Venturer Advisors’ Forum - Voyageur Council

Notes of Meeting – September 7, 2010 7:30pm

National Boardroom - Scout Headquarters

 

Al McPhee

1st Greely

John Dougherty

DCC Program

Alan Griffin

112th Nepean Rovers

John O'Neil

1st Dunrobin

Ashley Schippers

Heritage Rovers - 2nd Gat

John Stalker

Valley H-Carl Pl/AC

Bill Bowman

1st Nepean

Larry House

1st Manotick

Brett Budge

25th Nepean

Luc Henrie

1st Rockland

Brian McAuley

7th Prescott

Mary Hagerman

1st Osgoode

Bruce Morton

14th Gloucester

Mike Jowett

CC Voyageur

Christiaan Burchell

1st Nepean

Nigel Ward

1st Kanata

Chuck Fraser

1st Glen Cairn

Perry Schippers

2nd Gatineau & LCS

Cyndy Courtland

Carleton Place

Phil Edens

123rd Ottawa

Darrell Bond

3rd Kanata

Ray MacKenzie

7th Prescott

David Laramee

2nd Russell

Rod Wilson

1st Manotick

Doug MacKinnon

112th Nepean

Sandra Redshaw

3rd Kanata

Doug Proud

1st Greenwood

Scott Bury

1st Kanata

Eric Ebeltoft

11th ottawa

Scott Stanley

1st Stittsville

Eugene Lavigne

Service Corps

Sharon Lefebvre

7th Kanata

Greg McGinnis

2nd Russell

Stephen Smye

1st Wakefield

Guy Morgan

1st Kemptville

Steve Doody

25th Nepean

Jan Stodola

7th Kanata

Terry Rimmington

1st Rockland

Jocelyn Robinson

VAF Secr

Thomas Miller

2nd Orleans

Al McPhee

1st Greely

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Remarks – Approval of Agenda                                Wally Gale

 

Wally welcomed new and returning VAF participants to this first meeting of the 2010/11 season.  He noted the special agenda items on MedVent and VenClimb ground school in addition to coverage of many upcoming activities.  Round-table introductions followed.

Anyone who is missing the VAF emails or would like to be on the VAF email distribution list should contact Wally at vafchair@rogers.com to be placed on the list.  Meeting attendees are included when they indicate their email address on the circulating attendee list.

 

 

Minutes                                                                    Jocelyn Remus-Robinson

 

Just a reminder to provide Jocelyn with any reports or notes (paper copy or email) that would help to ensure the accuracy and completeness of these minutes.

 

 

MedVent recruitment – special information item        By:  Brad Smith

 

The Ottawa Medical Venturers program (MedVent) is a special partnership between Voyageur Council and the Ottawa Paramedic Service. A number of their members also belong to their home Venturer company.  For those potentially interested in joining, there will be an open house at Ben Franklin Place (101 Centerpoint Drive, Nepean) on September 29. Police Venturers (also a special partnership, with the Ottawa police) will also participate in this recruitment session:  7- 8pm for Police Venturers and 8-9pm for MedVent.  Participation is mandatory to enroll.

 

Both MedVent and Police Venturers are vocational additions to traditional Venturer Companies.  These programs offer hands-on exposure to these careers through a number of formats including training, and help to facilitate a decision about whether they would like to do this in college. This valuable experience in turn enhances the possibility of acceptance to highly competitive educational programs and related careers. Past ‘grads’ have found jobs with the Ottawa Paramedic Services as well as the OPP, RCMP and Fire services in various locations in Canada.

 

MedVent is looking towards tripling their numbers (presently 10) through this recruitment.  Members have the opportunity to participate in a number of Public and Scouting events in a first aid service capacity. Information about MedVent and Police Venturers, including the open house recruitment/information night is available at:

http://ottawamedvent.bpsmicro.com/default.aspx

http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/Community/TeenLounge/youth_ventures.aspx

 

 

 

Past Activities

 

WW2/miniWW1/Kayak1-2 Palmer Rapids (June 5-6)              By:  Bill Bowman

 

This whitewater weekend training/playing has become increasingly popular despite the rainy conditions of that weekend (better than snow!). There were 134 participants: WW2-61, miniWW1-24, K1-23, K2-6.  Paddlers Co-op did a great job of instruction and was again very supportive to all the youth and advisors. The Whitewater2 canoeing classes spent both days in the rapids at Palmer Rapids and didn’t perform the traditional Sunday run down the river due to excessively low water.  VAF feedback supported the proposal to consider continuing this format in future with the possibility of running the river available as an option or possibly on a different weekend.  Allan Yates made arrangements with the instructor of the Whitewater Kayak2 class to run the Ottawa River’s Beachburg rapids on Sunday – an excellent experience and a lot of fun in relatively low water conditions.  A special thanks to Stephen Smye and the 1st Wakefield Company for a very economical outfitting of the 6 OPE whitewater canoes (thigh straps, knee pads, and float bag cages).  Other companies interested in outfitting their canoes with this “Mike Yee” system are welcome to contact 1st Wakefield.

