From: Voyageur Council [voyageurscouts@playground.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 3:18 PM
Subject: Scouts Canada - Voyageur Vision, December 2002
VOYAGEUR VISION, December 2002
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"There is in the movement that spirit...which cannot fail in bringing about what we all pray for - Goodwill and Peace in the world." Baden-Powell
Scouts Canada wishes you a Happy Holiday and Best Wishes for Peace in 2003.
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GREETINGS! 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, mid-month, 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.

I N T H I S I S S U E
Gone Home
From the Desk of the Council Commissioner
What's New
Honours & Awards
Scouts Canada Membership Management System
11 Local Youth Attending World Jamboree in Thailand
Camp Opemikon-Staff Positions Available
Membership Drive
Voyageur Council Website
Upcoming Events
Scout Night with the Ottawa Senators
Spirituality
7th B-P (Bytown) Guild
3rd Annual Camp Opemikon Work Weekend
National Scout Shop
Voyageur Council Meetings
Canada Science & Technology Museum
Warsaw Caves

GONE HOME - The Council wishes to express their sadness in the passing of Bill Sheldrick on Saturday December 7th. Bill was a long time Scouter with Upper St. Lawrence Valley Area, and St. Lawrence Region. His main focus as of late was Camp Sheldrick. He was admired by many youth and adults alike and will be dearly missed.

FROM THE DESK OF THE COMMISH!
December is traditionally a month of celebration, of prayers, of giving thanks, of special foods, of gatherings with family and friends, and of general merriment. Members of our Scouting family are celebrating Hanukkah, Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, the Festival of Lights, Kawanza, Christmas and of course, ringing in of the New Year. I trust this season of holidays will bring each of you time to relax with family, to share warm memories of the past year and to set goals for the coming year. As your Council Commissioner, I am thankful to each of you for sharing your valuable time with the Scouting movement. Best wishes from my family to you and yours. May 2003 bring you success, happiness and many adventures.
Marilyn Johnson, your Council Commissioner

WHAT’S NEW
* Congratulations to Julian Celms who was recently appointed National Director, Program and Volunteer Services. Julian has been a key member of the Voyageur Council staff team since 1997. Congratulations Julian and best of luck with your new responsibilities!

* Doug Hall has been appointed Opemikon Composite Camp Director 2003.

* Tim Foreman will be arriving January 6 as our new Council Field Executive. Tim comes with 5 years experience as an Executive for Membership and Development with the Quebec Provincial Council. Welcome aboard Tim!

* Our new National Commissioner – Scouts Canada is Mike Scott.

* Our new Deputy National Commissioner –Program is Jeff Smith. Jeff is known by many of our Scouters as the past Commissioner for Quebec Provincial Council.

* Central Division is now an entity within Scouts Canada. It is made up of the Quebec Council which includes Nunavut and the 10 Councils within Ontario. That means us!!!

* Our new Deputy National Commissioner for Central Division is Kim Derry. Many of us know Kim as a former Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Ontario Council and the Provincial Service Scouter for Voyageur Council. He had attended a number of our Board meetings in the past year.

* Scouts Canada has posted its Privacy Policy on its website at www.scouts.ca

HONOURS and AWARDS - "The best thing to do behind a person's back is to pat it." - Franklin P. Jones
Voyageur Council is pleased to announce and congratulate the following Scouters and youth who have recently been recognized:
* The Medal of Merit was presented to Jim Connolly, 1st Elginburg, Loyalist Area
* The Certificate of Commendation was presented to Nicholas Wise, Rideau Area

GOLDEN JUBILEE MEDAL - The Golden Jubilee celebrations is the awarding of the Golden Jubilee Medal. This commemorative medal is awarded to Canadians who, over the past 50 years, have helped create the Canada of today, including young Canadians who are actively contributing to our future.

This program is an opportunity to recognize citizens for an outstanding and exemplary achievement or service to the community or to Canada as a whole; or those who have made a sustained contribution over and above what might reasonably be expected of paid employment or voluntary action. In keeping with the Golden Jubilee spirit endorsed by the Queen, awarding of the medal will be inclusive and wide-ranging.

We congratulate the following Scouters who have recently been presented this commemorative medal:

*John Boyce, DCC-Member Services and Program Delivery, was presented the medal by MP Scott Reid of Lanark Carleton for his contributions to Scouting in his community.

*John Udd, Past President was recently presented the medal on December 18th by Natural Resources Canada for his contributions to the Department.

*Kerri Nicholson, DCC-Youth was presented the medal on December 10th at a gathering of Voyageur Region Service Corps members and before his parents and grandmother.

*Warren McMeekin, Executive Director, Julian Celms, Council Field Executive, Toni Marcon-Stewart, Council Field Executive and Marilyn Johnson, Council Commissioner were presented their medals on December 9th by Scouts Canada CEO Rob Stewart.

We are aware that there are other Scouters who are recipients and we look forward in extending our congratulations once we are notified.

