VOYAGEUR VISION, September
2004
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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. It is
sent to all registered members, mid-month, using e-mail addresses from the
Membership Management System.
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I N T H I S I S S U E
From
the Desk of the Council Commissioner
What's New
Member Services and
Program Delivery
Membership Management System
Volunteer Development and
Training
Membership Development and Growth
Scoutsabout Program
Honours
and Awards
Communication and Public Relations
Upcoming Events
Scout
Shop
Canada Science & Technology Museum
Upstairs at
Loblaws
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FROM THE DESK OF THE COMMISSIONER
Welcome to a
new Scouting Year. For both new and experienced Scouters there are many
opportunities for training. Basic Woodbadge in your section and new this year
for those people who like to help, there is a Basic Helping Others course. This
course provides opportunities to help you recognise and hone skills that would
be beneficial to coaching and mentoring and just helping your fellow leaders be
more effective with the youth.
As we move forward with registrations,
until you are "active" in the MMS you are not covered by insurance. There is no
grace period this year. Your insurance coverage starts when you are marked
"active" in the MMS. Please read the article from the Council Registrar,
Lynn Levitan under MEMBER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM below for details.
Don't
forget that Tuesday, September 21st is the kick off to the popcorn campaign.
Contact your popcorn co-ordinator or your Area Commissioner for details and read
the article from Darrell Bartraw under What's New. There are some new
products for those Chocoholics as well.
Visit our 2nd Annual Open House
on Saturday, September 25th. There will be many displays that could be used to
enhance your program with different activities. It will prove to be a fun filled
time. This is an excellent way to enrich the Scouting Spirit.
At
the Ottawa Carleton District School Board meeting held on September 13, 2004 the
following was approved:
Community Use of Schools User Fees Decrease. A
forty percent decrease in hourly charges for user groups with the exception of
"for-profit" organisations was approved for 2004-2005 using additional funding
provided by the government through its community use of schools
initiative. With the assistance of the City of Ottawa, facilities will be
made available where possible to provide programming at sites previously not
accessed for community programming.
This should be of assistance for all
groups that use the schools as meeting locations.
As a good programming
note: on your first or second meeting take some time with the youth to find out
what they want to do this year and what they expect to get out of Scouting. This
can and should be beneficial to your plan for the year. There will be many
suggestions and some of them are guaranteed to be off the wall. This may just
get yours and their creative juices flowing to make an exciting, eventful
Scouting Year.
Be Prepared.
John Boyce
Council Commissioner,
Voyageur, commissioner@voyageur.scouts.ca, ext 601
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WHAT'S
NEW
SCOUT POPCORN 2004 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN KICKOFF - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER
21ST
I am pleased to announce that this year's Campaign is well underway. The
key dates are set.......the B.B.Q. Kick Off is September 21st at 7:00 p.m. at
Scout Headquarters. At the kickoff we will have as our guest the Scouts Canada
National Fundraising Chair Howie Osterer and we are also fortunate to have as a
guest Mr. Steve Martin from Trails End popcorn. There will be B.B.Q food from 6
pm - 7 pm, gifts and door prizes for those attending and of course samples of
our popcorn. All leaders are invited to attend this kick-off, but it is very
important to ensure that at least one member of each group attend this event. We
need all believers and more importantly non-believers in Scout popcorn
fundraising to attend to learn how through popcorn fundraising they can make
'quality programs happen'! You will also learn all about the great new incentive
prizes for the youth. Please R.S.V.P. your attendance to the Voyageur Council
Office.
Our campaign will run from October 20th to November 16th, 2004. All
order forms will be sent to Trail End November 17th, 2004.....Trails End will
deliver to us on November 24th, 2004 and the orders will be distributed to the
various Voyageur Council Groups on November 26th and November 27th, 2004.
For
more information click on the Scout Popcorn link at www.voyageur.scouts.ca
<http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca> or
contact the Voyageur Council office or Darrell Bartraw, Voyageur Council
Fundraising Co-ordinator.
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OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY,
SEPTEMBER 25TH
Youth, parents, leaders and the general public are all
invited to our Open House at Scout Headquarters on Saturday, September 25th from
10 am to 4 pm. Why don't you invite your youth using the new Special Event
invitation at http://www.scouts.ca/media//documents/SpecialEvent.pdf . This is a great chance for everyone to experience our Scouting
programs through our interactive displays and meet some of our special
exhibitors. Bring on the Adventure as we kick-off the new year!
