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 increase our numbers across Canada. Believe it!
No National Fee Increase
For the first time in six years, Steve Kent and Scouts Canada’s Board of Governors have determined that there will be no increase in the National portion of registration fees. Throughout his travels, Steve listened well to members far and wide on this issue, and is very pleased to have delivered on this key promise.
Committee on Co-Operation
A meeting was held recently with L’Association des Scouts du Canada. We look forward to some exciting events ahead, including a joint National Conference and AGM in Montreal scheduled for later this year. Our partnership to support brother and sister Scouts in Haiti will no doubt motivate members from both organizations to provide much-needed assistance to this devastated land. Moving forward, we’ll enhance the Program Builder Online to further meet the needs of Scouters from both organizations.
Haiti
In late January, Steve Kent 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 collected “dues” and conducted special fundraising efforts locally. The Canadian Red Cross will receive 100% of the funds, to ensure direct transfer to the people of Haiti. Thanks for all your support!
Sponsor/Partner Thanks Videos
The Chief Commissioner’s three minute video thanking our Sponsors/Partners is now available on our website (www.scouts.ca/sp-thanks). There is also a certificate that may be used with the video as part of the “Thank-You” that groups can 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. Please encourage all groups to use the video and certificate at banquets or other gatherings.
“Good Turn” Week
March 7-13, 2010 marks our first National Good Turn week, where all members can “pass on” a wrist band for each 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. Catch the kindness wave across Canada!
“SURVIVORMAN” Challenge
Working in partnership with Les Stroud, “Survivorman”, Voyageur Council Youth Commissioner Neal Rice has developed a challenge to test even the hardiest Venturer or Rover. This brings together a number of challenging activities that were already part of the Venturer award program and places them into one very cool camping experience. The total challenge includes two levels (Venturers must complete Level 1 before experiencing Level 2) to engage Rovers as well. Check out the March/April issue of Scouting Life for complete details.
Public Postings
Looking for an exciting and creative way to volunteer? Just click the link to find out more. Volunteer positions
Quality Program Standards Update
The National Program Network Task Force on Quality Program Standards Awards has now distributed a draft report. The task force received input from approximately eight councils, through the NPN members, on revisions to the existing Quality Program Standards. These suggestions have been studied, and incorporated into the draft. Note: changes are of a minor nature.
We ask for Council Commissioners and their Program Deputies to provide your council's valuable feedback to the task force by Monday, February 15. Your cooperation will allow us to revise the final award proposal before March 1.
Recognition Forms Update
These forms have been redesigned to make them more user-friendly and savable using Adobe Reader. Drop down boxes have been set for councils to insert their council names and the check boxes are easily selected by clicking on the applicable box. Council signatories are no longer required; instead we ask that the designated individual inserts their name to confirm approval.
The Meritorious Conduct and Gallantry forms have now been combined, as well as the forms for the Award for Fortitude and the Jack Cornwell Decoration. If anyone has any questions relating to these forms they may contact Chuck Salmon, ADEC Recognition at chuck.salmon@shaw.ca. The new forms are now in translation and will appear online shortly.
Ecommerce - you won’t shop till you drop if you shop online!
A reminder to all members that shopping for program items is now available online 24/7 at www.scoutshop.ca.
Crests for 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.
Scouts Canada Foundation Scholarships Reminder
The deadline for Scouts Canada Foundation Scholarships is April 1, 2010! See the Foundation section on the national website for all the details.
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 $60000. Well done, Scouters and families!
Sears and Scoutrees
Thank you to all councils for identifying the dates you will have members in Sears stores for the 2010 Scoutrees promotion. We had a very productive meeting with Sears; councils will receive a memo in the next week outlining possible activities for groups participating on April 10 and/or April 17.
Elearning Update
Right on schedule…Elearning Wood Badge modules 2 and 3 will be up and ready to go in March!
Lights...Camera...Elearning!
Groups...let the inner director in you shine, and be part of our new Elearning program!
Enter our Contest/Grants program. Read all about it...
Defending Mafikeng - Scouts Canada Fights Hunger in South Africa!
The application deadline for Defending Mafikeng: Scouts Canada’s international development project in Mafikeng (formerly Mafeking) taking place in August, 2010 in South Africa has been extended to February 15! There are a number of positions available for youth and adults; check out the links under What’s New to learn more about this amazing opportunity to help fight poverty and hunger at the birthplace of Scouting.
Disney and Scouts Canada Clean Up Challenge
The Disney Friends for Change Clean-up Challenge will be a pilot project with Scouts Canada in April and May of this year, available primarily in areas of the country that have Disney Stores. Scouts Canada members in and around the following centres are eligible to participate in this opportunity: Burnaby, BC; Edmonton, AB; Calgary, AB; Winnipeg, MB; Toronto, ON; Willowdale, ON; Mississauga, ON; Scarborough, ON; Hamilton, ON; Vaughan, ON; Barrie, ON; Halifax/Dartmouth, NS; St. John's, NL.
In the weeks leading up to and following Earth Day (April 22, 2010), we challenge your section or group to organize a local clean-up project. We encourage you to focus your clean-up near a river, lake, or other waterway. We ask that clean-up projects take place between April 1 and May 21, 2010.
Disney will provide garbage bags and gloves for your clean-up; this will be coordinated with the Disney Store in your area. Participants in registered clean-up projects will be eligible for prize draws from Disney, including passes to the new Disney movie, Oceans, to be released on Earth Day.
From the website…a reminder: please submit your project registration form by end of day Friday, February 5, 2010, to Melissa James mjames@scouts.ca or fax to 709.364.1639. Following completion of your clean-up, please e-mail photos to mjames@scouts.ca.
New Fundraising Guidelines
In November 2009, the Board of Governors approved Scouts Canada members' assistance with the Royal Canadian Legion annual poppy sales campaign. Subsequent approval was granted by Rob Stewart for members to assist with the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle initiative. Where Scouts Canada may from time to time be asked to / or choose to support or be involved in third party fundraising, the Board of Governors approved that this fund-raising can be undertaken provided prior approval is gained from the CEO of Scouts Canada. Click here for a checklist, designed to support the CEO in deciding if a fundraising request can be approved.