Minutes: November 20, 2024

Agenda adopted.

Moved by Kim and seconded by TJ

Minutes from October, 2024 meeting approved.

Moved by TJ and seconded by MJ.

League Representative report

Large donation ($750K) from Mr. Cyr for student bursaries in trust.

Reminder to bring a pair of indoor shoes to Notre Dame on Wednesday nights.  SSC members should not be wearing winter boots inside.

Chairs' report

Joey resigned from the SSC in October.  Lynn noted that this will change the quorum (9 voting members).  TJ moved that Joey should be given a squadron coin for this service to the squadron.  Les seconded it.

Mess Dinner.  DND will fund $4500 for mess dinner.  It will be at HIghlands golf course on 18 December.  Still need $1000. This year, will ask each participating squadron member to pay $10.   Pam confirmed that she and Sergeant Taggart will record attendance and meal preference. Pam will collect the money (cash only).  Event will be publicized on Sway. 

Hot chocolate house. usually last night before xmas break, however this year it will conflict with Mess Dinner.  Cadets organize activities.  SSC supplies hot chocolate.  Cadets do a potluck/dessert thing.  They do skits.  Organized by cadets.

Andrew Morphew now screened. No follow up needed.

Need to confirm if Danielle Ballon is interested before we bring her on as voting member.

Matt Wenford interested in effective speaking.

Budget

Treasurer gave key budget highlights. See budget report for details.

-Have $11800 in bank. Key invoices (e.g. dymon storage and school) paid.  Since July 1, spent $19000, and taken in $15,000. First half of league fees (summer of dymon storage and school fees) spent so not surprising that we are deficit.

Local support allocation (DND pays a certain amount – this year, around 8000-9000).  At end of year, they open up fund for squadrons in need.  Need $3000 more by end of year.  

-Google hosting.  Still paying for this service.  211 will continue paying the service until co-chairs indicate otherwise.   

Didn't budget for Fall FTX.  Good new is that fall FTX was half of what we thought.  

Community engagement days: in budget, planned for 3 of these days.  Had one so far:  $250.  Currently 8500 short from what was forecast. Les suggested that the only way we will get that much money, is if we do 10 locations.  Activity to pursue in Spring. 

Treasurer noted that the company that charges for tip tap pay charged $150 for some reason in October and then November, 6$.  TJ will follow up. 

26 October bottle drive.  Quite successful.  Great location.  Morning was better, afternoon not so good.  Earned $325.  First bottle drive early October raised $400.  

Leaf raking (over $300 in donations). 

Bingo with Kiwanis:  MJ will go Dec. 9.   MJ on top of bingo event and will be key point of contact to ensure we have representatives for the Bingo activity.

Encouraging parents to donate:  GCWCC.  How to engage parents.  Getting late to advise, but will aim to get an email out to parents.

Picture-photo shoot idea.  Callum suggested that we could have a photo shoot with Captain Hayes.   Need to determine if any limitations with the concept (privacy, restrictions). Also would be nice to share photos from biathlon, marksmanship, FTX, etc.

Perley Veterans hospital activity (11 AM - 2 PM) (nor fundraising).  20-25 cadets (range of ages) will be interacting with vets.  May have band perform at event. There will be tables to interact with vets.  Lions supplying food.  Catered through Perley.  Cadets go into rec rooms.  Perley offered to do an information night at beginning of January – cadets need to be aware of what to expect. If have an event, has to go through CO.  

Sock donation initiative (not fundraising). Ajit proposed a sock donation event at Christmas. Put box in gym and ask cadets to bring brand new socks to donate to shelters (there are shortages of socks) in different places (malls), collect socks and donate to shelters.  Brand new socks for women, men, children. 

Kiwanis bed race.  Prior to COVID, Kiwanis arranged a bed race during Winterlude.  211 used to have a bed.  Need to find out if Kiwanis is doing this in 2025 and have beds to donate.  Spend morning decorating and then 4 cadets pushing and 1 steering.  Winterlude is Jan 31-Feb. 14.  

Purdy’s chocolate is another option.

Equator coffee. Pam is following up on this one.

In order to better plan fundraising activities, a fundraising committee will be formed. 

Wreaths: Lynn suggested that selling Christmas wreaths could be a good fundraiser.  Purchase for $ 15 and sell for $40.      

Donations of gently used items to Value village – This idea was discarded as SSC members shared that you make almost no money from clothes.

Have cadets bring toys (e.g nerf guns) and sell to other cadets. 

Rent gym on weekend, set up obstacle course; prepare 6 weeks in advance.

Sponsored climbing night at MEC. Callum looked into it and it's a no go.

Website updates: 

Currently, using FB and sway to communicate to parents and cadets.  Co-chairs are exploring options for new website.  At the CCC  (Community Coordinating Committee), co-chairs learned that DND must use Microsoft products only (need to be bilingual).  Key purposes of website are: to attract potential recruits; offer a door way for cadets to have link to sway; and also to communicate with parents.  Pam is exploring using Squadron 51 website (piggy back on to theirs).  In meantime, we will send email to parents (Via military) outlining key events; need for donations, etc.

Other business - old and new items

-Kiwanis Bingo.  Callum contacted the key contact - 211 asked for a list of fundraising and community engagement activities.  Idea is to not only ask for money, but to show how supporting Kiwanis 211.

-Balanced budget with modifications.  Done.

-Write a letter on behalf of squadron to be used to present to potential venues for community engagement days.  Not done yet. Perhaps could be a fundraising committee action item.

New items:

-Pedro reported out on the risk management requirement for SSCs.  He will send out survey to SSC members.  Focus on the highest impact items and then get through the other items down the road.  Each monthly meeting he will provide an update/briefing on risk management.

Pedro

Kim to add to agenda