Among the
confirmed displays are the following:
OTTAWA RENEGADES - Kick the Grey Cup
football to win prizes, and meet Ruffy the Renegades mascot at the front of the
building.
MEDICAL VENTURERS - Watch a simulation, have your blood pressure
checked, check out the inside of an ambulance, and meet CODY the EMS
mascot.
CANADA AGRICULTURE MUSEUM - Try your hand at making butter and learn
about their new evening programs for groups this year.
SCOUT SHOP - Check out
the special offers.
BEAVER, CUB, SCOUT DISPLAYS - Experience our Scouting
Programs.
SCOUT CAMPS - Learn more about our twelve Scout Camps in Voyageur
Camps and the types of programs that you can enjoy there.
POPCORN, HOT
CHOCOLATE, and CANDY FLOSS - Always a favourite with the youth. Learn how
Popcorn selling can support your group's program.
SCOUT MUSEUM - Learn more
about this resource.
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH - Let's make sure that
every youth has a chance to experience Scouting. Learn how to make it
happen.
ROVERS - Check out the display by the Voyageur Region Rover Round
Table (VRRRT).
plus much more ...
For more information, contact David
Wray, Communications & Public Relations,
communications@voyageur.scouts.ca
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SCOUT CANADA BANNERS
AND FLAGS
Scouts Canada Banners (two) and Scouts Canada Flag have gone
missing from our Council Office. If you have any of these articles, please
return to the Office. Thank You.
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SCHOOL
TALKS
Anytime is a good time for a School Talk. We can do them anytime a
group is willing to grow and attract new members. School Talks can be done
before or after registration, in conjunction with a "Bring a Friend" night and
Friend Fest, or whenever you are running a fun activity and want prospective
members to come and visit.
School Talks are one of the most successful ways
we have found for groups to recruit new members and both Jeff Benson and myself
are more than willing to come out and help your group grow. In the Areas
of Heritage, Algonquin Hills, Carleton, Rideau, and Odawa please give Guy Latour
a call at extension 504. In the Areas of Nepean, Loyalist, Valley Highlands,
Upper St. Larwrance Valley, and Stormont Glengarry please give Jeff Benson a
call at (613) 453-1859 (Kingston Office).
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MEMBER SERVICES AND
PROGRAM DELIVERY
"Sharing Sharing Sharing" - As most of you know, this is
the Beaver Motto and something we should practice in program. Beaver Sharing
Sessions, Old Wolf Clubs, Scouters Clubs, Venturer Advisor Forum, and the Smart
Groups Discussion Groups are just some of the ways to share good programming
ideas. Some program ideas have worked extremely well and are very successful and
others fail, face first. We need to share those successes and failures, so we
can go down the right road together.
Bring a friend night, or bring a
friend outing - which works better? Is there an activity that is more suited for
that event? Share that new song, skit, or neat activity to earn a new star or
award. We are a brotherhood and sisterhood. Let us not have secrets to a
successful program. Share your Program successes so that others can learn and
do, to making Scouting the activity of choice!
Host a "SHARING" session
in your area, meet new leaders, see old friends and get new program ideas to
share with the youth. Get involved and share that idea with the Venturer
Advisors Forum, or the Smart Groups Discussion Group at
www.smartgroups.com/groups/voyageur ("section name" i.e. beavers, cubs, scouts,
ventures, rovers, groups).
Yours in Scouting,
Bob Hickson, DCC
Membership Services & Program Delivery, ext 604,
dcc-program@voyageur.scouts.ca
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MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM
The Council Office phones have been very busy providing group
contact information to potential new members. With many groups having completed
or planning their registration night I would like to remind you all of a few
very important items. Firstly, and of utmost importance is that any member
whether returning or new should not be an active participant in groups until
they are confirmed and listed as 'active' in MMS. On August 31, 2004, all
active members for 2003-2004 were rolled over to 'active-not renewed', this does
NOT represent an 'active' member. Only 'active' members are covered by Scouts
Canada insurance. Please register your new and returning members
in MMS as
quickly as possible to avoid a delay in starting your group's Scouting year. All
new adult volunteers can be entered in MMS and once interview, reference and
Police Records Check documentation is received in the Council office they will
be confirmed in the system and made 'active'.
Another important piece of
information that the Council office needs is the Group Committee Worksheet. The
worksheet contains group information that can be entered into MMS regarding
meeting time, location and contacts. Please forward the completed worksheet as
soon as possible so we can have up-to-date information.
As always, please do
not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you.
