Voyageur Council Venturer Advisor’s Forum

Meeting Minutes for November 1, 2005

Scout’s Headquarters - National Boardroom

Final

 

Name

Group

Name

Group

Jim Peverley

8th Orleans

Catherine Snedden

7th Kanata

Mike Jowett

27th, 29th Nepean

Christian Burchel1

1st Nepean

Malcolm Volmer

29th Nepean

Stewart Ross

Nepean Rovers

Karen Portt

1st Dunrobin

Wally Gale

14th Gloucester

Laurel Rosene

1st Glen Cairn

Joe Boudreau

1st Greely Venturers

Phil Edens

VRSC / LCS

Jim Montgomery

1st Glen Cairn

Doug Proud

1st Greenwood

Anne-Marie Simoreau

28th Ottawa

Tim Taylor

123rd Ottawa

Dan Karwowski

1st Glen Cairn

Bob Viney

25th Nepean

David Gall

1st Richmond

Al McPhee

1st Metcalfe

Laurence Tyler

1st Richmond

Jim Smith

VRRRT

Stephen Smye

1st Wakefield

Tim Taylor

123rd Ottawa

Doug MacKinnon

112th Nepean

Peter Hill

36th Ottawa

 

 

 

Past Events:

 

Rovent:

There were about 150 people, and all comments noted that their Venturers enjoyed the weekend, overall a wonderful camp.  The Siege was awesome and Kudos to the organizers.  Next year is already booked for about the same time of year.  Date to be confirmed.

 

Some suggestions:

-         New people to the Rovent camps were not aware of some of the activities available that were known and expected by those who had been there before.  Just need a way to communicate those activities or some kind of orientation for participants who were new or had not gone in a while.

-         There was some disappointment with the dance having to be cancelled and some groups expressed a willingness to bring some stereo equipment so they could still have some dance event.  (The DJ had cancelled and the organizers found out Friday night).

-         They would like to have seen more of the Royal couple and in costume.  The King and Queen had tried to run much of the stuff themselves but will need more help in that area.

-         There was some thought that the Spirit Award should have gone to a group vs an individual as some groups were very good together.

-         Some groups wanted to see how the costs broke down for the fees.

-         If there is a lack of food, it would be a good idea to let the early parties know so they can take their servings accordingly.  Usually there are lots though..

-         Some notice on bringing wet suits and/or swim gear to get the docks out would help.

 

-         Please note: Organizers want to find all groups who did not get food and will provide a rebate next year.  Whole tables did not get any meat.

 

Tim noted that to prevent the food type issues, don’t leave registration too late.  The camp needs notice by the previous Monday, 5 days in advance as order in bulk from Summit in Ottawa and food delivered on Friday.  If know later in week then they can at least get a bit more themselves in Perth.

 

 

River Keeper cleanup:

This was their first time doing this activity and it turned out really well and was lots of fun with the help of Laurel, Jim, Dan, and John Andrews.  It was well organized and had good food.  This was also the River Keepers first hands on public face appearance and was a good example of giving back to the community.

They pulled a large amount of garbage although it was very windy.  First Glen Cairn had a tent and it was great for shelter.  They had young people and senior citizens come inside the tent to have a coffee and then go back out to do more work.

 

First Glen Cairn would like to try to schedule this again for next year and is looking at making it an annual event.

 

 

Senior Section Basic at Rovent:

They had 15 participants in the very successful course.  The feedback was that the course was excellent.  It was especially nice to have a heated space on a cold weekend.  They tried to have the timetable meshing with Rovent and were mostly successful.

 

They do have CDs with the resource material if anyone wants a copy.  If you do, just give your name to Stewart with 5 dollars.  It is good for development, and tools, i.e. working the VAQ into program planning and the material for water safety rescue.  The moneys collected for the CDs will offset expenses for the course.

 

Stewart also has the expanded objectives for core for crew, company etc.  If you would like copies, they are with Jim to be handed out.

 

 

JC Event for October:

JC October event was cancelled due to Guiding regulations.

 

 

Events to come:

 

Food Drive:

The 16th Annual Food drive was planned for November 5.  Correction in the minutes the sorting station center used every year is close to the 417 not 416, i.e. the sorting station is on Michael St. off St. Laurent (Michael and Parisien near the 417 or the Queensway).  Plans were going well.  The sorting stations were almost fully scribed but groups could check for last minute cancellations.  Phil always asks near the event for groups to firm up the estimates so he knows whether he can accommodate any more requests to help.  Advisors are not required as long as permission forms are there.

 

 

OPE Dock Weekend:

This did not happen at Rovent as expected due to the poor weather (4 degrees, windy and wet) as hypothermia was a problem.  Tim asked for volunteers to help get the docks out before the ice set in.   He was looking for 20 to 25 people to get this task done for about 1.5 hours.  Free lunches were provided at noon for anyone who came plus hot chocolate, snacks and hot showers afterwards.  Wet suits help when doing this activity but only need 3 or 4 people in the water.

 

 

Adirondack Winter Adventure:

This is one of the next events but dates have not been finalized although they are likely the last weekend in January and February.  There should be more information in the next VAF.  This event is snowshoeing trip in the Adirondack Mountains.  The group travels down on Friday; snowshoes on Saturday, with free time on Sunday (most go skiing).  Overnights are in the alpine huts.

