NW Scouters’ Club: Minutes
May 10, 2005

11th Kitchener Scout Troop

Ted Claxton

Viet Truong

30th Kitchener Scout Troop

John McCuish

38th Kitchener Scout Troop

Nick Ebner

9th Waterloo Scout Troop

John Bain

14th Waterloo Scout Troop

Mark Willsie

21st Waterloo Scout Troop

Jay Treacy

Liam Morland

Resource Persons

Wayne Hessel, NWA DAC Servicing

Jim Williamson, North Waterloo Area Commissioner

Tony Skells, Scouter-at-Large

Ken Coyle, 69th Kitchener Rover Crew

Harry Niezen, 69th Kitchener Rover Crew

Regrets

• Pierre Michiels, 38th Kitchener Scout Troop

The meeting opened 19:05. The group met outside to take advantage of the beautiful weather (or to avoid the other meeting that had taken over the room that had been booked).

It was agreed the the minutes should be posted on the bulletin board at NW Scout House for those who do not have Internet access.

About 25 Scouters had a very enjoyable dinner and campfire. A few Venturers dropped by and contributed to the campfire. It was agreed that the fall gathering would be at the "3Rs" social.

Pierre, Liam, Ted, and Jim collectively interviewed 14 candidates for the Chief Scout's Award and two for the Queen's Venturer Award. The awards will be presented on June 26. It was observed that all the candidates were male, in contrast to previous years. Scouters briefly discussed how to promote the badge program within troops.

Liam distributed a chart showing the plan for the weekend which included the activities and who had volunteered to run each item. There were many blanks. Various people volunteered to fill the various roles.

This year there are no troop pennants. Scouters discussed the possibly have a plaque next year for good Scouting spirit.

Scouters discussed what should be included the Patrol Leaders' Meeting on Friday evening and the Assistant PL's Meeting on Saturday evening:

• Patrol Leaders' Meeting
  • First Aid and Security: How to get help
  • Rules
  • PL's role: keep Patrol together and enjoying the activities
  • Saturday Schedule
  • Auction: How to earn Bucks
  • Sign-up for Campfire
  • Criteria for inspection
• Assistant PL's Meeting
  • Check-out procedures
  • Sunday Schedule
  • Evaluate the camp

Ted reported that one more Scouter and a Venturer are needed for the Everton Summer Camp, July 23-29.

Nine troops from North Waterloo including 65 Scouts and 25 Scouters will be attending CCJam at Tamaracouta Scout Reserve in Quebec in July. Scouters appreciated the work of Tony Skells who helped organize this trip.

Scouters briefly discussed the program for the Introduction to Scouting Day on Saturday, October 1. The day will run 09:00/15:00 at Camp Mohawk. The program is primarily to teach basic outdoor skills to new troop members. It was suggested that there be an activity for older Scouts, such as cooking or building a monkey bridge that the others could play on.

Scouters discussed when to hold Club meetings during 2005/06. Liam pointed out that some Scouters at troops that meet on Tuesdays were upset that all the meetings this year had been on their meeting night. After a discussion, it was agreed that meetings would be held on September 27 following the 3Rs Potluck and on the second Tuesdays of October, January, March, May, and June.

Scouters discussed ways to raise the profile of Scouting in the community. Ideas included:

• Winter camping demonstration during BP week at either Waterloo Park or Victoria Park.
• Apply to the city to have the banner or sign for BP week on top of Rockway Garden.
• It was noted that the best way to raise the profile is to generate good word-of-mouth by having quality programs.

Multicultural Festival

Scouter Ted is looking for Scouts who would be interested in carrying flags at the opening of the Multicultural Festival on Saturday, June 25, 2005. He is also volunteers to staff the Scouts Canada display.

It was agreed that the meeting went very well, particularly given the natural air-conditioning.

The meeting was adjourned at 20:51. The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 18:45 at NW Scout House.

—Minutes prepared by Viet Truong and Liam Morland.