colonel commandant’s report to annual general meeting, army cadet league of british columbia...
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Colonel Commandant’s Report
to
Annual General Meeting, Army Cadet League of British Columbia
Vernon, BC
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Colonel Commandant’s Report
to
Annual General Meeting, Army Cadet League of British Columbia
Vernon, BC
Saturday, 24 April 2010
R.G. Meating
Col Cmdt since Sep 07
R.G. Meating
Col Cmdt since Sep 07
A N
A R M Y C A D E T ’ S V I E W
A N
A R M Y C A D E T ’ S V I E W
R.G. Meating
The Oldest Army Cadet since Sep 07
Purpose
Background
Our Raison d'Être(Their Perspective and Environment)
Purpose
Background
Our Raison d'Être(Their Perspective and Environment)
PRESENTATION SEQUENCEPRESENTATION SEQUENCE
MY AIMMY AIM
a current, third-party, outsider reportof Army Cadets in Canada
a current, third-party, outsider reportof Army Cadets in Canada
to give you the leadership and membership of ACLC,to give you the leadership and membership of ACLC,
a critically vital element of the community-based ‘RC Army Cadet team’,
a critically vital element of the community-based ‘RC Army Cadet team’,
and to appeal for your continued ‘volunteered’ leadership, involvement and talents.
and to appeal for your continued ‘volunteered’ leadership, involvement and talents.
BACKGROUND (1)BACKGROUND (1)
• I have unique ability to compare and contrast• I have unique ability to compare and contrast
• Good access to ‘Army Cadet team’ • Good access to ‘Army Cadet team’ • with cadets• with cadets• with parents• with parents• with Army• with Army• with DCdts (Army) staff• with DCdts (Army) staff
• with CIC leadership at CSTCs• with CIC leadership at CSTCs
Deductions / Assessments are Mine, based on described interaction
Please do not take them personally
Deductions / Assessments are Mine, based on described interaction
Please do not take them personally
• with national office ACLC• with national office ACLC
• I listen, ask, learn and explore. While not scientific, I am convinced that my deductions are accurate.
• I have validated my deductions with senior cadets and parents from across Canada.
• Remember: I am seen by the cadets as the oldest Army cadet, a disarming but interested adult. They love speaking with ‘the General – oldest Army cadet’: “that’s cool”
• I listen, ask, learn and explore. While not scientific, I am convinced that my deductions are accurate.
• I have validated my deductions with senior cadets and parents from across Canada.
• Remember: I am seen by the cadets as the oldest Army cadet, a disarming but interested adult. They love speaking with ‘the General – oldest Army cadet’: “that’s cool”
BACKGROUND (2)BACKGROUND (2)
Above all else & Most Important for MeAbove all else & Most Important for Me
I have met, spoken with and learned from thousands of cadets and hundreds of parents, program leaders and volunteers
I have met, spoken with and learned from thousands of cadets and hundreds of parents, program leaders and volunteers
I have conducted formal and informal focus sessions and in-depth discussions with senior cadets on their turf and in their comfort zones. Likewise, where possible, with groups of parents.
I have conducted formal and informal focus sessions and in-depth discussions with senior cadets on their turf and in their comfort zones. Likewise, where possible, with groups of parents.
BACKGROUND (3)BACKGROUND (3)
Our Raison d'Être – the Army CadetOur Raison d'Être – the Army Cadet
G e n e r a l l y, t h e y a r e :VIBRANTBRIGHTQUICKARTICULATEWELL-INFORMEDWELL-CONNECTED (DIGITALLY)KINDSINCERETALENTEDHAPPYRESPECTFULOPINIONATEDGENEROUSCARINGPROUD
G e n e r a l l y, t h e y a r e :VIBRANTBRIGHTQUICKARTICULATEWELL-INFORMEDWELL-CONNECTED (DIGITALLY)KINDSINCERETALENTEDHAPPYRESPECTFULOPINIONATEDGENEROUSCARINGPROUD
GR8T
Ambassadors of the CCM
Products of the team effort
Sons & daughters
Future citizens and leaders
Team members
GR8T
Ambassadors of the CCM
Products of the team effort
Sons & daughters
Future citizens and leaders
Team members
&&
MY CONCLUSIONS
Our Raison d'ÊtreOur Raison d'Être
It is a very complex, modern, sophisticated and interdependent environment.
