Al McPhee

1^st Greely

Jocelyn Robinson

7^th Kanata

Allan Yates

1^st Merrickville

Mary Hagerman

1^st Osgoode

Angus Palmer

1^st Carp

Mike Harris

Rideau Rover Crew

Barbara Bowman

1^st Nepean

Mike Jowett

Council Commiss

Bill Bowman

1^st Nepean

Nick Wise

Rideau Rov/DCC Train

Brett Budge

25^th Nepean

Neal Rice

Nepean Area / CYC

Brien Taylor

1^st Greenwood

Nigel Ward

1^st Kanata

Christiaan Burchell

1^st Nepean

Patrick Megan

1^st Wakefield

Chris Prevost

112^th Nepean

Ray McKenzie

7^th Prescott

Chuck Fraser

1^st Glen Cairn

Richard Draper

4^th Orleans

Cyndy Courtland

Carleton Place

Roger Aston

3^rd Ottawa

Dave Skinner

1^st Glen Cairn

Sarah Saleh

2^nd Gatineau

Dean Smith

2^nd Orleans

Scott Harris

Nepean Rover Crew

Doug MacKinnon

112^th Nepean

Sharon Lefebvre Ley

7^th Kanata

Doug Zahody

3^rd Orleans

Stephen  Smye

1^st Wakefield

Ernest Koshman

Nepean Rovers

Stewart Ross

DCC for Recognition

Greg McGinnis

2^nd Russell

Tim Redpath

1^st Stittsville

Jan Stodola

7^th Kanata

Timothy Taylor

123^rd Ottawa

John Dougherty

DCC Program

Thomas Miller

2^nd Orleans

John Stalker

Highlands/AC

Presentation – Moose River Trip – 3rd Place National Amory Adventure Award,
1st Nepean Venturers

Neal Rice presented the plaque and certificates to members of the 1^st Nepean Venturers.  Following this, the youth presented their 15 minute video slide show.

Opening Remarks

Bill Bowman, chairing for Wally, drew attention to the agenda and handouts at the table at the back of the room.

WJ 2010

Neal Rice added an item about the World Jamboree in Sweden in 2010.  He is intending to form a “patrol” of Rover & Venturer age youth.  Interested youth should contact him neal.rice@ymail.com.  WJ’s are not open to Scout age.

Past Activities

Winter Mountaineering Adventure Feb, 4 weekends    Allan Yates & Christiaan

Allan reported that 154 people had participated over the four weekends.  It was very successful and the alternative accommodation will likely be used again.  There were few problems, and most participants achieved their objectives.  Allan thanked the other advisors who led hikes and managed weekends.  He intends to issue some pro-rated refunds, for those who registered but could not attend, when he has finished paying all the bills related to the weekends.  A round of applause was given to Allan and Christiaan for an exceptional job.

Upcoming Events

LaserQuest Lockdown (March 6-7) – Report by Mike Harris

There were still a few spaces left for repeats from the December event to attend.  Bill thanked the Rideau Area Rover Crew for putting on this popular event.

VenClimb2 – Report by Christiaan Burchell

Christiaan reported that he is planning a small course Apr 17-18, for up to 10 people.

He had not discussed it with Marilyn, but thought cost for the catered weekend would be about $70.

OPE work weekend (April 23-25^th) – Report by Tim Taylor
Tim reported that it is time for groups to refine their numbers.  Payment of $10 must be made in advance at Scout HQ (you can call in with a credit card, if you wish).  New this year – there will be no parking on the slope across the road - overflow parking will be at the gravel pit next door.

RSVP (April 30 – May 2) - Report by Neil Rice

Some groups have registered already.  Registration forms are on the VAF web site. Numbers will be limited to 120 participants.  Among the activities will be High Ropes, Orienteering and Archery.  The cost is $15 per participant, $10 for offer of service.  Bill noted that the new archery equipment will be ready for RSVP.

Whitewater 1 Pretraining(April 25) - Report by Tim Taylor

Registration is now open through a simple form on the VAF website or online at http://tinyurl.com/yd3ywc2.  Adam Taylor is organizing this event, including the on-the-water session and Tom Miller will deliver the indoor information presentation.  Volunteer instructors for the on-the-water session are required and should contact Adam or use the online volunteer form available on the VAF web site under “Announcements”.   Tim mentioned that most of the paddles & PFDs at Ope are child’s size.  The Grumman canoes are available for use.  A $3.50 charge for lunch applies to those NOT participating in the Work Weekend.  Stephen Smye clarified some points about the pretraining syllabus – for which the goal is to be sure of solid flat water paddling ability.

Whitewater 1, 2, 3, Kayak 1&2 – Report by Bill Bowman & Stephen Smye

Registration is now open and some Venturer Companies have registered already.  Kayaking is getting more popular every year.  The smaller programs are filling up fast, but there is still lots of room in the main offerings. Bill noted that the registration forms on the web site do not display correctly when using Firefox and Chrome, such that it is impossible to see the links for on-line registration.  Most people are using Internet Explorer, so don’t have a problem.  Payment through the Council office is working well.  Pamela Bazinet is doing a great job of keeping on top of it.

Joint Council  - Report by Andrew and Jen

The March event will be climbing at Coyote Rock Gym on March 27 from 10 am to noon.  Cost is $18, which includes harness & shoes.  A minimum of 12 is needed and people are to let JC know by March 13.

The April event will be a Pineapple Rally on April 10.  It will be similar to the Couch Rally, but with a pineapple substituting for a couch.

JC Winter camp was a lot of fun with about 60 people participating.  Photos are on the VAF web site.

Other Business

Mike Jowett gave a heads up that CJ 2013 will be held in either Alberta or BC.  As there will be no Venturer program, Venturers will be able to attend as Offer of Service, which is still a lot of fun.

Mike also introduced the idea of a canoe flotilla on the canal in June to raise the public’s awareness of Scouting.

Recognition –

Congratulations to Alan Griffin for having Alan Griffin Day proclaimed in February by Mayor Larry O’Brien.

Scholarships – Report by Stewart Ross

There are 17 scholarships available to Canadian Scouting youth worth $1000 each – deadline is April 1 for submissions.  Four $500 scholarships are also available in Voyageur Council alone, so anyone reasonably qualified should consider applying for these.  The Council scholarships are not restricted to first year students. 

A free 4 hour workshop is scheduled for Sunday March 6 to help youth or adults in drafting an award or scholarship submission.

Training and Development

Wood Badge 1 course – Report by John Stalker

The course is slated for March 26-27 (Friday night & Saturday) at Scout HQ.  The $5 cost can be paid at the Council office.  To date there is only one registrant, and the course may have to be cancelled.

Wood Badge 2 – Nick Wise is looking for a course leader

Rovent Planning committee meeting (Mar 9 @ 7:30 pm) – Report by Doug MacKinnon

Rovent will be held Oct 15-17 2010 at Opemikon.  One thing they are looking at is a full catering option.

OOS Council Cub Camp (June 4-6) – Report by Jocelyn Robinson

Ventures/Rovers and leaders/advisors are still sought.  Interested parties are asked to contact Raymond Desjardins or Jocelyn Robinson for this Offer of Service.

VAF Activity coordination/organization – Report by Bill Bowman

Bill thanked those who had filled out the forms or submitted theirs on-line.  These forms will continue to be available on the VAF web site.  Volunteers will be called upon for upcoming events.

Next Meeting: Tuesday April 6, 2010 at 7:30 pm.  If all goes according to plan, Wally will be back in the chair, and the company supplying the VAF archery equipment will be on hand to make a presentation.

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/