Link in Western Canada

Last updated: October 11, 1999

Compiled by Jennifer Walker, Edmonton AB 

British Columbia

4 Feb 1998
Our group is formally called the Fraser Delta Lost Link and is comprised of approximately 10 young women, 1/2 of whom are also leaders.. We try to meet once a month or so but it really varies according to our schedules. Our first camp was last year at a BC wide Scout/Guide Co-ed event called Skeeter. I think we were the first ever Link group to register at this camp in all its history and consequently they looked at us kind of funny when we registered - 3 of us went to the camp. But that's okay because it's not the last that they will hear from us. We worked together during the camp in conjunction with the Ranger group from the area which was also there on the various camp challenges and theme events. Together, we won the Spirit award for the camp which is an impressive feat as there are over 500 people who attend this weekend.

We had a few meetings during the fall of 1997 and during the end of November, we helped with the BC Aviation Council's silent auction.

This month, the same three of us from the Skeeter camp are going winter camping at Manning Park - Rovent. The three of us are going again going in conjunction with the Rangers to cut down on costs as this camp is fairly expensive due to its location and weather conditions. The difference between Rovent and Skeeter (both being co-ed Scout/Guiding) is that Rovent was actually started by the Rangers many, many years ago.

Upcoming events include skating, Laser tag as a bridging event with the Rangers and community service at the local Chamber of Commerce silent auction.
--Julie Wilson, Richmond BC

22 Sept 1997
I just wanted to print a little note about Link in BC - specifically Fraser Delta Area (Richmond, Delta - near Vancouver). We have officially started an active Link group called "The Lost Link". We have approximately 10 people who are involved but we are looking for more. -- Julie Wilson

12 Jan 1997
My experience in Link has basically amounted to getting a Provincial Link newsletter a few times a year. I've been a Link for a year and a half now (since I started university) and I've found it pretty boring! But I guess that's to be expected! We just got a new Provincial Link Adviser and she has put a lot more effort into the newsletters and has also arranged a few get-togethers for Links in the Vancouver area as well as encouraged Links to meet up in other parts of B.C. -- Fiona Steele

6 Sep 1996

Link in B.C. is organized on a provincial basis. We get a newsletter sent to us about once every four months - supposedly (I've only recieved and I've been involved for one year). We also get the Canadian Guider, and the Pipeline (provincial magazine). I believe there are some Link groups in the Lower Mainland, but I am the only one that I know about here in Prince George. However, I have made friends with a local Guide leader, and so I have become involved in many local Guiding events, camps, etc. -- Mandy Wilson

Alberta

1997 Annual Report for Alberta Link

Membership in Link increased again in 1996-97 to about 70, with again a majority either in Edmonton or Calgary during the school year. An encouraging development is the increasing number of Link members in Lethbridge, such that they were able to have a Link get-together and are planning further activities there - congratulations! That makes active Link groups in three locations in Alberta, in addition to the many Link members elsewhere in Alberta (and also in France and the U.S.) who keep in touch via our provincial Link newsletter, e-mail, and our Alberta Link webpage, as well as receiving Blue-Print and Canadian Guider.

Two Alberta Link members were chosen to work as House Assistants at World Centres, at Our Chalet and at Sangam. Several members received their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards from H.R.H. Prince Phillip in Calgary in March. Many Link members help regularly in units, either unofficially or as Guiders. Calgary activities included such things as craft nights, day trips to Drumheller, a summer camp, and acting as hostesses for the Provincial Multi-Faceted Training held in the spring. Edmonton Link held a very successful winter residential camp in January at Sandy Lake, as well as a potluck dinner and a wall climbing night. The highlight of the year was the first Provincial Link Event, a cross between a conference and a camp, held in September 1997 at Tangletrees. Participants there challenged Link members in Calgary to host the next one!

