Venturer Advisors’ Forum - Voyageur Council

Notes of Meeting – June 1, 2010

National Boardroom - Scout Headquarters

 

 

 

 

 

 

Al McPhee

1st Greely

Jocelyn Robinson

7th Kanata/VAF Secr

Alan Griffin

112th Nepean

John Dougherty

DCC Program

Allan Yates

1st Merrickville

John Stalker

Valley Highlands/AC

Andrew Grant

DCYC Finance

Mary Hagerman

1st Osgoode

Bill Bowman

1st Nepean

Mike Jowett

CC Voyageur

Brett Budge

25th Nepean

Nigel Ward

1st Kanata

Bruce Morton

14th Gloucester

Pat Megan

1st Wakefield

Cal Clupp

2nd Gatineau

Perry Schippers

2nd Gatineau/LCS

Chris Tyler

1st Manotick

Phil Edens

123rd Ottawa

Chuck Fraser

1st Glen Cairn

Ray MacKenzie

7th Prescott

Cyndy Courtland

Carleton Place

Raymond Desjardins

DCYC Training

Dave Skinner

1st Glen Cairn

Ray Renton

1st Dunrobin

Doug Proud

1st Greenwood

Stephen  Smye

1st Wakefield

Gil Lepine

4th Orleans

Stewart Ross

DCC Recog’n

Greg McGinnis

2nd Russell

Therese Desjardins

137th Ottawa

Jan Stodola

7th Kanata

Tim Harbinson

137th Ottawa

 

 

Wally Gale

14th Glster/VAFchair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Presentation of Phil Mondor Scholarships

 

Mike Jowett presented scholarships to 4 Venturers during a special gathering in the courtyard.  The Mondor family established these scholarships in memory of Phil Mondor and participated in the presentations.  Stewart Ross coordinated.

 

 

Opening Remarks

 

The agenda item concerning information about Wilderness 1st Aid / 1st Responder training (Canadian Wilderness Medical Training) is cancelled.  This is the last meeting of the season and the time at which we usually run through the tentative calendar of events.  However since the agenda is already quite ambitious, Wally prepared a tentative calendar (handout) for quick review to allow time for other items.

 

 

Special item:  Promotion of Scouting on School Campuses – Heather Lee

 

Heather is working on a plan to promote Scouting to students who are pursuing post-secondary education in Ottawa – specifically youth over the age of 18 who would be interested in volunteering to help out as members of Scouting.  She explained the challenge and solicited the views of those present.

 

 

Past Activities

 

Camp Sheldrick Shindig (May 15) – Report by Ray MacKenzie

An enthusiastic group of 25 participated in this all-night event organized by the Prescott Venturers.  This activity will likely go ahead again next year, with some good ideas generated by participants.

 

White Water 1&3, Kayak 1 (May 28-30) – Report by Bill Bowman & Stephen Smye

All events worked well despite very low water levels.  There were new surfing waves and Big Eddy was small and reasonable to swim.  63 participated in WW1.  The warm water made the swimming components of WW3 easier to teach/practice and it was possible to try to paddle upstream.  All 17 WW3 participants achieved the ORCA moving water 1A certification.  Bear Creek (company providing WW1 & 3 instruction on the Petawawa River) appeared to have responded to last year’s feedback and offered an improved experience. Experienced helping hands were much appreciated.

The Kayak 1 instruction took place at Palmer Rapids (Paddlers Coop instructing), with 8 participants.  It was equally successful, ending in the possibility of trying the Eskimo roll.

The new procedure of collecting and dispensing funds directly by the Voyageur Office is working exceptionally well and is very helpful.  Thanks to Stephen Smye and Company for outfitting 6 Ope whitewater canoes with thigh straps and knee pads – a 2-weekend job well done!

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

WW2, Kayak 1&2, mini WW1 Palmer Rapids (June 4-6) – Report by Bill Bowman

The weekend plans are set, with instruction and campground provided by Paddlers Co-op.  This year volunteers are coordinating with Paddlers Co-op for each of the 4 courses (Al McPhee, Allan Yates, Doug Proud & Vicki Wallace) – still need a volunteer to coordinate the vehicle shuttle for Sunday’s Madawaska River run for WW2. There is presently 1 opening for each of WW2 and Kayak 1 – otherwise fully subscribed.

 

Couch Rally (Saturday, Sept. 11) – Report by Raymond Desjardins

The date for this event is confirmed and the Rideau Rover Crew will provide other details as available.  The request is in to use the A Channel parking lot as a base.  Watch the VAF website keep an eye out for VAF emails for updates about this.

 

VenClimb (date TBD – Sept. 25-26?)

