Voyageur Council Venturer Advisors’ Forum
Meeting Minutes for December
2, 2008
Scout Headquarters - National
Boardroom
|
Alan
Griffin |
112th
|
John
Stalker |
Carleton Pl./Valley
H. |
|
Allan
Yates |
1st
Merrickville |
Malcolm Volmer |
27th
|
|
Alex Gazaleh |
Opemikon |
Mike
Jowett |
AC,
|
|
Al McPhee |
1st
Greely/Metcalfe |
Pat
Megan |
1st
|
|
Bill
Bowman |
1st
|
Perry Schippers |
LCS & 2nd
|
|
Catherine Snedden |
Carleton Area
Rovers |
Phil Edens |
123rd
|
|
Chris Little
|
14th
|
Sean Freill |
Nepean Rover
Crew |
|
Chris
Prevost |
3rd Bells
Corners |
Sharon Ley |
7th
|
|
Christiaan Burchell |
1st
|
Stephen Smye |
1st
|
|
Chuck
Fraser |
1st Glen
Cairn |
Steve
Allen |
112th
|
|
Cyndy
Courtland |
|
Tamara
Wilson |
Nepean Rover
Crew |
|
Dean
Smith |
2nd
|
Terry Rimmington |
1st
Rockland |
|
Dengfeng Zheng |
1st
|
Tim Harbinson |
137th
|
|
Doug
MacKinnon |
112th
Nepean |
Tim Redpath |
1st Stittsville |
|
Doug
Proud |
1st
|
Wally Gale
|
14th
|
|
Francesca Viney |
|
|
|
|
Greg
McGinnis |
2nd
Russell |
|
|
|
Joanne
Mullen |
|
|
|
|
Jocelyn
Robinson |
7th
Kanata |
|
|
|
Joe Vautour |
25th
|
|
|
|
John
Dougherty |
DAC Odawa
Area |
|
|
Opening
Remarks:
Wally thanked Catherine Snedden for all her long outstanding service as the VAF
secretary and introducing Jocelyn Robinson as the new VAF
secretary.
Wally still has some items that
have lost there owners: If you know them or who they belong to please contact
Wally:
One pair reading glasses
rectangle style, owner last seen at RoVent.
One pair of black fleece men’s
winter gloves, owner was last seen at WBII.
Past Events:
Food Drive Report given by: Perry Schipper of LCS & 2nd
Gatineau
Ottawa Food Bank:
The event went very well;
thanks to everyone involved both youth and Advisers.
Set a record, 80,000 lbs of
food! A new record.
$10,013
dollars in donations.
There were approx 75 scouts for
a total of 225 hours of volunteer work for Venturers and advisors at the sorting
stations.
Purolator
contributed:
6 trucks, 50 man hours (4
round trips), approx. 800km and their boss (Angie) picked up the petrol
tab.
Media
Coverage:
There was some media coverage
at one of the stores.
Does anyone know what store
that was? Who was at the store and who took the footage? If so please
contact Peter. Thanks
Next Year Information:
Date: Nov 07, 2009. All Groups
Together Again.
We are waiting for more
information but it looks like Loeb
and Food Basics are changing their name to Metro so might be more stores
available, hence more locations.
The
Counting the funds went so
well, (our first year counting the money $9K+) that it will be a new activity
next year.
So will need some senior
Venturers, Rovers or advisors to help roll and count money, we will have a
designated room for them with collecting from the locations a couple of times
during the day.
Also we are looking for
sponsors who would be willing to feed the youth who have given service; e.g.
pizza, but we shall have to see next year.
Purolator is looking to provide
a truck for
Perry is trying to set up a
food drive on the Gatineau side, Perry is waiting to here more on this part, as
we only have 3-4 groups’ part of Scouts Canada, the are part of
L'Association des Scouts du
Canada.
Perry has agreed to be the
initial contact for the
VEW Course Report given by Francesca Viney:
The VIEW Course was held at
Mackie House in Crystal Beach on November 15th and 16th.
The Venturers were requited to
bring there own cooking equipment. (So please see the prairie flowers at the end
of the report.)
There were 27 participants and
25 full time participants.
The purpose of the course was to teach
Venturers how to run effective meetings, and use communication and leadership
skills. Though the course is aimed at the Company Executive Committee it is for
all Venturers.
Feed back that came back was
that it was well received by the youth and that most took away lots.
One piece of feedback that they
received and they are looking at how to accommodate it is to have more training
on the specialized roles (President, Treasurer, and
Secretary).
Alan Griffin: Spoke to some of
the youth and was told they learned lots and had a better understanding of what
why were to do and what there role and responsibilities
where.
