From: Voyageur Council [voyageurscouts@playground.net]
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 4:59 PM
Subject: Scouts Canada - Voyageur Vision, February 2003
VOYAGEUR VISION, February 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
$ Friendfest News-Bring a Friend Month $ Reduced Fee!
From the Desk of the Council Commissioner
Council Cheer
Green Scouts Canada Vests
Pitch-In Week
Honours & Awards
Chief Scout's & Queen's Venturer Award Ceremony
Registration
Voyageur Council Website
Upcoming Events
Scout Night with the Ottawa Senators
OPE Summer Camp
Camp Opemikon Update
National Scout Shop
Voyageur Council Meetings
Canada Science & Technology Museum
Warsaw Caves

$$$FRIENDFEST NEWS $$$ BRING A FRIEND MONTH $$$ Reduced Fee!
Your Council Management Committee met in a special meeting on Wednesday evening to consider requests from our membership on the possibility of applying a reduced fee for those new members who register as a result of the Friendfest campaign. The following motion was passed:
“That the membership fee be set at $40.00 for those youth and adults who register as a result of the 2003 Friendfest Campaign, as identified by the Friendfest Entry Ballot attached to their registration forms.”
Please note this fee applies only to new registrations from the campaign. Eligible registrations will be identified in the office by the ballot that was previously distributed in your Friendfest packages, also available on our website. These registration forms MUST be in the Council office by 5:00 p.m., March 21, 2003, as stipulated in campaign info package. If you do not think the forms will arrive in time if sent by regular post, then fax the form and ballot into the office with a note indicating the originals are enroute. Any entries received in this manner must arrive in the office with the postmark no later than 21 March.

FROM THE DESK OF THE COMMISH!
What a jam-packed month with Groundhog Day (did he see his shadow?), Valentine’s Day, Winter Carnivals in our local communities, Scout/Guide week parades, banquets, rallies, campfires and outdoor fun! Winter in Canada can be a great adventure for youth and adults alike. Now, we also have the new Scouts Canada fundraiser, Scout Hot Chocolate. I must say I have sampled the product and it is simply delicious. My sons and a few friends sampled it at our local outdoor hockey rink and they already have orders in! However, I have received a few queries that I wish to address in this edition of the Commish’s desk. In a previous edition, I mentioned that change is often difficult for us to handle, especially when we are hit with numerous changes over a short period of time. I also recommended that to enable us to better cope with changes we should be proactive in obtaining background information that led to the decision, and that we should obtain answers to our questions. So here is the background info around the Hot Chocolate campaign.

A couple of years ago, at Provincial Council meetings, the ten Regions in Ontario, requested that our National Council set in place specific fundraising campaigns and dates. This was to enable the local communities to plan their fundraisers around the nation-wide ones both to ensure they do not duplicate products or fall on the same dates. National set up three fundraisers: calendars, popcorn and Scoutrees. The second request of the regions was that the profit sharing from these nation-wide campaigns reach as many levels of Scouting as possible. The thinking was that regions, groups and sections would support these campaigns if they received a portion of the profit. Calendars were produced for the 2001-02 Scouting year. Based on extensive feedback from our section Scouters, this campaign was eliminated for the current year.

Scoutrees is the main source for funding of the Brotherhood Fund. These profits assist in the development of communities in underdeveloped nations around the world. Contrary to popular belief, neither Voyageur Council, Central Division nor National Council receive any profits from this campaign. Youth from our region have actually received assistance from the Brotherhood Fund for a trip they organized to Trinidad-Tobago to assist in building a youth community centre. That is where these profits go.

Popcorn started with two campaign dates, fall and spring. Again feedback from our front line Scouters has told us that the two campaigns were too close together. We barely distributed the first orders when it was time to collect new ones. We were also asked to consider a product that the customer could receive immediately upon payment and not have to pre-order. Thirdly, a suggestion was given to find a product that cost under $10.00. National conducted extensive research based on these criteria and hot chocolate meets them all folks. Consumer stats also told us that the market for hot chocolate is highest from April to August, not during our present freezing conditions. Hot chocolate is on every camper's grocery list!

With this campaign, youth are not being asked to obtain pre-orders. Groups are being asked to estimate the number cases they could sell at events or to friends and family over the early spring time frame. The Group orders these cases by the end of February. You then sell them on your own schedule. The only action required at this time is for each Group to decide if they wish to participate and the number of cases they wish to order. Selling campaign details, whether you sell at a mall kiosk, at an upcoming event, to neighbours, on a weekend door-to-door blitz by the entire Group, can all be set in place over February and March.

So, please give this campaign your due consideration. It is in response to our requests for a different type of product, and for a simpler distribution system. Additionally, we have asked senior Councils to seek opportunities to raise funds that would reduce our reliance on membership fees. The profits from this campaign are shared by three levels, thus helping to meet this request of ours. Of the $6.00 cost, $2.00 stays with the Group, $1.00 goes to Council and $3.00 goes to National for product cost, development and promotion. Besides, it tastes absolutely great, even with all water and no milk.!!!!!!

COUNCIL CHEER COMPETITION
We wish to advise that six cheers were received in response to this call. All entries reflected the fun and specific activities of youth members within their section. However, we have decided to not adopt a council-wide cheer at this time. All youth will receive a letter of thanks from the Council Commissioner and a prize in recognition of their efforts. The youth will be asked to bring their cheer to the attention of their Group members for use by the entire Group at camps, on hikes or when they partake in Area or Council events such as Cuborees or Jamborees. Perhaps the development of a Group cheer would be an excellent Scout/Guide week activity for all to consider.

