Commish’s Corner

2 December 2011

Well it has been a while since I’ve had the time to write some notes.

Last Key 3 was on the 23rd of November – notes are available at Key3

Gaming Applications

Hopefully everybody got their gaming applications in. Thanks to Gert for helping

Here are some notes on gaming funds to remember

Gaming funds can be used to pay:

  • Training:
    • except for Woodbadge training for which Council receives funds to help offset the costs
    • First Aid, Focus, Food Safe
  • Rental of your facility
  • Camp Fees – Pay to Scouts Canada – Camp Barnard
  • Events:
    • Provincial events in BC (such as PJ)
    • GVA Events such as Fall and Spring Challenge, Cub Rally, Kub Kar Rally, Wolfhowl, Beaveree, Klondike Derby, Skeeter, Mardi Gras, RoVent, Rainbucket,
  • Gear and New Equipment – MEC, Valhalla Pure, and Capital Iron will accept Gaming Account Cheques

Gaming funds must be spent within 1 year of receiving the funds – normally in the Feb timeframe

Financial reports

I have received 10 of 22 Groups’ financial reports. It is mandatory to submit these every year.

The reports go to DCC Finances Erik Jorgensen, cc Liza Gabriel, Melissa Braun, and me.

Groups operating Scout Halls or Camps

We need to work on 5 year plans for the operation of the facility. If you need any help contact me or Ron Planden.

I will need copies of the plan in the April time frame. These plans can be as simple planned revenue (income), planned expenditures (heat, hydro, insurance, repairs), planned improvements, usage estimates – all on a yearly basis.

No One Left Behind

Scouts Canada National program to aid those who otherwise would not get to participate in Scouting.

SC National puts $200K into a fund to provide support to youth to pay for the national portion of Registration ($72.50) and should funds remain, camps. Information and applications are available at http://www.scouts.ca/ca/no-one-left-behind-0

Scouts Canada also has two fundraising activities to put more funds in the NOLB program.

Creative Marketing Challenge

How would you like a cool red camp chair with the Scouts Canada Logo and possible get some funds to help run a marketing campaign? Check out the Creative Marketing Challenge.

Training

We ran a Woodbadge 1 in Sept and had 51 graduates – awesome.

For those who cannot get to a course online training is available for all sections at E-Learning.

We are running a Woodbadge 1 up island in February 2012 – watch for information.

We are also running an all Island Woodbadge 2 starting 20 January 2012 – look for information at Woodbadge II. As part of the Woodbadge II the Area Team is developing an Advance Group Committee course. There are no pre-requisites to this course except you must be a registered Active member.

Other Training

Foodsafe Level 1 is planned for 14 January 2012 – fee is $55 and it is on a first come first registered.

Scouts CARE Red Winter Camping – want to develop you winter camping skill prior to taking your youth out this is the course. First meeting is 4 Jan 12.

Polar Bear Swim 2012

A number of us like to take our annual swim in Young’s Lake at Camp Barnard. As usual I’ll be taking the plunge at 2 pm – after which soup and hot chocolate. I’m looking for sponsors – preferable those who don’t want me to swim. If you would like to sponsor me send me an email at AreaCommissioner@VictoriaScouts.ca. (Editor's Note: Your friendly WebScouter is also taking pledges and will swim regardless of temperature!) All money raised go to supporting Camp Barnard

VictoriaScouts.ca

Check our website regularly. We are constantly adding information about events, training, and the general going on in the Area.

In addition we have some Facebook pages, a few Twitter feeds and new this week a YouTube Channel.

You are more than welcome to join our Facebook pages, Twitter feeds and add content and comments. You are also encouraged to make submissions to our YouTube Channel.

Keep up all the good work and have a great Scouting year!

Be safe and be happy!
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes to all

Scouter Bill
Area Commissioner

21 August 2011

Hi Everyone, Welcome back to another year of Scouting.

Area Team

This year we have added to the Area Team in order to better Service your Groups and Sections.

We now have a four people to service the 3 Regions – Peninsula, Central, and Westshore as well as a DAC Communities who can be called upon if you cannot reach your Regional Service Scouter. As always I am also available to assist.

New this year we have DAC Sections. These individuals are experienced Scouters in the Sections that they support. Their goal is to assist your section Scouter provide a better program, provide advice and assist in recruiting and mentoring Event Coordinators.