They are looking at running it
every second year. Though the Advisers said they would like to see it offered if
there is interest to have it done yearly. The Nepean Rover Crew said it would do
‘Mini’ VIEW course for interested groups. Contact Francesca at fviney@magma.ca
Francesca asked that Advisors
who had youth that attended the course to pass on any feedback or comments that
you hear so they can improve the program.
Items that have lost their
owners:
1 bag for 4
1 oven
mitt
1 MSR Bag
1 Nalgene Water Bottle (red)
1 large travel coffee
mug
All the items can be picked
from the Nepean Rover Crew or email Francesca. mailto:fviney@magma.caat
Advance Wilderness First Aid I Course Report given by
Doug Proud:
Advanced Wilderness First Aid I
was held on Nov 15th & 16th, at National
HQ.
The prerequisite was held in this
past September, with the final part being taught Wilderness First Responder to
be held in 2009.
Doug was quite surprised with
the number of youth who came out for this course.
The activities went well, youth
and adults picked up the skills fast and applied and are now eager to apply
them.
Total of 11 turned out for the
course.
When asked if another course
would be offered, answer was that all they need is 8people and the space to
start part 1.
LaserQuest Report
Laser Quest is going to be held
Dec.
6, 2008, at
The event is sold out and is
still on.
Please contact Raymond
Desjardins ramonddesjardins494@hotmail.com for any questions.
Boat Pro Report Given By Mike
Jowett:
The Boat Pro course will be
held on Dec 13, at National HQ.
There are 30 participants
registered, and it is full with a waiting list.
Due to the tremendous interest
there will be a second course held in Feb 28th, the information’s
will be up on the Voyageur Training Link soon.
The Power Squadron people are
very pleased, with all the turn out
Also a
reminder Manual cost are as follows: Manual $10 or cd version $4.
Any questions can be directed
to Mike at (613) 825-7347
majowett@rogers.com
Boat Pro Course Merrickville Report given by Alan Yates
1st Merrickville:
Alan offering
seats for his Boat Pro Course.
The nights will be 3 in a row
in Merrickville.
The dates are not yet set but
will be in January.
If you are
interested contact Alan Yates.
Council Scout
The council is running a troop
camp this year, from June 12-14 at Camp Traill.
The camp will feature canoe,
rock climbing, hiking and archer and may others.
Camp Traill is a Scout located near Charleston Lake in Athens,
Ontario.
The camp has 300+acers of
wooded wilderness and is a perfect camp for wilderness adventures.
The park warden has been very
helpful and Mike suggests it for a new area to look at for you local groups for
a camp.
NEEDS:
There is going to be a work
weekend the same weekend as the traditional OPE work weekend (April
24th -26th)
They are going to try and run
it the same format as OPE, with food.
Help is needed to clear trails,
site and mark trails.
This event is going to help
take the overflow from OPE and help get the camp ready for the
Scouts.
Also they are looking for
Offers of Service from the youth, areas such as archery, canoeing, and
Lifeguards are in need, and appreciated.
More information will be posted
on the VAF website and also come at the January 6th meeting.
Winter Adventure Report given by Alan Yates:
Alan has been collecting the
registrations for the winter adventures.
As of now it is
CLOSED.
Official registration opened
and closed the same day. Due to huge
response.
One person paid by paypal at 6:05 this am
We have had 121 people asked to
attend, compared to the 51 last year.
All four weekends are going to
run.
If you are interested in
sleeping outside with Merrickville and Kemptville
contact Allan.
There were handouts available
and examples of the snowshoes that are to be used in the back of the
room.
Plan to sort through this with
Bill and Christiaan to sort it out so by end of
weekend will aim to let people know what is
happening.
Thanks to the groups that put
2nd and 3rd choices.
They have only 24 pairs of
snowshoes so some youth will be required to rent, though Bill and Christiaan will be organizing it and contact everyone with
the details.
Important: No wooden snowshoes,
as they will be torn apart and don’t have ice grips for more information contact
Christiaan for specific specks needed for trip.
Council / National needs at
least 1 month for Tour Permits, so if you are going in January it needs to be in
A.S.A.P.
Bushtukaha
has MSR Snowshoes for $129.00 less scout discount of 15% (need membership card.
Upcoming
Activities:
Wilderness First Responder Report given By Doug
Proud:
The Wilderness First Responder
is the 3rd of 3 courses
The prerequisite is Advanced
Wilderness First Aid
Course Location is at
Cost $ 350.00 which includes
Food, lodging, and GST.
Registrations can be emailed to
Doug at dlproud@gmail.com by Jan
2nd
Note Cancelations not received
by Jan 3rd will result in a payment for $60.00 for food, and
accommodations.