A Cadet’s EnvironmentA Cadet’s Environment
L o o k a t i t a s a n e w c a d e t ( 1 2 – 1 3 y o )
L o o k a t i t a s a d e v e l o p i n g c a d e t ( 1 3 , 1 4 , 1 5 , 1 6 y o )
L o o k a t i t a s a n e x p e r i e n c e d s e n i o r c a d e t ( 1 6 , 1 7 , 1 8 y o )
B u i l d T h a t E n v i r o n m e n t
CadetCadet
CadetCadet
LeadersCorps &
CSTC
LeadersCorps &
CSTC
Friends who are other Cadets
Friends who are other Cadets
SchoolSchool
ProgramCorps &
CSTC
ProgramCorps &
CSTC
CommunityCommunity
ParentsParents
SponsorAffiliated
Unit
SponsorAffiliated
Unit
Adult Support
Committee
Adult Support
Committee
Awarenessof cadets
& program
Awarenessof cadets
& program
FacilityProvision or Rent
FacilityProvision or Rent
Competitive Domaine
Competitive Domaine
Police& Service Orgs
Police& Service Orgs
ElectedMedia
NeighboursBusiness ldrsOther Youth
ElectedMedia
NeighboursBusiness ldrsOther Youth
SupportiveNOT
involved
SupportiveNOT
involvedSupportive
&Involved
Supportive&
InvolvedNOT
Supportiveor involved
NOT Supportiveor involved
YesYes
NoNo
1 or 21 or 2
SupportiveNOT
involved
SupportiveNOT
involvedSupportive
&Involved
Supportive&
InvolvedNOT
Supportiveor involved
NOT Supportiveor involved
Volunteer Capacity,
Acceptance & Capability
Volunteer Capacity,
Acceptance & Capability
Create A Strong
Bond
Create A Strong
Bond
Remain or Move On
Remain or Move On
Role ModelsRole
Models
MotivationalMotivational
Inv
es
ted
in
th
em
Inv
es
ted
in
th
em
SeenHave Earned
Respect
SeenHave Earned
Respect
Interested & Knowledgeable
Interested & Knowledgeable
Challenging& Well-
Delivered
Challenging& Well-
Delivered
Diversity& AppealDiversity& Appeal
Achievement& Pride
Achievement& Pride
0pportunity
0pportunity
Cool ??Cool ??PhilosophySupportive
or NOT
PhilosophySupportive
or NOT
FacilityProvision or Rent
FacilityProvision or Rent
Awarenessof cadets
& program
Awarenessof cadets
& program
Friendsother
Students
Friendsother
StudentsTeachers& School
Board
Teachers& School
Board
CadetCadet
LeadersCorps &
CSTC
LeadersCorps &
CSTC
Friends who are other Cadets
Friends who are other Cadets
SchoolSchool
ProgramCorps &
CSTC
ProgramCorps &
CSTC
CommunityCommunity
ParentsParents
It is a complex, sophisticated and interdependent environment.
Our Raison d'ÊtreOur Raison d'Être
A Cadet’s EnvironmentA Cadet’s Environment
Our Raison d’Etre and His/Her EnvironmentOur Raison d’Etre and His/Her Environment
WHAT ARMY CADETS ARE TELLING EACH OTHER & MEWHAT ARMY CADETS ARE TELLING EACH OTHER & ME
• We thrive on activity – being out-of-doors, doing expedition-type things we can’t do at home.
• I work for rewards, awards, medals and promotions (i.e. being singled out), BUT I take as much pride in my friends/other cadets’ successes and my corps being recognized.
• I am tech-savvy and a multi-task specialist far beyond the capacity of many of the adults who influence me.
• I love making family proud. Family pride is a key motivator.
• My BFFs are most likely other cadets (distance is not a barrier).
• We thrive on activity – being out-of-doors, doing expedition-type things we can’t do at home.
• I work for rewards, awards, medals and promotions (i.e. being singled out), BUT I take as much pride in my friends/other cadets’ successes and my corps being recognized.
• I am tech-savvy and a multi-task specialist far beyond the capacity of many of the adults who influence me.
• I love making family proud. Family pride is a key motivator.
