Hello Groups of the Northern Lights Area,

 

My name is Richard Strang and I'm your incoming Area Commissioner as of September, 2007. Linda has already started transferring responsibilities to me, and one of those is reporting on our last Group Commissioner's Meeting held last Wednesday, June 20, 2007.

 

Attendance:

The following groups sent representatives to the meeting:

1st Egremont

1st Flesherton

1st Markdale

1st Palmerston

2nd Stayner

3rd Orangeville

4th Orangeville

5th Orangeville

 

The following groups sent regrets that they could not attend:

1st Arthur

1st Shelburne

2nd Wasasga Beach

 

We'd love to hear from the following groups:

1st Mount Forest

2nd Drayton

2nd Listowel

2nd Orangeville

3rd Collingwood

 

Introductions:

The following individuals were introduced as part of the incoming Area Management Team:

Fran Walker: DAC Training

Cindy St. Louis: DAC Community Relations

Anthony Jones: DAC Youth

Jake Strang: Area Webmaster

 

We also thanked the outgoing team for their service, and wished them good luck in their future Scouting adventures. We are still recruiting for some of the Area positions. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please call me at 519 833 1142.

 

Business:

1. We had reports on the recent Scout/Venture & Beaver/Cub camps. Our area was well represented at both.

 

2. We discussed potential Area activities we could undertake in 2007-2008. It was decided that we would not attempt any fall activities this coming year, but would instead focus on Spring activities. Each group should bring their tentative Group Calendars to our first meeting in September, and we would discuss the following events (we likely won't do all of these, just decide which ones to do):

  • Area Kub Kar Rally
  • Area Beaveree
  • Area Cuboree
  • Area Senior Section Camp
  • Area All-section Camp

3. Rechartering forms and Financial Reports. If you have not already submitted your Group's Rechartering Forms and Group Financial Statements, please mail them to:

 

Richard Strang

9739 10th Sideroad  RR #2

Erin, ON  N0B 1T0

 

4. Group Information Survey. Please find attached a survey requesting information about your Group and the sections you run. This information will help your Area Management Team to better serve you, as well as to direct inquiries we receive to the appropriate person. The survey will work best in Microsoft Word, but can also be opened in Word Pad, which comes with all Windows computers. If you have difficulties opening it, e-mail me back and I'll send you a PDF version. Responses can be e-mailed back, or mailed to the address above. I will also have a fax capability shortly. E-mail me if you would like the number, and I'll e-mail it back once I get it working :-).

 

5. 2006-2007 Registration Stickers. I have the stickers for any groups that haven't attended the last two meetings. I will mail those out once I receive your completed survey. Just to make sure I send it to the right place. Or e-mail me where you want it sent, if it's different than the contact info on the survey.

 

Next Meeting - Bring your Scouters!

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 in Orangeville at the LDS Church located at 200 Alder Street. I will e-mail with a map when we get closer. This meeting will be a combined Scouter's Club and Group Commissioner's meeting. Please bring at least the contact leader from each of your sections. We'll start with a big meeting to get everyone acquainted and discuss the activities we'll be planning for 2007-2008. Then we'll break into individual section meetings to discuss the details of the activities. We'll also see if this is a format that will work for future meetings, or if this is better as a once a year type meeting.

 

Late Breaking News!

The Town of Orangeville will be declaring August 25, 2007 as Scouts Canada Day. The proclamation will be made on August 14th and will be covered by local media. The Orangeville Groups will be hosting Scouts Canada Day activities in Orangeville on that day. Watch for more information later in the summer. For those groups outside of Orangeville, you should know that this was a very easy thing to accomplish. Contact our new DAC Community Relations, Cindy St.Louis at 519 942 2048 if you'd like to hear how she accomplished this easy but effective promotion event.

 

That's all for now. I look forward to receiving your completed surveys. I'll publish an updated Group Directory as soon as a majority of the surveys have been returned. Also watch for information to start appearing on our Area web site: www.northernlightsarea.com.

 

Yours In Scouting,

 

Richard Strang

519 833 1142

scouts@richardstrang.com