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<P><B><FONT face=Arial>Hi All:</B> </P>
<P>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.</P>
<P>Subscription and unsubscription information is at the end of the newsletter.
</P>
<P>
<HR>
</P><B>
<P><U>EXCUSES</U></P></B>
<P>This issue may not be exactly the way it should be – my computer crashed as I
was planning to start on the newsletter, and this is a new one, with a whole
batch of things my old one didn’t have. I might say, didn’t need. Why is every
new version of software more stupid than the last? The nerds decide they can
make it do things that the user is too stupid to think of, without realizing
that my brain is the result or several million years of development and their
software has been cobbled together at the last minute to make it work well
enough to sell.</P>
<P>In this newsletter I may have repeated some items from last month that might
have been updated, but I see no updates. The SAR Alberta website hasn’t been
updated, so I’m going with the last versions of information that I can pry out
of software that seems reluctant to give it up.</P>
<P>
<HR>
</P>
<P></P><B>
<P><U>SAR ALBERTA AGM</U> </P></B>
<P>This is repeated from last month's newsletter.</P>
<P>The AGM is on April 26 at the Lethbridge Lodge.<BR>> Friday April 25- Meet
and Greet<BR>> Saturday April 26- 0900-1000- Q&A<BR>>
1000-1020-break<BR>> 1020-1200-AGM<BR>> 1200-1330-lunch - costs to
follow<BR>> 1330-? AGM<BR>> Board Meeting<BR>> 1800- Supper - costs to
follow<BR>> Social in evening - costs to follow<BR>> Rooms are $106.00 for
queen and you can phone the Lodge and it <BR>> is under either Search and
Rescue Alberta or Lethbridge Search <BR>> and Rescue.</P>
<P>Contact President, Rodney Dietrich <</FONT><A
href="mailto:%3Caccountinggod@shaw.ca%3E"><U><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff>accountinggod@shaw.ca></U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial> for more
information. </P></FONT>
<P>
<HR>
</P><FONT face=Arial>
<P><B><U>SARVAC JOB POSTING</U></P></B>
<P>This is part of the job ad from SARVAC. Not all of it will print out. Harry
Blackmore’s email address is below.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial>
<P><FONT size=3>Search & Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada Inc.
Employment: Business Manger </FONT></P></B>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3></FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>1. <B>Staffing Action by : </B>Search & Rescue
Volunteers of Canada President</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3></FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>2. <B>Position Title:</B> Search & Rescue
Volunteers of Canada Business Manger<B> </P></B></FONT>
<P align=justify></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>3. <B>Location:</B> SARVAC Headquarters St.
John’s, Newfoundland Labrador</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3></FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>4. <B>Job Requirements:</P></B></FONT>
<P align=justify></P>
<DIR><B>
<P align=justify><FONT size=3>NOTE: The onus is on the candidate to clearly
relate his/her qualifications to the requirements of the
position.</FONT></P></DIR></B>
<P></FONT><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=3>a. <B>Open to: </B>Search & Rescue
Volunteers of Canada from a P/T Search & Rescue Association
</FONT></P></FONT><FONT face=Arial>
<DIR>
<P><FONT size=3>b. <B>Security Requirement</B>: Enhanced Reliability ( Police
Conduct ) </FONT></P></DIR>
<P><FONT size=3></FONT></P>
<DIR>
<P><FONT size=3>c. <B>Language Requirements:</B> English Essential</FONT></P>
<DIR><B>
<P><FONT size=3>Education:</FONT></B><FONT size=3> A bachelor’s degree from a
recognized university in one of the following disciplines: Economics, Commerce,
Finance, and Business Administration, Emergency Management </FONT></P><B>
<P><FONT size=3>Duration:</FONT></B><FONT size=3> Term position of three years
(April 30, 2008 – March 31, 2011) subject to NIF Funding
</FONT></P></DIR></DIR><B>
<P><FONT size=3>Job Description:</FONT></P></B>
<DIR>
<P><FONT size=3>a. Researching, analyzing and presenting issues and
opportunities to advance Ground SAR in Canada.; </FONT></P></DIR>
<P><FONT size=3>b. Implementing and developing strategic plan initiatives based
on multi-stakeholder consultations; </FONT></P></FONT><FONT
face=Arial></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=3>
<P>c. Preparing business cases and/or submissions to enhance management of this
horizontal program.</P></FONT><FONT face=Arial>
<DIR>
<DIR></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=3>
<P>Disbursing and managing program funds through the New SAR initiatives
proposal and reporting to project manager and steering
committee.</P></FONT><FONT face=Arial>
<P> </P></DIR></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial size=3>
<P>SARVAC will not be responsible for providing transportation to & from the
work place location and will not be responsible for meals or accommodations in
the work location.</P>
<P>Closing Date April 18, 2008 @ 1600hours </B>.</P>
<P>Applications can be mailed to </P>
<P>8 Paradise Rd </P>
<P>Paradise, NL</P>
<P>A1L 3B4</P><B></B>
