Voyageur Council VAF Notes

Venturer Advisors’ Forum - Voyageur Council

Notes of Meeting – October 6, 2009

National Boardroom - Scout Headquarters

Al McPhee	1^st Greely	Jocelyn Robinson	7^th Kanata/VAF Secr
Allan Yates	1^st Merrickville	John Dougherty	1^st Rock/DAC Odawa
Alex Gazaleh	OPE Co/Crew-Greenwd	John Stalker	Valley Highlands/AC
Andre Seiffert	1^st Richmond	Kelly Banks	Council Field Exec
Andrew Grant	Rideau Rovers	Mary Hagerman	1^st Osgoode
Andrew Wiens	92^nd Ottawa	Mike Harris	Rideau Area Rovers
Angus Palmer	1^st Carp	Mike Jowett	CC Voyageur
Bill Bowman	1^st Nepean	Neal Rice	Nepean Area / CYC
Brett Budge	25^th Nepean	Nick Wise	Rideau Rov/DCC Train
Brian McAuley	7^th Prescott	Nigel Ward	1^st Kanata
Brian Roberts	1^st Aylmer	Patrick Megan	1^st Wakefield
Cal Clupp	2^nd Gatineau	Perry Schippers	2^nd Gatineau & LCS
Chris Little	14^th Gloucester	Phil Edens	123^rd Ottawa.
Chris Prevost	112^th Nepean	Ray MacKenzie	7^th Prescott
Christiaan Burchell	1^st Nepean	Raymond Desjardins	DCYC Training
Chuck Fraser	1^st Glen Cairn	Sandra Redshaw	3^rd Kanata
Cyndy Courtland	Carleton Place	Sarah Szabo	Nepean Rover Crew
Dave Skinner	1^st Glen Cairn	Scott Bury	1^st Kanata
David Laramee	2^nd Russell	Scott Stanley	1^st Stittsville
Dean Smith	2^nd Orleans	Sharon Lefebvre Ley	7^th Kanata
Doug MacKinnon	112^th Nepean	Stewart Ross	DCC Recog'n
Doug Proud	1^st Greenwood	Stu Majka	1^st Chelsea Rovers
Doug Zahody	3^rd Orleans	Tim Harbinson	137^th Ottawa Yes
Gil Lepine	4^th Orleans	Tim Redpath	1^st Stittsville
Greg Brost	1^st Orleans	Tim Taylor	123^rd Ottawa.
Greg McGinnis	2^nd Russell	Tom Wasiak	1^st Kanata
Jan Stodola	7^th Kanata	Wally Gale	14^thGlster/VAFchair
Jeff Wilson	23^rd Nepean

Opening Remarks

With seating at a premium again, Wally welcomed the many new and returning advisors to this 2^nd meeting of the season. He noted that this forum offers an opportunity to share feedback about events of the past month and for event coordinators to provide information about upcoming activities. Information should be aimed at new advisors even if others are already aware.

Minutes

A kindly reminder from your secretary to please provide a copy of your notes (paper or email) if you are providing a lot of information or numbers during the meeting, so that it is easier to keep the content correct. Thanks ~Jos

Presentation: MedVent - Kalen Smith and Tamara Wilson

The Medical Venturers or MedVent is a wonderful opportunity for all Venturers and Rovers interested in a medical Field. More information on what they do can be found at

http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca/vrsc/medvent/Ottawa_MedVent/Home.html

If interested in having them serve as first aiders for your group’s activity, you can email them at ottawamedvent@hotmail.com

An Open House will be held later in the fall at 2465 Don Read Dr.

Presentation: Waivers & Insurance - Mike Jowett and Kelly Banks

Kelly provided a summary of the information available in Scouts Canada’s Bylaws, Policies & Procedures, as outlined below. There was a good discussion. It was underlined that Advisors have no authority to sign another agency’s waiver and should check with the Voyageur office to see about establishing a mutual agreement between agencies. Anyone could sign a form acknowledge they have been informed (‘informed consent’ as opposed to a waiver). For more detailed information or other questions contact Jeff Benson or Kelly at the Voyageur office (613-225-2270).

Form	When to use	Where to get it
Individual Hold Harmless and Indemnity Agreement	When a Non- registered individual is participating in a Scouting Event.	BP&P – information in section 13000; Form available at http://www.scouts.ca/dnn/BPPAdmin/BylawPoliciesandProcedures/ElectronicVersionBPandP/tabid/232/Default.aspx
Indemnification Agreement	When using another party’s property/ services.	BP&P – information in section 13000; Form available at http://www.scouts.ca/dnn/BPPAdmin/BylawPoliciesandProcedures/ElectronicVersionBPandP/tabid/232/Default.aspx
Certificate of Insurance	When asked to provide proof of insurance.	Your Council Field Executive can provide this to you.
Screening Level Chart	To screen non-registered volunteers for different levels of service.	BP&P Section 3001.2 http://www.scouts.ca/dnn/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=WmwM09tJLdg%3d&tabid=232&mid=599
Incident Report	When an incident has occurred that results in property or physical damage during a Scouting activity. Complete and send to Headquarters	BP&P – information in section 13000; Form available at http://www.scouts.ca/dnn/BPPAdmin/BylawPoliciesandProcedures/ElectronicVersionBPandP/tabid/232/Default.aspx
Tour Permit	When planning to travel outside of Canada (except to the USA if for less than 12 hours & less than 200 km from home) – needed during the actual travel	BP&P – information in section 13000; Form available at http://www.scouts.ca/dnn/BPPAdmin/BylawPoliciesandProcedures/ElectronicVersionBPandP/tabid/232/Default.aspx

