We met in Newfoundland this year with small attendance but a great program. I thought I would review some of the changes that National has initiated at the biennial and previously this year.
1. The most significant change has been the creation of a Camp Improvement
Project. This provides grants to any camp providing youth programs for capital
projects. The first year grants totaled $15000 and have been awarded to four
camps. The details of these awards are on the aots.ca website.
The new project is funded from current donations and funds donated to the
second mile project in past.
2. Membership fees have been suspended for the next three years. Clubs are
encouraged to send donations to the new Camp Improvement Fund in lieu of
dues. We are hoping Clubs will recognize the value of the new program and
donate at least as much as the past dues amount with the knowledge that the
money is all going direct to a great cause..
3. Camping is the main interest of AOTS members so we are taking steps to
concentrate our efforts in this area. We have been administering two bequest
funds-- Youth to Camp and Harry Colnett Scholarship fund. These will be
cancelled and the funds in the bequest applied to the Camp Improvement Fund
or in other appropriate areas.
4. Constitution changes have been made to allow limited participation by Ladies in
Clubs.
5. The Executive elected or appointed for the 2013-2015 period is:
President Jim Upright, Victoria BC
Past President David Morris, Tillsonburg Ontario
President Elect Gary Ross, Lewisporte Newfoundland
Treasurer Marvin Bildfell, Sarnia, Ontario
Eastern Vice Pres Derek White, Lewisport Noefoundland
Central Vice Pres. John Cooke, Sarnia, Ontario
Western Vice Pres. Bill Love, Calgary, Alberta
Members at large:
Eastern Ernie Paddock, Newfoundland
Central Not named yet
Western David Adams, Newfoundland
We are continuing to use the website aots.ca as our prime means of communicating with Clubs and members and encourage you to make this known to you fellow members.
Donations to the Camp Improvement project have been received from a number of Clubs, and I hope those who have not yet donated will consider a generous gift before year end. The camps serving our youth are an important resource and deserve our support!
