The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command 47th Biennial Provincial Convention Report North Battleford, Saskatchewan October 19-21, 2013
Saturday, October 19th
REGISTRATION AND BRANCH HOSPITALITY Friday evening and Saturday morning found the convention participants checking into their respective hotels in North Battleford and finding their way to Branch No. 70 for registration and hospitality. The comrades of Branch 70 made sure that everyone felt right at home!
Comrades Donna Gosselin, Cherilyn Cooke, and Stacy Zummack Diewold from Provincial Command were busy making sure that everyone was registered and ready for the parade and convention proceedings. Accountant Comrade Kim Douglas manned the office in Regina on Thursday October 18th and Friday October 19th, and the office was closed on Monday October 21st and Tuesday October 22nd.
Registration on Friday ran smoothly from 7-9 p.m. with the Sunday night banquet tickets also being sold, along with a number of raffle tickets. Registration on Saturday ran from 10-1 however no registrants came after about 11:30 a.m. A very big thank you goes out to the Branch 70 volunteers who helped with the chaos of registration and made sure that every delegate, guest, and observer received their convention kits, name tags, ballot books (when applicable), and a little jar of flavoured honey donated by Tu-Bees, a Saskatoon company.
PARADE AND CENOTAPH SERVICE Comrades Gosselin and Cooke had everyone lined up that chilly afternoon at 2:20 for the parade, and it began promptly at 2:30, led by Parade Marshal Sid Locheed. The streets had been blocked so that the parade could march safely to the cenotaph, which was conveniently just down the block and across the street from the Legion Branch. The parade arrived at H.D. McPhail Park greeted by a number of local and out of town observers. Four cadets cornered the cenotaph in respect while the parade was assembled.
Reverend Comrade Bill Hall officiated and began the service with “O Canada”. He presented prayers, followed by “Last Post”, silence, “Lament”, “Rouse (Reveille)”, and “The Act of Remembrance.” Wreaths were then laid by: Keith Hillier, Assistant Deputy Minister of Service Delivery, representing the Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada; Comrade Tom Eagles, 1st Vice President of Dominion Command; and Comrade Brent Wignes, Provincial President of Saskatchewan Command.
After the Benediction – Order Arms, the Parade Marshal led the parade to John Paul II High School with guests beside them and curious onlookers waving from their homes. As luck would have it, the wind picked up and it began to rain as the parade made its way to the school.
1 OFFICIAL OPENING Very chilly parade participants and guests quickly filed into John Paul II High school once dismissed by the Parade Marshal. The participants were greeted by musical numbers by a local band in the high school gymnasium/auditorium.
At 3:00 p.m., Comrade Ray Marjoram, as Master of Ceremonies and Provincial Chairman, called the ceremonies to order. The Officers and Guests were piped onto the stage of the auditorium, followed by the Marching on of the Colours by North Battleford Branch No. 70.
Past Provincial President, Comrade Frank Simpson, led the participants in singing “O Canada” and the “Star Spangled Banner”. Reverend Bill Hall gave an invocation followed by “Last Post”, silence, “Lament”, “Rouse (Reveille)” and “The Act of Remembrance.” He then asked the crowd to join him in reading “In Flanders Fields.”
Once the Colours were deposited, Provincial President Comrade Brent Wignes welcomed delegates and guests to the 47th Biennial Provincial Convention. Comrade Ray Marjoram introduced all of the distinguished guests on the stage, which included: the Honourable Keith Hillier, Assistant Deputy Minister of Service Delivery, representing the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Canada; Herb Cox, MLA in North Battleford, representing the Honourable Brad Wall, Premier of Saskatchewan; Ian Hamilton, mayor of North Battleford; guest speaker Blake Emmons and his wife Darlene; Dominion Command 1st Vice President Tom Eagles and his wife, Cheryl; and Provincial President Brent Wignes and his wife Wendy.
Two adorable little girls, one a granddaughter to Comrade Cory Smith of the North Battleford Branch, presented Darlene Emmons, Cheryl Eagles, and Wendy Wignes with beautiful bouquets of flowers.
Greetings were delivered by the Honourable Keith Hillier, Herb Cox, and Ian Hamilton. Blake Emmons gave a short but powerful speech about the Wounded Warriors Weekend’s success.
Dominion Command 1st Vice President, Comrade Tom Eagles, officially opened the Saskatchewan Provincial Convention which was followed by Comrade President Wignes bringing forth the first resolution – the Resolution of Loyalty (Page 27 of the Convention Book).
Resolution 1 – moved by Comrade Brent Wignes, seconded by Comrade Dick Wells, CARRIED.
Reverend Hall then delivered the benediction followed by “God Save the Queen.”
Afterwards, delegates, guests, and friends were invited back to the local branch for socializing. It was a day of pleasantries, despite the wind and rain.
2 Sunday, October 20th
8:30 A.M. -- BUSINESS SESSIONS OPEN
CALL TO ORDER Provincial Chairman, Comrade Ray Marjoram, reconvened the business of the Convention at 8:30 a.m. at the Tropical Inn. He called the meeting to order with Rev. Hall delivering the invocation. Shortly before that, a meeting was held with the Provincial Chairman, Whips, and Deputy Whips to outline their duties for the convention.
INVOCATION Honorary Chaplain Comrade Rev. Hall led the morning invocation.