<P>Or email </FONT><A href="mailto:hblackmore@nl.rogers.com"><U><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=3>hblackmore@nl.rogers.com</U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial
size=3> Harry Blackmore<B> </B>President <B></B>SARVAC<FONT size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2></FONT> </P></DIR>
<P><STRONG>
<HR>
</STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG><U>ORIENTEERING </U></STRONG></P>
<P>This from Cindy Heselton --</P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<P>I've taken up orienteering to improve my navigation skills (I don't run
much!) and the orienteering folks definitely are the pro's. I encourage all SAR
teams to look at orienteering as a way to provide navigation training
(especially map reading and route finding) to their members. Orienteering is an
international sport and there have been many drills and exercises designed to
teach specific navigation skills…many of which would keep a SAR navigation
training program interesting and diverse.</P>
<P>The Alberta Orienteering Association has information on their website…
</FONT><A href="http://www.orienteeringalberta.ca/"><U><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>http://www.orienteeringalberta.ca/</U></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2> </P></FONT><FONT size=2>
<P> </P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<P>If you're interested in a two day navigation marathon in Saskatchewan, check
out </FONT><A href="http://www.orienteering.sk.ca/nm/index.html"><U><FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.orienteering.sk.ca/nm/index.html</U></FONT></A></P><FONT
face=Arial size=2>
<P>Orienteering is generally an individual sport but they have no issues if
people want to team up…just don't expect to gain any ranking towards national
and international competition.</P></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial color=#ff0000
size=2>
<P>Cindy Heselton, P. Eng (*Note new Mail Code and Fax)</B></FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=2> <BR>Environmental Specialist <BR>Transportation
Infrastructure <BR>The City of Calgary | Mail code #8481 <BR>P.O. Box 2100,
Station M, Calgary, AB Canada T2P 2M5 <BR></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial
color=#ff0000 size=2>T</B></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> 403-268-5561 |<B>
</FONT><FONT face=Arial color=#ff0000 size=2>C</B></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2> 403-813-4782|<B> </FONT><FONT face=Arial color=#ff0000
size=2>F</B></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> 403-268-4799 <BR></FONT><A
href="http://www.calgary.ca/"><U><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>www.calgary.ca</U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> </P>
<P>
<HR>
</P>
<P><U></U> </P>
<P><U><STRONG>CALL FOR NOMINATIONS</STRONG></U></P>
<P>In addition to the announcement of the AGM details, Rodney sent SARA
Happenings the pdf file of the Call for Candidates for the 2008 elections.
Unfortunately I cannot print out the whole document or attach it to this
newsletter. Those interested in standing for office will have to e-mail him
directly for a copy of the forms.<</FONT><A
href="mailto:%3Caccountinggod@shaw.ca%3E"><U><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>accountinggod@shaw.ca></U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> </P>
<P>A partial transcript follows:-</P>
<P>2008 SAR ALBERTA ELECTIONS</P>
<P>All SAR Alberta members are invited to become candidates for the positions
of:</P>
<P>Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer</P>
<P>Any Member may be nominated for election to the SAR Alberta Board of
Directors.<BR></P>
<P>The position of Vice President is for a one-year term, after which the
incumbent will serve a one-year term as President and a one-year term as
Past-President.</P>
<P>The position as Secretary is for a two-year term</P>
<P>The position of Treasurer is for a two-year term</P>
<P>All Regional Directors and Deputy Directors need to have elections completed
within the six (6) SAR Alberta regions prior to the AGM on April 26<SUP>th</SUP>
2008. Induction of the new SAR Alberta Board members will commence at the April
26<SUP>th</SUP> 2008 Board meeting immediately following the AGM. Regional
positions are elected within the region with each member organization having one
vote. The term for the Director and Deputy Director is from AGM to AGM.</P>
<P>Please e-mail President Rodney Dietrich <</FONT><A
href="mailto:%3Caccountinggod@shaw.ca%3E"><U><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>accountinggod@shaw.ca></U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> for a
copy of the forms and return the completed documents to him or to Reese Wolsey
(Past President) at </FONT><A href="mailto:westpem@telusplanet.net"><U><FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>westpem@telusplanet.net</U></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2> </P></FONT><FONT size=2>
<P> </P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<P>
<HR>
</P><B>
<P><U>SAR DAYS</U></P></B>
<P>What is Alberta Search and Rescue Day all about?<BR>Search and Rescue Day was
established by the Hon. Walter Paszkowski, then Minister of Municipal Affairs.
