December 2022
National Notices
SEARCHING FOR YOUTH ADVISORS - DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & RECONCILIATION TEAM
 
Open Call for Youth Advisors: Diversity Equity and Inclusion Team 
 
Are you passionate about ensuring that Scouting is something all people can participate in and enjoy? Do you want to be a part of a team that is actively working to bring a youth voice and perspective into major conversations around various DEI Initiatives within Scouts Canada? Are you interested in working alongside other youth, Scouters, Scouts Canada Staff, and various subject matter experts to promote and support the inclusive and engaging kind of scouting environment that we all want to see happening?
 
The Scouts Canada DEI team is looking to assemble a team of youth who will meet regularly to discuss and collaborate on a variety of topics and initiatives surrounding current DEI concerns, with the goal of bringing a strong youth perspective to DEI work in scouting. We want to hear everyone’s perspectives, regardless of knowledge or background, since everyone’s voice is important and diversity is crucial to this conversation. 
 
As long as you are passionate about improving the scouting experience, we can teach you everything else that you need to know. Being a part of this team will provide you with the opportunity to regularly meet with other youth to discuss and collaborate on various initiatives, and to participate alongside Scouters, staff, and subject matter experts within our champion task teams which are currently operating under the DEI team. Meetings will be happening on a monthly basis, dates/times are to be determined. 
 
If you are interested in being a part of this team, or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Deputy National Youth Commissioner – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
 
Tessa LeBrun
Email: tessa.lebrun@scouts.ca
Text: +1 (519) 718-3204
 
ScoutsTracker Updates

New Features are being introduced to ScoutsTracker to better Communicate with Sections and Parents:
  • Posts can now have attachments
  • The "Banner" image position can be specified, allowing for left/right text wrapping in addition to the traditional "above the text" banner (because I noted that a lot of posts had small images, which were more pleasingly presented as wrapped images rather than banners). Also having a mix of layouts makes for a more engaging News Feed presentation.
  • Section accounts can now create their own posts (previously, on Committee accounts could). This replaces the existing clunky implementation of the "Troop News".
  • You can now instantly create a News Feed post for any upcoming event.
  • It'll automatically use the event crest, if any, or as with any other post, you can upload your own image
  • It'll have an automatically-generated Action button which will take the user to the event without having to find it on the calendar
  • The post-expiry will be automatically set to the coincide with the end of the event
  • A brief synopsis (what/when/where/how much) will always be automatically inserted at the top of the event, so Scouters never need to worry about conveying out-of-date information
  • A cleaner look (more in line with FB's look and feel)
  •  
  • Committee accounts can now upload their Group/Council insignia. This has two effects. First, is that it is used as the avatar for Committee-generated posts. Second is that the appropriate image now shows in the Group and Council insignia entries section's/group's badge inventory.
 
Notices from Council
Safe Scouting - 2 Scouter Rule

Over the past month, Safe Scouting has been addressing numerous incidents & reports which are either direct violations of the Two-Scouter Rule or caused by violations of the Two-Scouter Rule.
We would like to take this opportunity to reinforce the purpose of the Two-Scouter Rule, and it’s application through our most commonly experienced FAQ’s.

The Two-Scouter Rule and the Code of Conduct express how Scouts Canada ensures safe interactions with children and other members for the purposes of Scouting and Scouting contexts. It is one of the best tools we use to keep youth safe and is in place to prevent the grooming of youth, adults and the community by individuals who may wish to harm children through the normalization of one-to-one contact. Violations must be reported to Safe Scouting for review.

What is the Two Scouter Rule?
The Two Scouter Rule is the requirement for two registered Scouters to be always with youth. Notwithstanding Section ratios, two Scouters must always be within the field of view and within earshot of one another when with youth. The Two Scouter rule is an integral part of the Code of Conduct that applies to all Scouts Canada Volunteers and staff.

What should Scouters do if they arrive early to a meeting and other Scouters are not present? Do they remain alone with the youth?

Here are some options to consider if this happens to you:
  • Stay outside in plain view.
  • Ask parents to accompany you into the hall with the youth and wait with you until another Scouter arrives.
  • Keep the meeting room door locked until you have another Scouter with you.
  • At the beginning of the Scouting Year, inform parents about our procedures and processes to make sure everyone has a safe Scouting experience; this will help them understand how they can help in a situation like this.
  • Please note: Your meeting place should always be ready to receive the youth. If you need to prepare an activity or clear gym equipment to make the space safe and ready, do so before the youth arrive. For your hall to be ready, this means you also have to have a second Scouter with you. If you cannot have a second Scouter, cancel the meeting.