PROCEDURES REPORT Provincial Chairman, Comrade Ray Marjoram, brought forth the Procedures Report which was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Provincial President, Comrade Brent Wignes, introduced the following executives and guests:
Head Table Guests: Peter Piper Provincial Past President M.C. (Dick) Wells Provincial 1st Vice President Evert Whelen Provincial Vice President Ken Box Provincial Vice President Ray Marjoram Provincial Chairman Donna Gosselin Provincial Executive Director Cherilyn Cooke Provincial Service Officer Stacy Zummack Diewold Administrative Assistant and Recording Secretary
On the Floor: Sharren Dukart District No. 1 Commander Keith Andrews District No. 2 Commander Lorne Varga District No. 3 Commander Al. Hodgson District No. 4 Commander Patricia Paul TVS Representative
Past Presidents in Attendance: Frank Simpson – Chief Scrutineer Pat Varga – Immediate Past Dominion Command President and Elections Chairperson Harold Hague John Pott John Henderson
3 Special Guests: Tom Eagles Dominion 1st Vice President Scott Ferris Director of Marketing and Membership at Dominion Command Sharon Adams Staff Writer at Legion Magazine Blake Emmons Wounded Warrior Weekend Coordinator and Vietnam Veteran Keith Hillier Assistant Deputy Minister of Service Delivery, representing the Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada Dallas Devine Client Service, Team Manager at Veterans Affairs Canada, Regina Office. Alf Christensen Provincial 1st Vice President of ANAVETS Wayne Donner Provincial President of the Alberta / Northwest Territories Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Dan Kidd Provincial President of the Manitoba / Northwest Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Rick Bennett Immediate Past Provincial President of the Manitoba / Northwest Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Bruce Julian Provincial President of the Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Robyn Zettler Assistant Provincial Executive Director of the Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Dick Ellwein Department Commander of the American Legion of Montana Ralph Gardner Past Department Commander of the American Legion of Montana John Louk Chairman of the Montana Boys State, American Legion of Montana Bob Beals Past Department Commander of the American Legion of Montana Sylvia Beals Past Department Commander of the American Legion of Montana Art Ellison Past Department Commander of the American Legion of Montana and Montana State Historian Claude Simard Commercial Account Executive of Programmed Insurance Brokers Mark Fenety President of Fenety Marketing Services Ruth Copp Accountant of Fenety Marketing Services (Lane Gray 2013 Youth Pilgrimage Representative – Not present until Sunday)
LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Marilyn Clark brought forth the Local Arrangements Committee Report. She graciously welcomed everyone to North Battleford and apologized for the rain after the parade on Saturday. She announced the local branch’s 50/50 winning number and other events that will be happening at the branch over the weekend.
CANADIAN LEGION OF RIDERS Comrade Ray Marjoram then announced that the Canadian Legion of Riders wanted to present a donation to Comrade Clark in the amount of $8,084. Comrade Marilyn Clark was quite moved by their generosity, which goes towards Marking Unmarked Graves. Comrade Ray Marjoram was also quite moved by the generosity.
4 CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Louise Oster continued on with the Credentials Committee Report (first and final report): Command Officers 11 Provincial Past Presidents 5 Zone Commanders 16 Deputies 15 Accredited Delegates 88
TOTAL VOTING STRENGTH: 135
Non Accredited 7 Guests 22 Command Staff 3
GRAND TOTAL IN ATTENDANCE: 167
This report was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT’S REPORT President Comrade Wignes brought forth his Provincial President’s Report (p. 18 of the Convention Book) with an addendum:
During the summer, he was able to go to a number of other conventions, including that in Montana State. Many were different, but he learned from it. Some things will work for Saskatchewan, some will not, and some will work if modified. He appreciates that being a guest and by having guests we learn and grow from one another’s experiences.
Also, in August he went to WWW. There was a great turnout and Nipawin did an excellent job, but he wants to thank the other branches who supported, donated, and helped Nipawin.
The report was moved and seconded. The only question asked was whether or not he had fun, which he replied that he did. The motion was then CARRIED.
PROVINCIAL RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Ken Box read his Resolutions Committee Report (p. 23 of the Convention Book). He also thanked Provincial Command and Comrades Lorne Varga and Donna Gosselin for their help. He then read 2 resolutions:
Resolution 2 (p. 28) - moved, seconded, and CARRIED. Resolution 3 (p. 28) - moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
The Provincial Resolutions Committee Report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
5 PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Provincial Executive Director, Comrade Donna Gosselin, brought forth her Provincial Executive Director’s Report (p. 29 of the Convention Book) with the following addendums:
Comrade Gosselin extended her appreciation to Kim Douglas, Provincial Command’s new bookkeeper. She also extended a special welcome to Sharon Adams from the Legion Magazine who came to the convention instead of Adam Day (p. 31 of the Convention Book).
She mentioned that the Province of Saskatchewan is currently making plans for the anniversary of the beginning of the First World War, and that she is being kept in the loop of the plans that are underway.
On September 14th, the Saskatchewan Legion Riders program was launched. North Battleford Br. No. 70 graciously helped launch this program with Provincial Command, and Comrade Gosselin thanked them for their hospitality and help with this project.
A huge thank you was also given on behalf of the Provincial Command to the Nipawin Branch for the success of the Wounded Warriors Weekend event and Comrade Gosselin mentioned that she and Comrade Cherilyn Cooke partook in some of the WWW events that happened in Regina.
The report was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PROVINCIAL CONSTITUTION AND LAWS COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Ray Marjoram brought forth the Provincial Constitution and Law Committee Report (p. 33 of the Convention Book).
Recommendation 1 (p. 34) - moved, seconded, and CARRIED. Recommendation 2 (p.35) - moved, seconded, and CARRIED. Recommendation 3 (p.35, re: Lloydminster) – moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
Comrade Ray Marjoram’s report was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
DISCUSSION: QUORUM AND BY-LAWS Comrade Bette Jane Jahnke of Tompkins Br. No. 140 asked: If we change our quorum, does it become part of our bylaw?
Comrade Ray Marjoram replied: Yes. However, bylaws MUST be sent to Provincial Command in order to be approved, otherwise they are not “official”.
Comrade Jahnke then asked: Is it possible to change your quorum to a low number?
6 Comrade Marjoram: Only if it is a reasonable number. Provincial Command will let you know if it is approved, and if not, what qualifies as a reasonable number.
DOMINION REPRESENTATIVE ADDRESS Comrade Brent Wignes introduced Comrade Tom Eagles, who presented his Dominion Representative Address. A copy of this address is attached.