SCOUTS CANADA MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
As the year 2002 comes to a close we are looking onward to 2003. This also mean we are half way through the 2002-2003 Scouting year. At this time we still have a few groups who have not submitted the original copy of their group registration forms. Let us all make a Pre New Year resolution to have all paperwork, including any new PRC's and interview and reference check documentation, sent into the Council office BEFORE 2003! Don't worry about the order within the package, simply bring or send by mail all you registration documentation.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and the best for 2003.
Thank you.
Lynn Levitan, Voyageur Council Registrar, ext. 502 llevitan@scouts.ca

11 LOCAL YOUTH ATTENDING WJ IN THAILAND !!!
Congratulations and best wishes to the 11 local youth and leaders who will be attending the 20th World Jamboree in Sattahip, Thailand from December 28th to January 11th. The youth come from 1st Verona, 8th Brockville, 1st Algonquin and 1st Kemptville and will represent Voyageur Council in fine form.

The official Jamboree website can be found at www.worldscoutjamboree20.org

Yours in Scouting, David Wray, Communications & Public Relations, communications@voyageur.scouts.ca

CAMP OPEMIKON - STAFF POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR COMPOSITE CAMP 2003

NOTE: Deadline for Management/Director positions is Friday, December 20, 2002
Deadline for other Staff positions is Friday, January 10, 2003.

Staff applications for the 2003 Composite Camp are now available on the Camp Opemikon webpage at http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca/opemikon/

Check out the organizational chart and see where you fit - there is a place for YOU !!!

Download the application (1 page) and send it to the Voyageur Council office along with with your resume.

For more information, please contact:
Doug Hall, 2003 Camp Director
Email: djhall@rogers.com
Telephone: (613) 225-2770 Ext. 508 or 1-888-726-8876 Ext. 508

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE - February Friendfest
Are we ready to Rock 'n Roll? Are we ready to bring our friends???
That’s the theme and that’s the frenzy we want to create during the next stage of our Growth & Retention program. Bring A Friend to Scouting, Bring LOTS of friends to Scouting - bring some BACK even!

Starting in January, the Central Division will be broadcasting an ad campaign that will focus television and electronic media on youth recruitment. It will be a media blitz to bring youth knocking on our door. Our challenge as leaders is to be able to welcome them into an active and exciting Scouting program. With our rapidly declining numbers we need to understand the sense of urgency and commitment to attracting and taking youth into the movement and to take on more youth in each group. Central Division has thrown down the gauntlet: bring in 100-500 new people in each Area in each Council! Are we ready to take on that challenge?

Not yet you say? Then be sure to have your ADC Membership Development & Growth and/or other reps at the January 18th Workshop. That will be a jammed packed day of sharing ideas and best practices to attract and retain youth. We’ll be talking about the Where’s Wally membership audit scheduled for February; the best practices of Groups that have a large majority of community youth participating in their program (remember that challenge from the Commissioner??), and we’ll be sharing your Bring-A-Friend campaigns that many of you have run successfully before (see some of the tool kit material on the Council Growth web site in the Building Success material). The Divisional Bring-A-Friend kits will be made available to every Group very soon which will provide Section leaders with some basic tools and incentive programs to help them mount their local campaigns.
Brian Glenn, DCC Membership Development & Growth, dcc-growth@voyageur.scouts.ca

VOYAGEUR COUNCIL WEBSITE - http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca. Check out your Council website for all your resource needs. For example, it includes training information, your event calendar, forms, links to Area websites, links to Scouts Canada information, discussion groups, and contact information for your Council Team. New resources are appearing daily!

UPCOMING EVENTS - Please visit the Voyageur Council web site at http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca for details on these events and others.

March 1st Scout Night with the Ottawa Senetors
April 25-27th 3rd Annual Camp Opemikon Work Weekend
May 2,3,4 Brownsea Scout Jamboree at Baxter Conservation Area

SCOUT NIGHT WITH THE OTTAWA SENATORS - Special Fundraising Event
Saturday March 1st @ 7:00pm
Ottawa Senators vs Tampa Bay Lightening

The Ottawa Senators are providing a special discounted price of just $29 per ticket (Tickets are in U3 area. Regular price is $40 per ticket). As a special fundraiser - $4.00 from the sale of every ticket will be donated to Scouts Canada.

GREAT PRIZES WHEN YOU PARTICIPATE
* All Scout leaders with sales of 20 or more tickets will be entered into a draw to win 4 Club Seats (value $660.00), to an upcoming game.

The deadline to order is Friday February 14th…so get your group together now!

Take advantage of our easy fax order system. Just fill out an order form and fax it back. Order forms can be obtained by visiting the Voyageur Council Scout office or the Scout Shop at 1345 Baseline road, or electronically by visiting the Council Web Page under the Events Calendar at http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca/index2.htm You can also call 613-599-0116 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.