 

Boat Rescue & Basic Canoe (June/10)                                    By: John Stalker

 

These courses were held up at Whispering Pines Scout Camp near Perth. There were approximately 30 Scouts in the Basic Canoe course and a dozen Venturers/Advisors in Boat Rescue.

 

 

Upcoming Activities

 

Couch Rally - Sept. 11                                     By: RARC \ Raymond Desjardins

 

The Couch Rally is set to go, with the registration package available on the VAF website. The Rideau Area Rover Crew is looking for volunteers to help with the various stations.  Contact Raymond at raymonddesjardins494@hotmail.com

for information or to sign up. All registrations can be paid to Andrew Grant upon arrival at the event.  Volunteers are still required to help run station activities. This is a great get-to-know-you event, and is open to Sr. Scouts to help fill your team of 4-6 participants.

 

VenClimb - Sept. 25-26                                            By: Christiaan Burchell

 

VenClimb is also a go this year, with the format similar to years past. Ray has indicated that camping is available in the farm field near the Home Cliff climbing site.  All participants are to be onsite for 8:15am Saturday for the ground school.  You will be at this site till 3pm. The schedule will be repeated on Sunday (no ground school), with  climbing at Western Coomb out of the Lusk Falls parking lot.

The cost is $10 per youth to be paid upon arrival - no charge for advisors. If you have any ropes, harnesses, or helmets that can be loaned out contact Christiaan to arrange a drop off / pick up. http://mc/compose?to=cjburchell@yahoo.com

Contact Ray Renton to register ( http://mc/compose?to=renton@quixnet.net  or  613-832-3292)

The advance training/orientation day for Advisors and for those youth able to help with the VenClimb setup (VenClimb2 youth) is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 19 (Saturday Sept. 18 rain date – Christiaan to advise participants based on the weather forecast). Contact Christiaan to sign up for this.

 

Crazy Canuck Challenge - Oct. 2                        By: Bill Bowman & Nigel Ward

 

Crazy Canuck will be held this year in Gatineau Park and surrounding vicinity. Teams will consist of 3-6 participants, company or crew - and advisors also welcome. The cost is $15 per challenge participant and $8 for support members with a deadline of Sept. 26 to register. The information/registration package is available on the VAF website and the starting time and location will be provided to each team upon registration (staggered starts). Volunteers are required to run checkpoints/events.

Bill Bowman: wbowman@ncf.ca  or 613-828-3362

 

  RoVent - Oct. 15-17                                By: Rovent Committee – Chris Majka

 

The Rovent registration package is ready for distribution and posting on the VAF website, and is also available on the Voyageur Council website. Due to the anticipated huge number of registrations, potential participants are asked to note the following changes from past years:

  1. Tabins are available for sleeping on a first-come first-served basis.  If taken, a tabin must be used for sleeping and not for gear storage or cooking.
  2. Upon arrival, people are asked to off-load gear and park vehicles in the gravel pit. There will be a shuttle back and forth from the gravel pit to the main camp.
  3. There will be TWO sittings for the Saturday feast, providing for a maximum of 550 participants and advisors.
  4. This is not intended to be a linking event for senior scouts.

The deadline for payment/registration is the October 5 VAF meeting. No pay, no play.   Note that this event is covered on Facebook.  Any further questions can be sent to: roventc@gmail.com.

 

 Food Drive Sorting Station – Nov 6.                                       By: Phil Edens

 

Venturers and Rovers are again solicited to sort food at the Ottawa Food Bank during this year’s annual food drive.  Based on feedback from past years there will be a strict control on the maximum number of volunteers for each shift - to improve the overall efficiency of this sorting station while offering a satisfying experience for participants. Youth that show up at the station without advance registration will be asked to leave if the maximum number is registered (normally the situation). More information will follow at the next meeting.

Contact Caelan Robertson (organizer) to register at caelanrobertson@gmail.com

The 123rd Scouting Group is coordinating the overall food drive so questions related to helping out at a food collection station can also be directed to Caelan.