He veered off of his written presentation to discuss the roadblocks with membership. He stressed that the roadblocks NEED to be removed if the Legion is “going to survive.” The One- By-One Campaign needs some time to grow into itself and it will take years for it to grow to its full potential.
He mentioned that Dominion Command has been tossing around the idea of having one membership category and that they have also posted this ideas as a poll on their new website. There would no longer be “Ordinary,” “Associate,” or “Affiliate” members, just Legionnaires. The Veterans will be recognized with a “V”, but a member would just be a member. The idea comes from discussions that there are too many membership categories and that it confuses people. This confusion then discourages them from applying for membership. He asked delegates to fill out a “Focus on the Future Questionnaire” which Comrade Donna Gosselin handed out at coffee break.
Dominion Command’s Focus on the Future Questionnaire 1. Would you be in favour of one membership category for all legion members? 2. What is one change you would bring to the Legion? 3. Would you attend workshops/seminars on the Saturday of the dominion Convention? If so, name three topics. 4. Would you be in favour of a common membership fee across the Legion?
NOMINATIONS OPEN Comrade Pat Varga opened the nomination proceedings. The nominations were:
President - Keith Andrews nominated Dick Wells - John Davidson nominated Brent Wignes
1st Vice President - Sharren Dukart nominated Ken Box - Bud O’Connor nominated Evert Whelen
Vice President (2) - Peter Piper nominated Lorne Varga
Chairman - Marilyn Clark nominated Ray Marjoram
Comrade Pat Varga then put the nominations in abeyance until further notice.
7 ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairman Comrade Ray Marjoram made a couple of announcements: Mark Fenety wanted to remind everyone to fill out their ballot for the Wal-Mart Gift Certificate courtesy of Fenety Marketing Services. He also let everyone know that extra tickets had become available for the banquet.
(10:15 a.m. – Coffee Break) (10:30 a.m. called back to order)
WOUNDED WARRIORS WEEKEND ADDRESS Comrades Blake Emmons and Brenda Fredrickson presented an emotional speech and slideshow about the 2013 Wounded Warriors Weekend. Comrade Emmons does not use a standard presentation, and as such it would be far too difficult to explain his presentation without diminishing the emotion he expressed. He concluded his address by singing a very moving song called “Miracles” which is available on his album “I Can Be…” More information about the 2013 Wounded Warriors Weekend can be found on the website http://www.WoundedWarriorsWeekend.org and through a video posted by Blake Emmons at http://www.vimeo.com/68560222.
Comrade Brent Wignes then gave Comrade Emmons a gift on behalf of Saskatchewan Command.
DISCOVER THE POWER IN ME Comrade Pat Varga approached the podium to ask the branches for support and help for the Discover the Power in Me program, such as a facility, donations towards a coffee break, or anything else they could offer. She reminded them that it is covered under Poppy Funds.
PROVINCIAL WAYS AND MEANS AND FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE REPORT President Comrade Brent Wignes presented the Provincial Ways and Means report (p. 36 of the Convention book) which was brought into discussion:
DISCUSSION: PROVINCIAL BUDGET Pat Varga of Coleville Br. No. 365 asked: according to the proposed budget, in 2015 we would start with a small deficit. Are there any plans to eliminate that?
Comrade Brent Wignes replied: We will still have funding from the Fenety Marketing books, and are also looking into fundraisers to see if they would be of benefit. The budget in the book is always played as the worst case scenario, so that should be taken into consideration.
8 The Provincial Ways and Means and Fundraising Committee Report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
(11:50 – lunch) (1:00 reconvene)
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ADDRESS Comrade Brent Wignes introduced Comrade Keith Hillier who presented a speech on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada. It is attached.
Comrade Brent Wignes then offered Comrade Hillier a gift on behalf of Saskatchewan Command.
NOMINATIONS, CONT’D Comrade Pat Varga was brought forth to the podium to continue nominations.
President - There was no movement, so nominations were closed. - Comrade Wignes and Comrade Wells were brought forward. - Comrade Wignes declined his nomination. He then thanked everyone for the years of his presidency and cooperation of all members - Comrade Wells accepted his nomination. - Pat Varga proudly announced that by acclamation, Comrade Wells has been declared Provincial President of Saskatchewan Command. She then announced that Brent Wignes has been accepted to the prestigious Past Presidents Club.
1st Vice President - There was no movement, so nominations were closed. - Comrade Box and Comrade Whelen were brought forward. - Comrade Whelen accepted his nomination and thanked his nominator. - Comrade Box accepted his nomination and thanked his nominator. - Comrade Wignes declined to run for 1st Vice President.
The delegates gave their ballots to the appropriate persons. The doors were tiled and the scrutineers were ushered out by Comrade Frank Simpson.
9 ANAVETS Alf Christensen gave a quick address regarding ANAVETS and thanked the convention for having him there.
MARKETING AND MEMBERSHIP ADDRESS Scott Ferris began his presentation, which is attached to this report. The presentation was interrupted for the election results, after which he finished his presentation. Scott also fielded questions about making Remembrance Day a civic holiday, even though it is already a federal holiday, so that more businesses would consider closing on Remembrance Day.
ELECTION RESULTS Comrade Pat Varga was given the results by Comrade Frank Simpson for the 1st Vice President election. Delegates: 135 Ballots Cast: 128 Ballots Spoiled: 1
Comrade Ken Box was voted in as the next Provincial 1st Vice President.
Vice President (2) - Nominations reopened. There was no movement, so the nominations were put into abeyance. - Comrade Evert Whelen is now a nominee for Vice President. - Comrade Lorne Varga is still nominated.
Chairman - Nominations reopened, but there was no movement. The nominations were put into abeyance. - Comrade Ray Marjoram is still nominated.
ROLL CALL Comrade Ray Marjoram asked everyone to identify: Second World War Veteran 8 Korean Veteran 3 Peacekeepers 11 Merchant navy 1 N.A.T.O. 5 Peacetime 15 Afghanistan 2 Militia 13 RCMP 5 Associates 84 Affiliates 3 First-Time 24 Reserve 6
10 RCEL REPORT Dominion 1st Vice President, Comrade Tom Eagles, presented his RCEL Report which is attached. He also showed a video of an RCEL Fund widow giving her thanks to the organization.