Hope to see you at the game!! Kara-Lee Brandwood, Group Sales Manager, Corel Centre, phone: 613-599-0116, 1-800-444-7367 (ext. 4116) fax: 613-599-0359 email: klbrandwood@corelcentre.com

SPIRITUALITY - Considering this is a spiritual season for many religions, it is a good time to build on this area of program. There are easy ways to incorporate Spirituality in our weekly programs. One simple way is to ask the youth if they have anything that they are thankful for today or for the week. What does Spirituality mean to them? What spiritual holidays do they celebrate and why? This may open some interesting discussions, but remember we all learn from each other and that we are all individuals in Scouting.

When on an outing take the time to notice the trees, wildlife, just nature in general and the beauty, also that is our responsibility to look after it. Help take care of the World, honour my country, do a good turn daily, service. Ask youth what they can do to live up to their law, promise, and motto; this is the spirit of Scouting. Remember it all ties together! It can also be as simple as lying on the ground and trying to pick out shapes in the clouds or looking at the stars, being quiet and taking time to reflect.

There are so many ways that we can bring in the Spirit of Scouting in our program. It does not have to be always Scouters Five and Scouts Own, they are important and are formal methods of incorporating Spirituality. When having a Scouts Own have the youth read or choose the song, or prayer. Have a time of reflection or prayer at the opening, closing or both. Spirituality is part of the program and is not hard to slip it in, so give it a try! Much of the time what is meaningful to you, will be meaningful to the youth. This is very important since it is their program.
Keep the Spirit of Scouting Alive, John Boyce, DCC Member Services and Program Delivery, dcc-program@voyageur.scouts.ca

7th B-P (BYTOWN) GUILD - The 7th B-P Guild is in its 21st year of operation in Ottawa. It is an arm of the Scout Movement consisting mainly of Scouters and Guiders who were once active in leadership roles with youth groups. Membership in the Guild is a means to maintain contact with old friends and stay in touch with Scouting, primarily in the Voyageur Council. There is one other Guild in Voyageur Council, the 35th B-P (Limestone) Guild in Kingston.

Guild members meet regularly, usually once a month, to conduct business and enjoy fellowship. Business is related to our fund raising activities, involvement with provincial, national and international Guild affairs, as well as various fellowship events. We are affiliated with the Girl Guide Association’s Trefoyle Guild here in Ottawa and engage in joint activities from time to time.

Our principal fund raising activity is the catering we provide to Scouts Canada staff and various Scouting functions. It is estimated we have raised approximately $25,000 during the course of our existence to fund youth program equipment at Camp Opemikon. We recently announced the allotment of another $2000 to Voyageur Council for the purchase of watercraft for Camp Opemikon.

Scouters and Guiders, active or retired, are welcome to join our Guild. Contact Norm Pascoe, Guild Master, at (613) 745-1188 or e-mail normpascoe@hotmail.com

3RD ANNUAL CAMP OPEMIKON WORK WEEKEND - Friday April 25th – Sunday April 27th, 2003

WHO? Voyageur Council Rovers/Venturers/Senior Scouts/Adult Advisors and Leaders

WHY? This weekend provides a great opportunity for Voyageur Council senior Scouting members to spend a fun weekend making an important contribution preparing OUR camp for another summer season. Accommodations and meals are provided free of charge by the camp – all we ask in exchange is a good weekend’s work from all participants!

Further information, including the method of registration and other details, will be provided in the coming months.

If you have any questions at this early stage, please do not hesitate to contact Tim Taylor opegroupcommittee@voyageur.scouts.ca or at (819) 561-1613.

NATIONAL SCOUT SHOP, Ottawa - Your Family Outdoor Adventure Experts

Season Greetings from all of us at the Scout Shop. We were pleased to offer Voyageur Council Scouters and their friends a wide variety of outdoor camping clinics throughout the year. Your Scout Shop Manager, Alfred Mahon is pretty excited with the upcoming events. Please stay tuned to Voyageur Vision or the Sharing wall in the Scout Shop.

January Clearance Sale: Your not on the list yet?
Everyone is invited to take advantage of some unbelievable “in store” sales happening in January. Scouting members who have signed on to the Scout Shop e-mail list will be entitled to some great savings.Starting January 6th Scout Shop e-mail customers will have “front of the line” privileges. How do I get on the list? Easy, just sign up at the front counter in the Scout Shop and start to save!

Scout Shop Hours:
Sunday December 29th will be our last Sunday opening. Scout Shop will be open six days a week starting January 2, 2003. We will be opening seven days a week starting April 27th, 2003. For more information please call 224-0139.

Scout Popcorn Machine: The smell of success!
Voyageur scouting groups are invited to use to the theatre style popcorn popper. Who could refuse to sample some great tasting popcorn at any community event? If you are interested in renting the machine please call Howie Osterer @ 224-5131 ext. 229. Scout Popcorn can make quality programs
happen.

The Scout Shop will be open seven days a week for your convenience. Please call to hear our hours of operation. Your Friends in the Scout Shop! Howard J Osterer, Scouts Canada National Marketing Manager, National Retail Services, hosterer@scouts.ca Tel: 613-224-5131 ext. 229 Fax: 613-224-3571

VOYAGEUR COUNCIL MEETINGS
Management Committee: Wednesdays - January 15, March 19, May 21, Saturday June 15