VOYAGEUR VISION, February
2005
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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
Gone Home
From
the Desk of the Council Commissioner
What's New
Membership Management
System
Membership Development and Growth
Honours and
Awards
Communications and Public Relations
Upcoming Events
OPE
Update
Scout Shop
Canada Aviation Museum
Group
Connections
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GONE HOME - Leonard J. Offord, a long time Scouter
with 18th Kingston Group;
Mavis Naish, active for many years with the
former National Capital Region; and
Barbara Elizabeth Beardsley, mother
of Robin Beardsley, 7th Kanata Pack.
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FROM THE DESK OF THE
COMMISSIONER
This past month has been interesting for Scouting in a good
public way. I had the privilege of dropping the puck at a 67's game. We have
been on television with the New RO for winter camping on the morning show. Now
with many of our groups having BP banquets, activities, and church services
during Scout-Guide Week, we have the opportunity to show the public we are alive
and well. Keep up the good work and show off our community
support.
Scouts Canada National Office is also helping us do this with a
new initiative for this year in cooperation with Veteran Affairs and the Year of
the Veteran. This is to say "Thank You" to those individuals and to teach our
youth about peace and the fact that we now have younger veterans as well. You
will see how this all works in the March edition of the Leader Magazine. We will
also post on the Voyageur Council web site more information as it becomes
available.
Spring is only around the corner at least according to the
ground hogs. Don't forget the RSVP camp for Senior Scouts, Venturers and Rovers.
This is a great linking activity to tie into the senior sections. The Opemikon
cleanup weekend, Scout Trees and of course your Area and Group spring camps are
all coming up. Try out some of our different Scout Camps. Get the youth involved
in the planning process to involve some of their favourite activities, food or
maybe something new that has not been tried. Who knows, it may become the next
camp or outing favourite.
Yours in Scouting,
John Boyce
Council
Commissioner, Voyageur, commissioner@voyageur.scouts.ca, ext
601
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WHATS NEW
VOYAGEUR COUNCIL BEAVEREE SLEEPOVER
- May 14-15
Inviting ALL Beavers in Voyageur Council to a
"Beaver Birthday Bash" at Petawawa. You are ALL invited to the largest
birthday party imaginable to celebrate 30 years of Beavering in Canada.
Plans are in the making for a party that you'll never forget. Keep an eye
open for your colony's invitation with all the details coming soon.
See
you all at the party,
Grace Jones, Council Beaveree Chair,
gracemj@rogers.com.
.........
OTTAWA POLICE STATION
TOURS
The Ottawa Police Service 97th Venturer Company is resuming tours
for Scouts Canada at 474 Elgin Street. We are able to accommodate two tours from
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The available dates are as follows:
Wednesday March
30th ; Thursday April 7th ; Wednesday April 13th ; Wednesday April 27th ;
Thursday May 5th ; Wednesday May 11th ; and Thursday May 19th
All tours
are booked by e-mail. E-mails can be sent to
info@ottawapolice.ca
.........
RSVP CAMP - May 06-08
A
spring camp for Rovers, senior Scouts, and Venturers Promotion (RSVP). It's a
chance to promote linking between the senior Scouting and Guiding sections while
enjoying fun and challenging outdoor activities. The program is developed and
run entirely by Rovers. Cost: $15.00 (pre-registered by April 1), $20.00 (after
April 1)
Location: Camp Opemikon
Contact: Susie Page, (613)
687-4870, susie_sunny@sympatico.ca
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MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM
All Area Commissioners received a list of all 'prospective'
members in their area. As you know a 'prospective' member is one that has not
completed the registration process and thus is not 'active' in MMS or covered by
Scouts Canada Insurance. If you or your group is contacted to produce the
missing documentation please attend to it promptly in order to complete the
registration process for your member. Thank you.
Lynn Levitan, Council
Registrar, llevitan@scouts.ca, ext 502
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VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT
AND TRAINING
Here is then a positive message from the VD&T front. A
senior core group of Trainers met with the Council Commissioner and myself
recently, to voice concerns on the way and state of Training in the Council.
>From this meeting a decision was made, to invite a group of senior trainers
and resources from the Area's of the council together in early March, to consult
and advise on a 3 year Business plan for Volunteer Development and Training. At
the moment Training in the Council and it's Area's is not working as it should,
despite some of the successes that we have had. From this consultation process,
we all hope to turn around the erosion of Volunteer Development, so that we have
enthusiastic Trainers, and well trained and effective Leadership for the youth
in all sections. In preparation for the Central Canada Council Forum in late
April , at which Volunteer Development will also be represented, I would ask the
DAC's VD&T to reserve April 9 as the date for a meeting with the Council and
Area Commissioners, to discuss and consult further on the proposed Business
plan. I know that this is a major undertaking, but am confident that the senior
resources, and the Trainers in the council will be able to pull this all
together for implementation by early summer. Are you up to the challenge
as well, to do your Best and Be Prepared in doing whatever is neccessary to make
this Council at the forefront of Volunteer Development ?
