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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>
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<HR>
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<P></P><B>
<P>APPLICATION FOR CIVILIAN SAR VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARD</P></B>
<P>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: </FONT><A href="mailto:mike.self@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"><U><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff>mike.self@rcmp-grc.gc.ca</U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial> OR
</FONT><A href="mailto:al.fraser@rcmp-grc.gc.ca"><U><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff>al.fraser@rcmp-grc.gc.ca</U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial> </P>
<P>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.</P>
<P>An open letter to all Civilian Search and Rescue Volunteers: August 13th,
2008.</P>
<P>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. </P>
<P>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</P>
<P>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.</P>
<P>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. </P>
<P>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@rcmp-grc.gc.ca OR al.fraser@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. </P>
<P>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. </P>
<P>Sincerely yours, M. W. (Mike) SELF, Sgt. "K" Division Criminal Operations,
SAR Coordinator</P>
<P>
<HR>
</P><B>
<P>TWO COURSES FROM SEASAR</P></B>
<P>This was submitted by Nancy Smart; </FONT><A
href="mailto:nancy223@telus.net"><U><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff>nancy223@telus.net</U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial> At SEASAR.</P>
<P>Just in the nick of time, we would like to have the following training
sessions included:</P>
<P>- ManTracking II Course: 20 and 21 September 2008 ( two-day course), and</P>
<P>- Green Check GPS Certification Program: choice of 27 or 28 September 2008
(one-day course) – still room for a few more.</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Contact Nancy at SEASAR at the e-mail address above.</P>
<P></P>
<P>
<HR>
</P><B>
<P>THREE FOR NEWFOUNDLAND </B></FONT><BR></P><FONT face=Arial>
<P>Cindy Heselton </FONT><A href="mailto:Cindy.Heselton@calgary.ca"><U><FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff>Cindy.Heselton@calgary.ca</U></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial> sent out more detailed info about the AdventureSmart program after
last month’s SARA Happenings was posted and I update it here.</P>
<P>This CALL FOR THREE ALBERTA REPRESENTATIVES comes from the SAR Alberta
website. </FONT><A href="http://www.saralberta.org/"><U><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>http://www.saralberta.org/</U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial>
</FONT><BR><FONT face=Arial>SARVAC is looking for three Alberta reprsentatives
to attend two training sessions in Newfoundland on October 14th & 15th in
conjunction with SARSCENE 2008. </P>
<P>- How to design a Search & Rescue Exercise</FONT><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <BR></FONT><FONT face=Arial>- AdventureSmart program
& how to deliver it</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman"> <BR></FONT><FONT
face=Arial>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).</P>
<P>The AdventureSmart website is at </FONT><A
href="http://www.adventuresmart.ca/"><U><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff>http://www.adventuresmart.ca/</U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial>
</FONT><BR><FONT face=Arial>Deadlines to get submissions to the SARVAC
Executives is July 25th .</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman"> <BR></FONT><FONT
face=Arial>For more infomation or to submit a name please contact your SAR
Alberta Regional Director. <BR></P>
<P>Cindy adds – </P>
<P>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 </FONT><A
href="http://www.adventuresmart.ca/"><FONT
face=Arial>http://www.adventuresmart.ca/</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial> </P>
<P>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:</P>
<P>Full Name</P>
<P>Contact Info</P>
<P>SAR Affiliation</P>
<P>Years in SAR</P>
<P>Leadership roles</P>
<P>Summary of key accomplishments or projects</P>
<P>Related experience in mock exercise organization, preventative SAR, public
relations, etc.</P>
<P>Your interest in the project/role</P>
<P>Time availability/commitment (i.e. # weekends per year, hrs per week, are you
available during the day, etc </P>
<P>Please forward submissions directly to </FONT><A
href="mailto:sara-executive@castrov.cuug.ab.ca"><U><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff>sara-executive@castrov.cuug.ab.ca</U></FONT></A><FONT face=Arial>
and cc myself and Kelly Kobe. Thanks.</FONT><A
href="mailto:Cindy.Heselton@calgary.ca"><U><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff>mailto:Cindy.Heselton@calgary.ca</U></FONT></A></P><FONT
face=Arial>
<P>
<HR>
</P><B>
<P>SARA HAPPENINGS SUBMISSIONS </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>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>Please send all material to the editor; Chris Hoare at </FONT><A
href=""><U><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>choare@shaw.ca</U></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial> PLEASE DO include contact information for members to gain further
information.</P>
<P> </P>
<P>To subscribe or unsubscribe visit
http://castrov.dyndns.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sara-happenings enter your
e-mail address and click on "Edit Options". Automatic subscribers will need to
click on "EMail My Password to Me". You can subscribe and unsubscribe on the
same page. </P>
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