SARA Happenings of May 5, 1999
Hi,
This is my first major mailing as the new president of SAR Alberta. One
of our key priorities for the coming year is to improve communication between
the local SAR groups and also between the provincial board and the membership.
I'm planning to produce regular mailings like this one on the happenings
in SAR in Alberta as one of the steps in improving communications.
This first "SARA Happenings" is going out to over a hundred e-mail addresses
I have from personal contacts, from SAR Alberta's contact list, and from
an older list from Disaster Services. On the Internet, it is general considered
bad form to send e-mail to people unless they've asked to receive it. I
hope you will forgive this breach of "nettiquette"; it seemed the best way
to get things started. Please let me know if you or others want to receive
future mailings of "SARA Happenings".
Board Meetings:
--------------
The SAR Alberta board has traditionally met in Edmonton. We are trying an
experiment to see whether it is possible to move the meetings around. The
next meeting will be in Calgary, June 12, 12:00. The exact location has
not been decided yet. I'll let you know when it is.
Board meetings are always open to anyone that is a member of any of our
member groups. If you're curious to see what happens, or if you have a particular
concern or proposal please come on out. If you need some time at the meeting,
please let me know so we can add you to the agenda.
The schedule of board meetings are as follows:
- June 12, 1999 12:00-15:00 Calgary
- August 14, 1999
- October 2, 1999
- November 13, 1999
- January 8, 2000
- March 11, 2000
The location of the later meetings will be set after we see how the
meeting in Calgary works out.
President calling Member Groups:
-------------------------------
Over the next several weeks, I'm planning on calling the key contact
we were given by each of our member groups. I want to know what the
local group's concerns are and how SAR Alberta can serve better. If
you have something you want to bring up right away, feel free to call
me at 403 627-2460 or e-mail me at Brett Wuth .
2000 Provincial Conference:
--------------------------
The conference in Red Deer was a great success. We'd all like to thank
the many of volunteers that made it possible.
Where is the the next conference going to be? We haven't received any
proposals yet. It was anticipated Calgary SAR would offer to host it.
But unfortunately, they feel they cannot take it on for the coming year.
Could your group or a combination of groups in your region host the
conference next April? If you're interested let us know and we can give
you some more information.
Morinville Regional Elections:
-----------------------------
The Morinville Region will have regional elections in late June or early
July. For details, contact the current Regional Representative, Calvin
Freigang at 780 778-2868.
Chartered Flight to SAR Scene 1999 in Newfoundland:
--------------------------------------------------
The national conference was in Banff last Fall. We all remember it as
a very interesting and useful gathering. The conference this Fall is
in Newfoundland. Tony Romano is looking at a group purchase or chartered
flight to get the best price on the trip there and back. If you're interested,
contact Tony at .
Mall Display, Call for Help:
---------------------------
We've been asked several times, most recently in Lethbridge, whether
SAR Alberta has any display materials (photos, pamphlets, perhaps a
banner) that can be used to attract new members. Such things would of
course be especially useful where there is not yet an established group.
Unfortunately we don't yet have a collection. Do you have some material
to offer? Would you be willing to coordinate this project? Please let
me know .
Lethbridge Ground SAR Group Forming:
-----------------------------------
Lethbridge has a search dog group, LASARDA. Now there is an effort to
form a ground SAR group. If you know of anyone who would like to participate
you can contact Grant Hignell at 403 329-5080 or .
Claresholm SAR Group Starting:
-----------------------------
Some interest has been expressed in starting a SAR group in Claresholm.
For information contact Glen White at 403 625-4280.
Mascot:
------
Calgary SAR has a mascot, "Tracker", which you probably saw at the Red
Deer conference. Tony Romano is interested to hear how the mascot may
be used by other groups. If you're interested contact him at .
Sharing SAR Fundamentals Lesson Plans:
-------------------------------------
As a SAR Fundamentals instructor, would you like to share lesson plans
with other instructors to make your life easier? The Crowsnest Pass
Detachment has offered to collect lesson plans for distribution to other
instructors that want them. Contact Cst. Guy Marcotte at 403 562-2867
or mail
Cst. Guy Marcotte
Crowsnest Pass RCMP Detachment
Box 1200
Blairmore, Ab
T0K 0E0
Linking Command Centres:
-----------------------
When a large search happens and more than one command centre is called
out, how do you coordinate between them? Tony Romano is interested in
starting a discussion on this subject. E-mail him at .
Magnetic Vehicle Signs:
----------------------
Bob Costa is looking at purchasing detachable reflective magnetic signs
that say "Search and Rescue" for placing on vehicles that are used at
a search. You can see how they would be useful for vehicles used for
confinement on roadways. Bob's interested in getting a bulk purchase
together to lower the price. If your group is interested in getting
such signs contact Bob at 403 628-2263. He needs to know numbers by
the end of June.
Let's hear from you!
-------------------
What project are you working on? What effort would you like to see started?
What are the needs in your area? Let us know and we'll pass the word
in future mailings. E-mail Brett Wuth at or call 403
627-2460.
Please let me know what you thought of this first mailing and whether
you would like to receive future ones.
Take Care,
---------
Brett Wuth wuth@acm.org wuth@telusplanet.net bwuth@cuug.ab.ca
Box 1251-U, Pincher Creek, Alberta T0K 1W0, CANADA Tel:+1 403 627-2460
pgp-public-keys@uit.no has mine; Print=E4F8EDEECBE01AD2FA3D8B2D94B1A292
What is the meaning of life?! Yes.
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