The Buzz – May 11, 2015

By Ray Hook

1.         President David called the meeting to order at 11:45 am.

 

2.        Today’s guests are also our guest speakers – from our sponsored 644 Rotary Air Cadet Squadron - 2Lt Erin Mitchell (Sqn Trg Offr) and Kona Gilbertson, the SSC Chair for 644 Camrose Rotary (RCACS).

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3.         Health of the Club – Paul was present and healthy today. He also spoke briefly to our annual (but fading in popularity) steak and lobster dinner, with a suggestion that we join another group in town for their dinner – on Wednesday June 3^rd. With such dwindling numbers, we cannot sustain the event ourselves, but for $75 pp, we can still enjoy the lobster, steak and companionship. See Paul if you have any questions – either way, he will need to know firm numbers by no later than May25th.

 

4.         Announcements:

           

a.       President Dave welcomed all to today’s meeting.

 

b.      Maciel’s Report – he reported another good week, with learning to play tennis (lots of fun!) and a great telephone call to his Mom om Mother’s Day. He made presentations of gifts to his surrogate Moms – Donna and Lou, which were appreciated by all.  

 

5.         Judge/Greeter Dan O requested Happy Bucks – Randall, Tyler, Roy F, Jim R, Jen, Lou, Donna, Dan Macp, and Dan O. Tyler did mention that he has tickets (8 freebies) for the Daybreak’s Rib Tickler on June 11th – see him if you want any. Always a great event…..

 

6.         Guest Speakers Kona Gilbertson and 2Lt Erin Mitchell were introduced by President Dave, and they were invited to bring the Club members up do date on the activities of “our” squadron.

Erin spoke first of our quite remarkable fifty (50) year association as sponsors of the Squadron (Sqn). Last year the personnel strength was 5 officers (offr) and 24 cadets, but she was pleased to inform us that they were up to some 51 cadets! Sadly, the offr numbers fell as the CO and Admin Offr (husband and wife) moved away, but they are managing very well, all things considered.

The Sqn is very busy this year, successfully formed a Parental Advisory Committee to assist the leadership with fundraising and training (mentors). They are also doing more drill, marksmanship (shooting) training, biathlon, outdoor activities, and band and field trips, all of which cost $, and with DND’s “usual” annual budget cuts, puts more reliance on the Sqn to fund raise to keep these activities going. It was mentioned several times how grateful the Sqn was for our long time and generous financial support.

One of their major plans involves attending the November 11^th ceremony in Ottawa in 2016, as this will require a major fund raising effort to achieve the trip. As well, the Sqn wants to enter the Zone drill competition, and the sports and drill competitions - a very ambitious undertaking.

The Sqn was fortunate to get 15 vacancies for summer camps this year, when they had asked for nine slots, including a staff cadet slot – very prestigious (I know from experience – Ed comment).

The floor was then turned over to Kona and she spoke of today’s society generally seeming to have lees of an impact on younger people’s lives – except for Air Cadets (and perhaps other related organizations) – she is convinced that belonging to Air cadets provides a very strong sense of belonging, purpose, responsibility and engagement to the young cadets, especially when 51 youngsters between the ages of 12 and 17 get along in a wonderful communal and cooperative spirit. Her words follow:

“Our society today can have a less than positive impact and influence on our youth - these impacts and influences affect every part of their lives

Now if these youths have a sense of belonging and an acceptance for who they are and have pride in what they do, well this can be a powerful thing to behold for a youth ..especially if the youth is struggling to find him/herself in our world today

Now give them responsibility and a sense of accomplishment, and opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills in areas that they have a passion or aptitude for, and this in turn will have a positive impact on them and those around them.

Now to step back to see what kind of youth you now have before you is an amazing sight to see

All along I have been talking about our youth in Air Cadets, but not just as a Representative of the SSC, but as a parent to a child that has blossomed into a confident young lady with the help of this program.

I asked a few cadets to write down what the Air Cadet program means to them or how it changed them. The Cadet Program gives them life-changing opportunities to lead others, to try new and challenging things, and to learn about self-discipline and self-accomplishment.

I would like to read these now for you ….”

 

Cadets has changed my life by giving me opportunities that I would of not of gotten without cadets. I have made lifelong friends, life long memories. I have been able to go to marksmanship provincials, gliding and summer camps I’ve been rewarded for my dedication with awards, and revived badges for my accomplishments that i can proudly wear on my uniform. I have gained confidence in myself and to BE myself through the cadet program

Cadets has changed my life in many ways ...such as turning my life completely around. I have changing my abuse with marijuana and take pride in my new behaviour. It has given me the chance to be the person I want to be. Cadets is teaching me discipline and marching which is a very fun thing to learn and have great friends and people I can trust like WO1 Hanson. I have only been in cadets for a couple months but the cadets have accepted me without question and it is a new beginning for me and my family. 

In the two years of cadets Survive Air has been one of my highlights. I have always enjoyed survival. I am delighted to find out that I'm going to cold lake this year, home of our Canadian Forces affiliated squadron 410 cougars, to learn survival. I’m hoping to learn a lot from basic survival, such as trapping animals, GPS and signal fires. I’m grateful for the opportunities that cadets has given me. I hope to continue to go to more advanced summer camps so that I can instruct the younger cadets in survival and give them the same passion I have for it.

I've been a cadet for five years, I was flag party commander until I took over as flight commander of Phantom Flight. With 16 cadets under my command it has been an experience in leadership and opportunity. Opportunity to pass on my knowledge to younger cadets and influence decisions. Cadets has filled me with passion and confidence that will help me through the rest of my life.

Moving from Flight Corporal to Sergeant has been a major step. The opportunity to move from flag party to a parade position in Phantom Flight has filled me with profound sense of awe. It can be tiring and stressful to stand in front of a flight and call commands, but at the end when you step off the parade square with your flight, you feel such a profound accomplishment and exhilaration. Just one night makes up for all the hardships endured in my four years of Cadets. I'm am so glad of the opportunities given to me by the Cadet program because I simply do not know what I would do with-out it.

Following a short Q & A session, President Dave thanked Carol for her very interesting and informative presentation.  

 

8.         Draws – the 50/50 draw saw Dan O “winning” the opportunity to find the right card….and better luck next week!

 

9.         After Dan led the Club in the 4 Way Test, President Dave adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m. with a reminder that there is no meeting next week (May 18^th). 

 

Next Meeting: Monday, May 25th at 1145AM in the Regal II Ballroom of the Best Western Plus Camrose Resort Casino.

 

Guest Speaker: Amarok Society - Education for Impoverished Children to Bangladesh