Tony van Muyden,
DCC Volunteer Development and Training,
dcc-training@voyageur.scouts.ca
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MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND
GROWTH
FRIENDFEST 2005 - Crests are available at the Voyageur Council
Office for groups participating in this year's Friendfest. Two crests will be
given for every ballot delivered to the office for the youth who joined and for
the youth who brought the new member. In addition, each youth that brought a
friend (but the friend did not join) is eligible for a crest. To receive your
free Friendfest crests you must submit your ballots and a short report stating
the nature of the event and how many youth brought friends.
Voyageur
Council has negotiated a deal with Volunteer Ottawa. All scouting groups
can register for a special reduced fee for $20.00 and be listed on their
database. Potential volunteers will then be referred to you. This is a great way
to recruit volunteers for your group. For more information contact Volunteer
Ottawa at 736-5270.
SCHOOL TALK AND FRIENDFEST TESTIMONIAL
"I just
wanted to thank you for your support with the School Talks. With your
talks occurring at two of our community schools our Beaver Bring a Friend night
was a phenomenal success. We had 22 new youth join us for our Beaver
meeting last night ... we were all very surprised indeed and glad we had a few
extra leaders on hand. It is certainly a sight to see 36 Beavers playing
games co-operatively (22 new plus 14 existing).
We had 10 parents
request further information ... I have already sent them registration forms and
info. I anticipate at least 5 new youth registered into our Beaver program
by the end of the month.
Thank you again for your support. I
honestly believe the turnout was directly as a result of your talks at the
schools."
Shoushan Keoshkerian
Jeff Benson, Field
Executive,
Guy Latour, Field Executive,
Sharon Thomson, DCC Membership
Development and
Growth,
dcc-growth@voyageur.scouts.ca
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HONOURS AND
AWARDS
"The best thing to do behind a person's back is to pat it " -
'Franklin P. Jones"
Now is the time to look around at your fellow
Scouters. I challenge each and every Scouter to do a write up on that
individual for an award, giving them appreciation for what they do above their
regular role.
Central Division has sent out a new form to fill in, which
will make things a little easier for you with respect to what we are looking
for. The form is "Honours & Awards Career Check List" and
"Honours and Awards Career Guideline". You can download these off the
Council web site under Honours and Awards.
Fill these forms in to the
best of your ability or with the assistance of others if you do not have all the
information and forward to your Area Honours and Awards Representative.
They will check it over to ensure you have everything and then will send it on
to Council for the Honours & Awards Committee to review.
The
"Commissioner's Award" forms are now available. Take the time to fill
these forms in and submit. You may feel that if you fill them in you are
bragging about your program, rather think of it in the terms of "Showing what
your youth have accomplished this year". Your Area Commissioner and Area
Honours & Awards Representative have these forms. As well the forms
can be downloaded from www.voyageur.scouts.ca.
The Council Honours and
Awards Committee extends congratulations to the following individuals for
receiving awards:
Tim Taylor, 123rd Ottawa, Medal for Good
Service.
Michelle Niefer, Honours and Awards Chair,
awards@voyageur.scouts.ca
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COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC
RELATIONS
NEW RO - We were featured on Breakfast @ The New RO on
Thursday, February 12th as part of their winter camping/winter survival
show. Our youth showed the viewers how to make G.O.R.P., snow goggles,
sit-upons and tin-can lanterns. Thank you to all the youth who
participated!
VIDEOS - We have four new 30 second television spots which
are available on a looped tape, CD or as PSA'S. The themes are Peace,
Protection; Purpose; and Together. (Did you know that your Voyageur
Council Office has a wide variety of videos that are available for you to
borrow? Check them out!)
Equipment - Did you know that your
Voyageur Council Office has a wide variety of equipment that is available for
you to borrow or rent? Find out more.
DISCUSSION GROUPS - Our
Council Discussion Groups are an excellent way for you to share ideas with other
leaders. If you would like to join, just send an email to
communications@voyageur.scouts.ca with an indication of which list you would
like to join. Here are some of the items which have been posted since
January 1st.
Beavers - Strawberry Heart Pillows; Knots (A Cooperative
Game)
Cubs - Valentine Heart Breadsticks; Climate Change - Energy Use
Calculators; Star Count
Scouts - Peppermint cream Valentine treats;
Eighteen Wheeler Truck Track modifications; Climate Change - Energy Use
Calculators; Star Count
Venturers - Valentine's Day Ideas; Video
Tips
Rovers - Valentine's Day Ideas; Video Tips; Rovers vow to
serve and protect
Groups - Scout Group Receives Top Ontario Volunteer
Award; Public Relations Resources; 117th Bayshore's Tsunami Fundraiser; Program
Tips Posted; Climate Change - Energy Use Calculators; Measuring Success - The
Scouting Way; Scouts Canada's Contribution to Asia
Relief
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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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OPE UPDATE
5th Annual Work
Weekend:
Please see January 2005 Voyageur Vision for
details.