At this time, donations were collected for the RCEL. The total amount donated was $17,034.85.
PROVINCIAL PAST PRESIDENT’S REPORT Comrade Peter Piper presented a shortened version of his Provincial Past President’s Report (p. 50 of the Convention Book). He also took a moment to thank his Dominion Committee, Dan Kidd, Rick Bennett, Clarence Paul, and Pat Varga. He added: “Membership is everyone’s responsibility.” He said that both he and his wife, Leona, are thankful for the opportunities they have been given and the friends they have made.
The report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PROVINCIAL 1 ST VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT Comrade Dick Wells also presented a shortened version of his 1st Vice President’s Report (p. 52 of the Convention Book). The report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
FENETY MARKETING PRESENTATION Mark Fenety of Fenety Marketing Services presented a short presentation about the success of the Military Recognition Books. At this time he also did a draw for ten $100 Wal-Mart gift cards.
PROVINCIAL VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT Comrade Evert Whelen presented his Provincial Vice President’s Report (p. 54 of the Convention Book). The report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PROVINCIAL VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT Comrade Ken Box read a condensed version of his Provincial Vice President’s Report (p. 55 of the Convention Book) which was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PROVINCIAL CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Comrade Marjoram presented highlights from his Provincial Chairman’s Report (p. 57 of the Convention Book) which was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
11 VETERAN’S SERVICE AND SENIORS COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Whelen presented the Veteran’s Service and Seniors Committee Report (p. 58 of the Convention Book), with the following resolutions:
Resolution 4 (p. 60) – concurred - moved, seconded, and CARRIED. Resolution 5 (p. 60) – concurred - moved, seconded, and CARRIED. Resolution 6 (p. 60) – concurred - moved, seconded, and CARRIED. Resolution 7 (p. 61) – concurred - moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
The report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
LEAVE THE STREETS BEHIND PROGRAM REPORT Comrade Pat Varga presented a shortened version of her report (p. 62 of the Convention Book). It was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PROVINCIAL SERVICE OFFICER’S REPORT Provincial Service Officer, Comrade Cherilyn Cooke, presented a condensed version of her Provincial Service Officer’s Report (p. 79 of the Convention Book).
She strongly enforced that since the Veterans’ Affairs Canada office in Saskatoon will close, Saskatchewan branches will have to step up to fill the gap that will be left.
The report was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PRESENTATION TO COMRADE EAGLES Brand-new Immediate Past President Comrade Brent Wignes presented a small token of appreciation to Comrade Tom Eagles of Dominion Command.
CAUCUS ROOMS Comrade Ray Marjoram then announced which District is to go to which Caucus room:
DISTRICT 1 – Salon B DISTRICT 2 – Salon A DISTRICT 3 – Tropical Room (convention floor). DISTRICT 4 – Cypress Room
LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE Comrade Clark made a quick announcement regarding the evening’s banquet at the Legion Hall.
ADJOURNMENT Chairman Comrade Ray Marjoram declared recess until the following day.
(3:52 recess until 8:30 am Monday morning)
12 Monday, October 21st
8:30 A.M. - BUSINESS SESSION REOPENS
CALL TO ORDER Business reconvened at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 21st.
INVOCATION Comrade Rev. Arthurson, Honorary Chaplain, delivered the morning invocation.
GREETINGS FROM MANITOBA / NORTHWEST ONTARIO Comrade Dan Kidd gave kind thanks and greetings from Manitoba.
GREETINGS FROM THE AMERICAN LEGION (MONTANA) Comrade Dick Ellwein gave greetings from the American Legion Montana. He reminded us all that 2019 is the 100th anniversary of the American Legion.
LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE FINAL REPORT Comrade Marilyn Clark spoke of the problems with the restaurants in the hotel, as well as the hotel rooms, and apologized. She said that it would be addressed with the hotel by the local branch. She then announced the final 50/50 and raffle ticket winners. She thanked her branch volunteers, who did an excellent job!
Comrade Rosemary Ferguson, President of Nutana Br. No. 362, thanked Comrade Clark and her volunteers for their tireless efforts and assured that the problems with the hotel will not reflect upon her or her branch.
NOMINATIONS OPEN Comrade Pat Varga approached the podium and reopened the nominations for the Vice Presidents and the Chairman.
Vice President (2) - There was no movement, so the nominations were closed. - Comrade Whelen accepted the nomination and thanked his nominator from yesterday. - Comrade Lorne Varga accepted his nomination and thanked his nominator.
Chairman - There was no movement, so the nominations were closed. - Comrade Marjoram accepted the nomination.
13 ELECTIONS Vice President (2) - Comrades Evert Whelen and Lorne Varga have been elected Provincial Vice Presidents by acclamation.
Chairman - Comrade Marjoram was elected Provincial Chairman by acclamation.
Comrade Pat Varga thanked Comrade Frank Simpson and the scrutineers before making the motion to have the ballots destroyed which was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
Comrade Wignes presented Comrades Pat Varga and Frank Simpson with gifts for their work. The scrutineers were then given small gifts for their participation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Comrade Ray Marjoram reminded everyone that non-concurred resolutions must be in to him by 9 a.m.
Comrade Pat Varga asked for donations for the Discover the Power in Me program. Donations were collected at this time. The total amount of donations collected was $4,912.65.
Comrades Brenda Fredrickson, Blake Emmons, and Verda Hoppe came to the podium to make the draw for a pearl necklace and a wheelbarrow filled with goodies, as well as collect donations for the Wounded Warriors Weekend. Avery Pearson from Regina won the necklace, and Mrs. Corkish from Wawota won the wheelbarrow! Congratulations!
Comrade Pat Varga then thanked everyone for their generosity. Comrade Ray Marjoram also thanked everyone involved with these programs.