• My BFFs are most likely other cadets (distance is not a barrier).
• Shooting is essential to Army cadets.
• I recognize and despise disorganization – at LHQ and at summer camp.
• I hate being disappointed as much as the disorganization.
• My corps leaders are not necessarily apparent to all of the cadets – I think they spend too much time on personal administration and are not focused enough on me and the younger newer cadets:
• I associate the word “Officer” with OFFICE.• I teach the leadership in my corps.• Many of my officers and CO don’t know the names of their cadets –
drives green stars away.
• I have tremendous respect for and pride in being ARMY. I want to feel, touch, meet, be exposed to ‘heroes’, ‘real Army soldiers’.
• Shooting is essential to Army cadets.
• I recognize and despise disorganization – at LHQ and at summer camp.
• I hate being disappointed as much as the disorganization.
• My corps leaders are not necessarily apparent to all of the cadets – I think they spend too much time on personal administration and are not focused enough on me and the younger newer cadets:
• I associate the word “Officer” with OFFICE.• I teach the leadership in my corps.• Many of my officers and CO don’t know the names of their cadets –
drives green stars away.
• I have tremendous respect for and pride in being ARMY. I want to feel, touch, meet, be exposed to ‘heroes’, ‘real Army soldiers’.
Our Raison d’Etre and His/Her EnvironmentOur Raison d’Etre and His/Her Environment
WHAT ARMY CADETS ARE TELLING EACH OTHER & MEWHAT ARMY CADETS ARE TELLING EACH OTHER & ME
Our Raison d’Etre and His/Her EnvironmentOur Raison d’Etre and His/Her Environment
WHAT ARMY CADETS ARE TELLING EACH OTHER & MEWHAT ARMY CADETS ARE TELLING EACH OTHER & ME
• I am concerned that as I grew in the program, the number of challenges and opportunities decreased for senior cadets. As a result, other activities (school, sports, social) drove away some of my friends who were not selected for the higher-end events.
• The PR program of the RCACCs and the CCM in general and specifically where I live “sucks”. As a senior graduating cadet, I ask: “why weren’t we (senior cadets) involved?”
• I know there is a need for ‘structure’ and routine at my corps and summer camp, but I have determined that it drives away newbies, who do not want to be yelled and screamed at. I can also tell you that it can be worse at summer camp, because the staff comes from differing backgrounds/approaches.
• I am concerned that as I grew in the program, the number of challenges and opportunities decreased for senior cadets. As a result, other activities (school, sports, social) drove away some of my friends who were not selected for the higher-end events.
• The PR program of the RCACCs and the CCM in general and specifically where I live “sucks”. As a senior graduating cadet, I ask: “why weren’t we (senior cadets) involved?”
• I know there is a need for ‘structure’ and routine at my corps and summer camp, but I have determined that it drives away newbies, who do not want to be yelled and screamed at. I can also tell you that it can be worse at summer camp, because the staff comes from differing backgrounds/approaches.
• I can also tell you that the ‘Coolness’ factor does exist – those of us who stay have worked around it in our own ways; others quit.
• I think the Army Cadet program should have attracted more of my friends.
• I want to be heard and treated seriously. My opinion counts.
• As a senior cadet, I am very positive and appreciative about what the CCM and what Army Cadets has done for me. I am concerned about the program remaining relevant and the reducing size of my cadet corps. I do not want to see Army Cadets becoming another ‘youth’ program or Boy Scouts. I don’t know how to fix the problems, but I am willing to help.
• I can also tell you that the ‘Coolness’ factor does exist – those of us who stay have worked around it in our own ways; others quit.
• I think the Army Cadet program should have attracted more of my friends.
• I want to be heard and treated seriously. My opinion counts.
• As a senior cadet, I am very positive and appreciative about what the CCM and what Army Cadets has done for me. I am concerned about the program remaining relevant and the reducing size of my cadet corps. I do not want to see Army Cadets becoming another ‘youth’ program or Boy Scouts. I don’t know how to fix the problems, but I am willing to help.