For further information please
contact Doug Proud at dlproud@gmail.com
or at 613-863-5370
RSVP Report Given by Tamara from the
RSVP will be held on the first
weekend in May 1-3.
It is open to scouts and
Venturers, great linking event. Also open to Guides and Pathfinders.
Nepean Rover Crew is looking
for offers of service to run Archery, canoeing, lifeguards, and other things.
If interested please contact
the Nepean Rover Crew.
Registration forms and more
information will be available at the January meeting.
As a reminder this is a self
contained, bring your own food camp, and don’t forget your fruit for the fondue.
(RSVP provides the chocolate).
Upcoming Nominations Report and Request from Ernest
Koshman:
This is a call for nominations
for voting members for council coming out in a couple of days via
email.
The voting is open to all
people in scouting 16 years and over.
Forms in the
back or contact Ernest.
Reason
brining it up, as need to get through to the youth, so when get it please pass
on to youth.
The people who are picked get
expense paid trip to national AGM (Annual General Meeting), last year in
Vancouver, then Toronto, next year New Brunswick.
They would represent the
council (Voyageur) at the next national AGM as voting
members.
Of the three one minimum must
be a youth member.
Ernie would like to see all
three be youth. Call him at any time for extra
information.
Contact info for Ernie is ekoshman@rogers.com or
613-823-2852
National Capital Hill Tree Lighting Ceremony
Report:
Lighting ceremony has already
happened this year December 4th at 6pm.
The
Media Contact: Julie Rocheleau, NCC (613) 239-5708 may be able to help us in
getting Scouts to help. Asked to be called next September 2009
Reports:
VRSC, Lost Children Report
Given by Perry Schippers:
Service corps will be once
again volunteering its time at Winterlude, during the
2st and 3nd
weekend.
There is a website up http://sites.google.com/site/lcswinterlude2009/
Wally sent it out via email and
it is up on VAF website too.
Please pass to your groups and
scouts. This is an excellent linking event.
More information will be posted
on the web and also at Jan meeting.
Perry is still to meet with NCC
and then will find out how many per shift etc.
There will be warm liquids to
warm you but please dress appropriate
There is no need to be able to
skate, you can walk or skate.
From last years note we had too many people in the trailers and
too many playing little games so keep in mind, it is there just warm up and then
get back out.
Joint Council
Activities Report given by Scott Skentelbery:
November’s JC activity was
curling at the Nepean Sports Plex
The youth reported it was a
great success.
It was also found to be one of
our cheapest events.
They had 20 people
attend.
December’s event has been
cancelled due to related scouting concerns.
The youth are working on
planning a different activity.
Details will be sent out to
everyone.
The youth wanted to attend a
comedy club.
Due to the alcohol they needed
to come up with a different idea.
Winter camp, information
package and info package out at next meeting but will be out via email before
that.
It will also be post on VAF
site.
The youth spent the night
thinking up the theme tonight.
Training and
Development:
Woodbadge II, Report
given by John Stalker
John noted it went really well
and that adding the youth component was great.
There were 15 people, 6
instructors in attendance at week one of three.
They had 2 youth members (Jen
Stalker as Venturers and Tamara Wilson as a Rover)
The youth taught a couple of
the sessions. The youth sections were commented on as being very articulate and
a great addition to the program.
Unanimously it was stated
around table it was excellent weekend.
The youth component made a big
difference
Date for
*However this may change to
other alternatives but Stewart will get out to course participants
ASAP.
Woodbadge I Company & Crew report
Will be another WBI near end of
winter, dates, times and location will follow in the New Year. Michelle Niefer may be the course leader, though this has not
been confirmed. It will likely be held on a weekend. When asked to
have a show of hands of those interested in WBI Company and Crew, 6 around the
table raised there hands.
Other Business /
Presentation:
12 day
trip
9 day on the
water
5 days of beautiful
weather
4 days of rain and
hail
28+
rapids
5km of Portages (some time
repeated 3 times)
251km
paddled
60-70 km a
day
One portage 2.3km all in the
mud eloquently named Hell’s Gate.
1moose, lots
of bald eagles, many big fish (minus the one caught and eaten) and 27 geese and
historic sites including a grave which the Boy Scouts of America built a fence
around.
The youth looked so proud with
their new badge, and gave the following advice:
*Forget the bug spray! Invest in a bug net body
suit!*
Next
Meeting: Tuesday January 6th 2009 at 7:30
pm
The Chair for the Venturer
Advisor Forum is Wally Gale at vafchair@rogers.com.
Please contact Wally for any
notices to distribute or ideas on future topics.
If you find any omissions or
errors, please contact ……
Scouter
Jocelyn Remus-Robinson at cascahawk@gmail.com or
613-592-4738