YOUTH PILGRIMAGE PRESENTATION Comrade Lorne Varga introduced Comrade Lane Gray from Quill Lake Branch No. 37. Comrade Gray then presented his experiences of the youth pilgrimage tour. Comrade Gray’s speech and video can be found on the Saskatchewan Command website, www.sasklegion.ca.
PROVINCIAL SPORTS COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Keith Andrews brought forth a condensed version of the Provincial Sports Committee report (p. 82 of the Convention Book). He paid special attention to the locations and dates of future sporting events, noting that there is currently a lot of availability (p. 84 of the Convention Book).
He noted that the Golf results were not published in the Convention Book. There were 166 players out of the 4 districts (which was a decrease of 21 players), and 21 wild cards. All in all, golf lost $19.20.
14 DISCUSSION: WILD CARDS Verda Hoppe from Nipawin Branch No. 120 asked how many wild cards actually get to participate in these sporting tournaments.
Comrade Donna Gosselin replied that not many wild cards get to participate, because they’re all already playing. Generally, maybe 4 or 5 play as wild cards.
Comrade Hoppe then asked if the low number was because the final entries are not provided to Command early enough.
Comrade Gosselin said that Command does definitely need that 2 week deadline period to make sure that all participants are accounted for.
Comrade Andrews then brought up the Sports Committee Resolutions:
Resolution 8 (p. 90) – concurred –
DISCUSSION: NEW BOWLING HANDICAP SYSTEM Jim McFarlane from Battleford Branch No. 9 had a question regarding the term “after every game of at bowling competitions” as written into the resolution. He wanted to know if it means after every single game, or after a set of games? Is the handicap system gone?
Comrade Ken Box explained that the handicap system is essentially gone and replaced with this mathematical system so that it would be fair for all players. The problem was that sometimes people didn’t have a handicap and felt it was unfair to play against those who used a handicap.
Comrade Bruce Irwin from Humboldt added that this system makes it fair for everyone, because everyone is now using the same system.
Comrade McFarlane then asked again if the resolution literally meant after every single game, to which Comrade Box replied said yes. After further discussion, Comrade McFarlane and Comrade Box confirmed that they were saying the same thing: after 8 games, you would use this system 8 times.
Comrade Frank Simpson realized that the confusion was that in a Provincial Bowling Tournament, you play 3 games before you hand in your score card. Those 3 games are called a “set.” He noted that the resolution should be changed to “after every set” not “after every game.”
Despite opposition, the resolution was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
Resolution 9 (p. 90) – concurred –
15 DISCUSSION: HOST TEAMS Comrade Pat Varga of Coleville Branch No. 365 brought to everyone’s attention that there is nothing in the Legion Sport Rules that says that you can’t enter a host team, but noted that the other teams are PROVINCIAL champions, whereas the host team is not. As such, the branch can enter a team to even it out, but they cannot win because they are not provincial winners.
Comrade Don Lypchuk, president of Birch Hills Br. No. 122 mentioned that it was his branch which entered that resolution because of problems when they had hosted a provincial championship. He also asked: If the branch team has to go through the round robin to get to the end and they end up beating the provincial champions, why can’t they be eligible to continue on?
Comrade Patti Paul from TVS Br. No. 78 added that there are no wild cards in curling. Cribbage has wildcards, and a wildcard can go on to the provincials and dominions, etc. This host branch team would be no different than a wild card team.
Despite some opposition, motion was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
The Provincial Sports Committee report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PROVINCIAL MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Wells commented positively on the banquet from the following night and that he had a wonderful evening before reading his Provincial Membership Committee Report (p. 91 of the Convention Book).
DISCUSSION: NON-VOTING AFFILIATES A young Afghanistan Veteran wondered why non-voting affiliates are not eligible to vote? Would membership increase if these affiliates were able to vote?
Comrade Ray Marjoram advised that they are non-voting because they are non-Canadian citizens.
Comrade Andrew wondered, though, if they were eligible to vote, could that potentially raise membership in the affiliate category?
Comrade Pat Varga advised that the committee will look into that possibility and take that under advisement at the next Dominion Membership Meeting
The report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED. (10:15 coffee break)
16 (10:30 reconvene)
GREETINGS FROM ALBERTA / NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Comrade Wayne Donner, Command President, brought greetings from his command.
PROVINCIAL YOUTH COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Lorne Varga brought forth his committee’s Provincial Youth Report (p. 93 of the Convention Book).
The report was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PROVINCIAL POPPY COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Dick Wells presented his Provincial Poppy Committee report (p. 97 of the Convention Book) with the following resolutions:
Resolution 10 (p. 100) – concurred - moved, seconded, and CARRIED. Resolution 11 (p. 100) – concurred - moved, seconded, and CARRIED. (Note: Requires Dominion approval)
Resolution 12 (p. 100) – concurred
DISCUSSION: YOUTH AND PILGRIMAGES OF REMEMBRANCE Comrade Mel Osolinsky from Wakaw Br. No. 195 mentioned that a youth in their town who had participated in the Poster and Literary Competitions and other Legion events was going on a similar Youth Pilgrimage to that which we normally do, but that the Branch was unable to donate any money to this child because of the current Poppy Fund rules.
This resolution was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED. (Note: Requires Dominion approval.)
Resolution 13 (p. 100) – concurred
DISCUSSION: POPPY FUNDS & WOUNDED WARRIORS WEEKEND Comrade Mel Osolinsky from Wakaw Br. No. 195 was curious as to why we didn’t already support Wounded Warriors Weekend with Poppy Funds.
Comrade Sharron Cameron from Humboldt Br. No. 28 mentioned that while she is in agreement with this resolution, she wanted to know why the Royal Canadian Legion was picking up the costs for something that the government should be paying for.
17 Comrade Ray Marjoram replied to Comrade Cameron that while he doesn’t believe that any member disagrees that the government isn’t pulling their share of costs towards these kinds of events, the Legion is stepping up because the chances of the government getting around to it is slim.
