Last updated: February 25, 1999
Compiled by Jennifer Walker, Edmonton AB
06 Jun 1997
Just wondering, I heard that in Alberta, the position of Provincial
Senior Branches Adviser has been discontinued with the resignation of the
current one. Do other provinces have this position, and if so, are they
active in promoting Senior Branches in the province? We used to have a
Provincial Ranger Adviser and a Provincial Cadet Adviser, and a few years
ago the positions were combined (and incorporated JL's).
I'm concerned that there is now no one to facilitate communication among Senior Branches units and JL's in Alberta, nor to specifically promote Senior Branches and raise awareness that they exist. We do have our Alberta Senior Branches Council, but not all units (and not many JL's) actually attend - so if the thought is that ASBC will fill the gap, I'm not sure it will work. I presume the Program Committee is responsible for these aspects, as it was this committee that the SB Adviser was a member of - but hopefully they remember the Senior Branches.
I'm curious to know what happens in other provinces - we had a thread about provincial SB events like Aggie in Ontario, but didn't really get into provincial support/ organization regarding Senior branches. Maybe I'm worried about nothing, that it really isn't needed. Except I keep thinking that with the right person in the position, they could do so much to promote Senior Branches...
Jennifer Walker
8 Jun 1997
In B.C. There is a Sr. Branches Adviser as well as a Ranger, Cadet,
and Jr. Leader Advisers. I don't know how well there promoting the Sr.
Branches because they sure aren't doing it up here. We do our own promoting
up here, the Area Sr. Branches Adviser doesn't even pop up that often,
other then a yearly report. The actual Sr. Branches are doing great promoting
though, helping out at events and such.
> > but will they remember the Senior Branches?
I would say it's more will they remember the differences? and not alienate
us by treating us too much like the other branches? Scouts Canada now has
a Youth Delegate at the different levels. Generally a Venture of Rover
who helps promote the Sr. levels as well as a link between the adults and
the youth without being "intimidating" as much. Instead of just asking
the adults generally about programme changes, the youth are asked and such.
I think this is something Guiding should consider as well. Sort of like
Jennifer but even younger.
Rosemary Smith
7 Jun 1997
I really don't know the "official" word on this, but it's my understanding
that Senior Branches has now been incorporated back into Program which
now comes under Training. That's apparently how it works in my Area and
I understand they are following Province's lead. I think it has something
to do with the attitude that Senior Branches are youth branches just like
Sparks, Brownies, etc. and therefore shouldn't get any more special treatment
than the rest of them. Not my opinion, just what I've heard.
The Senior Branches events are still going as far as I know (although the other branches don't have anything like this) so I don't know how much of this is true or just grapevine talk. -- Kathy Pechmann
08 Jun 1997
In our Area, the Link Adviser and Senior Branches Adviser are sub-committees
under the umbrella of the Area Program Adviser. -- Jean Reid
8 Jun 1997
In Ontario, Senior Branches is now a part of the Resource Committee
(formerly the Provincial Program Committee). Some areas have retained their
ASBC's. Others have not. I know for sure that White Oaks and Willow Bluffs
do not have ASBC's but I'm not sure of the other areas in Ontario. -- Barb
11 Jun 1997
I'm not sure but I have vague recollections from an Area Sr. Br. meeting
quite a while back that the Provincial Sr Br position was being moved to
program committee.. It's not clear yet how this will affect Sr. Br. in
Ontario but I guess we'll have to wait and see.. I can't be positive that
this has actually occured either.. having just moved I'm not sure where
my Area Sr Br minutes are..let alone the ones for that meeting. -- Susan
Thorpe
7 Jun 1997
Nova Scotia does have the Provincial position of Senior Branches Coordinator,
although there is a separate position for Cadet Adviser. I believe that
the SB Coord. is a part of the Program Committee, while Cadets fall under
Training, at least here.
Robin O'Hara
07 Jun 1997
I think we have a provincial one, let's see if I can find out. Hmm.
No, but I see we have a head of YWC & it is Jennifer Cessford of this
list. But we havea Senior Branches rep at Area. Our brand-new S.B.A. is
a doll! She applied for Nat.Forum, & I have always felt badly that
I went instead. I can't wait for her to take over ! She is a wacky Australian
- if you ever met her you would never forget her! For so long our local
Rangers have done nothing it will be hard to get them moving. But there
are some not far away who actually keep active. Once upon a time they did
make that trip to Baffin Island. But they have done nothing since, including
(or especially) bridging!
Helen Archibald