The NW Scouters' Club is a co-operative of Scout Troops. Representatives of member Scout Troops gather to share ideas and experience, plan joint activities, and pursue other projects of mutual benefit.
Liam told the group about the upcoming election of voting members for the Scouts Canada Annual General Meeting. Liam explained the voting process and urged everyone to ensure their group had three voting members to vote for the candidates standing for election. Our members standing for election are Ted Claxton and Liam Morland. Please contact either Liam or Ted for more information. SCOUT eh! members have received emails about the process.
Peter Miller has been laid off effective August 2007. The North Waterloo Scout Shop will close at that time. Just four shops will serve all of Ontario.
Jay lead a discussion about what Central Escarpment Council provides in return for the membership fees it charges. 21st Waterloo has been trying to find out more about how the money is spent, but many questions asked by the group have been left partially or completely unanswered by CEC. Jay distributed an information page with some background information and questions.
Jim noted that when applying for a PRC, a person must now provide a 5 year address history.
Jim spoke about the Central Escarpment Council Program Event Forms. These forms are intended to be completed for events which have a registration fee.
It was noted that appeal meeting for the proposed sale of Camp Mohawk will be on October 27, 2004 at KW Scouthouse.
Jim spoke about the appeal process for the sale of Camp Mohawk. Jim would like from every group a record of past and planned use of the camp. Documentation of the usefulness of the camp is essential to show Scouts Canada that the property is valuable. Jim said that he believes that camps which are economically viable, safe, and in use for the youth will not be sold.
Central Escarpment Council is holding a crest design contest. The stated goal is to get a new crest which better represents the larger geographical area now covered by the council. Contact Jim for information.
The meeting was abruptly adjourned without the opportunity being given for any Members in attendance to ask questions. The Chief Commissioner informed Scouter Ted that it was a corporate meeting and that questions did not have to be permitted. Scouter Ted is of the view that the meeting was improperly conducted and that the much vaunted openness espoused by our national leadership is nothing but a sham. The Chief Commissioner informed Scouter Ted that the was democracy and that we had representatives from each Council. Scouter Ted pointed out to the Chief Commissioner that these "representatives" were all appointed, not elected and did not represent the membership. It is Scouter Ted's view that there has been a complete "corporate management" takeover of Scouts Canada which is contrary to the Principles of Scouting and contrary to the principles set out by the World Organization of the Scout Movement which declares that the Movement is to be democratic at all levels.
Scouters discussed some of the implications of Scouts Canada's reorganisation. The reorganisation does not directly effect the Club, but it may create opportunities for the Club to serve its members. Without North Waterloo District, their spring camporee will not happen. Scouters agreed that the Club should discuss running a spring camporee to replace the NWD Camporee. The Club has already taken on running Patrol Leaders' Workshops in the fall.
Without an ADC Scouts, there is no obvious person to interview candidates for the Chief Scout's Award. Scouters agreed that the Club could fill this need. Scouters at the Club could volunteer to interview candidates from other troops. The Group Scouter might also play a role here, though it was noted that Group Scouters may have little or no experience at the Scout level.