GREEN SCOUTS CANADA VESTS
The council office has on hand a supply of large green vests that are used to identify organizing committee members at large scale events. It has come to our attention that Scouters have borrowed the vests in the past and not all have been returned. These are the sleeveless, green, nylon vests with Scouts Canada symbol in white on the back. We kindly request that if you have any vests stored in your basement or equipment box, that you please return to the office as soon as possible. With Council events coming up shortly, the vests are needed by the committee members. Thank you.

PITCH-IN WEEK
2003 PITCH-IN Canada Week takes place April 21-27. The theme is “PITCH-IN…It’s ECO-logical” Many of our sections participate in this campaign to satisfy environmental badge requirements. On-line address to register your activity or to obtain promotional items is www.pitch-in.ca. The e-mail address for queries and the like is pitch-in@pitch-in.ca

Marilyn Johnson, your Council Commissioner

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 Dick Cowen who was presented The Golden Jubilee Medal for his work at the Smith Falls Railway Museum. We are aware that there are other Scouters who are recipients of the Golden Jubilee Medal and we look forward in extending our congratulations once we are notified.

CHIEF SCOUT'S & QUEEN'S VENTURER AWARD CEREMONY - Saturday, June 7th, 2003
Heritage Area will once again be hosting the Annual Voyageur Council Chief Scout's & Queen's Venturer Award Ceremony. The time and location to be announced at a later date. The application form is now available through the office and will soon be on the web. Application deadline is Tuesday, May 6th, 2003.

REGISTRATION:
According to Council records a few groups have entered the registration information into the Membership Management System but neglected to send the original registration forms into the office. Please package up all the registration forms including interview, reference and Police Records Checks documents and mail it to the Council office as soon as possible for confirmation. The outstanding forms are from the following areas/groups:
Heritage Area - 36th Ottawa, 1st Aylmer, 151st Ottawa, 1st Chelsea, 132nd Nepean
Loyalist Area - 18th Kingston, 1st Lansdowne, 1st Perth Road
Odawa Area - 1st Blackburn Hamlet, 1st Hawkesbury, 4th Orleans, 1st Rockland
Upper St Lawrence Valley Area - 1st Winchester.

MISSING DOCUMENTATION: Group Chairs were sent a list of outstanding documentation when their group was checked and confirmed in the MMS. Please make sure all the items have been addressed. I still have adult volunteers who are not confirmed/registered due to missing interviews, reference checks and PRC's.

Thank you all for your continued hard work and patience, Lynn Levitan, Voyageur Council Registrar, ext. 502 llevitan@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.

UPCOMING EVENTS - Please visit the Voyageur Council web site at http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca for details on these events and others.
FEBRUARY IS FRIENDFEST MONTH!!!
February 16 to 23 - Scout-Guide Week
March 1st Scout Night with the Ottawa Senators
April 25-27th 3rd Annual Camp Opemikon Work Weekend
May 2,3,4 Brownsea Scout Jamboree at Baxter Conservation Area
June 7 - Chief Scout's and Queen's Venturer Award Ceremony
Nov 1 - 14th Annual Scouts Canada Food Drive

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

Deadline to purchase tickets has been extended!!
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 has been extended to Friday February 21st…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

OPE SUMMER CAMP - Here we come!!!

The programs are set, the directors in place, the staff interviewed, and away we go!

Preparation for Camp Opemikon Summer Composite Camp 2003 is moving ahead at full speed. We have presented ourselves at 4 Camp Fairs so far, and will have the Counselor staff in place in the next few weeks.

Our program brochure is ready and into the printers. Can’t wait? Check it out on-line at: http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca/opemikon/files/fullbrochure2003.pdf

Or, if you want something easier to download (text only), try: http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca/opemikon/files/brochure2003.pdf

And, to register your camper, please download the 2003 Camper Registration Form: http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca/opemikon/files/registration2003.pdf

Remember, the deadline for Counselor-in Training registrations is April 1st, 2003. After that, we will accept applications on a first-come-first-served basis only. Also, register early (before May 1st, 2003) to take advantage of the reduced registration rates. The sooner you register, the more likely you’ll get the program you want (many programs/weeks fill up to capacity long before the summer!)

Got questions? Contact our Camp Director, Doug Hall, at summer-camp@voyageur.scouts.ca, or by phone at (613) 225-2770 Extension 506.

CAMP OPEMIKON UPDATE
It's been a busy month, with 15 groups making use of the facilities for their winter camps in January. There are still some openings for February and March. What's new at camp? A new propane heater has been installed in the Health Centre. The rink on the lake has been expanded and is available for skating, pickup hockey, ringette or broomball. We have two hockey nets, ringette and broomball equipment - just ask for it!

Thanks to: Bruce Gray for donating a hockey net (with the proceeds from his famous head-shaving at last summer's Composite Camp). Heritage Canada for the donation of a new Canadian flag. Randy Bowes for his donation of a propane powered gas fireplace insert

Did you know? There is a “wild” camping site just off the trail to the Venturer Cabin? It has a firepit, a KYBO and room for 4-5 tents. A perfect spot for your Scout Troop or Venturer Company for a weekend camp!

Snowshoe Rentals: 46 pairs of snowshoes are available for rental. The fee is $1 per pair per hour (or part thereof), to a maximum of $8 per pair in any 24 hour period. Remember to ask for them when you make your winter camp booking!

Questions/comments/suggestions? Contact either Darrell (825-8886) or Tim (819) 561-1613, or send the Group Committee an email at opegroupcommittee@voyageur.scouts.ca

NATIONAL SCOUT SHOP, Ottawa - Your Family Outdoor Adventure Experts
The Scout Shop is open six days a week - Monday to Thursday 9-6, Friday 9-8, Saturday 9-5, and closed on Sundays. We will be opening seven days a week starting April 27th, 2003.

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
Commissioners Forum: Saturday, March 22, June 14
Management Committee: Wednesdays - March 19, May 21, Saturday June 14