 

Phil is a backup contact - edens.family@sympatico.ca & Philip.Edens@ottawa.ca

Tel 613-580-2424  ext 28924

 

 

Reports (as available/required)

 

  Service Corps (VRSC) Lost Children                             By: Eugene Lavigne

 

Last year the Service Corps LC contributed 700 hours in community services to the Ottawa area. They helped at events such as Ottawa Ex (10 days), Winterlude, Candle Light Service & Remembrance Day. This is a great opportunity for youth to obtain high school service hours and is a great program that gets us in the public eye.  The group is looking for new members to join their ranks. Companies can participate by providing Eugene with an expression of general interest and/or a list of events that are of interest to them.  When the VRSC receives a request for help, Eugene could contact volunteers/Companies to determine if there is sufficient interest to respond positively.  The VRSC get all sorts of requests for help each year and many need to be turned down.

Contact Eugene for further information:  eugene_scouts@hotmail.com

Upcoming events (more information at Oct VAF):

November 11 Remembrance Day at Canadian War Memorial

November 8-9 Veterans Candlelight Service

 

Joint Council (JC) – September activity            Scouting Advisor: Alan Clapp

 

Joint Council will be meeting at Thunderbird Raceway (3145 Conroy Road) on Sept 25 from 1-3 ($15).  RSVP with JC via Facebook or jcexec2010@gmail.com.

 

From Alan: Please encourage your youth to show up in uniform, the room was full with approx half in uniform.

 

Training & Development

 

Youth Train the Trainer - Sept 12                              By: Raymond Desjardins

 

Due to lack of sufficient enrolment this training has been postponed.  Keep an eye on the Voyager Council training calendar for a later offering - and

stay tuned for a FOCUS course in preparation possibly for the late fall.

 

  Wood Badge 1 (at RoVent)                                                   By: John Stalker

 

John has asked that all participants register for the class via the Council office by October 9th.  Details are available on the Council training calendar.

 

John is also soliciting trainers of all ages and is hoping to get some youth to train some components. Contact John if interested:      j_stalker@sympatico.ca

 

Wilderness 1st Aid / 1st Responder                                           By: Doug Proud

 

The following courses/dates are available at prices similar to past years (approx. $350 for the WFR and about half of that for each of the other two):

Wilderness First Aid class will be October 22-24

Advanced Wilderness First Aid will be November 12-14

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) will be January 7-9

 

There is also the possibility of recertifying the WFR if less than 2 years old and there are already 6 likely participants (8 minimum required). The WFR certification is valid for 3 years but after 2 years the full suite of 6 days of training is required to maintain certification after the 3rd year.For more information contact Doug Proud at the next meeting.

 

Wood Badge II                                                                   By: Wally Gale 

 

There will be an all-section WB 2 this spring which will include Company.  The dates are Feb. 25 - 27 and March 25 - 27 at Camp Opemikon with a later weekend (when it's likely to be nice) at Whispering Pines for the Outdoor Skills portion. Alex Gazaleh will be section lead and Mark Milan is the Course leader.  The course will soon be posted on the Voyageur Council web site so check there for further details and Alex will bring details to VAF once things are confirmed.  For questions regarding the Company portion of the course contact Alex at scouteralex@smail.com or for general information contact Mark Milan at markmilan@rogers.com.  VAF members expressed general concern about the ‘all-section’ aspect of this training and would appreciate further details about how this would work.

 

 

Other Business/Announcements

 

World Scout Foundation meeting welcome                    By:    John Dougherty

 

John and Voyageur Council is looking for a few youth and leaders who would represent Ottawa/Canada Scouting in welcoming the World Scout Foundation to Ottawa. These volunteers would be available in shifts at either the airport or the hotel to greet members as they arrive and answer any questions about the meeting or Ottawa (eg. directions to the Byward Market, or when events start).

An information/training session will be provided.  If interested contact John at doughjo@trytel.com

 

 Volunteers and Resources

 

For the benefit of new members in particular, Wally noted that all events coordinated through the VAF are organized/initiated and run by individual VAF members and all members are requested to contribute as possible.  An event may start as an activity enjoyed by a Venturer company and expand into something with a larger organizing effort and greater participation.  The VAF website includes a mechanism for members to submit their interest in helping (under “Announcements”) – or members are encouraged to talk to existing activity coordinators.

 

Resources such as archery, climbing, snowshoeing and whitewater canoeing equipment are available to members. Some were purchased through VAF funds (Council) and others are the property of other groups. See “Resources” on the VAF website for further information.

 

 

 

Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 5, 2010, 7:30 pm

 

VAF Website Address:

http://web.ncf.ca/ad554/

 

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