Caitlyn Piton (Youth)

My name is Caitlyn Piton and I am the Council Commissioner for Cascadia Council. It is my hope to serve as a voting member for Cascadia Council for the 2020-2021 Scouting year. I believe that my experience at all levels of Scouting will allow me to ensure that the interests of Cascadia Council are represented both nationally across Scouts Canada, and on the BC Properties Society. I have been registered as a volunteer with Scouting for 12 years at a section, area, council, national and Board of Governors level.

I always find it challenging to write letters like these where I speak to my Scouting milestones, but a very wise Scouter and mentor once told me that we need to talk more about the opportunities that Scouting provides young people. Through my Scouting journey I have had the opportunity to volunteer in many sections directly with young people, serve as the Area Commissioner at only 18 years old, and then jump into the role of Council Youth Commissioner for Fraser Valley Council. These opportunities helped me to be successful as the National Youth Commissioner and as an officer on the Board of Governors from 2015-2018.

What I’ve learned throughout my time in Scouting is that it isn’t the roles or the title that’s important, but it’s the experiences and the people you meet along the way. As the Cascadia Council Commissioner, one of my favourite parts has been to meet section Scouters and Group Commissioners all over the council. I know that all of you, that deliver program to our youth week after week, are the true heroes of this organization. My goal as the Cascadia Council Commissioner is to serve our groups and ensure that the right information, the right tools and the right resources are in the hands of the people who can give our youth the same incredible experiences I have had. Scouting offers young people something different than any other organization and I’m proud that I can call Scouting my family.

Professionally I work for the Province of British Columbia as a Child Protection Social Worker in the rural community of Clearwater, BC. I have worked in schools and recreation settings also supporting children and youth with development disabilities and those who need extra support to succeed. I am never one to shy away from a challenge and I know that even when things look tough, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and an opportunity to help and serve someone else. I manage conflict on a daily basis and am able to handle delicate situations but also to ensure that the voice of young people is heard.

As the Cascadia Council Commissioner I am very aware of the needs of the council from a financial, resource, property and volunteer perspective. I have the benefit of having a thorough understanding of the workings of the Board of Governors and have been involved in decisions of the BCY Properties Society for many years. I know how valuable camps are to groups across our Council and the memories that our youth make every weekend and summer at these locations. I believe that this experience will ensure that I can make thoughtful decisions and advocate for the needs of Scouters and youth across our council. I have a great relationship with other Councils across the country, the National Leadership Team and National Staff which will allow me to ensure that the needs of Cascadia are met. My professional experience gives me a unique perspective and the ability to connect with likeminded community organizations to serve even our smallest rural groups.

Ron Planden

Fellow Scouters, my name is Ron Planden and I am seeking your support as a voting member for Cascadia Council. 

I have been an active member of Scouts Canada since 1991 starting as a Beaver Scouter and followed my children through the program.  I have served in all sections, the Area level, I am a member of the Cascadia Council team and currently the Chair of the Camp Barnard Management Committee.  The Scouting journey for my family and for me has been very rewarding.  Both my children attained their Chief Scout’s Award.  Their involvement in the Scouting program has shaped who they are and the career choices that they have made.  I am thankful to all the Scouters who helped along that journey and the journey that I continue to take.

I feel that it is important to support our Scouters and volunteers in the jobs that they do to provide fun, safe adventures to our youth.  Our organization has seem much change since I started and will see much more in the years to come.  Covid-19 has made us re-think how we can present program and support to all our members.  This is one challenge that Scouts Canada has faced this year and as we move to a new normal more will come along the way.  To be able to help Scouts, Scouters and volunteers face those challenges I am standing to be elected as one of the voting members for Cascadia Council.

Our mission is simple: “To help develop well rounded youth, better prepared for success in the world.”  As one of the representatives for Cascadia I will be able support our youth, Scouters and other volunteers to achieve this mission.

Susan MacGregor

As the youngest of four children of an RCAF Officer and a Registered Nurse, I travelled across Canada and back as my father as transferred from Air Force base to Air Force base, as is a norm in the Canadian Armed Forces. I grew up in many areas of Canada, including Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Yukon Territory, British Columbia, returning to Nova Scotia when my father retired.

Upon graduation from high school in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, I pursued post secondary education at Dalhousie University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts majoring in French and studies in education. Further to that, I studied Travel and Tourism at a private college Halifax.

I started my career in Travel and Tourism in Toronto, where I met my husband, married and had our son. We relocated to Kelowna in 1994 we and have not looked back. The move allowed the opportunity for me to stay at home and raise our son.

When Ryan reached five years old, we were thrilled to enroll him in Beavers with his best friend. I encouraged my husband to register with him to share some time with Ryan. As it turned out, all three of us registered that year in the Beaver program. We met many of our best friends through the Group we were with, and we all very close to this day! 

In the time since first hearing the Beaver motto of Sharing, Sharing, Sharing, I have accepted and embraced each of the challenges offered in the many roles that I have been asked to fulfill; Contact Beaver leader, Group Vice-Chair, Group Chair. Service Scouter, Group Administrator, DAC – Group Services, DAC – Volunteer Development, Area Registrar, Area Commissioner (twice), DCC – Southern Interior Geographic and currently Group Support Scouter.

Along the way I have grown both personally as well as in my skill set. From successfully attaining Wood Badge 1 and 2, to receiving accreditation for Basic Trainer, Intermediate Trainer and Advanced Trainer, learning the art of team development, as well as strategic planning and budgeting. Together, these opportunities have resulted in my self-confidence growing to the point where I am now capable of presenting sessions to groups in excess of 100 with ease.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure being a session trainer, section trainer, registrar, administrator and course lead for many Wood Badge 1 and Wood Badge 2 courses, mainly working with either the Beaver section, Group Committee members or Group Commissioners. I also thoroughly enjoyed training Group Committees and Service Scouters using the syllabi from both of the For Those Who Help Others courses, Basic and Advanced, as well as training Basic Trainer and Intermediate Trainers in order that they could train, coach and mentor others.

In my current role of Group Support Scouter, I do my best to support each of the five groups I have the pleasure of working with, whether in-person, via telephone, or electronic means. 

Through Scouting, my outdoor skills have developed tremendously, from doing a day-hike with youth, through multi- day moving trips, which included taking approximately 35 Cubs on various 5 day cycling trips along portions of the Kettle Valley Railroad Recreational Trail. In fact, on one such trip we invited our white-tail Beavers to join us!

As time went on, through the continued training and mentorship of other scouters, I was invited to join the local Area’s outdoor skills development team. Over the next few years, we led Scouters on 3 day moving camps, including one lightweight summertime backpacking, and another done via snowshoe. I have also had the privilege of participating in a beautiful 5 day long, adult training canoe trip of the Arrow Lakes.

Thanks to Scouts Canada, I have countless fabulous experiences and have grown exponentially since first volunteering to help as an Assistant Beaver Leader.  I now look forward to representing Cascadia Council, as in the current year and in 2009, as one of your three voting members at the upcoming Annual General Meeting this November.

Thank-you for taking the time to read this and for considering me to represent you.