga, darts, photography, tennis and fishing derbies are only a few of the options.

Each of the 22 'ACRA's' in Canada, the U.S. and Europe "does pretty much what it wants and can afford," explains Gail Ellis, who as Coordinator of Employee Services in Montreal is the national contact for the Association.

Most membership fees run between $8 and $15 per year. Additionally, Air Canada provides administrative and financial support to the organization.

Air Canada welcomes the team building value of the 'ACRA's', and acknowledges the importance of the role played by the association in personal development, stating in its general policy that employees with leadership potential find opportunities to gain valuable experience in organizing and running activities and administering the local chapters.


Jim Miller, treasurer of the Toronto ACRA, says the Christmas dance and children's Christmas party are two of the most popular events staged by his chapter, which has about 3,000 members.

There is also a range of sports and cultural activities and organized events such as picnics and Blue Jay days.

In Tampa, ACRA spokesperson Cory Smith says the association promotes fellowship and a sense of community among all Air Canada employees through local events and fund-raising activities.

"We also sponsor employees to attend system sporting and cultural events so they can feel they are of the larger Air Canada family." she explains.

Charlene Jacques of ACRA Winnipeg says her chapter encourages fun and inventiveness and hopes to become a new and more innovative ACRA in the future.

"Winnipeg is a great city and our dedicated and talented employees are genuinely spirited and enthusiastic," she notes. "Our outlook for the future is to have more of a handle on our members' ideas to make events even more successful than they already are."

In Montreal there are picnics and sports as well, but that chapter, with more than 3,700 members, has also invested in its own gym and campground, both of which offer bargain prices to members.

"We charge only what we have to in order to cover costs," says Chapter President Julie Anne Lambert-MacKenzie.

Competition can get hot and heavy at some of the sporting events, especially when teams are vying to go to one of the system events like the tennis tournament in Long Boat Key, Florida, but in most cases the emphasis is on recreation and fun, says Jim Miller.

Membership is an option for any Air Canada employee or retiree. For active employees, dues are paid through a once-a-year payroll deduction.


Below is a list of ACRA stations including their inauguration dates (if available). 

The following also had TCARA at one time - Moncton (1944), Sydney, Nova Scotia (1944), Lethbridge (1944), Gander (1945), Chicago (1973), Pat Bay (North Saanich, British Columbia) (1945), Goose Bay (1950), London, Ontario. (1978).

In 1978 these were 15 locations for ACRA: Winnipeg, Moncton, London, England, Sault Ste. Marie, Halifax, Los Angeles, Quebec City, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Saint John, St. John's Newfoundland.

Sadly today, there are only a handful of districts who now organize local social events.

During a zoom meeting with LHR on August 11, 2021, Sally DeMendonca mentioned that the LHR ACRA would fold by the end of August, 2021, due to lack of interest.

For a personal reminiscence of ACRA, see 'Wayne's Wings' from NL #1440.


tmb pionairsThe spirit of comradery that had always been the basis of ACRA is still present in the Pionairs.

Hopefully, full activities among retirees will resume soon.

Check pionairs.ca for up to date information.

patricia lannon150x200We wish to congratulate Patricia 'Deedee' Lannon who is now serving as the 22nd President of the Pionairs.

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