I am also pleased to announce that the DAC Rovers and Venturers are from our Youth membership. In addition to mentoring Section Scouters these individuals will work with KC, our Area Youth Commissioner, and Kate Adams the Assistant Area Youth Commissioner to bring some ideas and activities for the Senior Youth Sections.

The Training team is continuing to grow. We have a new DAC Training whose focus is on the Woodbadge Training and some Assistant DACs who will focus on Outdoor training.

Last year we had a phenomenal number of applications for Service Recognition. This year DAC Recognition has an Assistant and we hope to lead the Council in submissions for Recognition of your Youth and Scouters.

James, DAC Events, has some new help this year in Terry Lanktree. Their objective is to recruit and mentor Coordinators and teams to run our Area Events. This year Council has formalized Event Planning paperwork and to help with this we will have Shelly Donaldson as DAC Administrator.

In the last year we have witnessed two major catastrophes in Haiti and Japan. In both situations we saw Scouts mobilizing and assisting. This led to some brainstorming, research, and the establishment of a DAC Disaster Planning.

Check the Area Service Team page for all the names and email addresses.

Police Record Check

Again this year PRCs are a most important part of the Scouts Canada Screening process. Please do not delay in updating your PRC. Last year the RCMP instituted a Vulnerability sector check. This new check required individuals whose birthdate and gender matched that with one on the registered offenders list to have a fingerprint check to confirm their identity. The rationale behind the check is Offenders can apply for pardons and then apply to have their name changed. The result is that if you happen to fall into the Vulnerability Sector – your PRC could easily take months to process.

If you or one of your Scouters are selected to have your fingerprints taken as part of your PRC application – please advise DAC Group Services or myself. We’ll advise BCY Ops.

Registration

Registration instructions are available on the BC/Yukon Operations Centre Web Page.

We have planned for 19 October 2011 as the drop off day for Fall Registrations. There is also an advertisement that will be going to into the newspapers soon.

Any questions on Registration please contact Kim Lanyon – DAC Group Services

New Scouter Welcome Kit – The Orientation package is available both in a Hardcopy and online.

I have a number of hardcopies – just ask and I’ll drop one off.

Training

We have scheduled a Woodbadge Part one for the weekend of 23 Sept. This is early in the year but is our only planned Woodbadge Part one. Remember, while not the preferred method, Woodbadge Part One training is also available online. More information will be available very soon. Remember all leaders are to take Woodbadge Part one in their first year.

We have planned a Woodbadge Part Two for a weekend in Nov, Jan, and March. The Course Chief is putting his team together and information will be out soon.
Archery and Canoe courses are in the Area Calendar and more outdoor training is in the planning stages.

Calendar

The Area Calendar is on the Website. Check it regularly and please use it as part of your planning process.

Popcorn Fund Raising

This Thursday marks the kick-off of the Popcorn Program. Christina has planned a Kick-Off meeting Thursday evening starting 7 pm at Scout House. Please have your popcorn Coordinators attend.

Scout Shop

The Victoria Scout Shop opens for business Thursday 8 Sept. The new uniforms are in and will be available when the shop opens.

As per last year the hours of operations are:

  • Sept through Dec
    • Tuesday and Thursday – 4 to 8 pm
    • Saturday – 10 am to 1 pm
  • Jan through June
    • Tuesday and Thursday – 4 to 7 pm
    • Saturday – 10 am to 1 pm

Group Commissioners

The first Key 3 of the year is scheduled for 21 Sept 11. This is for the GC, Group Youth Rep and one of your Group Committee.

Remember there are cubby holes at Scout House for each Group. We will often drop off correspondence or promotional tool for your use in the cubby hole.

Wrap up

Last year Greater Victoria’s membership grew by 7.46%. We finished the year with 1,454 youth and 371 Scouters. 1st Douglas put a new roof on their hall, we had a number of outstanding events, and a number of us went to the Pacific Jamboree. This year we’re hoping to build on last year’s successes and have an outstanding year. Later this year you will see some improvements at Camp Barnard. This is in preparation for PJ2015 but also for our long term benefit.

Have a great year and let us know how we can help you.

Scouter Bill
Area Commissioner
Greater Victoria
Yours in Scouting