The FINAL Last Post

OK, there really was one new post.  🙂  As of this morning, the new Council blog is up and running.  All posts are categorized, and the different Areas are now live as well.  Use the new link from now on:

http://blog.scouter.ca

You may send new material and items of interest to blog@scouter.ca .  See ya there…

LAST POST

Literally!  As Scouting in Central Escarpment Council works to integrate and support the Areas, there is a NEW, IMPROVED, (ah heck, add some more adjectives) BLOG maintained at the Council level.  There are breakdowns by Area (and yes, Wellington is there as a category!), as well as by section and activity.  It’s also hosted with our own servers, and you’ll find speed is much improved as well.  I will be continuing to maintain the new blog, though others will be posting as well (the other 7 areas and the Council Commissioner come to mind 🙂 )!  So, please bookmark the NEW location, and if you’re using the RSS feeds, make sure you add yourself to the new blog at:

http://blog.scouter.ca

Happy Scouting in the new Scouting Year, and  I’m off to post the 30 or 40 blog entries that haven’t happened as we reinvented ourselves!

SCOUTING NOW: An Action Plan for Canadian Scouting

I can’t say it any better than Steve does.  Click -HERE- for the Task Force Action Plan, and read his comments below.

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As we have stated a number of times already, the Action Plan is a living, breathing, working document — the various action items will evolve as the process continues.  In August, the Task Force’s website will be live, and discussion on various action items is already ongoing at www.talkscouts.ca/forum.  Please join in, and invite others to do the same.

The Task Force on Growth is thrilled with the level of interest and momentum to date.   All feedback received has been shared with members of the Task Force.  I can assure you that the input we receive will continue to be considered as we move ahead on various aspects of the Action Plan.

Thanks so much for your continued support.  I remain excited about the possibilities that exist to revitalize our national organization and to move the Canadian Scouting Movement into the 21st century.  In order to grow, we all need to be working together, with common goals.  It’s all about here and now…. Scouting NOW!

All the best,

Steve

Stephen P. Kent, Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors

RBC First Nations Symposium on Scouting

On Sat May 23rd some 20 people gathered in Winnipeg for the first historic First Nations symposium on Scouting.  Click -HERE- for the complete report, and info.

Beaver Fever – Aug 24th, 7pm – Preston Scout House

Hey, while Wellington Area is running Beaver Magic late Sep (click -HERE- for that info), you’ll find a short one evening idea & question session.  Find out more about Beaver Fever in South Waterloo by clicking -HERE- .

Democracy Investigation – by Steve Kent, Chief Commissioner

To further encourage and increase democratic participation, and to address WOSM’s call for greater democratic involvement, the Chief Commissioner’s Task Force on Growth is recommending the:

a)         Investigation of introducing online election systems

b)         Investigation of a model for electing delegates where every member 16 and older is entitled to vote for delegates

c)         Investigation of other opportunities for greater member participation and increased communication and dialogue

I will be leading these investigations, and I am asking for your input.  >From my perspective, Policy 1014 has not fully addressed the democratic deficit concerns in our organization.  I want to identify specific ways that we can be a more democratic organization and improve member participation in decision making processes.  For me, it’s all about openness and transparency.  Perhaps there is no ideal solution, but I am committed to improving how we do business.

I will be presenting a preliminary report to the Board of Governors at our September meeting, and I will also be asking for assistance from the Board’s Policy and Governance Committee in carrying out these investigations.

Please send me your specific recommendations and ideas on how we can improve our voting and election practices, as well as your thoughts on opportunities for greater member participation and increased communication and dialogue. 

Also, please feel free to widely circulate this request.  I would appreciate receiving input by the end of August. I realize that we’re in the middle of summer, but I do want to get the ball rolling.  This process will continue early in the fall, but as I said, I plan to update the Board on progress when we meet in September.

On a related note, the Task Force on Growth is also committed to established a more open appointments process.  Our CEO, Rob Stewart, will be communicating with Council Commissioners on this issue in the near future.

Thanks a lot.  Please keep in touch.  All the best!

Steve
Stephen P. Kent, Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors, SCOUTS CANADA     

30.5 Sunrise Avenue, Mount Pearl, NL   A1N 1C1  cell  709.740.0948     e-mail  skent@scouts.ca

blog  http://scoutscanada.blogspot.com  

Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/stevekent0507

Twitter  http://twitter.com/stephenkent

YouTube  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILt1IscqIEA

Training – Fall dates and location set for Wellington

You’ve been hearing it, nothing has changed. In order to register this fall, if you’re a leader with less than 2 years experience in the section you’re in, you’re expected to have taken a Woodbadge Part I within 1 year of joining your section (full details in ealier posts to this blog).  Wellington will be running a Woodbadge Part I for Colony, Pack and Troop (and Group Commissioner’s as well).  For the sections, take Module 1 on ONE of Sep 22nd, Sep 30th or Oct 8th at Barber Scout Camp.  The rest will be on Oct 23rd & 24th at College Heights Secondary Schoole, with Module 2 on Sat AM, Module 3 on Sat afternoon, and Module 4 on Sat evening.  Module 5 runs on Fri night.  Full details will be posted.  The Group Commissioners runs all modules from Fri night through Sat night.  Cost $36!  About 25% of our Volunteers do NOT have the training they require in order to register.  Please check the CEC website as well for updates on training available in other Areas of the Council.  Click -HERE-.

Scout Shop – ECOMMERCE NOW OPEN!

It was coming, and it’s finally here.  The address is http://www.scoutshop.ca .  Find it here, find it quick, shop 24/7.  If you have comments, use the contact form right on the site.

Beaver Magic 2009 – Are you ready?!!

Are you a Colony Scouter?  Ever wanted to spend a day sharing with other Colony Scouters, talking about your favourite activities, getting ideas, heck, just doing the Beaver thing with other Scouters with the same bent?  Here’s your opportunity.  Barber Scout Camp Sept 25-27th, cost is minimal.  Register VERY SOON!  Click -HERE- for the brochure, -HERE- for the registration form you can print, or -HERE- for a Word document you can fill in & return.  Have fun, it’s exciting, and better yet, no Beavers (ie. quiet) for a whole day!  If you have questions, by all means, contact your Area, or the Wellington Area, Commissioner. BEAVER MAGIC HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO APRIL 2010.  SPECIFIC DATES TO COME.  CHECK blog.scouter.ca FOR AN UPDATE.

Mercury Support Section for Wellington Scouting

As you should know, we were hoping to put together an insert that was totally ‘ours’ in the Mercury this fall.  However, we have run into two items that mean we can’t do so. Firstly, one article submitted.  Hmmm…  Secondly, the Mercury has had some difficulties putting together the advertising required, and in order to do what we were planning would have required committing up to $4,500 (a minimum of $1,500 for a single page was also available).  The decision has been made that we can’t guarantee that kind of funding.  So for the individual who wrote the article thank-you, I’m sure Brian will use it as appropriate in the Woggle :-).