 

There is a maximum of 20 people per trip due to accommodations.  The Approx cost is $45 which includes 2 nights’ accommodation and snowshoe rental, but NOT food and transportation.

 

Jim noted if anyone wants to see what the events are for the VAF, look to the website maintained by Bill Bowman at http://www.ncf.ca/~ad554/

 

 

Camp Slush:

The new base commander is favorable towards scouting so this event might re-emerge.  This will be in March if it goes forward.

 

 

JC Report:

The November event was planned for an indoor mini putt golf session and sleepover at the course.  Arrivals are expected to be at 8:30pm, they will play golf, have dinner, and at 12 pm they will be ‘locked in’ for sleeping.  Vicky and Gord will be there supervising.  At 8:30 am they planned to have breakfast to that at 9:30 am they would be ready to go.  The planned date was Nov 25/26 for a cost $25 per person plus tax.  The mini putt is the one over by the West End Merivale Costco.

 

The JC Winter camp theme will be “Through the decades”.  The registration limit is 80 participants this year as another guiding unit has booked one of the lodges used.  The event will be at Camp Woolsey on Feb 3 to 5th.  The Registration pack will be available at the next meeting.  Note, the meetings themselves now number 50 people so register early.

 

 

VRRRT report:

There are some changes in the personnel in the executive and now the group is getting better organized both financially and for events.  The focus will be more on the youth providing input, and not so much the executive and advisors.

 

They plan to make the newsletter more Rover friendly and Venture friendly.  They are trying to get in contact with the gentleman with the octopus from ROVENT as they hope he will contribute an article in the newsletter.  The Webpage will be redone to be more user friendly format.

 

The next big thing now is the RSVP event in May and is a good camp.  If your youth enjoyed Rovent then will they will love RSVP.  This camp is “Rover, Scout, Venture Promotion”.

 

 

Service Corps:

-         There is growth within, e.g. for the Medvent meeting there were more youth and leaders.

-         Lost Children has increased in youth from 1.5 advisors to 5 advisors, 2 of whom have returned after time off.  They have 20 youth registrations some of which are in both a group company and with Lost Children.

-         The Police Ventures are now on board.  The Advisor attended the AGM and sent email coordinates.  Will try to use VAF as opportunities for youth too.

Upcoming events (all full uniform as there is usually media coverage):

-         Tuesday Nov 8,  it was planned to have the youth participant in a candlelight tribute for the Veterans.  They were looking for 25-30 youth to assist veterans into and out of the ceremony.  The event was moved to Lansdowne this year and youth were expected from 5:30 to 8 pm.  There was a Reception planned after with free Parking at Lansdowne.

-         Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph downtown.  Arrive between 9 to 9:30 am and find Alan Griffin.  Someone was selected to place the wreath, but the youth were generally to help hand out programs and assist the public.  They would however get prime viewing of the ceremony.

-         It will be the 3rdth Orleans Rover Crews for Camp Ice Cube this year.  Planned for early December but not sure of the location.

-         Winterlude is coming and the Service Corps will have the 2nd and 3rd weekend in February as we have had traditionally.

 

Question – Rovers were wondering if there was a possibility of a Winter Camp program with Winterlude.  Phil understands that this is true and that it is something they can pursue if there is interest. CERT for one weekend and VRRRT for the other is a possibility.  They will have to check to see about the logistics, i.e. if they can camp beside the canal at Lansdowne.

 

 

New business:

 

·        Tim would like to remind everyone that the Venture cabin is available.  There was a flyer on the table with details.

 

·        Stewart raised a question that now they are done basic, when is the advanced for company/crew.  There is an advanced sometime in November but only for Beaver, Cubs and Scouts.  If there is an expressed interest, VAF can decide.  Suggestions were to try and run it at another event, i.e. RSVP or WWI and WWII.  Problem is duplication of trainers at events of activities and running the training.  Could look at it although some trouble coordinating with events.  Also need to look at how many people are qualified to train.  So a longer term thought as no training team but that is cause there is not indicated interest.

 

 

·        Jim noted he had received a request for ropes that were damaged but needs to know who they were.  Let him know.

 

·        A request was made to consider doing a rope rescue session independent of Venclimb.  Christian indicated the problem is lack of available people who will teach it for free.  Some fees are $100 per day per person (largely due to liabilities).  The VAF indicated that there would be some willingness to pay a fee.  Christian could provide info on those courses then, i.e. a beginner’s ice course in January, then a beginner’s rock course in April or May.  There is a website, www.alpineclubofcanada.ca that some may find interesting.

 

 

·        Christian also noted that for Venclimb, there is now an access bulletin (from NCC) stating that they are closing everything east of the highway which does not affect us as we are west.  There are however, restrictions on topping out (can’t go to top of the cliff).  So there will likely be no more rappelling.  But all the climbing is still available to climb next year.

 

 

·        The next meeting is December 6, 2005 and the presentation topic is on maintenance.

 

 

·        There was a recommendation to cancel the January VAF meeting which is still holidays for many people.  Jim will see if the room will be available and/or other options if required.  JC needs to hold it on January 3rd as they need to do the registrations for the Winter JC Camp then.

 

Final agreement was to leave the January meeting as it is.  Tim will chair if necessary.