8th Annual Pioneering Workshop – Nov 7-9 – Barber Scout Camp

If you’re interested contact Scouter Dave Forshaw at 519-837-0619 or davidandkellyforshaw@sympatico.ca .  Click -HERE- for the flyer and more information.

CEC News from the Management Committee Meeting – $$$$

Well, did the ‘$$$$’ catch your eye?  Two excellent pieces of news:

– the 1/4 million dollar+ debt inherited by Central Escarpment Council on being formed from the ashes of Atironta region has been retired!  Yup, that’s right, gone!  As a businessman I enjoy good management, and the focus has been exactly correct.

– because the debt is gone, your group will benefit.  Some of you will remember that CEC took all funds from the old Wellington Area (which was raised from the groups), and held them in trust.  This amounted to some $75,000 (about $38,000 of this from Oakville).  That money, now that the debt is retired, is no longer required AND WILL BE RETURNED TO THE GROUPS IN EACH AREA.  The amount held for Wellington will be returned to the groups, proportional to the number of youth in each group by Christmas.  As we all know, this is still a couple of birds in the bush, but you can pretty well count a nice Christmas bonus for your group.  It will of course appear on your next year’s financial statement!

– this years slogan is “Growth through Program Excellence”. Everything we do should relate to delivery and supporting a quality program.

CEC Fall Camporee – only 11 days to go!

Hey folks, registrations are enough that we’re already guaranteed a great time.  Remember, you as the leader, will have as little to do as you wish.  Events are planned, and the organizers are running them with a bit of help.  Final plea, come-on out and support what should be an annual event!  Contact camporee08@scouter.ca (or check the CEC home page, link at right) for more info.

All Volunteers Meeting – Thu Sep 25th – 7:30pm – Barber

Hey the headline says it all.  All Group Commissioners (or their designates), Deputy Area Commissioners, special events and other coordinators, and those who’d like to come.  There will be a call for ‘reports’ from the groups, but we’re not looking for a detailed report (just email that, and it will be included in the minutes).  Can you come up with 3 exciting things your group is doing in the next 2 months, 2 things that are worth mentioning since our last meeting, total 3 minutes per group.  See you there (or more accurately, since I have to attend the final CEC Camporee planning meeting, Virginia will see you there!

CEC Annual General Meeting

To be held Nov 30th this year, venue to be announced.  Please co-ordinate with Conrad if you’re going, there are a limited number of votes per Area.

PIZZA PARTY – the incentive for Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts!

Need a reason for the youth to bring their friends out?  CEC and your wondeful Area Commissioner, are hosting 3 PIZZA PARTIES by Christmas.  The 3 sections, in each group, receive on entry into a drawing for the pizza party, for every 2nd member over last year’s closing registration count.  So, if your Beaver Colony had 14 members last year, and you have 18 this year, that’s 2 ballots towards the Beaver party.  One party per section, drawing to be held by the end of November. The Executive Director’s (Peter Sundborg) budget is paying for it, so let’s spend his money!

Hey, I was told to be positive, this is POSITIVE!  Of course I do like pizza…

Registration 2008-09

You’re in the middle of it, and starting next week, we’ll be doing registration nights with CEC at Barber.  The goal, as every year, is to make it to 100% of last year.  Our CEC slogan this year is “GROWTH THROUGH PROGRAM EXCELLENCE”.  If your group is coming up shy of 100%, ask the Area Service Team for help, that’s what we’re here for!  Last year we hit 98.5% (we were actually 100.3% on the youth, but down some leaders).

Final Stats for Wellington 2007-08

If you’re wondering, we now have ‘final’ numbers (again) for our enrollment for the past Scouting year.  While we’re close (and actually over 100% on the youth), we’re actually down adult volunteers. Totals? 932 vs 948 total giving us 98.3%.  Anyway, click –HERE– for all the exciting details.  FYI, CEC is at 96.4% overall.  Would be nice to crack that 100% this year!

Bag Signs – update

There is a minimum 60 piece order. The current best hope is Apple Day.  If 1/2 of our groups ordered 6 signs each we’d make the order.  A great way to publicize the youth standing at that door, and Scouting in general!  Call or email Shawn for info. (see original post on 3Sep for more info)

Struggling with MMS and registration?

A Group Registrar Workshop might just be the help that’s needed.

The workshop will show how register new and returning members, how to transfer members within and from outside your group, how to make a member inactive, how to update the “NO Photos” tick box, how to arrange for a refund, how to export the data from MMS, etc.

Hosted by Oakville Area but open to all. 

Tuesday, Sept 23, Maplegrove United Church, 346 Maplegrove Rd, Oakville, Time:  7:00 to 10:00 pm

Hosted by Admin Centre but open to all

Thursday, Sept 25, Scouts Canada – COAC, 265 Yorkland Blvd (2^nd Floor), Toronto, Time:    7:00 to 10:00 pm

For local help, you already have the contact info for our own Registrar :-)!