colonel commandant’s report to annual general meeting, army cadet league of british columbia...

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”


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.


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


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


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



Awarenessof cadets

& program

Awarenessof cadets

& program

Friendsother

Students

Friendsother

StudentsTeachers& School

Board

Teachers& School

Board

CadetCadet

LeadersCorps &

CSTC

LeadersCorps &

CSTC



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’.





• 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 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 .

colonel commandant’s report to annual general meeting, army cadet league of british columbia...

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