 |
| Membership Director Anna Lewis, Southern Wing Director Rob Bahuis, 859 Crowsnest Chair Trisha Smith |
The Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC) for 859 Crowsnest Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron held a meeting in the basement of the Blairmore Elks Hall on March 19, attended by a small but dedicated group of parent-volunteers. The SSC is primarily comprised of parents of cadets and is the funding and recruiting arm of the air cadet squadron. Cadets are between 12 and 18 years old.
The air cadet program is run in partnership between the Air Cadet League (represented locally by the SSC) and the Department of National Defence (DND).
In attendance to help guide the proceedings were Air Cadet League of Alberta Southern Wing Director Rob Bahuis and Membership Director Anna Lewis.
The primary purpose of the meeting was to address the urgent need for new committee members, the lack of which was a threat to the very existence of the squadron.
According to a press release issued before the meeting by 859 Crowsnest Military Police Squadron Commanding Officer Captain Daniel A. Desrosiers "There may be some desire to relocate Crowsnest Squadron to Pincher Creek. The 12-18 year old population (the age of cadets) in the Crowsnest Pass has dropped from about 638 in 2001,to about 285 presently. Young families have been attracted to Pincher Creek in recent years, and cadets from Pincher Creek enrolling with Crowsnest Squadron now make up more than 1/3 of the members. It is our intention, however, to deliver a strong air cadet program in both communities."
"One of the biggest responsibilities for a squadron sponsoring committee is to ensure suitable facilities for cadet training. This has fortunately been accomplished through the year 2020, via an agreement with the Municipality of the Crowsnest Pass." The squadron's home in the basement of the Elk's Hall in Blairmore has been guaranteed until at least 2020. "The urgent need presently is for volunteers to fill board positions on the committee."
"The 3 aims of the air cadet program are to develop leadership and citizenship in Canada's youth, to promote physical fitness, and to stimulate an interest in aviation and the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force)."
"The Squadron Sponsoring Committee are volunteer parents who form an executive and body to help govern the business side of Air Cadets. Their responsibilities include (but are not limited to): funding for optional training activities, facilities, and resources for the staff to utilize when needed, etc. The effectiveness of the SSC is directly related to parental involvement and this directly translates into the success of the squadron."
"There is an immediate need to fill open and soon to be open positions on the SSC. Chair, Vice-Chair Treasurer and Advisor positions need volunteers to fill them."
"It is a policy for the Squadron charter to have a full SSC Executive to have an operational Squadron. The Air Cadet League cannot step into these roles for any extended time, and so any involvement will be simply to wind down operation, disperse assets to the League and cease operation of 859 Crowsnest Pass Air Cadets. It will indeed be a sad day should that situation come to pass. We need four parents or community members to volunteer, get screened and get into position by May 1, 2014 or the Air Cadet League of Canada – Alberta Provincial Committee will have no choice but to finish the year and place startup in September in jeopardy. There MUST be an operational Executive in place regardless of Cadet enrollment and Staffing positions – per the Bylaws and Charter of the Air Cadets League of Canada."
Air Cadet League of Alberta Southern Wing Director Rob Bahuis addressed the 10 or so parent-volunteers in attendance at the meeting. "If you ask most cadets what is the most fun they have is, it's probably getting together with other cadets."
"Basically, you start off as a parent, you get jazzed seeing where your cadet enjoying where he is going. About that third year is really where the cadet catches fire. They are involved in stuff, they're doing community stuff, their marks scoot up in school, and they are fired up, their passionate, and getting a lot of promotions." The Long Service Medal is for cadets that are in the program for 4 years. "It's a recognition that you've put in the time."
"That's when the parent gets fired up as well. This is a time where a parent volunteer takes on a more dedicated role, or if they were in a dedicated role will advance in it. They see the community service they provide, they see the value that they provide to youth behind them. That's my story, that's exactly my story."
"Now I'm a Wing Director, and most likely will move into the Provincial body, somehow."
"This is not a show up and get a ribbon kind of place. Kids get out what you put in. Those are the kids that understand life after cadets, and what it takes to have the discipline to flourish in society."
According to Bahuis, it costs an average $3,711.21 to train a cadet for one year. "About $3,200 of that per cadet gets funded directly by the DND."
"The difference has to be fund-raised by the local sponsoring committee. This covers what is needed on a base level, it does not include other additional or optional activities."
"That's the major part where the parents step in. Making sure the lights are on, and the building is paid. Your good until 2020, that's pretty plum." The use of the Elks Hall in Blairmore has been donated by the Elks to the cadets, free of charge.
"The staffing, parents, volunteers and cadets are all very important aspects of the organization. With any one of these aspects missing, the cadets do not operate."
"You give kids the opportunity to shine."
The current Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC) executive as decided at the meeting stands at roughly:
- Chair: Ms Smith
- Vice-Chair candidate: Ms Thomson
- Treasurer: Mrs Gustavson
- Secretary: Mrs Desrosiers
- Members: Ms Archer, Ms Sedgwick, Mrs Gray, Mrs Lincez
- Air Cadet League Representative/Liaison: Mr Baker
"If Pincher Creek were to eventually form their own air cadet squadron with their own charter and SSC, then 859 Squadron would have the proud distinction of spinning off a second independent squadron."
"279 Elk Valley Squadron based out of Sparwood originally started in much the same way, as a part of 859 Crowsnest Squadron that grew strong enough for its own charter and SSC. "
"Mr Anthony Franko of Pincher Creek will complete his enrollment as a Civilian Instructor next Monday night. Civilian Instructors may receive up to 20 days pay per year from DND, but are not members of the CF. 859 Squadron needs to recruit more Officers for enrolment as well. Officers are enrolled into the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service component of the CF Reserve Force, and may receive up to 25 days pay per year."
859 Squadron currently has enough enrolled cadets to establish up to 5 paid positions (Officers/Civilian Instructors). The staff currently stands at:
- Commanding Officer: Captain Desrosiers
- Training Officer: Captain Heisler
- Administration Officer: Civilian Instructor Mr VandenBroek
- Supply Officer: Civilian Instructor Mr Franko
- Volunteer Instructor Ms Archer
- Volunteer Instructor Ms Sedgwick
- Volunteer Instructor Ms Smith
- Volunteer Instructor Ms Wilhelm
 |
| Air Cadet Chase Lincez representing 859 Squadron at recent Mass Registration event in Pincher Creek |
No comments:
Post a Comment