Past Activities

Couch Rally (Sept 12^th) - Report by Andrew Grant & Mike Harris of Rideau Rover Crew

This event had a great turnout - 173 people including 120 youth.

Results were reported as follows:

Overall winners - 1st: 1^st Carleton place Super sofas, 2^nd: 4^th Orleans, 3^rd: Orleans Black; and 4^th : 1^st Dunrobin

Individual challenge results -

Obstacle Course

Place	Group
1	Carleton Place PRC
2	1^st Rockland, 8^th Orleans, Carleton Place Super Sofa, 1^st Dunrobin
3	8^th Orleans Blue

MacGyver

Place	Group
1	1^st Orleans
2	1^st Dunrobin, 8^th Orleans, blue and Black, 2^nd Gatineau
3	Too many!

Oh Canada!

Place	Group
1	2^nd Gatineau, Carleton Place Super Sofa, 1^st Osgoode, 1^st Stittsville
2	1^st Dunrobin, 4^th Orleans Crew, Carleton Place CPR, 1^st Rockland
3	25^th Nepean, 1^st Greenwood, 7^th Kanata

Want to by a Duck?

Place	Group
1	1^st Orleans, 1^st Stittsville, 1^st Rockland
2	1^st Osgoode, 7^th Kanata, 2^nd Gatineau
3	8^th Orleans Black, 4^th Orleans Merry Men

Couch:

Place	Group
1	4^th Orleans
2	7^th Kanata, 148^th Ottawa, 1^st Orleans
3	Too Many

Singing Challenge

Place	Group
1	2^nd Gatineau, 1^st Greenwood, Carleton Place Supreme sofas
2	4^th Orleans Coy
3	148 LDS

Croquet

Place	Group
1	7^th Kanata,
2	Carleton Place CPR, 148^th
3	1^st Stittsville, 1^st Nepean 1 and 2, 8^th Orleans Black.

Scavenger Hunt

Place	Group
1	1^st Carleton Place Super Sofa
2	4^th Orleans Crew
3	25^th Nepean

Prizes will be distributed at the next JC meeting.

OPE Mini Work Weekend (Sept 11-12) - Report by Tim Taylor

12 youth & 2 advisors from 14^th Gloucester stowed the boats and swimming waterfront and completed a number of other tasks to help prepare Camp Opemikon for the winter season – for the 8^th consecutive fall season.

VenClimb (Sept 25-27) - Report by Christiaan Burchell

There were about 66 participants and Saturday was a beautiful day. An extended amount of climbing was performed on Saturday, with no climbing on Sunday due to rain. Christiaan also completed the advance climbing orientation/training session for Advisors on September 19 with aproximately 10 participants.

Crazy Canuck (Oct 3) - Report by Allan Yates

This was also a great event involving 110 people, 90 of them youth – close to a record turn-out! Weather turned amazingly excellent during the period of the Challenge and barbecue. Bill Bowman’s compiled results indicated that 1^st Kanata took the least amount of time to complete the course and 1^st Rockland came 8^th (there goes that reputation) in a field of 22 groups. The height challenge made good use of the VAF’s new metal rope ladders. Cyndy Courtland’s chili (all 3 varieties) was a highlight in itself.

Participants included a group from Chatham – the furthest group in the list (arrived in the wee hours of Saturday morning after about 9 hours of driving in poor conditions).

Kettle Island Clean Up (Sept 27^th)

This is an annual public event for which Venturers were the 1^st participants a few years ago. Due to the need to sign a waiver there was no Venturer participation this year.

Upcoming Events

Rovent ( Oct 16-18^th) - Report by Doug MacKinnon

This weekend is looking towards a record participation of around 400. A few last minute notes:

After some discussion it was decided that everyone will be fed by the Ope company/Crew on Saturday evening. Advisors are requested to leave the seats in the Dining Hall to youth since youth alone are close to filling the Hall to capacity. Advisors/others would eat in the tepee. The menu will consist of BBQ Chicken, mashed potatoes and salad. While the Ope kitchen is still unavailable, a plan is in place to cater for the full 600 people in camp using the temporary kitchen facility and a small army of volunteers.

Tim Taylor indicated that a few camp restrictions are still in place (mainly driving/parking in designated areas only), noting that additional parking will be available in the field located south of the camp’s property (access from further along Hanna Road). The showers are not to be used for this weekend due to the potential to overwhelm facilities. Bear scat has been found around the camp, including near the waterfront, so please keep an eye out. Attendees are advised to car pool to help deal with the limited parking.

