Exerpt from Total Access magazine, Winter 2002

A chance encounter with Ron MacLean leads Blue Rodeo’s Bob Egan to become a CPA ally and champion.

While Bob Egan might be the steel guitar player for one of Canada’s most prominent bands, he’s only a recent American transplant to Canada. So when he struck up a conversation with MacLean at a party hosted by Blue Rodeo lead singer Jim Cuddy, he had no idea who he was talking to.

“I didn’t know who he was, because I’m a landed immigrant and moved here three years ago to join the Rodeo,” explains Egan. “A couple of days afterwards, I was talking with Jim, and he asked me if I knew who I’d been talking to. I said, ‘No.’ So then he told the story about who Ron was, and I thought, ‘That’s kind of cool.’”

The next time Egan and MacLean met, they talked about MacLean’s work with CPA.

“I thought that was fascinating, so I told him that I was interested in doing something like that as well,” says Egan, a former industrial psychologist who did undergrad and grad work with delinquent kids.

“I’ve always felt it was important to help others in society, but I didn’t make the opportunity over the past couple of decades—I was quite involved in my career.”

MacLean’s wife Cari, who organizes and schedules all of Ron’s work with CPA, set up a meeting for Egan with herself, CPA Ontario Executive Director Bill Adair and CPA National President Harley Nott.

“I heard their stories, and they talked about the organization and what’s going on with it,” says Egan. “It sounded like a good thing to get involved with, so we moved ahead.”

Egan’s work with CPA began in early November, when he took advantage of the current Blue Rodeo tour schedule to begin meeting with CPA employees, volunteers and members at venues in virtually all major western Canadian cities.

“It’s all going great so far,” says Egan. “I get inspired by the people I meet at CPA, and it makes me want to do more.”

He concedes that he’s not yet sure how exactly he will work on behalf of CPA and Canadians with SCI.

“On this tour, it’s about listening to people involved with CPA and people with SCI, and asking them where they think I could make a difference and what their big issues are.”

Some of the areas he’s considering are advocacy at different levels of government, acting as a media spokesperson, and helping enhance fundraising opportunities.

“I’m bringing my passion and commitment. I’m affiliated with a very popular cultural group that has a very high profile in this country. And when I decide what cause I want to take on within the world of CPA and SCI, my affiliation with Blue Rodeo will open doors, and I’ll at least be heard.”