Voyageur Council Venturer Advisor’s Forum

Meeting Minutes for June 5, 2007

Scout’s Headquarters - National Boardroom

Final

Name	Group	Name	Group
Alan Clapp	8^th Orleans	Jim McQuaid	112^th Nepean
Alan Griffin	112^th Nepean	Jim Peverley	8^th Orleans and VAF Chair
Alex Gazaleh	Opemikon	Jim Smith	27^th Nepean
Al McPhee	1^st Metcalfe	John Stalker	Valley Highlands / CP
Bill Bowman	1^st Nepean	Ken Shore	-
Bob Dore	Joint Council	Malcolm Volmer	29^th Nepean
Bruce Morton	14^th Gloucester	Mark Milan	27^th Nepean
Catherine Snedden	7^th Kanata	Ray Renton	1^st Dunrobin
Chris Tyler	1^st Manotick	Sean Freill	Nepean Rover Crew
Christiaan Burchell	1^st Nepean	Sharon Ley	7^th Kanata
Cyndy Courtland	Carleton Place	Stephen Smye	1^st Wakefield
David Schaffler	1^st Vars - Navan	Stewart Ross	Nepean Rover Crew
Doug MacKinnon	112^th Nepean	Tim Harbinson	137^th Ottawa
Doug Proud	1^st Greenwood	Tim Taylor	123^rd Ottawa
Eric Hansen	Rideau Area Rover Crew	Wally Gale	14^th Gloucester
Jan Stodola	7^th Kanata

PAST NOTES

VEW (Jim): (Venturer Executive Workshop) There is still interest in keeping it in but there are a couple of options for different ways to deliver the course. It is recommended that we keep it on the books and maybe hold the session arranged specifically for that reason or with another session such as Wood Badge I. Action: Stephen to continue with this.

River Rescue (Jim): Mike Miller has moved away, and the other quote is $175 per candidate. We are now looking at mid to late Sept for Matt, who does the WWI/III sessions if that works, and he is willing to tailor it down to what the groups want. Action: Stephen will look into it.

Recognition (Phil and Stewart):

Doug Hall was recognized for his effort s to help get the Senior Sections Youth Committee (SSYC) off the ground.

Gilwell neckers and beads for Senior Section Part II were presented to Jim Smith, Stephen Smye, and Malcolm Volmer. Stewart notes that for those of you who did training in the past, get your checklist in.

PAST EVENTS

WWI/III (Bill) This year was a tremendous success with 118 people on the water. The course was well received, and all who applied got their ORCA I, some even got their ORCA II. There was good progress with the youth and a good dialog at lunch that indicated they were bang on. Bill noted on WWI that the skill was much higher this year.

One recommendation for next year is to take the WW III group away to rapids further downstream. It means more logistics but it was a little crowded on the river. Could also consider splitting WW I and II weekends to help with the crowds and open up the river.

There were some preliminary discussions with Jim Smith about backfilling Bill’s job next year, to start to work together and then the following year Bill can step back. Also Jim asked if we can check with our youth to see if they have a choice of what weekend then the organizers have more info to work with. Stephen suggested a WWI and III or I and II at Paddlers’ Coop. Sean noted they still need to consider the demand for kayaking, i.e. to be held as a fourth course or not?.

WWII (Bill) It also went quite well. Paddlers’ Coop has quite high standards for training and are very good hosts, e.g. letting the groups watch the hockey game on Sat night. There was a note on the different training styles on strokes which may hinder the refresher portion on the strokes. It likely would help to keep all on the same page if the styles were harmonized.

EVENTS TO COME

Couch Rally (Eric)

The event is planned for September 14-16, 2007 with many people outside the Voyageur Council already registered or expressing interest. The planners are looking at staying at Camp No’Chimik as the Nepean Tent and Trailer park would be out of season. The fee for the weekend is now looking to be $20 per person. They are also looking to have a bus from the camp site, downtown and back and are getting a larger truck for the couches. Rules will be a point system, as well as more awards. For example, they are encouraging groups to make a couch cover with the idea to give prizes for best couch cover, especially if it promotes scouting, a sponsor, or group etc. It is requested that the groups wear the tan shirt uniform as last year there were too many youth out in the street clothing which did not help promote the event. It is also requested that there is at least one advisor (or person over 21) with each group to ensure no one gets into trouble.

