Voyageur Region e-Newsletter, November 2000
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GREETINGS from the Voyageur Region!  Please copy and share this e-newsletter with members in your group!  The e-newsletter will update you on the latest news about Scouts Canada and inform you of upcoming events.  It is sent to all registered members who have provided us with an e-mail address.  If you are aware of someone who is not receiving this and would like to, please provide us with their e-mail address for the next distribution.  Check out our web site for past issues.

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IN THIS ISSUE - Congratulations! / 1st Annual Scout Winter Camp / Honours & Awards / Camp Opemikon

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CONGRATULATIONS - the following Groups registered by October 31st and surpassed last years membership by 5%!

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FROM THE DESK OF THE COMMISH!!
As I visit many of our Districts, I am encouraged by the energy and devotion of our youth and adult members.  Our leaders and Group Committee members are undertaking appropriate training.  Youth are enjoying camps, hikes and many outdoor adventures.  Keep up the great work one and all.

I do wish to address one item that requires an update - that being the wearing of the Group necker by new applicants.  The necker is a symbol of membership in a Group.  It's colour combination and crest, often sewn on the back of the necker, are indicative of the Group history and geographical area.  An adult becomes a probationary member of the Group once the application, interview, reference checks are satisfactorily completed and the consent for a Police Records Check has been signed.  At this time, the Group necker is presented to the probationary members.

Investiture takes place only AFTER the three month probationary period  is finished AND the results of the PRC have been satisfactorily received and recorded.  If these results are not received at the end of the three months, then the probation is extended until such time as the PRC is completed.

At investiture, new leaders are presented the investiture badge.  This badge is the section appropriate section epaulettes.  After investiture and completion of an introductory course, our Gateway, adults are then eligible for a Warrant of Appointment from Scouts Canada.  Group Committee Chairs may request these Warrants through Lynn Levitan, our regional Registrar.

- Marilyn Johnson - Your Regional Commissioner

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UPCOMING EVENTS
Please visit the Voyageur Region web site at   http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca  for details on the following events:

Dec 3 - Scouts Canada Day with the Ottawa 67's

2001/Feb 2 or 3 - Scouts Canada Day with the Ottawa 67's

Feb 2-4 - Winterlude Camp

March 3-24 - Spring Popcorn Campaign

March 10-17 - 1st Annual Scout Winter Camp

April 01 - Scouts Canada Day with the Senators

April 28 - Regional Annual General Meeting and Recognition Evening

June 1-3 - Regional Cub Camp

June 2 - Chief Scout's/Queen's Venturer Award Ceremony

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1st ANNUAL SCOUT WINTER CAMP - The first annual winter camp for Scout-aged youth will run at Camp Opemikon from Saturday, March 10 to Saturday, March 17, 2001.  There is room for up to 50 Scouts.  Registration forms will be available in the Regional Office by December 15.  Please call and reserve yours!  The week is shaping up to be active, outdoors and very Scout focused.  Cost will be $325 per Scout and includes all food, transportation and programs.  For more information, please call David Townsend at 225-2770 ext. 508 or e-mail at  dtownsend@playground.net

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WINTERLUDE CAMP, 2- 4 February 2001 - It is set, we're ready to go!  We are just finalizing a few details - stay tuned, a news release will be coming by months end.

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HONOURS AND AWARDS - Congratulations to Scouter Arnel Pattemore, Valley Highlands District, who recently was awarded the Silver Acorn "for especially distinguished service to Scouting", Venturer Tyler Keddy, Rideau District, who recently was awarded the Bronze Cross "for gallantry" and Scouter Elizabeth Car, Rideau District, who received the Medal for Good Service.  If you feel someone deserves an award, take action.  Begin the application process right now.  Don't delay.  It does take effort but it is well worth the satisfaction of seeing a fellow Scouter or youth receive such an honour.  Don't delay - we have great volunteers in our Region - show them you appreciate their dedication!  Contact the person responsible for Honours and Awards in your District for assistance, or the Regional Honours and Awards Chairman, Stan Lasenba at (613) 283-0779  lasenba@sympatico.ca  or Toni at 225-2770 ext. 503  tmarconstewart@playground.net

CAMP OPEMIKON - The 2001 summer camp brochures will be bulk mailed to Section contact leaders in January.  Please share these with your youth as soon as possible.  Should your Section wish to have our OPE traveling promotion show entertain your Beavers, Cubs or Scouts for part of one of your weekly meetings, please call David Townsend at 225-2770 ext. 508 or e-mail at  dtownsend@playground.net  to arrange a visit.  Applications for staff are now available in the Scout Office.  Staff need to be age 15 or older and can apply to work for part or all of the summer.  Applications are due back by December 8, 2000.  Just a reminder for your Troop, Company or Crew that Opemikon is hosting a work weekend on April 28 -30, 2001.  Call to reserve your service project.  Are you still looking for camping spots throughout the winter and spring?  Opemikon still has several openings in buildings and tenting areas.  Call Jennifer at 613-225-2770, ext. 500 for details or e-mail at  voyageurscouts@playground.net

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Regional Facilities Bookings and Payments Practice

In the past,  camp and equipment rental fees were charged and invoiced after the groups used the camp.  This caused the Regional Council to incur high account receivables and some of the amounts had to be written off, due to groups' inability to pay.  Therefore, this practice is intended to protect the Council from future losses due to unpaid fees.