This resolution was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED. (Note: Requires Dominion approval.)
The Provincial Poppy Committee report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Ken Box presented the Public Relations Committee Report (p. 101 of the Convention Book) with the small addendum about the Legion Riders’ Program which was launched in September. This report was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Comrade Ray Marjoram announced that The Power in Me Program raised $4,912.65 at the convention, plus $5,000 from Command!
GREETINGS FROM ONTARIO COMMAND Bruce Julian, Provincial President of Ontario Command, brought greetings from Ontario.
PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Brent Wignes presented a condensed version of the Provincial Leadership Committee Report (p. 103 of the Convention Book). He stressed that everyone needs to “step up” and think about becoming part of the Executive. He mentioned that this year’s electoral process should have shown everyone how desperately the organization needs its members to step up.
He also spoke of a Colour Party Training DVD produced by the Elrose Br. No. 206. He announced that there are DVDs of the video available, as well as it will be on the website (www.sasklegion.ca) and that Command will gladly email it out. The report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Comrade Ray Marjoram and Comrade Brent Wignes had Dallas Devine from Veterans’ Affairs draw a ballot on behalf of Claude Simard from Programmed Insurance Brokers for a beautiful art print. The lucky winner was Jim McFarlane from Battleford Branch No. 9.
The winner of the Philips Lifeline draw was Larry Cameron from Humboldt Branch No. 28.
Congratulations Comrades!
18 DISTRICT NO. 1 COMMANDER’S REPORT Comrade Sharren Dukart presented a shortened version of her District No. 1 Commander’s Report (p. 105 of the Convention Book) which was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
DISTRICT NO. 2 COMMANDER’S REPORT Comrade Keith Andrews presented his District No. 2 Commander’s Report (p. 108 of the Convention Book) with minor addendums about how many Honours and Awards applications he has approved. He also sent a great thank you to the Elrose Branch for their work on the Colours Party video and asked that they receive credit for the work they have done.
Comrade Pat Varga announced that, with Elrose Branch’s permission, the video has been sent to Dominion Command for their approval and will hopefully go up on Dominion’s website. She assured that Elrose Branch will get all of the credit.
The report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
DISTRICT NO. 3 COMMANDER’S REPORT Comrade Lorne Varga presented his District No. 3 Commander’s Report (p. 110 of the Convention Book) which was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
DISTRICT NO. 4 COMMANDER’S REPORT Comrade Al. Hodgson presented his District No. 4 Commander’s Report (p. 113 of the Convention Book) with a small addendum wherein he mentioned that he also had travelled with Comrade Lane Gray on the Youth Pilgrimage and that it was very moving.
Comrade Hodgson also mentioned that he has received some information from teachers about remembrance. Comrade Brenda Fredrickson wondered if Comrade Al. Hodgson would give a copy of that extra information to the rest of the Command. He said to contact Comrade Carol Pedersen in Star City.
The report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
PROVINCIAL T.V.S. REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT Comrade Patricia Paul presented her Provincial TVS Representative’s Report (P. 115 of the Convention Book). She condensed her report but added two addendums.
In January, there was a University Student in Saskatoon who had TB.
In September and October, two more articles came out about TB, and how it is rising in our Native population and the New Canadian population.
The report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
19 PROVINCIAL HONOURS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE REPORT Comrade Peter Piper presented a shortened version of his Provincial Honours and Awards Committee Report (p. 118 of the Convention Book). He stressed that citations are needed and that everyone should read the Honours and Awards Booklet. The report was then moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
HONORARY OFFICERS Comrade Brent Wignes then read the names of the Honourary Officers for the next term:
Honorary Patron Her Honour, the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Honorary President Comrade John Pott from Carlyle Honorary Vice President Comrade Patricia Varga from Unity Honorary Solicitor Mr. Keith W. Prior from Regina Honorary Chaplains Rev. Ron H. Sutton from Regina Rt. Rev. Charles Arthurson from Prince Albert (amended from Convention Book)
(11:45 noon – Lunch) (1:00 pm – Reconvene)
RECONVENE Comrade Ray Marjoram brought sessions back to order at 1:00 p.m.
NON-CONCURRED RESOLUTIONS Resolution 25 (P. 126) – non-concurred and brought forward through caucus for further discussion:
DISCUSSION: DECREASE POPPY LEVY TO 7% Comrade Ernie Krepps from Kindersley Br. No. 57 asked that this resolution be brought back to the floor. Comrade Marjoram then read the Resolution before Comrade Krepps spoke to the motion.
The argument was that if Kindersley were to raise $10,000, they pay $1,000 for the poppy levy, making it about $10 per member. Regina, for example, raises $100,000 and pays $1,000 for the levy, but have way more members, making it less amount per person. If the per capita is lowered to 7%, it is irrelevant to big branches who will cap out anyway, but it will be helpful to smaller branches.
Comrade Marjoram asked for further discussion.
20 Comrade Pat Varga from Coleville Br. No. 365 mentioned that a larger branch should speak to this. She reminded the convention floor that she was on the first poppy levy committee, and these levees were put in place so that they could afford the Provincial Service Officer. She believes that if anything, we should increase the levy. She would like to see the numbers that Comrade Krepps is proposing before anything else happens, because for right now everything is hypothetical.
Comrade Krepps believes that funding for the Provincial Service Officer would not be decreased with this new system, because the $3,000 cap for larger branches will cover some of the 3% that would be “missing” from the smaller branches. It should be noted, however, that these numbers have not yet been put together. He also pointed out that non-levy money is now being dedicated to a lot of the programs that the Service Officer runs that used to come from the Poppy Levy.
Comrade Phyllis Pearson Regina Br. No 1 feels that raising the cap would “punish” the bigger branches. She reminds everyone that it is not just Regina veterans that benefit from Regina branch’s poppy funds. Regina branch funds provide gifts, food, visits, etc… to veterans that use hospitals and care homes and other medical centres from all towns and cities in Saskatchewan, not just Regina.
