BIRTH of the OSAC

OTTAWA - At the nation's capital scene, Canada celebrated her lust birthday on July 1, 1978, with parades galore and spectacular displays of pyrotechnics at Parliament Hill. To all compatriots this is a day of gaiety and merriment, enchanted with festive spirits to perpetuate the traditional anniversaries since the articles of

confederation were instituted at Charlottetown, P.E.I., in 1867. This historic episode represents the act of confederation to create a sovereign dom-ain with self-determinism. The eras of settlement and colonialism transpired with this event, north of the 49th para-llel to become the 10 provinces and terr-itories known to the world as Canada.

Some 50 miles south of Ottawa, a pioneer group of deaf souls organized a camping weekend at the Farran provincial park near Cornwall, Ontario. Ten enthus-iasts pitched tent and supplanted the occasion of July 1st, 1978 to mark the birthplace of the OTTAWA SILENT ATHLETIC CLUB. Cheers, ebullience, gaiety and

banter surrounded a bonfire to add sple-ndor and reinforce some predetermined objectives leading to the betterment of life among the deaf and hard of hearing at Ottawa. Subsequently, several programs and activities were devised at meetings of the executive board. We, the founders hope to instill more action and

accomp-1ishment than was heretofore conspicuous at Ottawa. The prime objectives of the O.S.A.C are to encourage sports but there are also social and service features to appeal. Preference is accorded to those who perceive and appreciate the roles anticipant through organization. Eviden-tly, there is a clamor for sports,

particularly of interest to the younger deaf and hard of hearing groups, which Were trifled over the years by the sole association at Ottawa. Having encountered much frustration and disenchantment this group opted to act upon the perseverance of our interests as well as to take progressive steps with time to come. "Nothing

ventured, nothing gained" is an ancient cliche, but a time tested and proven one to bear in mind against adverse conditions. Let it be "the motto" of the O.S.A.C.

Inherent is various possibilities to exploit with future expansion of membership and resultant financial support. It merely entreats the ingredients of co-operation and devotion, complemented by administrative facility within committees and project development. There should prevail, a balance of activities in response to the avocation of members, which groups could gather to promote. Some are interested in sports, others incline toward organizational, business, or social and other occasions where enjoyment and progress may endure. The OTTAWA SILENT ATHLETIC CLUB is intended to assume pragmatic roles in a creative and liberal

atmosphere. Members should concur that clubs are meant to inspire unity toward worthy ends for ourselves deaf citizens. The inherent principle -is to invest some effort in various styles, whether financial, administrative, educational, social and otherwise. Time has beckoned upon Ottawa to awaken and respond to the opportunities hand. So, come and join us to keep the ball rolling. Let us be the swingers -of the 1970's and 1980's to venture where others flounce and carry the torch from failing hands as symbolized long ago at the pinnacle of Greek wisdom.

As individuals differ in patterns interest and lifestyles, demands arise over certain services and benefits desired through organization. The obvious recourse was to create a viable and more progressive club as predicated upon the situation. Indeed, it can be demonstrated at leadership at Ottawa had abounded with

iterate semblance of fascist conduct and dogmatic overtures. Such is the proper sanctuary of cattle, sheep and sycophants. It culminated only in the establishment of the O.S.A.C. to rescue our fellow men from the fetters of intellectual thralldom. The constitution of Canada was transg-ressed and scarcely acknowledged to exist...... until the advent of the OTTAWA SILENT ATHLETIC CLUB.

R.E. Rockwood