Air Scouts Canberra La Trobe Park Deakin PO Box 9029 Deakin ACT 2600 www.airscouts.com.au

 Hello everyone

Welcome to Scouting in 2008 – “Year of the Scout”..

Every year, Scouting provides an excellent range of programs and activities that encourage and expand the capabilities of our Youth Members. This year will be an even greater year to be part of the world’s leading youth movement. Not only will we be providing our dynamic range of annual events, but we will also be celebrating the World Wide Centenary of Scouting with a range of activities spread throughout the year.

Scouting provides even more than that. Scouting provides an ideal way for parents to be involved in the activities of our Youth Members; your children and of our community – leaders of tomorrow. Parents can be involved in Scouting through a wide range of activities and levels of commitment: ad hoc support to programmed evenings and weekend activities, sharing subject matter expertise, fundraising, committee positions, or by becoming a leader. Helping out at Scouting activities also provides the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills from “how to go camping” through to getting a qualification such as a Certificate III, Certificate IV or a Diploma in leadership. So by helping out at Scouting activities, you can:

                        Have fun;

                        Help your children learn and grow;

                        Help your children’s scout group to raise funds which will benefit your children;

                        Help build community spirit and develop the leaders of tomorrow;

                        Do things you probably never thought you would ever have the chance to do, at a far lower cost than through commercial organisations; and

                        Gain an enormous level of pride and satisfaction in learning and developing yourself and helping others to do the same.

 

You can start this process at any time; however the best time to start is now. The first meetings of the year for Air Scouts Canberra commence in early February. Come along, meet the current leaders and helpers, and find out how easy it is to become involved and how rewarding your participation can be. Have a chat, get to know some of the people, and see how becoming involved can be easy and enjoyable, and even if hands-on Scouting is not your thing, you can still help with being on the committee (the roles are listed below) and raising funds, activities that help Scouting provide more opportunities for your children. We will be having an Annual General Meeting in the very near future to elect the committee for 2008. Please consider nominating yourself for positions on the Committee, and remember; you can nominate for more than one position and then withdraw your nominations from the remaining positions once elected to one.

Fees:

The fees at Air Scouts Canberra have not risen for some time. Unfortunately, costs have. So a fee rise is unavoidable. However, we are also aware that the Joeys use far less of the equipment than the other Sections, so charging Joeys the same as the other Sections appears unreasonable. The fees for 2008 will therefore be:

Joeys: $250/year for continuing members with a $10 surcharge for new members. Other Sections: $395year for continuing members with a $10 surcharge for new members.

In recognition of the time and effort provided by Adult Leaders, the children of Adult Leaders, will receive a discount for their children of 50%. Air Scouts Canberra La Trobe Park Deakin PO Box 9029 Deakin ACT 2600 www.airscouts.com.au

Fees must be paid by 1 March 2008. Non-financial members will not be permitted to attend any meetings or activities. Continuing members who have not paid by 1 March 2008 will cease to be eligible for the 2008 “continuing members” discount.

Continuing people may notice that the fee has increased since last year. Unfortunately our Branch office was forced to increase their fees from $85 per annum to $120 per annum, an increase of $35 per annum. We have absorbed part of that fee increase however we were unable to absorb it all, consequently there has been an overall increase of $30 per annum for each member.

Meeting times and starting dates:

Our meetings generally follow the school term. First term 2008 starts in the week of 4th February, however to avoid the hectic rush of the first few days of the school year, ASC will start in the week of 11th February.

Joeys (ages 6-8) meet on Tuesdays at 6.00pm – 7.00pm, starting on 12th February

Cubs (ages 7-11) meet on Mondays at 6.30pm – 8:00pm starting on 11th February;

Scouts (ages 10-15) meet on Thursdays at 6:00pm – 8.00pm starting on 14th February;

Venturers (ages 14-18) meet on a variable schedule, but normally coinciding with Scouts.

We hope to see you there.

The contacts for Air Scouts Canberra sections are:

Group Leader John 0419 293 983 john.evans6@bigpond.com A/Group Leader George 0418 236 575 georgewilson@awt.com.au Joey Leader Janet 02 6282 2280 janet@biotext.com.au Cub Leader Lee 0419 896 933 lee.arnould@fouray.com Scout Leader Keith 0410 457 562 kjobson@raytheon.com.au Venturer Leader Frankie TBA TBA

If you would like to see some of the activities that Scouting covers, please have a look at the national website at www.scouts.com.au, the ACT website at www.act.scouts.asn.au, and the Air Scouts Canberra website at www.airscouts.com.au.

Just a reminder, Snowgum, situated at 9 Lonsdale Street Braddon, has been sold by ACT Scouts but still provides scouting uniforms and reference materials as well as a vast range of quality camping gear.

Please come along and join in the fun at Air Scouts Canberra.

John Evans, Group Leader, phone 0419 293 983.Air Scouts Canberra La Trobe Park Deakin PO Box 9029 Deakin ACT 2600 www.airscouts.com.au

Parent roles in scouting

Your way of supporting our Group

We depend on parents to maintain the viability of the Group. We try to keep each role to a range of easier tasks that fit into people's busy routines. No one person is too heavily burdened. Here is a general division of duties, but Committee members are able to share or split particular jobs with others to suit their circumstances. Please nominate yourself for one or more of the roles, and also please consider becoming an Adult Helper or Adult Leader. The rewards are amazing. Role

President — provide logistic support to the Group Leader in the organisation of the Group. Ensure the committee operates according to the Group Committee Constitution. Chair monthly meetings of the Group Committee. Provide a written annual report to the AGM.

Vice president — assist the President. Report to Committee meetings if President is unavailable.

Secretary — provide an agenda in consultation with President prior to Committee meetings. Take and keep minutes of meetings, and keep a record of official correspondence. Clear the mail box regularly and distribute correspondence as appropriate.

Assistant secretary — assist the Secretary. Report to Committee meetings if Secretary is unavailable.

Treasurer — keep accurate financial records. Provide regular financial reports to Committee meetings. Keep the cheque book, pay the bills for the Group and bank subscription fees.

Assistant treasurer — assist the Treasurer. Report to Committee meetings if Treasurer is unavailable.

Registrar — collect fees and maintain computerised membership list, registration forms; assist with the annual census.

Hall hire coordinator — keep hall bookings, arrange for keys and collect money from hirers.

Hall trustee — organise maintenance services for the hall.

Assistant Hall trustee — assist the hall trustee.

Cleaning coordinator — run a weekly cleaning and grounds maintenance roster for parents. Ensure necessary cleaning agents and sanitary equipment are available at the Hall.

Quartermaster — maintain inventory of camping equipment and coordinate repairs / replacement.

Newsletter Editor — compile, edit and arrange printing / distribution of Group newsletter.

Web Page Editor — compile and edit the Group web page.

Auditor — audit financial accounts once a year.