The Canadians for Democracy in Chile was established in 1973 shortly following Augusto Pinochet's September 11 coup in Santiago, and it continued operations until at least 1989. Philip Rankin served as founding Chair, and William McLeod as founding Secretary-Treasurer with Elspeth Gardner as its first President in 1975. Primary activities of the organization included sponsorship of public meetings and conferences; gathering and dissemination of information on contemporary political conditions in Chile; dispatching medical, material and financial aid to opponents of the Chilean government; and distribution of leaflets, posters, and other publicity and educational materials. In addition, they also sponsored letter writing campaigns, organized fundraising events, and did liaison work with local, national, and international groups including labour unions and human rights organizations, Latin American charity associations, and so on . Canadians for Democracy in Chile designated itself as a `citizen's committee,' and listed its supporters as, alternately, organizer/volunteers, sponsors, or contributing members. The organizing committee was headed by a Chair and a Secretary-Treasurer, and, after 1975, a President. Other organizer/volunteers served on one or more sub-committees, each comprised of between two and five individuals . Sub-committees were formed for "Finance," "Speakers," "Correspondence," "Publicity," and a "Bulletin Committee" to oversee the Canadians for Democracy in Chile newsletter. Members of the organization commonly abbreviated its full name to C.D.C. Philip Rankin served as founding Chair, and William McLeod as founding Secretary-Treasurer . Elspeth Gardner became first President in 1975.