[SaraHap] SARA Happenings for August 2008

Fri Aug 15 11:18:42 MDT 2008

Hi All: 

SARA Happenings is issued to foster communication within the Search and Rescue community in Alberta. It is going to 328 e-mail addresses that are listed as the primary contact of SAR Alberta member groups or which were requested to be added to the mailing list.

Subscription and unsubscription information is at the end of the newsletter. 

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APPLICATION FOR CIVILIAN SAR VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARD

Applications must be submitted to the RCMP "K" Division SAR Coordinator by February 28th 2009. Incomplete applications will not be considered and will be returned. Completed forms must be sent to the RCMP "K" Division SAR Coordinator via E-MAIL: mike.self at rcmp-grc.gc.ca OR al.fraser at rcmp-grc.gc.ca 

The following letter was also submitted by Mike Self. This same material and the application forms are posted on the SAR Alberta website. Mike also sent me images of the awards, but unfortunately SARA Happenings is kept platform inclusive by not including images and video. I expect the images of the awards will be posted on the website.

An open letter to all Civilian Search and Rescue Volunteers: August 13th, 2008.

The experience and commitment of SAR volunteers is an important resource in assisting the RCMP in our delivery of Search and Rescue Service throughout Alberta. Consequently, the "K" Division RCMP has implemented an award program to acknowledge the contribution of Civilian Search and Rescue Volunteers to the RCMP at our detachments throughout Alberta. 

The award consists of a uniquely designed certificate and lapel pin which will be presented to volunteers who have completed five, ten, or fifteen years of Search and Rescue service. All Search and Rescue volunteers are eligible to apply for the award, regardless of their role with the team. The only eligibility requirements are that the volunteers be a current member in good standing with his or her Search and Rescue team and that they have volunteered the required number of years for the award requested

It is our intention to maintain the program through the future, and in the fullness of time, the award levels will be increased to recognize volunteers reaching twenty or more years of service. Once the years of historical service are accounted for and acknowledged, the program will settle into a pattern of presenting the awards with natural progression as volunteers move through the years of service landmarks.

As 2003 saw the launch of the program, we realize that the service periods for eligible volunteers will vary widely, the cut off date for the year 2008 eligible service has been set at December 31st, 2008, and any volunteers having completed five, ten, or fifteen years of service as of that date are eligible for one or more awards, matching their years of service. Search and Rescue groups are invited to review their records and submit the names of eligible candidates, and where applicable, indicate those volunteers deserving of multiple awards. 

It is the responsibility the volunteer's Search and Rescue team, as well as the volunteer, to ensure that an application is submitted to request an award. Applications must be submitted to the RCMP "K" Division SAR Coordinator by February 28th, 2009. Incomplete applications will not be considered and will be returned. Completed forms must be sent to the RCMP "K" Division SAR Coordinator via E-MAIL: mike.self at rcmp-grc.gc.ca OR al.fraser at rcmp-grc.gc.ca This is applicable to the initial launch as well as through coming years. The RCMP will not be maintaining a database of Search and Rescue volunteers and automatically generating the awards. 

The partnership between the RCMP and the civilian Search and Rescue community is an integral part of our Search and Rescue presence in Alberta and we are grateful for your unselfish commitment to your community. 

Sincerely yours, M. W. (Mike) SELF, Sgt. "K" Division Criminal Operations, SAR Coordinator

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TWO COURSES FROM SEASAR

This was submitted by Nancy Smart; nancy223 at telus.net At SEASAR.

Just in the nick of time, we would like to have the following training sessions included:

- ManTracking II Course: 20 and 21 September 2008 ( two-day course), and

- Green Check GPS Certification Program: choice of 27 or 28 September 2008 (one-day course) - still room for a few more.

Contact Nancy at SEASAR at the e-mail address above.

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THREE FOR NEWFOUNDLAND 

Cindy Heselton Cindy.Heselton at calgary.ca sent out more detailed info about the AdventureSmart program after last month's SARA Happenings was posted and I update it here.

This CALL FOR THREE ALBERTA REPRESENTATIVES comes from the SAR Alberta website. http://www.saralberta.org/ 
SARVAC is looking for three Alberta reprsentatives to attend two training sessions in Newfoundland on October 14th & 15th in conjunction with SARSCENE 2008. 

- How to design a Search & Rescue Exercise 
- AdventureSmart program & how to deliver it 
Travel expenses will be covered (flights/hotel & expenses) but you must attend BOTH training sessions. The expectations will be that you return and share your knowledge which will include setting up an Excercise in the province and to teach the Adventure Smart program to the teams/public (train the trainer).

The AdventureSmart website is at http://www.adventuresmart.ca/ 
Deadlines to get submissions to the SARVAC Executives is July 25th . 
For more infomation or to submit a name please contact your SAR Alberta Regional Director. 

Cindy adds - 

Unfortunately, the only extra information I can provide is that the AdventureSmart program is a preventative SAR program aimed at young adults/adults. A website with more info on the program is provided http://www.adventuresmart.ca/ 

I also asked if there was an application form but I was told no, so I suggest that if you want to be fairly considered, that those interested answer the following questions:

Full Name

Contact Info

SAR Affiliation

Years in SAR

Leadership roles

Summary of key accomplishments or projects

Related experience in mock exercise organization, preventative SAR, public relations, etc.

Your interest in the project/role

Time availability/commitment (i.e. # weekends per year, hrs per week, are you available during the day, etc 

Please forward submissions directly to sara-executive at castrov.cuug.ab.ca and cc myself and Kelly Kobe. Thanks.mailto:Cindy.Heselton at calgary.ca

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SARA HAPPENINGS SUBMISSIONS 

Our regular publication date for mailings of SARA Happenings is the middle of each month. Please note that the deadline for material is the 14th of each month. 

Does your group have an event posting for the SARA Happenings mailing? If so, please send information 1-1/2 months prior to the dates you wish advertised. It will then give ample time for those reading it to respond. 

Please send all material to the editor; Chris Hoare at choare at shaw.ca PLEASE DO include contact information for members to gain further information.

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