Do Scouters under the age of 18 count towards ratio?
Yes, youth aged Scouters that have completed their Wood Badge Part I are Scouter Ready and count towards ratio. These youth are to be encouraged to work with, and be part of the Beaver, Cub and Scout Scouter teams.

*NOTE - A youth Scouter is a Scouter only when participating in the section activity they are volunteering in. The Two-Scouter Rule must be respected with these youth outside of those volunteering activities. I.e. you cannot drive a youth scouter to a meeting one on one as they are not participating in a Scouting activity while in transportation

If Scouters are not permitted to transport youth, then why do the Transportation Standards indicate that “The two-Scouter rule applies in all situations…including while transporting youth?
Parents are responsible for providing or arranging transport for their children. While Scouts Canada strongly recommends that Scouters do not transport youth, there may be situations where this is unavoidable. It is important that Scouters recognize that should they transport youth, they do so at their own risk, and as in all engagement with Scouting youth, the two-Scouter rule must be followed at all times.
Winter Safety Week – On Now!

It’s time to let kids be kids again, safely. Let’s celebrate the change in season and a new program cycle this winter with a week focused on colder weather, tips, and real stories from real members with a special lens focused on safety.

https://www.scouts.ca/safety/safety-week.html - check this link for more information! 

Program Resource - Mental Health

Be There Certificate is a free, self-paced, interactive online course designed to increase mental health literacy and provide youth with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to safely support anyone who may be struggling with their mental health. It provides a deep understanding of Be There’s 5 Golden Rules — a simple but actionable framework teaching people how to recognize when someone might be struggling with their mental health, their role in 
supporting that person, and how to connect them to the help they need. The Be There Certificate employs approachable language, relatable visuals, interactive activities, and a diverse learning experience that incorporates a variety of learning styles.
 
The Be There Certificate takes approximately 2 hours to complete, is free of cost, and can be used towards volunteer hours.
 
If you have any questions about the certificate, feel free to reach out to us at bethere@jack.org
DAVID HUESTIS LEARNING CENTRE - INDEX
 
A few of you have asked for a listing of sessions available in the DHLC to help support Scouters. This listing is attached.
The list also includes sessions for Group Committees and Group Commissioners. Please note that the Program Team is trying to organize the sessions so that they are easier to find. The goal is to have this ready for August/September. 
EVENT TOWN HALL - UPDATE / SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS
 
Please see below for the Event Town Hall recording. 
 
Also, there are now resources available for our low-risk and Councils events. This includes submitting phase 1 of the events application process. risk events.

The content is intended to help the local event management team , as well as the Approvals Team (CK3 or delegate) with the minimum, required components of event planning that must be considered for a ‘low-risk’ Scouts Canada event. It will also help your local team make sure that the event that is planned provides a quality program to youth, is safe and contributes to the growth of our membership. It will also help identify the support needed by your local event team and will ensure that there is adequate support, if necessary. 
 
Here is the link:
In-Person Scouter Training by Program Support
Fundraisers
Apple Day Crests and Volunteer Crests update

Volunteer and Apply Day 2022 Crest will be shipping in November.
 
If you are interested in purchasing these Crests please visit the Scout Shop and join the mailing list to receive an email when they are available for purchase.

To get further information please click on either image for the appropriate badge.
 
Maple Syrup is back

mmmm... Maple Syrup Fundraiser Did you know that you can use Woodland Trails Maple Syrup as a fundraiser? You can order our maple syrup in either glass decanter style bottles or plastic jug style bottles. All bottles are 500ML.


Chilly Moose and Scouts Canada
Scouts Canada has teamed up with Chilly Moose (Canadian Cooler and Drinkware company) to offer a co-branded Chilly Moose & Scouts Canada tumbler! $10 from the sale of each tumbler will go directly to the No One Left Behind program. 

Be sure to let groups know about this year-long campaign and to get their tumbler today!  
VISIT OUR NEW GTC RESOURCE PAGES!
Greater Toronto Council has created many new resources to help you find information and resources about what is going on in our Council, City and across the Country.

Click below to visit us today and make sure to bookmark the pages!