Lynn
Levitan, Council Registrar, llevitan@scouts.ca, ext
502
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VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
Last spring the
Basic and Advanced training "For Those Who Help Others" was made
available.
This self development course is intended for anyone in Service to
the Program and includes Group Committee members, Partners and Group
Commissioners, all Area Scouters, and all Council Scouters.
For Those
Who Help Others replaces the Service Team 1 and 2 and we are pleased to offer
this new opportunity in Voyageur Council.
An innovative, continuous
learning format has been planned beginning with the Basic portion on October
15/16/17.
This weekend will lay the ground work for the Advanced
portion that will take place over five evenings through the winter and
culminating with a weekend in May.
Those scouters who already have
Service Team 1, can register for the Advanced Service (ST2) training, and will
receive a self-study review package from the Basic Service course prior to
beginning advanced training.
Dates for the Advanced "For those who
Help Others" (ST2) are December 6th, January 10th, February 7th, March
4th, April 2nd, and May 13/14/15. This format allows you and your coach to be
interactive and gives you the opportunity to complete your skills chart in a
timely manner.
Cost for this training opportunity is $25.00
non-refundable for the Basic weekend and a $50.00 deposit for the advanced,
reimbursed upon completion. It will not be possible to attend the May
13-15 weekend by itself, due to the interactive course format.
Course
Prerequisites:
Basic - Orientation and Gateway plus Group Committee, or WB2
in a section
Advanced - ST1, Basic "For Those Who Help Others", or WB2 in
program or TD1
We are pleased to offer this personal development
program to all Scouters in Service in Voyageur
Council.
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MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH
Welcome back
to the new scouting year!
In early August all groups received
a package filled with great resources. Thanks to Jeff Benson and Guy
Latour for all the hard work! All these resources are available on the
Council web site.
It is that time of year again when School talks
can make a big impact on the sections. Please contact your Field executive
to set dates.
New this fall is the Buddy Hike in the month of
October. More information is available on the Council web
site.
Please contact me with any comments or
concerns.
Sharon Thomson, DCC Membership Development and Growth,
dcc-growth@voyageur.scouts.ca
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SCOUTSABOUT PROGRAM
Voyageur
Council is happy to announce that it will be running a Scoutsabout program this
year at the Turnbull Learning Academy. It will run on Mondays after school
starting after the Thanksgiving weekend. We are looking for adult and youth
volunteers to help assist in running the program. If you are interested in being
apart of this new and unique program, or you would like further information
please contact me.
Guy Latour - Council Field Executive, glatour@scouts.ca,
ext 504
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HONOURS AND AWARDS
The Council Awards Committee
extends congratulations to:
Kamal Tabaja, 151st Ottawa, who has been awarded
the Certificate of Commendation.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Food
Drive - November 6, 2004
Please read the Calendar of Events and Training
Calendar e-newsletter or visit the Voyageur Council web site at http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca for
details.
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SCOUT SHOP
Store Hours: Monday to
Thursday 9-6pm / Friday 9-7pm / Saturday 9-5pm / Sunday 11-4pm.
Thank you
for your past, present, and future support.
Yours in Scouting,
Ian
Thomas, National Advertising Coordinator scoutshop@scouts.ca Tel:
613-224-0139 Fax: 613-224-3571
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A D V E R T I S E M E
N T S
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**SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE CANADA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MUSEUM
The Canada Science and Technology will once again be offering
Scouting Nights. We have exciting workshops for every age group! For
more information contact Canada Science and Technology Museum, 1867 St-Laurent
Blvd, Ottawa (613) 991-3044 or visit our website
www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca
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**UPSTAIRS AT
LOBLAWS
Visit Upstairs at Loblaws Cooking Schools for exciting,
professional cooking programs for all ages. Specialty classes are
available for cubs and scouts for one to two hour timeframes! Call for
further details! Come and find out about the Chef in you!
Gloucester
Market: 746-8266 Vanier Market: 744-7100
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THANK YOU
TO OUR ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE OF THE VOYAGEUR VISION!
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SCOUTS
CANADA, VOYAGEUR COUNCIL OFFICE
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: easternontario@scouts.ca
web
site: http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, October 11, 2004.
Questions?
Comments or concerns about this e-newsletter? We welcome constructive
feedback! Please e-mail us at easternontario@scouts.ca Thank
you.
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**Denotes a paid advertisement. Note: Advertisements of a
product or service do not indicate approval by Scouts Canada, Voyageur Council.
Voyageur Council assumes no responsibility by warranty or otherwise with respect
to products advertised.
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Deadline for October issue: October 12,
2004.
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