Jim Carruthers at the Ceremony for the Canadian Naval Centennial Namesake Ship Poster Presentation to the City of Gatineau
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PATRON H.R.H. THE PRINCE PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH OTTAWA BRANCH THE NAVAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA Box 505, Station B, Ottawa, ON K1P 5P6 “To make all levels of Government and the general public clearly aware of the vital need for, and value of adequate and effective Maritime security forces to protect and further the interests of Canada.” (Branch Constitution, Article III.) 47.01 “Trying the depth of the water and the quality of the bottom line.…” May 2011 Jim Carruthers at the ceremony for the Canadian Naval Centennial namesake ship poster presentation to the City of Gatineau. Jim spent his sub-lieutenant time in HMCS Gatineau. See Jim’s cover story on the gestation and birth of his SHINPADS concept, starting on page 8. Soundings May 2011 1 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ From the President of the Naval Centennial provided numerous By Bob Bush opportunities for members of the Ottawa Branch to demonstrate this ongoing support Dear Fellow Branch Members: to the Navy. I have asked the Editor to Almost six years ago, when I was in include Fred Herrndorf’s report on Ottawa the process of retiring from the Navy, Branch participation in Centennial events for Heather Armstrong asked me if I would everyone’s information and to illustrate the consider joining the Ottawa Branch and level of our support to the important task of serve on the Board of Directors as Vice- bringing Canada’s Navy to Canadians. President. I was not sure what I was getting Renewal has also driven and increased myself into, but I was honoured to be asked. recognition of the responsibility we have to As I took up the position I quickly realized one another in the naval family. Denny that I was in the company of an incredible Boyle, as Director Member Support has done group of individuals, and somewhat humbled an excellent job of formalizing this task, and to be serving in a leadership position as a through his and his team’s efforts, has lent new “recruit” to the organization. During support where it has been needed within our these past five or so years it has been a community. challenge and a pleasure to be involved in Recently, I had the pleasure of some truly significant changes and events accompanying my wife Cheryl to Rideau Hall that, I believe, will help to position the NOAC as she was inducted into the Order of as a meaningful voice in the support of Military Merit as a Member. You will all things Navy. either know Cheryl, or will have seen her on One of the first challenges that I was the Navy’s Centennial stamp (it was a good introduced to on joining was a realization of year for her overall – not bad for a Reservist!). the need for rejuvenation of the organization, During the ceremony, I reflected on the primarily to address declining membership recognition of exemplary service that the and the resulting decline in the operating Order of Military Merit represents. Having funds that are contributed by membership witnessed a number of speeches during the dues. We were able to convince Russ Fowler Centennial year, I noted that many to make a study of the issue as an presenters used statistics to drive home their Organizational Consulting Project, the final messages. I decided to put together some “exam” in his two year MBA program at statistics of my own. Within the Ottawa Royal Roads University. Russ’s thorough Branch alone, and of those who list their report resulted in a number of renewal decorations (only about 50% of us), we have initiatives which continue today and include: four Commanders and sixteen Officers of the updating of the Guidance Manual; an MOU Order, and there are numerous other very with the Navy; and a move towards greater notable decorations. This is representative of cooperation with the Navy League that the calibre of individuals in our membership includes NOAC participation in Navy and I presume in the membership of other Appreciation Day on Parliament Hill. These branches. It is something for which we initiatives were guided and driven by Richard rarely give ourselves credit as we tend to take Archer in his role as National Executive for granted the considerable store of relevant Director, and we owe Richard a great deal of experience within our organization that can thanks for his outstanding contribution. To be brought to bear in supporting the Navy. report on the success of recruitment, since Of the initiatives that have occurred 2005 we have had approximately 50 new recently, two stand out as areas where the members join. Ottawa Branch can positively contribute. Beyond the welcome addition of new First, we have begun to send copies of members to the branch, the renewal Soundings to members of Parliament and the initiative has prompted an increased Senate. This publication will be read by recognition of, and attention to, our role in many influential individuals. I believe that support of the Navy. Last year’s celebration we can use this forum not only to educate, 2 Soundings May 2011 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ but to connect with these decision makers in Dues for 2011 were increased by a majority informed and relevant debate. I know of few vote of the attending membership at the naval officers serving or retired who do not 2010 Annual General Meeting to: have an opinion on most subjects, and I Ordinary and Associate Members: encourage you to voice these opinions, Local: $80.00 particularly on issues of importance to the Out-of-Town: $70.00 Navy today. Second, Jim Carruthers is Serving Officers: $45.00 nominated as incoming President and will be Special Associate: $45.00 involved in planning the 2012 NOAC National AGM in Ottawa. I know that he intends to “Out-of-Town” is defined as residing more increase the visibility and relevance of this than 40km from HMCS BYTOWN. forum to address current naval issues. Subject to AGM approval, Tom DeWolf will Besides normal branch activity, membership take the lead as Director 2012 Conference, a includes delivery of Starshell and Soundings new, if temporary, position on the Board. I and the Membership Directory. ask that you to support Tom and Jim in this initiative, and indeed in all of Jim’s tasks as Recruiting nominated incoming President. As of March 2011, the Branch has 305 The slate of nominations for officers members, of whom some 99 are Life for the upcoming Ottawa Branch AGM in members, either paid or honorary. Since May is being prepared. I can tell you that October 2010, 5 new members have joined, subject to AGM approval, one of our two plus 3 one-year Honorary members (who Directors-at-Large is moving into a formal recently swallowed the anchor), while 12 position. If you have a nomination for members have left the branch. Most of the Director-at-Large, or any other position for new members were encouraged to join by that matter, please forward it to me. current members. So, while we have had It has been an honour and a pleasure some success in getting folks to join, I ask all to serve as Vice-President and President of of you to recruit new blood at every the Ottawa Branch since 2005, and I thank opportunity. They can contact me to join, or the members of the Board and the Branch use the membership page of the Branch who have made the past 5 years such a website at: rewarding experience. I look forward to www.noac.ottawa.on.ca/Members.htm continued participation as Past-President and the continued growth and success of our Possible Changes to Membership Rules Branch. Yours aye, Bob Bush S At the AGM in May 2011, I will be proposing some changes to the Branch Membership Report constitution concerning categories of By Eric Deslauriers membership. Currently we have at least seven different categories of members defined Annual Dues for 2011 in our constitution and my proposal is to Annual dues are for the calendar year, simplify that structure. A copy of the and 2011 dues should have reached the proposed changes will be forwarded to Branch Treasurer by 31st December 2010. members prior to the AGM and the Your tax receipt is dated when the Treasurer membership will make the decision at the receives your contribution. As of late March AGM. I will outline whatever changes are 2011, approximately 80 members had not yet decided by the AGM in the fall Soundings. paid 2011 dues. If you are amongst the 80, now would be an excellent time to pay Membership Directory up. In April I will be attempting to contact The Membership Directory is all those of you who are still in arrears. published once a year and mailed with the hard copy version of the fall Soundings. For those who read Soundings on the Branch Soundings May 2011 3 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ web site, you will notice the Membership number of scholarships awarded annually by Directory is not posted there, for reasons of the Foundation. personal security. If you want a copy, send Under the presidency of RAdm(ret’d) me an email and I will provide. Tim Porter and supported by a four member board of directors ( Jake Freill , Dick Contact Information Ratcliffe , Richard Summers and Al I maintain contact information for all Kennedy ) and a part time administrator, the branch members, which are published in the Foundation awarded ten sea cadet Fall Soundings as the Membership Directory, scholarships in 2008 and 2009 and and used for mailing, both by the Branch increased the awards to twelve in 2010.