Thomas (Tupper) Cawsey, a champion of well-run organizations and a great supporter of Capacity Canada, died Aug. 17.
“Tupper
was a role model for all of us who had the opportunity — and pleasure — to work with him,” said Steve Farlow, chair of Capacity Canada, and a colleague of Cawsey’s at Wilfrid Laurier University. “Many times at Capacity we’d hear him say, ‘How can I help?’ and he would share his remarkable wisdom from his blend of experience in academic and community roles.”
Cawsey was a retired professor. He taught business at Laurier’s School of Business and Economics, where he held a number of posts during his career, including associate dean of business.
Organizational behavior was his specialty, and he wrote and lectured extensively on such topics as effective change management, career management, team-building and motivating employees. He was a Fellow and editor of the North American Case Research Association.
Somehow he made time for his community. He served as an elder at Knox Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, and was chair of Lutherwood from 1999-2006.
With Capacity Canada, Cawsey eagerly shared his expertise, believing that good leadership and a sound decision-making structure are no less important in the non-profit sector than in the for-profit sector.
He helped build the framework of Capacity’s Manulife Board Governance Boot Camp for charitable non-profit organizations, and then served as faculty. Top executives and board chairs who have attended the annual boot camp since it began in 2009 number about 250.
This year, the program expands to Fort McMurray, Alta.
“His teaching was full of real-life examples,” said Cathy Brothers, Capacity’s chief executive officer. “He taught us the value of learning from others — the value of case studies . . . It has become a core part of our practice.
Moreover, she said, Cawsey taught with “an abundance of warmth, caring, discipline, and mental rigour.
“He knew how to engage his students, and to make us all feel a little smarter.”
Visitation is Friday, Aug. 21, followed by a celebration of his life Aug. 22. Full details here.
