Here are my notes
from the Valley Highlands area meeting held Feb 19th:
- Jeff Benson from
the region was present. He is based in Kingston. He is replacing Tim Foreman.
He will be the one doing school talks.
- The registration
fee for next year has not yet been set. It is supposed to be released by the
end of March.
- $115,000 in
registration fees are owed to the region by all the areas. $22,000 is
owed by the groups in Valley Highlands. I highlighted again the lact of tax
receipts and cheques coming back to us. Michelle and Jeff took notes again to
look into the matter.
- There is a six
week Extreme Adventure program this summer for youth aged 14-17. Cost is
$3,200. Includes 15 days of leadership and trip planning, 5 days of white
water canoeing on the Madawaska, 15 day canoe trip from Mattice to Moosonee,
and a 7 day backpacking trip in Killarney. See www.extremeadventure.ca for
details. I have a couple of brochures.
- Opemikon brochures are out. I have one. I will pick up a
bunch for distribution at the meetings. Both Laura and Heather will be heading
out there this year.
- Family Woodbadge II
training July 26th to July 2nd at Opemikon.
- Regional Cub Camp
registration packages should arrive shortly. Cost is $20/person if paid by
April 15th.
- Anyone can submit
nominations for awards. They should be sent to Kim Comstock comstock2@sympatico.ca
- Jeff gave a long
presentation on the new group structure that Scouts Canada would like us to
use. Basically, they want to rename the chair role and have it more focused on
program than administration. The section heads would report the group
commissioner. There would be a new position of Group Administrator which would
oversee the secretary/treasurer/registrar/fund-raising/etc
functions.
- Group
Commissioner Role
- Principal point
of contact for Group
- Leadership of
Group Committee
- Accountable to
Area Commissioner (currently Michelle Niefer, but new person next
year)
- Ensure
compliance with Scouts Canada policies and procedures, and program
standards.
- Ensure section
leaders receive appropriate program service and
support.
- Appointment of
Leaders
- Program
Approval
- Suspension
- Qualities of an
ideal candidate for Group Commissioner
- Two or more
years experience as a section leader
- Completed WB I
for one or more sections
- Committed to
undertaking further personal development
- Demonstrated
effective interpersonal skills
- Models positive
behaviours appropriate to Scouting
- Strong team
building skills
- Only fulfills
the Group Commissioner role - no second or even third
'hats'!
- Initiative and
vision
- Ability to take
a broad view of Scouting's needs and directions
- Has taken, or
commits to take, Group Committee training
- So if you know of
someone who meets all these criteria, let me know :)
- I personally
think we should just leave things as they are, but I am interested in
knowing people's thoughts.