Brochures for the 2005 Summer Camp are now
available:
This year, copies will be mailed to all youth who attended the
2004 Summer Camp. If you wish a brochure for yourself or a number for your
section youth contact our office. OR would you like the "OPE Travelling
Road Show" to visit an Area or Group Event? Contact Marilyn at x506 or by
email at mjohnson@scouts.ca to make arrangements.
CAMP FAIRS by Ottawa
Area Camps Committee:
Come visit us at the Camp Fair running Friday, 25th
Feb from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th from 10:00
AM to 4:00 PM. The fair is hosted by Scouts Canada at 1345 Baseline
Road. Over 20 camps, both day and residential, from eastern Ontario and
Western Quebec will be present with information
booths.
Congratulations:
Voyageur Council and Camp Opemikon extend
congratulations to Ms. Barbara Burns, a former nurse at Camp Opemikon. Ms.
Burns was recently honoured by the Council on Aging for her work fighting elder
abuse.
Welcome to: Tom James, our new Camp Warden, who assumed his duties
effective February 1st, 2005.
Winter Camping: Choose OPE for your
winter camp. Rent some snowshoes or take advantage of our free cross country
skis, broomball/ringuette equipment, hockey sticks and nets (once the rink is
open on the lake!)
Camp Souvenirs: Looking for a memento of your visit to
OPE? We have camp crests ($2), copies of the camp history ("OPE - The First
Sixty Years") ($5) and copies of the Ben Babalosky print of camp scenes ($40)
for sale. Ask the Warden for your choice.
Catering: Tired of
cooking and washing dishes? Let the OPE Rover Crew and Venturer Company
cater to your group. Great food, great service, great prices . and more time for
you to concentrate on your program activities.
New website address for
Camp Opemikon: You can now reach us at www.opemikon.ca. This site
has links to the summer camp, Group Committee, Rover Crew and Venturer Company
information. It also has an interactive map, history and general
information about the camp.
Camp Bookings: through Pamela at the
Council office, 225-2770 ext 503 or by e-mail at pbazinet@scouts.ca.
Camp
Operations and Summer Camp: contact Marilyn Johnson at ext 506 or
mjohnson@scouts.ca.
Participation in Opemikon Scouting Group: contact
Darrell Bartraw (825-8886) or Tim Taylor (561-1613) or email
opegroupcommittee@voyageur.scouts.ca
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Scout
Camps
Come and explore the many Scout Camps in your Council. From
wilderness sites to fully-catered residential camps, we have them
all!
For camp booking information, contact the Voyageur Council
office.
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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.
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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**CANADA AVIATION MUSEUM - NIGHT FLIGHT
SLEEPOVER PROGRAM
How about a night of total fun at the Canada Aviation
Museum! All you need is a sleeping bag, pillow, toothbrush, and a taste for
extraordinary fun. We supply the adventure. An evening program is also
available. For more information: 613 993-4264 or
www.aviation.technomuses.ca
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**GROUP CONNECTIONS - "SPORTS
& REFRESHMENTS" GROUP PACKAGES FOR OTTAWA U GEE GEES GAMES!
The
University of Ottawa Sports Services, in partnership with Group Connections, is
now offering special group packages to selected Gee-Gees Hockey, Basketball and
Volleyball games. Check out the great deals by visiting: http://www.groupconnections.ca/FeatureBusinesses_G-Gs.htm.
There are group packages for both adults and children
(including slice of pizza & pop).
Special Group* Rates for Gee Gees
Winter Sports
Events
Adult Groups Children with Adult Groups
Ticket
Only
$5 per
ticket
$3 per ticket
Ticket with pizza and pop $7 per
ticket
$5 per ticket
*"Group" is defined as a minimum of 10 tickets
purchased
BONUS: Receive 2 complementary tickets with the purchase of
every 10 tickets.
Group Connections provides local Groups with
valuable information & tips on group outings and fundraising. They also
provide a directory of businesses that offer group programs, special group
services and fundraising assistance. Many participating businesses are currently
developing a special Group Leader incentive program for Group Connections
Registered Group Leaders so that you can experience first-hand what they have to
offer. This incentive program will include benefits like complimentary
admission, free services or a substantial discount. This service is free to all
group leaders in the community. Why not register now!
Sign up now @
http://www.groupconnections.ca/Register_files/Register.htm
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SCOUTS CANADA, EASTERN ONTARIO ADMINISTRATIVE
CENTRE
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.
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 March issue: March 14,
2005.
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