About Us

Our History

In March 1996, six friends, Mike Wiegele, Norm Crerar, Steve Podborski, Andy Aufschnaiter, Werner Schuh, and Rupert Huber, sat together in the Guide's Haus at Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in Blue River. They talked about Bruderschaft St. Christoph, Austria and its history of helping people in and around the Arlberg Pass since the 14th century. The Bruderschaft St. Christoph is still very active - with over ten thousand members - and is still dedicated to helping people in need.

The six friends made a decision to start a similar organization for much the same purpose, sharing in a brotherhood/sisterhood with those who come to Blue River, BC to heli-ski, hike or live. These people obviously share a love of being with friends in the mountains.

The charitable work and support of the local community through financial support has been evident since the creation and continues.

Our Vision

• To support each other as friends
• To aim to be of assistance to those in critical short-term need, both individually and through the Bruderschaft Blue River organization.

Mission Statement

The object of the Bruderschaft is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a worthy enterprise and in particular to encourage and support:

1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service
2. High ethical standards in business and professions; recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; each member dignifying his occupation as an opportunity to serve society
3. Every member to apply to the ideal of service to his or her personal, business and community life
4. The advancement of international understanding, good will, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional people united in the ideal of service.

Board Members

The current President of Bruderschaft Friends Blue River Society is Kathleen Dixon of Calgary, AB, Canada.
The Board consists of:

•  Neil MacGillivary - Edmonton, AB
• Norm Crerar - Vernon, BC
• Stephen Podborski - Vancouver, BC
• Kathleen Dixon - Calgary, AB
  
• Nathan Matthew - Barriere, BC
• John Birrell - Cranbrook, BC

Past Board Members have included:

• Mike Wiegele - Blue River, BC, Canada
• Norm Crerar - Vernon, BC, Canada
• Bob Sayer - Kamloops/Blue River, BC, Canada
• Tim McLean - Kamloops/Blue River, BC, Canada
• Daniela Aufschnaiter - Blue River, BC, Canada
• Dr. Tim Schmidt - Kamloops, BC, Canada
• Rupert Huber - Radstadt, Austria
• Gordon Dixon - Calgary, AB, Canada
• Stephen Podborski - Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Frank Quinn- Kamloops, BC, Canada
  

Membership

The organization is open to men and women; membership is by invitation from a friend who sponsors the potential new member. A special ceremony, which includes our ceremonial sword and a glass of wine with our other Brüder and Schwestern, is held to invite applicants into the Bruderschaft.

Monies collected stay in the community to assist those in need. The founding members comprise the executive group who have the right of final approval for financial matters, and for prospective members. All members of the Bruderschaft receive an annual newsletter.

Contact us to learn more about how you can become a member.

Fees, Donations & Payments

An initiation fee of $150 is required with annual dues of $100 due following the ski season in May.   In addition, there is an opportunity to obtain a Lifetime Membership of $2000.

The Bruderschaft Friends Blue River Society also accept Donations of any sum at any given time which are greatly appreciated.

You can submit your payments to the Bruderschaft Friends Blue River Society by either Bank Cheque or Bank Wire.

To forward payment by Bank Cheque, please make cheque payable to:

• The Bruderschaft Friends Blue River Society, Box 99, Blue River, BC, Canada V0E 1J0

To forward payment by Bank Wire, please make payable to:

• Royal Bank of Canada, 186 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC, V2C 5R3, (ph:250.371.1559)
  Account Name: Bruderschaft Friends Blue River Society
  Bank:   003
  Transit: 02320
  Account#: 102-989-1
  Swiftcode: ROYCCAT2
  Routing#: 021000021