My notes from the area meeting of April 21st 2005:

• Many spots available for the first aid course on April 30th/May 1st. Cost is $50, will be covered by the group. Roger Nuttall needs to know by Sunday night (April 24).
• Basic Canoe (June 11/12)and Boat Rescue (June 25/25) courses. Let Roger Nuttall know if you want to attend. Boat Rescue is an excellent course. Group will pick up the tab.
• Roger Nuttall stepping down from DAC training at the end of the Scouting year. That makes three area folk stepping down.
• Some work done by Stan and company at Whispering Pines. A new trail is being cut. Maps are being made to show the mica mines. Plenty of projects that a Scout Troop could do on either a day outing or during a camp.
• Send in nominations for honours and awards.
• Linking Beavers to Cubs and Cubs to Scouts is very important for retention.
• See new growth section on Voyageur web site. http://www.voyageur.scouts.ca/growth/
• Many more WBI courses will be offered next year.
• Voyageur region annoucing policy shortly that all leaders must take WBI within one year of becoming a leader or they will be kicked out. I informed the area that we would have no intention of following this policy. I can't see them actually kicking leaders out.
• Regional statistics: 50% retention and 35-50% new kids each year. Our retention is 2003 was 54%, in 2004 it was 42%. In 2004, 48% of our kids were new.
• If a group has 70% of their current kids registered by the end of the spring pre-registration, then they get the $95 fee for the rest of the year rather than the $110 fee.
• Chris Tyler is wondering if leaders would like a NiteVent for leaders? i.e. Run around all night with other leaders doing activities. Maybe a BBQ to finish it off. Maybe cancel a camp to make room for it. Let me know your thoughts so I can summerise and let Chris know.
• Move Impeesa Cub camp to June next year to allow for better weather for swimming? Thoughts?
• Impeesa Cub camp this year will be organised by Stan Lasanba (area), Michelle Niefer (area), and Jeff Bridges (Smiths Falls).
• Scout camporee will be designed by the Scouts. The Patrol Leaders will meet Friday evening to develop the program for the weekend. Area wants to know if troops will be attending. Alex?
• Long discussion that the region want retention and growth so revenue from registration fees would increase. Discussion on reducing expenses was not desired by Jim.
• Area budget set for next year. Area had been running a deficit for the past few years, drawing on funds in their bank account (currently at $17,933). Decision made that balance should be kept at this, so training and events next year need to break even. Fundraising needs to increase to cover area leader registration and camp maintenance. Fund raising committee will meet to discuss whether funds can be raised or whether the groups need to be taxed.
• Next area meeting, on May , will be used to decide calander for next year. Let me know if you would like any particular events on (or not on) any particular dates.