It is uncertain at this time if new NCC regulations will prohibit access to the climbing site near Lusk Falls for the Sunday climb although the traditional site for the Saturday climb should be OK.  There are other potential climbing sites within 2 or 3 hours of Ottawa but Gatineau Park has many advantages over these for this event.  There was general support for the online petition action initiated by Wally but discussion also indicated security/privacy concerns linked to using an internet application managed by a U.S. company.  Attendees were clearly concerned about deteriorating access to Gatineau Park for VenClimb/climbing as well as for other activities but secondary concerns may prevail when it comes to signing the petition.  John Dougherty is making progress in drafting a letter to the Minister. [update: It looks like both VenClimb sites should be accessible and there is progress in other relations with the NCC.  The letter and petition are on-hold]

 

RoVent (Oct. 15-17) – Report by Chris Majka

The registration form for this annual fall event will be available on the VAF site by the end of June.  The cost is $35; members of Guiding are also welcome and the special theme is “Shakespeare”.  Everyone will eat the feast in the dining hall, possibly in 2 shifts.  Groups interested in booking cabin accommodation should check with the Council Office.  Direct any questions about RoVent to chrismajka@sympatico.ca.

 

 

Reports

 

Service Corps / Lost Children Service (LCS) – Report by Perry Schippers

Volunteers are required for SUPER-EX, August 19 to 29, 11 am – 9:30/10 pm (half & full day shifts).  Volunteers can try the rides during quiet periods.  Contact Eugene Lavigne (613-614-8097) to sign up. The LCS is also in need of youth/advisors to help coordinate these activities, as people are starting to age-out. Note that Canada Day does not require LCS volunteer services.

 

Joint Council (JC)  - Report by JC executive

May Camp worked very well with 52 youth participating.  While the group was unusually small, it made for a better experience.

June event: A Semi-Formal dance will be held at Mount Calvary Lutheran church (933 Smyth Rd east of St. Laurent Blvd) on June 17, 7-10:30 pm.  Youth are allowed to bring 1 guest (Hold Harmless form called for).  Cost is $10 at the door, no advance registration required although it would be helpful to send an email to the JC executive indicating the attendee names & Group.

Alan Clapp reported that 90 people (63 in uniform) attended the JC meeting.  A new executive was elected for the 2010/11 season.

 

 

Training and Development

 

Basic Canoe (June 19) & Boat Rescue (June 26-27) – Report by John Stalker

Registration for these courses is through the Voyageur Office/website with costs of $10 & $27 respectively or $32 for both. The venue is Whispering Pines Camp.  Instructors and assistants are required for both events.  This is open to Scouts as well.  Note that the Boat Rescue course is a Lifesaving Canada course.

 

Youth Train the Trainer (Sunday Sept. 12) – Report by Raymond Desjardins

Registration is now open.  This is a training event to teach Venturers and Rovers how to train at PL/APL and sixer/seconder workshops.  There is no $charge but registration is limited to 24.  A Training Application signed by the Group Commissioner is required – submit to the Voyageur Office.

 

 

Other Business

 

Heritage Area Rover Crew – Report by Chris Majka

The Heritage Area Youth Committee would like to start an Area Rover Crew and ask VAF members to spread the word..

 

VAF Archery Equipment – Report by Tim Harbinson

A couple of choices for arrow carrying cases were presented.  VAF members agreed that Tim’s proposal for a very economical converted map case would be quite suitable.

 

Inventory of VAF Equipment Now Online – Report by Bill Bowman

VAF equipment is available for everyone’s use, with a list of equipment and contacts now posted under “Resources” on the VAF web site.  Other Groups are also willing to lend out equipment, including major items such as canoes, and references to these are available at the same VAF website location.  Contact Bill if your Group has equipment available to share.  Note that the VAF list now includes a 2nd SPOT GPS Tracker, licensed and ready for use on wilderness trips.

 

2010/11 budget – Report by Allan Yates

The ad-hoc VAF Budget committee assembled a proposed budget for 2010/11 after much consideration/discussion of possibilities. Archery is a major focus with a view to ensuring we are reasonably outfitted for safe and efficient portable use.  Some climbing ropes and snowshoes are also included.  The VAF approved the budget as presented.  Allan also noted the recommendation to establish a binder of activity descriptions that could be used by groups wishing to experience an activity that another group previously enjoyed.

 

Tentative Calendar of Events 2010/11 – Report by Wally

Copies of a tentative list of events along with scheduled or proposed dates for the 2010/11 activity year were distributed at the meeting.  There was general agreement that the list was complete and accurate enough to post on the VAF website.

 

Next Meeting: Tuesday September 7, 2010 at 7:30 pm   – will include Ground School for VenClimb for Advisors and VenClimb youth volunteers

The Chair for the Venturer Advisor Forum is Wally Gale at vafchair@rogers.com.  Please contact Wally for any notices to distribute or information of potential interest to the Voyageur VAF community.

If you find any omissions or errors, please contact ……  Scouter Jocelyn Remus-Robinson at cascahawk@gmail.com or 613-592-4738

and visit the VAF website for a goldmine of information, including present, past and future events  http://web.ncf.ca/ad554/