Every effort will be made to collect all fees for the booking of facilities (equipment, camps and campsites) in advance of the usage of the facility.  Fees are payable on the following schedule:

At time of booking - $50 deposit - Scouting/ Guiding Groups,  $500 - All others
Refundable if booking is canceled more than 1 month prior to usage

Prior to start of usage - 100% of total fee
Refundable if booking is canceled more than 1 week prior to usage (if canceled within 1 month, booking fee withheld)

In the case of per-member fees associated with camp bookings, any differences between the numbers booked and the actual numbers will be payable, net 30 days from the first day of the booking.  In the event that numbers are below that expected (As reported to office 1 week prior to start date), a maximum change of 10% of the number booked will be refunded.

Interest for bookings will be charged on the above payments, based on the Region's Accounts Payable procedure.  Invoices for the above charges are not required for the region to charge interest.

The Camp Warden and Office Staff will refuse to provide the booked equipment, or access to the camp facilities, if the booking party does not possess proof of full payment.  In this case, the Warden or Office Staff may accept payment.

No bookings will be accepted from any group with an outstanding debt from previous bookings (regardless of the section incurring those debts).  As well, no District booking will be accepted from any District with an outstanding debt from previous bookings.

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SCOUT DAYS WITH THE OTTAWA SENATORS - Game 2 of our Scouts Canada days with the Ottawa Senators will be Saturday, April 1, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. against the Carolina Hurricanes.  The cost will be $25 per person and will include an autographed Senators team poster.  For information and tickets, please call Jim Armstrong with the Senators at 599-0312.

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TRAINING - An "All Trainers Meeting" will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2000 from 10 am to 4 pm at Trinity United Church in Smiths Falls. Cost per person $8.00. There will be a meeting of all District ADC Training beginning at 8:30 am. Please confirm attendance by Monday, November 20th, with Jennifer Harrington at 225-2770 ext. 500 or 1-888-726-8876 ext. 500, or voyageurscouts@playground.net  Please check the Regional Web Page for the most current training schedule.  Course registration deadlines are 2 weeks before the course start date.

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CJ '01 - Our Regional contingent leader is Ken Campbell, he can be reached at 623-2260 or  ac828@debbs.ndhq.dnd.ca .

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VOYAGEUR REGION SCOUT SERVICE CORPS - If you are interested in lending a hand and receive community Service hours please email your Name/Group/Phone Number/and hours available as soon as possible to Rob Petten, Voyageur Region Scout Service Corps Coordinator nfld@magma.ca

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$$$$$ FUNDRAISING IDEAS $$$$$  2001 Scouts Canada Calendars:  Easy fund raiser for all sections. Great Scouting pictures, inexpensive to purchase and promotes Scouting in your community. This may be the last year they are produced.  Purchase them for $1.40 and sell for $2.50 or more, a profit for your section of at least $1.10 per calendar ! Calendars can be picked up at the Voyageur Region office or we will arrange convenient delivery.  Place your orders with Dee drizewiski@playground.net. Your group has 60 days to pay, but sorry, no returns. Get them while they are hot, they're going fast.

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REGIONAL MEETINGS

Board:  December 09 (Barrhaven United Church, Nepean), February 24

President & Commissioner Forums:  November 18 (Regional Headquarters), February 3, May 12

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NAME CONTEST - Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest - we have 36 entries.  The winner will be announced next month and will receive a $50.00 merchandise gift certificate redeemable at Sensations, Corel Centre.

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SCOUT SHOP INFORMATION
Ottawa:  1345 Baseline Road / Phone (613) 224-0139
Kingston:  MacDonnell & Third / Phone (613) 542-1427
Perth (Conway's):  45 Gore Street, East / Phone (613)  267-1835

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OFFICE HOURS - Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The office will be closed at noon on Friday, December 22nd and re-open Tuesday January 2nd, 2001.

Scouts Canada, Voyageur Region
1345  Baseline Road, Suite 200
Ottawa, Ontario K2C 0A7
tel. (613) 225-2770 / 1-888-SCOUTS NOW  (726-8876) / fax (613) 225-2802
e-mail:   voyageurscouts@playground.net
web site:    http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca

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Questions?  Comments or concerns about this e-newsletter?  We welcome constructive feedback!  Please e-mail us at  voyageurscouts@playground.net

Thank you.