To our amazing volunteers nationwide… presenting the first issue of our new monthly email newsletter designed to keep you in the loop and in the know.  Exciting new projects and challenges… current volunteer position postings… updates on our Action Plan for Canadian Scouting… you’ll find lots of useful information right here.

To unsubscribe to this list, please contact pjohnsen@scouts.ca

Scout/Guide Week 2010 

It’s a perfect opportunity to showcase everything Scouting is to your community! From February 22 – 26, it’s up to you to dazzle as you showcase the great adventure we all share.  You can make a difference and help grow Scouting across Canada.  Believe it!

National “Good Turn” Week 

March 7-13, 2010 marks our first National Good Turn Week, where all members can “pass on” a wrist band for every good turn.  The wrist bands are to be distributed to Area Commissioners by late February.  Be sure to check out our new micro-site coming soon. Please ensure that every youth member has the opportunity to participate in this event, and get ready to catch the kindness wave across Canada!

Sears and Scoutrees 

Once again Scouts Canada will partner with Sears stores nationwide to promote our national environmental fundraiser, Scoutrees. On April 10 and 17 at selected Sears stores across Canada, Scouts will be on hand to distribute information to the public, and in some places, you might even enjoy a hot dog or two at a friendly Scouts barbecue!  Contact your local council for details on how to get your group involved.

Defending Mafikeng - Scouts Canada Fights Hunger in South Africa! 

Defending Mafikeng: Scouts Canada’s international development project in Mafikeng (formerly Mafeking) takes place in August, 2010 in South Africa.  Deadline for applications has been extended to February 15.  Positions are available for youth and adults.  Check out the links under What’s New on www.scouts.ca to learn more about this amazing opportunity to help fight poverty and hunger at the birthplace of Scouting.

Scouts Helping Haiti 

A couple of weeks ago, we called all Scouts to action to help the people of Haiti.  It’s no surprise that our membership responded to the call with their usual gusto to support this immediate need.  Many sections and groups were busy collecting dues and coordinating fundraising efforts locally.  The Canadian Red Cross will receive 100% of the funds, to ensure direct transfer to the people of Haiti.  In association with L’Association des Scouts du Canada, crests ($5 each) and donation boxes will be available at Scout Shops by the third week of February.  Help support Haitian Scouts.

Sponsor/Partner Thanks Videos 

The Chief Commissioner’s three minute video thanking our Sponsor/Partners is now available on our website (click here), along with a certificate that groups may deliver during their Scout/Guide Week celebrations.  A limited number of CDs are available for those who cannot download from the web -- contact Ian Mitchell at imitchell@scouts.ca . I encourage you to use the video and certificate at banquets or other gatherings.

Help Wanted 

Looking for new and exciting ways to volunteer?  Just click the link to find out more:

Volunteer positions   

SCOUTING NOW:  Get involved! 

As well, the Task Force on Growth is looking for interested volunteers to champion a number of items within the Action Plan.  You can view the Plan at www.scoutingnow.org.  We’re looking for people to get involved with the following:

1.2 – Prepared Programming  (send great materials to imitchell@scouts.ca)

2.2 – Youth Research and Advocacy

5.1 – Outreach Teams

5.2 – Partnership Development

5.3 – Extension Scouts

5.4 – Alumni Development

5.5 – Investigation of New Group Models

If you have an interest and expertise to offer, please get in touch us.  Send your expression of interest to mjames@scouts.ca.

If there is another element of the Action Plan that you feel you can help with, please let us know.  If we are to successfully execute the Action Plan and to reach our goal of doubling our membership in the next five years, we need help from talented Scouters across the nation.

We're also seeking expressions of interest for volunteers to assist in the following areas:

Marketing and Communications

Human Resources

Change Management and Organizational Development

Revenue Development

If you have skills to offer, please get in touch with us at mjames@scouts.ca.

AVIVA - YOU made a difference! 

Thanks to all who voted for No One Left Behind in the AVIVA challenge!  As a successful finalist, our program will receive financial assistance of approximately $60,000. Well done!

 Lights...Camera...E-learning! 

Groups...let your inner director shine, and your cameras roll.  Now’s your chance to be a real part of our new E-learning program! Enter our E-learning Video Contest/Grants program. Read all about it...

That’s all for now.  Thanks for all your efforts.  Good Scouting!

Steve

It gives me pleasure to address the Council at the start of my term as Council Commissioner. I am grateful for the vote of confidence I have received in being elected by all of you who helped make this a reality. I especially thank those of you who have agreed to serve on the Management Team, rising to the challenge at my request.

The 2010 Olympic Spirit Comes Home as Many Scouting youth and adults are Olympic Torchbearers

You are invited to come and share the experience of a lifetime as the Olympic Torch re-enters British Columbia on the final leg of the journey to Vancouver!

A number of Scouting members have been given the honour of carrying the Olympic torch in various locations throughout British Columbia and the Yukon. As the torch travels through BC, Scouting youth and adults should line the streets and cheer them on during this momentous occasion.  Look for opportunities to participate in your local community’s Olympic Torch celebrations. Wear your Scout uniforms and wave your Canadian flags and show your Canadian pride!

To view the Olympic Torch Relay Interactive Map click http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/olympic-torch-relay/olympic-torch-relay-interactive-map/

We have also learnt that the 11th Prince Rupert will be providing an honour guard for the Olympic Torch at City Hall in Prince Rupert on February 1st, 2010. Congratulations.

Call to other Scouting Runners of the Olympic Torch Relay

The BC-Yukon Councils would like to recognize Scouting runners of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. If you are running the Relay at any other day or route, please advise the BCY Operations Centre at 1-888-726-8876 ext 227 or by emailing to bcy@scouts.ca. Please include the date, time and starting place/address of your run.

Please also advise us if you already were a Torchbearer in the Torch Relay, and include date and place of your run. We also request Torchbearers to submit high resolution photographs, along with appropriate captions with a credit to the photographer, to Verna Adamson at bcy@scouts.ca.  Some pictures may be selected for inclusion in the respective Council’s 2010 Annual Report. These photographs will also be submitted to the “Scouting Life” magazine. Please note that not all pictures will be published.

We have recently learnt of the following Scouting members who will be Torchbearers.

Call to all Scouting youth and adults Volunteering or Working for the Olympics

We are equally excited for the over 400 Scouts and Venturers and some Scouters who have volunteered their time and will be participating in the Olympic Closing Ceremony on Sunday, February 28th, 2010! They are currently involved in long hours of rehearsals and we congratulate them for their spirit and volunteerism and wish them a wonderful experience. Break a leg!

We are currently compiling a record of Scouts Canada members who are participating in any capacity as volunteers or paid staff with VANOC or one of their many sponsors such as Jet Set Sports. Please send us an email with your name, group, and a very brief description of your role in the Games.

To all the Closing Ceremony participants, we have your names, so there is no need to respond to this message as we know that you had to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Have a wonderful Olympics 2010. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Let the Games begin!