The resolution was moved, seconded, and DEFEATED.
NEW BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to be discussed.
Her Honourable Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield is unveiling a new Military Service pin. The pin will symbolize the gratitude of the Crown and of the citizens of Saskatchewan to our Veterans. Executive Director Comrade Donna Gosselin will let you know when the new military pin will be available and how to apply for one.
Comrade Verda Hoppe wanted to mention two things that are happening at the Nipawin branch. They were going to have an entertainment and wrap-up party for Wounded Warrior Weekend the week following convention. Her financial reports for WWW are still in the deficit because of airfare. They owe $40,000. Hopefully the wrap-up party will help cover those costs.
Comrade Ray Marjoram then asked if anyone was willing to tackle the next convention in 2015. There were no takers. He encouraged that they think about it and contact Donna Gosselin.
(There was then a short recess to prepare for the Installation of Officers)
21 INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS Honorary Officers in Attendance: Provincial Honorary Chaplain Rt. Rev. Charles Arthurson Provincial Honorary Vice President Pat Varga Provincial Honorary President John Pott
New Officers: Provincial Chairman Ray Marjoram Provincial Vice Presidents Evert Whelen Lorne Varga Provincial 1st Vice President Ken Box Provincial Immediate Past President Brent Wignes Provincial President M.C. (Dick) Wells
Comrade Tom Eagles declared the offices of Saskatchewan Command duly filled and officially installed and the new Provincial Council took their proper places and the head table.
ADJOURNMENT A motion for adjournment was moved, seconded, and CARRIED.
Provincial Chairman, Comrade Ray Marjoram, closed the convention as per Legion Ritual with the Marching Off of the Colours and “God Save the Queen” as sung by Comrade Frank Simpson. There being no further business, the Convention adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
Stacy Zummack Diewold Administrative Assistant
22 SCOTT FERRIS’S PRESENTATION Director of Marketing & Membership
Comrades, I thank you sincerely for the opportunity to speak with you. Today I want to engage in a discussion with you about marketing, communications and membership within The Royal Canadian Legion. I’ll tell you a bit about who I am and my background, what my job description is (and how it is evolving to meet the opportunities before us); we’ll speak about some honest facts about the Legion – because we need to know where we have come from; and this will lead us into talking about the power of the Legion brand and ideas for the future. As you heard in the Dominion President’s message, there is no question this is an exciting period for the Legion – one that is filled with opportunity. But it will take all of us, working in partnership, to capitalize on these opportunities. So let’s get to it...
All right, to the first point...who am I, why am I the Legion’s Director of Marketing and Membership and what exactly is my job? My background is in marketing communications and business development. I come to the Legion having worked in the association business, private sector, for provincial governments and I’ve created and sold my own company. I’ve been at this for more than 20 years having worked with the Empire Corp., the Canadian Red Cross, Pepsi- Cola Canada, and most recently the Forum for International Trade Training to name a few.
All facets of my work have involved creating awareness of organizations, interest from target audiences, desire within these target groups to support the organization and getting people to take action to support the organizations I represented. Let me say that again – Awareness, Interest, Desire and Action, this is an age-old, yet very proven marketing adage. My job for you within the Legion is exactly the same – to create greater awareness of the Legion to its target audiences, to develop broader interest in the advocacy and membership elements of the Legion, to create a desire within our audiences to support and grow the Legion, and to get them to take the actions that will ensure the Legion remains the most important Veterans organization in Canada. The Legion has four main target audiences:
Existing members Canadian Forces, RCMP, Veterans and their families The Canadian Public Youth
Now that we know who we are going after whose role is it to make that happen? Here’s the summary from my job description:
Responsible for membership acquisition, retention and growth; leading the execution of the marketing & communications strategy, and putting into practice the key principles necessary to affect change throughout The Royal Canadian Legion.
It is my belief that I work for you; that my responsibility to the Legion from Dominion Command is to ensure that the collective power of ten provincial commands and more than 1450 branches can be supported with well-planned, well-executed, and carefully monitored
23 campaigns, programs and activities. Dominion Command delivers from a national level, but we must have the appropriate inputs from across the country. Marketing communications builds its strength from partnerships and the Legion is fortunate to have a great network of partners in its branches . So how exactly will we execute on the AIDA principle?
AIDA PRINCIPLE Generating AWARENESS of the Legion Developing INTEREST in what we do Creating DESIRE within our audiences Driving people to take ACTION with the Legion
Well the first part of my job summary was to conduct an analysis, so let me share with you what I found out. Now, I’m going to caution you because I am coming at this from having never been associated with the Legion previously. Every analysis will uncover the good things an organization has done to get it where it is, and the Legion has an 87 year history of doing some outstanding things. An analysis will also bring forward areas where an organization is lacking – I look at this as where the real opportunities lie, and I firmly believe every challenge an organization faces is really just an opportunity waiting to be realized.
The Legion is the largest Veterans organization in Canada o Over the past 87 years membership has averaged just below 300,000 members and we are certainly above that now. But being average isn’t sustainable.
The Legion has made real and lasting impact on government over the years to improve the benefits and care provided to all Canadian Veterans o Our most recent impact was seen through the National Letter writing campaign seeking changes to the funeral and burial benefits. The Legion caused the government to double the funeral grant and we were specifically singled out as the organization the government would work with to continue making improvements to this program.
Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes $65 million over two years to enhance the Funeral and Burial Program by simplifying the program for veterans’ estates and by more than doubling the current funeral services reimbursement rate from $3,600 to $7,376. The Government will continue to work with the Royal Canadian Legion to ensure that veterans continue to receive the support they need for a dignified funeral and burial.