As Link Adviser, I did some bridging by visiting Ranger units in both Edmonton and Medicine Hat, and I had planned to attend the Spring ASBC as well (but was unable to at the last minute). I have continued to write articles for Blue-Print in order to inform all Guiding members about Link, and I have continued my correspondence with other Provincial Link Advisers, to share ideas about Link and to support one another in our quest to keep many of these women involved in Guiding.

Over the upcoming year, we hope to increase the number of active Link groups in the province, and to increase awareness of Link among Senior Branch members.

Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Walker, Provincial Link Adviser

Calgary Area

7 Jan 1998
We had 2 successful Christmas parties - a cookie exchange at Sandra's and a wacky gift exchange at Lyn's. Were also able hear about Tirian's experience at Sangam. She has promised more info about Nepal, India and Australia next time.

As for upcoming events, our next meeting will be Sunday, Jan 11 at 9 am at the Guide Center. This will be a planning meeting, followed by cross coutry skiing at 10:30 (please bring lunch). An RSVP to me by the 9th would be appreciate so that we can plan transportation (for the skiing).
--Angela Dawson

21 Sept 1997
-Calgary Area has a record number of registrants for this year. It was fabulous to see a number of new faces around the table, hey soon we will have to add chairs.
-A trip to Drumheller is planned for October 5th.
-Anyone intested in helping out the the Wild Winter Night at the Calgary Zoo, please call Amber. She can use the extra help with her Brownie Pack.
-November 16th is a craft night at Lyn's place. Please RSVP to her if you will attend. Dinner (pasta) is planned for 6 with the craft to start at 7.
-We would like to do a pot luck at Sandra's in December, but she was not there to give and OK. Will have to check with her.
--Angela Dawson

27 Nov 1996 - Link Report 1995-1996
Calgary Area Link tried to undertake one activity a month. On the whole, we were rather successful. Amongst our many activities, we helped out with the Fall Fair at Heritage Park (old fashioned sylte Guide Unit) and as CLCs for other leaders. We attended events run by other groups (Hike for Hunger, Calgary Area Christmas Social, Area Dinner and Thinking Day Ceremony) and organized many evening for our and others' enjoyment (Trefoil Guild/Link Pot Luck Dinner, Movie Night, Skating Evenings at the Olympic Oval, a Ski Dday in the Kananaskis, Craft Nights and Information Night about one member's work term in St. Petersburg).

Over the summer many members undertook expeditions for their Duke of Edinburgh Award (hiking and canoeing) and one member attended was part of the service team for the WAGGGS conference. It was certainly a busy year, and with 14 members for 1996/1997, we are looking for a repeat.
--Angela Dawson

Lethbridge Link (Chinook Area)

Right now, nothing is really happening except for some presentations about International Guiding. I'm trying to set up a coffee night. I have to give a presentation on Link in March to Area. --Erin Coyne

Manitoba

17 Nov 1997
In terms of what I do as Link here, the answer is not much. I get the mailings (i.e., Canadian Guider and Provincial stuff) but since there are so few links in MB, and since lots of them are out of town (lots go to Brandon University) there's not many real opportunities for us to get together. Plus, I'm really busy with school, so I don't have the time to get together with a unit to help out or anything.
--Meaghan Buchanan, Winnipeg

01 Mar 1997
Manitoba Link is pretty slow. I'm trying not to get discouraged. As far as members go, I don't seem to have any luck getting them to come out to any events at all. Some of them are independently involved in guiding groups on their own. This year I have developed a brochure, a new registration format, and a portable display to help with getting some awareness out there and hopefully increasing our numbers as well.

It's a slow fight. I have one area commissioner that refuses to have anything to do with Link, and I just got a complaint from another member that her Area refuses to acknowledge that she is an adult. She keeps getting letters addressed to "the parents of".

It's an uphill battle, but I think my Training Committee is finally realizing that Link deserves a little more attention, and certainly needs more recognition that they are adults, and usually more qualified and experienced that most Guiding adults. I'm on the agenda for our meeting next week to address some of the Link problems. Hopefully they will help me with some solutions.
-- Lynn Nolden, MB Provincial Link Adviser