Our Raison d’Etre and His/Her EnvironmentOur Raison d’Etre and His/Her Environment
WHAT ARMY CADETS ARE TELLING EACH OTHER & MEWHAT ARMY CADETS ARE TELLING EACH OTHER & ME
Our Team and its ChallengesOur Team and its Challenges
• One size does not fit all. BUT you MUST BELIEVE that you can achieve results, successes locally. Small victories – keep plugging away.
• Involvement is more than attending ACRs.
• Work with uniformed leaders – generally younger
• Become working boards of volunteers, rather than presence & governance boards
• Use your access, age and maturity – your Rolodexes to Constituency Build
• Use cadets as spokespersons. PROUDLY Expose OUR PRODUCT
• Take a cadet with you to Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc
• PROMOTE ……. REINFORCE SUCCESS
• One size does not fit all. BUT you MUST BELIEVE that you can achieve results, successes locally. Small victories – keep plugging away.
• Involvement is more than attending ACRs.
• Work with uniformed leaders – generally younger
• Become working boards of volunteers, rather than presence & governance boards
• Use your access, age and maturity – your Rolodexes to Constituency Build
• Use cadets as spokespersons. PROUDLY Expose OUR PRODUCT
• Take a cadet with you to Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc
• PROMOTE ……. REINFORCE SUCCESS
WHAT CAN THE ACLC DO??WHAT CAN THE ACLC DO??
• Your involvement (successful involvement) is essential. You are the community FROM which the cadet comes.
• REIGNITE YOURSELVES, RECOMMIT TO THIS NATIONAL NOBLE ENDEAVOUR I would suggest that each Branch needs to work on succession planning – you have to find and groom your replacements. Otherwise the situation is stagnant and unhealthy.
• REACH BACK – KIDS DON’T REACH FORWARD
• IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU & ME – ITS ABOUT YOU AND YOUNG CANADIANS
• Your involvement (successful involvement) is essential. You are the community FROM which the cadet comes.
• REIGNITE YOURSELVES, RECOMMIT TO THIS NATIONAL NOBLE ENDEAVOUR I would suggest that each Branch needs to work on succession planning – you have to find and groom your replacements. Otherwise the situation is stagnant and unhealthy.
• REACH BACK – KIDS DON’T REACH FORWARD
• IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU & ME – ITS ABOUT YOU AND YOUNG CANADIANS
WHAT CAN THE ACLC DO??WHAT CAN THE ACLC DO??
Our Team and its ChallengesOur Team and its Challenges
Army Cadets Chose the Wording on the Colonel Commandant’s CoinArmy Cadets Chose the Wording on the Colonel Commandant’s Coin
“PROGRAM BUY-IN” or “MAINTAINING RELEVANCY and CONNECTION”“PROGRAM BUY-IN” or “MAINTAINING RELEVANCY and CONNECTION”
Here is a t r ibute to a l l the adul t leaders in the Army Cadet Leagues who have been fear less and
learned to use the computer and other new technologies to keep in touch wi th and re levant
to next generat ions . . . . . . . . . . .
You are cool ! ! !
T H E C O M P U T E R S WA L L O W E D M Y G R A N D PA .Y E S , H O N E S T LY I T S T R U E ! !
H E P R E S S E D ‘ C O N T R O L’ A N D ‘ E N T E R ’A N D D I S A P P E A R E D F R O M V I E W.
I T D E V O U R E D H I M C O M P L E T E LY.T H E T H O U G H T J U S T M A K E S M E S Q U I R M .
H E M U S T H AV E C A U G H T A V I R U SO R B E E N E AT E N B Y A W O R M .
I ‘ V E S E A R C H E D T H R O U G H T H E R E C Y C L E B I NA N D F I L E S O F E V E RY K I N D ;
I ‘ V E E V E N U S E D T H E I N T E R N E T,B U T N O T H I N G D I D I F I N D .
I N D E S PA R AT I O N , I H AV E A S K E D J E E V E SM Y S E A R C H E S T O R E F I N E .
T H E R E P LY F R O M H I M WA S N E G AT I V E ,N O T A T H I N G WA S F O U N D ‘ O N L I N E . ’
S O , I F I N S I D E Y O U R ‘ I N B O X , ’M Y G R A N PA Y O U S H O U L D S E E ,
P L E A S E ‘ C O P Y, S C A N ’ A N D ‘ PA S T E ’ H I MA N D S E N D H I M B A C K T O M E .
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