For any questions, email file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Bill%20Bowman/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.IE5/3SPF7SDD/rovent09@gmail.com or call Doug MacKinnon at 613-828-8861 ASAP.

Vertical Rescue (TBD) Report by Stephen Smye

There is no new information and we hope to have more information at the next VAF. It may happen in the winter or spring.

Low Ropes OPE Certification (Saturday, Oct 24^th)
No new information - if interested contact Marilyn Johnson at mjohnson@scouts.ca or 613-225-2770 ext 506.

Annual Scouts Canada Ottawa Food Drive (Saturday, Nov 7) - Report by Perry Schippers

The Lost Children Service is coordinating the Venturer/Rover Sorting Station for this Scout food drive at the Ottawa Food Bank (1319B Michael St). There will be three shifts: 10:00 - 13:00, 12:30 - 15:30 and 15:00 - 18:00. To register contact Jessica at lcs.fooddrive@gmail.com, providing the following information: Company name, number of people, 1^st & second choice of shifts and contact info. Perry will see about borrowing a counting machine for the cash received during the Drive.

Reports

Joint Council - Report by Andrew and Jen

· The JC meeting tonight had a record 97 attendees stuffed into the Buffam room with 67 % in uniform.

· The September event at Thunderbird go-carts/mini golf went very well with 17 people attending, of which more than half were new faces.

· October Event: Cannamore Orchards
Where: Cannamore Orchards 1480 County Road 32 Chrysler, Ontario K0A 1R0
When: Friday October 23
Start: 7pm SHARP (best to arrive ten minutes early to ensure access to the group rate)
End: 10pm
Cost: Group rate of 12$pp (exact amount in cash) IF AND ONLY IF a necker or any visible logo of scouts or guides is worn. This is half price.
Additional JC info for Cannamore: Your admission to The Spooky Wagon Ride TM also includes the House of Terror, presented by the band students from St. Francis Xavier High School, the Kid's Spooky House, the renovated Spooky Fog Maze and the Spooky Village. Our completely redone Fog Maze, has new scary scenes, new hallways and is full of sound and light as well as mysterious fog. The Spooky Village, the only one of it kind in the world, presently has 8 houses and offers a chance for the visitor to interact with vampires, witches, coffin makers and more. Stick around and have your fortune told if you are brave enough to learn what is in store for you. Visit the new jail and feel what it is like to be behind bars! If anyone has any questions or concerns feel free to talk to myself (Jenn) or Andrew. We have a set of directions but the address given here if put into mapquest will work fine too. Make sure you have a way to the event and a way home please. Feel more then free (recommended) that you wear your uniform. Hope to see you all come out and have a good time.

· The JC executive has a new email address: JC.exec2009@gmail.com. JC participants use Facebook for communication

Training and Development

Wood Badge I Senior Section at RoVent (Oct 16-18) – information provided by Rod Wilson

Registration and related information for the course are available on the Voyageur Website. Additional information will be emailed to all registrants. This is a very easy way for Advisors to obtain this training while their Company is taking part in RoVent.

NOTE: WB1 Module One is available online at the Scouts Canada website and Rod has designated this as a prerequisite (in addition to duty-of-care readings). The online system generates proof of completion. Participants will be outside part of the time so suitable clothes are required along with a chair, pen, and paper.

Low Ropes Course at Camp Opemikon (Saturday, Oct 24^th)

No new information. Check the Training page on the Voyageur website for information or contact Marilyn Johnson at mjohnson@scouts.ca or 613-225-2770 ext 506.

Wilderness 1^st Aid (Nov 14-15) - Report by Patrick Megan

This basic course will take place at the Rec Centre on Valley Drive in Wakefield and costs $172.50 and $5 for use of the room. The minimum participation of 8 appears imminent and minimum age is 14. Lodging of all levels and camping is available nearby. Contact Pat Megan (1st Wakefield) for registration and payment: eaglesmegan@aol.com , tel. 819-453-3850- Cell- 613-898-3850. Doug Proud will look into setting up an advanced wilderness 1^st aid course, possibly for January.

Other Notes/Announcements

Police Venturers

Police Venturers is a special Venturer group supported by Voyageur Council through a program offerred in conjunction with the Ottawa Police. Their annual recruitment drive takes place in the fall and includes an open house scheduled for Oct 8 this year, from 7-8pm at 101 Centerpoint Drive (Ben Franklin Place).

More information, including how to obtain their tour of police headquarters, is available at http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/outreach/youth_parent_programs/youth_ventures.cfm

Order of the Caribou – Stewart Ross

This award is open to both youth and adults. Proposals are due by Oct 31.

The application form and criteria are available on the Voyageur website under “Recognition” http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca/index1.htm

Next Meeting: Tuesday Nov 3, 2009 at 7:30 pm – includes a special presentation by Allan Yates about the 1^st Merrickville Venturer Company’s whitewater trip down the Lievre River.

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