The Early Days 

The Cornwall Senior Citizens' Bridge Club was founded in the late 1970's or early 1980's by the late Howard Cunningham, ably assisted by his wife Pat, and a group of dedicated bridge players. The Club began due to requests for a weekly game of bridge for seniors, with the age of 50 and over being established as the target membership range. Other games which were offered at that time were held in the evenings and people were seeking a game during the day.

The Founding Members

• Howard & Pat Cunningham
• Dorothy Donihee
• Joyce Harrison

While the group may have operated informally in the beginning Circa 1983 the group applied for a sanction to become an official American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) Club. The request was approved and Club #208090 was born. The first Executive Committee was chaired by the late Dorothy Donihee, to whom one of our Club Championships is dedicated. Other members of that first Executive and founding group are still playing with the Club today: people such as Joyce Harrison, Marjorie Raymond and of course, Pat Cunningham. Pat is the only Honorary Lifetime Member of the Club.

Over the next number of years the Club flourished and expanded forcing it to change venues several times. 

The constitution and by-laws of the Club have been amended throughout the Club's existence to better reflect today's realities, with all changes being approved by the membership at the time.

Not-For-Profit Incorporation

In 2012, the Club applied for, and was granted, its Letters Patent (Articles of Incorporation) from the Attorney General's Office of the government of Ontario. A name search for the Cornwall Senior Citizens' Bridge Club showed that no other group in Ontario shared the name of the Club, thus the Club was incorporated as #1866708 and officially became a not-for-profit organization.

The objects for which the Club was incorporated are:

• Promoting interest and participation in duplicate bridge for individuals 50 years of age and older as a unit of the American Contract Bridge League. 

• Arranging bridge tournaments and sponsored regional tournaments

• Organizing social events for the benefit of the members 

• Supporting charitable organizations.

• Engaging in such other complementary purposes not inconsistent with these objects

The special provisions are:

• Profits other than those required to meet the objects of the Club are distributed to charities annually
• In the event of dissolution of the Club, and after payment of all debts and liabilities, any remaining funds shall be distributed to charities

The Club continues to thrive and its members look forward to continued growth in the years to come