The plan is to have the greater race downtown with the tourists and then at 1 pm, download pictures quickly, and then there is talk of moving onto the Amazing Race which is to get your couch downtown to the bus on the canal. Once the groups get back to site, there are plans for a BBQ to be provided, and a slide show of photos of the day including views from some of the secret cameras downtown.

A “heads up” package was provided at the meeting and the event details are on the VAF website under “Announcements”. After this year, the plan is to turn it over to SSYC to run.

Crazy Canuck (Bill)

The flyer is at the back of the room. The event is on September 29, 2007. This event is a combination of canoeing, hiking, rappelling, and mountain biking. Groups can bring their whole company or few as 3, or even team up with another company. The cost of $15 includes the dinner at OPE when the event is over. Groups will likely be able to rent OPE canoes for the day, and to camp over Fri or Sat night or both. Bill will add more information to the VAF website when it gets straightened out.

Ven Climb (Christiaan)

This event will be held on September 22/23, 2007, the weekend before the Crazy Canuck Challenge. Christiaan is looking for a company to lead the administration end, e.g. registration, collecting monies, etc. Ground School for this event will be at the Sept VAF meeting. A leader Pre-training will be on the weekend of September 15-16 with the actual event on Sept 22-23, 2007.

REPORTS

OPE: Tim added some brochures for the camp on the table at the back of the meeting room. The Extreme Adventure (e.g. White Water) programs are being run by Adam Taylor who can be reached at 819-561-1613 to answer any questions.

SYYC: No report.

CRRRT: They are done for the year with no further events planned until the couch rally in September.

JC: The June event was a semi formal on June 22 at 7:30 to 10:30. The location was 260 Sunnyside Ave off of Bank at the old fire hall.

Lost Childrens and Service Corps: They are looking for volunteers to work at various events. The link to their site for information on how to participate can be found off the VAF website noted below.

FINAL NOTES

THANKS VERY MUCH TO JIM PEVERLEY for three years of excellent VAF coordination. The activities of this group have been second to none in the council.

Next Meeting: September 4^th, 2007. The FIRST Tuesday of the month.

If there are any omissions or corrections in the minutes, please contact Catherine Snedden at csnedden@forethoughtsystems.com

Also view current and previous copies of the minutes and other VAF notices at http://web.ncf.ca/ad554/ or contact Bill Bowman to get information posted to this website.

Calendar for the 2007-2008 Scouting Year (Draft as set in June 2007)

Event	Date
Ven Climb Ground School	September 4^th, at the first VAF meeting
Couch Rally	September 14^th to16th
Ven Climb – Leader pre-training	September16^th one day for Advisor training
Ven Climb – Full event	September 21^st to 23^rd
Crazy Canuck,	September 29^th (also Apple Day for some groups)
Rovent	October 19^th to 21^st
Senior Section Part I (Woodbadge I)	October 19^th to 21^st (at the Rovent camp)
River Rescue	Weekend of October 13^thor 27^th, to be confirmed
Candlelight service	The Saturday before Remembrance Day if it is to be held this year.
Remembrance Day	November 11^th
Ottawa River and Bay Island Clean Up	To be confirmed
Food Drive, Nov 3,	November 3^rd
Tree lighting	To be confirmed
Winter Adventure	End of January, usually the weekend before winter camp but to be confirmed
Winter camp (JC)	First weekend after high school exams are over.
Winterlude	Feb 1 to 17^th for 2008, Venturers usually asked to help out via the Service Corps on the weekends.
Second Winter Adventure (e.g. Adirondacks)	Mid February (to be confirmed)
Keskinada Loppet	Mid February e.g. 14^th to 17^th (to be confirmed)
Camp Slush	March 8^th(1^st weekend of March Break)
VEW if there is the demand	April (to be confirmed)
Ven Climb II	Tentatively planned for the weekend before the OPE work weekend.
OPE work weekend	April 26^th to 27^th, i.e. last weekend in April
WW Pre Training	April 27^th (Sunday of OPE Work Weekend)
RSVP	May 2^nd to 4^th
Scout Trees	May 2^nd to 4^th (to be confirmed)
Jamboree on the Trail	May 10^th
White Water Levels One and Three	May 24^th to 25^th
White Water Level Two	May 31^st to June 1^st
May Camp (JC)	May 16^th to May 19^th
Canada Day	July 1^st