b'CAIRP at 40 Evolution of CAIRP logo, first CAIRP Committee members, and first edition of Rebuilding Success.Consummate professionalism with a family foundationBy Andrew FlynnI t is no exaggeration to say that CAIRPand have considerable influence on theI remember (noted insolvency researcher) has achieved more in its first 40 yearsevolution of insolvency legislation andDr. Janis Sarra commenting that the than can be adequately summed up inpractice in Canada, says Manski. CAIRP conference was unique, because a single tribute. I urge any new trustee building histhere was a technical aspect but also a Indeed, since its inception in 1979, theor her career to participate extensivelyfamily aspect, says Kondo. Members Association has punched well above itsin the Association, he says. Servingand their families forged friendships weight class in terms of impact on theon committees enables members tothrough the conference.world of insolvency and restructuring.remain up-to-speed on professional andThose bonds of family and friendship have From education to advocacy to regulatorycompetitive issues, and to make valuedremained solid over decades and havereform, there are few organizations evenand life-long connections with otheronly strengthened during CAIRPs ten times larger that can claim to havemembers sharing his or her interests. evolution since it was incorporated on accomplished as much relative to That sense of intimacy, of a small butJuly 27, 1979, as the Canadian Insolvency their size. dedicated group working with a commonAssociation (CIA).But there is no greater compliment forpurpose, is remarkable says Norm Kondo,The Associations creation unfolded over an organization than the one word manywho served as executive director and laterseveral years during the late 1970s. At the use to describe what CAIRP feels like topresident of the Association for 28 years.time, trustees were largely drawn from the them: family. accounting profession. However, that was While CAIRP might have relatively fewbeginning to change: other professionals Its the first term that comes to mind formembers compared to other nationalwere getting involved. Many saw the Uwe Manski, who served as president ofassociationssuch as those representingneed for a regime that would provide the the Canadian Insolvency Practitionerslawyers, accountants, and doctorsitproper training and education to inform Association (CIPA), an earlier incarnationhas nevertheless bound those membersthose working in the sector.of CAIRP, from 1992-93, when he sumstogether with a united purpose.Jacques Brazeau, then-Superintendent of up what the Association has come to beKondo recalls that many of his favoriteBankruptcy, had in mind the formation over the past four decades. moments have taken place at CAIRPsof a self-regulating body, like those of CAIRP represents a close-knit familyconferences and annual meetings, theother professional associations. He had of dedicated insolvency professionalssocial and educational events that fosterbeen approached by Keith Collins (CIA who drive the trustee education programthat powerful closeness. president from 1980-81), who advocated 10 Rebuilding SuccessFall/Winter 2019'