</P>
<P>Starting in 2000, the first Saturday in May has been proclaimed as an
opportunity to highlight search and rescue activities in the province and
celebrate the outstanding contributions of the volunteers who put their lives at
risk to save others. </P>
<P>During the inaugural proclamation, the Minister Walter Paszkowski said "The
designation of Search and Rescue Day will increase awareness of the good work
being done in this area. The fact that these special individuals give so freely
of their efforts at any time of day or night is worthy of recognition." </P>
<P><BR>SAR day this year is on May 3, 2008 please send any and all submissions
for events to </FONT><A href="mailto:sarabsecertary@yahoo.com"><U><FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>sarabsecertary@yahoo.com</U></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2> Deadline for submissions is April 1st, 2008 thanks.
Michelle</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<HR>
<BR></P><B>
<P><U>SAR DAY – AMAZING RACE</U></P></B>
<P>No sooner announced that we have an addition to the program.</P>
<P>SAR days are coming up again and LASARA has decided to organize a SAR Amazing
race. We want to invite teams from other local SAR groups and the community
(local police/fire/emergency groups, youth groups, scouts, etc) to come and
compete. I have attached a quick announcement. We were hoping CSDA would be
interested in joining with us again this year. If you are, we would love your
input into planning and organizing. </P>
<P>Contact Lana at – </FONT><A href="mailto:lanamiller@yahoo.com"><U><FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>lanamiller@yahoo.com</U></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2> </P></FONT><FONT size=2>
<P>
<HR>
</P></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<P><B><U>CAN ANYONE ANSWER THIS?</U></P></B>
<P>I’m posting this query about waivers as I received it – </P>
<P>Michelle Maschke writes:</P>
<P><BR>> Tania Jensen <</FONT><A
href="mailto:t_t_jensen@yahoo.com"><U><FONT color=#0000ff size=2><FONT
face="Times New Roman">t_t_jensen@yahoo.com</FONT></U></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2>> wrote: Michelle<BR>> Would we be able to receive a
copy of the minutes from SAR<BR>> Alberta meetings. I've been to the website
and I cannot find<BR>> recent minutes.<BR><BR>I agree that the minutes should
be on the web site. Understanding of<BR>course, that until recently the web site
was having some problems.<BR><BR><BR>> We have a few legal questions I'm
looking into and I was<BR>> wondering if there was a provincial standard
before I consult a<BR>> lawyer. Firstly, do our member waivers have to be
drafted by a<BR>> lawyer, or can this be done internally?<BR><BR>I think
waivers are legalistic enough that a lawyer needs to have a<BR>hand in drafting
it. Given that, you may find that some other SAR<BR>group has already done that
work. Perhaps a good question for SARA<BR>Happenings.<BR><BR><BR>> Or, is
there a provincial standard? Does SAR Alberta have any<BR>> "release of
information" or confidentiality guidelines. We are<BR>> currently, trying to
update our website, etc and I just wanted<BR>> to make sure there were not
any provincial standards.<BR><BR>I haven't heard of any SARA documents like
this.</P>
<P>
<HR>
</P><B>
<P><U>GET READY IN THE PARK</U></P></B>
<P>The City of Edmonton Office of Emergency Preparedness will again be holding
the Get Ready in the Park event in Hawrelak Park on Saturday May 10<SUP>th</SUP>
2008 from 10 am to 4 pm. Several of the local SAR Groups will be participating.
There will be lots of "BIG TOYS" fire trucks, helicopters etc.</P>
<P>For more information visit, </FONT><A
href="http://www.edmonton.ca/oep."><U><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>www.edmonton.ca/oep.</U></FONT></A></P><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<P>Further Information can be obtained from :-</P>
<P>Mike COOK <BR>Emergency Preparedness Officer <BR>Office of Emergency
Preparedness <BR>City of Edmonton <BR>780-944-6462 <BR>Cell 780-940-3148
<BR>Pager 780-401-0251 <BR>mike.cook@edmonton.ca </P>
<P>
<HR>
</P><B>
<P><U>SARA HAPPENINGS SUBMISSIONS </U></P></B>
<P>Our regular publication date for mailings of SARA Happenings is the middle of
each month. Please note that the deadline for material is the 14<SUP>th</SUP> of
each month. </P>
<P align=center></P>
<P align=center>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. </P>
<P align=center></P>
<P align=center>Please send all material to the editor; Chris Hoare at </FONT><A
href="mailto:lanamiller@yahoo.com"><U><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>choare@shaw.ca</U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> PLEASE DO include
contact information for members to gain further information.</P>
<P align=center></P>
<P align=center> </P>
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