The Legion is one of Canada’s strongest brands: o More than 25% of Canadians think of the Legion when they hear the word Poppy o Programs & Services for Youth and our Communities have a major impact across Canada and we connect with millions of Canadians through the Poppy campaign o The Track & Field program is winning national awards and creating our next generation of Canadian Olympians
24 o Legion magazine is also garnering national awards and increased recognition as a leading Canadian History periodical o Across all Veterans organizations, the Legion is looked upon as a leader
And here is what else I observed: Not everyone wants to join the Legion o We have real competition People want to support the Legion, but they don’t want to join a branch o We must recognize the variety of ways in which Canadians may want to support us. We have a difficult membership applications process and a highly complex membership administration system o We have more than 1,460 individuals who handle membership across the Legion (Note: Scott later asked one of the gentlemen from the American Legion to show the American Legion Membership Form to the Convention. It was a small form, which had very few questions on it. In comparison, the current Legion Membership form looks daunting.) The Legion has shadowed history for welcoming new members o Just one example was admitting Korean War Veterans Our really strong brand has been stereotyped into something that does not truly reflect who we are and what we do o Old-boys club, beer and bingo halls Our organization has been very slow to embrace change across many facets of the organization o There are best practices in other member-based organizations that we can learn from – R&D = rip off and duplicate! (An example Scott gave was how the Cancer Society “R&D’d” the Legion with their daffodil pin campaigns held in April, which are a direct “rip off and duplicate” of the poppy.)
Now, given this analysis what concrete actions have we started to take to capitalize on these opportunities? This is where the work of Marketing, Membership and Communications really gets going.
Through the work of the Dominion Command Outreach Committee, and with the approval of DEC, we have launched an enhanced brand for the Legion. This is the pillar of creating awareness. Building on the recognition we have with the Poppy the Legion is embracing it as the central point of our logo. Our historical badge will remain as our official symbol; this small change to our logo demonstrates a new forward motion in the Legion, and takes the first steps to connect us to a new generation of Veterans, their families, and to a greater extent, all Canadians. It also pays great tribute to the traditions of the Legion being the guardian of Remembrance.
The Marketing, Membership and Communications team at Dominion Command has a clear role to support the Provincial Commands and branches. Through the Outreach Committee we have established monthly calls with all provincial Public Relations Officers to share information, talk about upcoming events and any other PR issues. These calls have proven to be very beneficial,
25 communications has opened up to a large degree creating enhanced awareness of many internal activities across the organization that we never knew were happening before.
With the Membership Committee a review of the Membership manual has been conducted and recommendations to simplify membership application forms are being considered for this committee to review. Additionally, we are conducting a review of all national advertising spending to ensure maximum return on investment for all marketing dollars. SLIDE We need to be where Canadians will see and hear us. We’re on the Blue Jays radio network, we are in major national magazines like Canadian Geographic, and we’re online with PostMedia, we are in major military publications and Canadian Military Family magazine, we’re looking at national Public Service Announcements, we are investigating billboards, bus and transit ads, and exploring connections with the largest Canadian internet properties including CBC, Bell Media, and CanWest media.
The Dominion Command website underwent extensive redesign and launched on 1 October. We are in the final stages of development to launch our iPad/iPhone App just in time for the Remembrance period. Presently we have soft launched into the world of social media with a growing presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and we’ll explore other channels in future. The online world is where our new members are going to come from and its where many of our existing members are wanting to connect with us.
We’re reaching out directly to lapsed members to bring them back on board, we’re encouraging new members through the One By One campaign, we’re testing direct mail to reach the broader Canadian public, and we’re planning into the future to recognize the significant anniversary period that is coming upon us... but more on that in a few minutes.
And again, everything I have mentioned demonstrates ways we are working to create awareness, interest and desire in the Legion’s membership, programs, services and activities. With the right calls to action in all our messaging we then create the impetus for our audiences to take the steps to engage with us...right at the local branch level.
Join the Legion. Because you care. Because you can! Service. It’s what we stand for!
Legion Membership – There is strength and power in numbers! One By One – You can help grow the Legion ranks! Your Legion membership makes a difference. Renew today! There are seven great reasons why you should join the Legion! Veterans. We Will Remember Them. Support the Legion today!
All our messaging also includes a new toll free phone number for membership, our social media links and the Legion’s website address where people can find their local branch. When we give Canadians the chance to engage with us, with the right call to action they do. I’ve already spoken about the success of the national letter writing campaign, but another great example I can give
26 you is the Virtual Wall of Honour and Remembrance. We asked Canadians to share photographs of their loved ones who had served and have now passed away so that we could display them on large video screens leading up to the national Remembrance Day Ceremony. We had hoped to get maybe a hundred pictures ...and we ended up getting more than 1,000.
The right call to action motivates people and the Legion has the strength and credibility to bring Canadians into action. Dominion Command, like any corporate head office, will play a supporting role in working with Commands and Branches. Marketing, Membership and Communications must provide the information, resource and tools that will be effective for Commands and Branches. The One By One campaign is an example of this. Armed with a coordinated program, the Legion is executing a national membership drive with a unified look- and-feel. Regardless of where a member or any Canadian for that matter goes to a Legion branch, they’ll see this campaign.
Templates for Legion letterhead, business cards, and news releases project that same unity of image and we’re redesigning the national website with a look that can also be provided as a template for any Command or branch to use. In branding, as you know, your image is everything.
So there’s a quick snapshot of what is happening now. But we have a tremendous future ahead of us. There is an anniversary period coming upon us that will not be repeated again for at least 25 years, and some would argue that it won’t happen again for 100 years. I’m talking about the 2014-2020 period that marks the start of the First World War, commemorations for Korea, Afghanistan, the Second World War, the Legion’s 90th anniversary and Canada’s 150th birthday. All told there are more than 25 national, international and Legion specific events to be commemorated over that period. Many of you may already be planning activities in your local areas with regards to some of these events. Dominion Command will be working with the Poppy and Remembrance Committee to talk about various ways the Legion can be involved in these commemorations. No organization in Canada has the footprint the Legion does. No organization can muster 320,000 members to support these activities. It is the Legion, Canada’s largest Veterans organization, that will answer this call.
But let me run one idea by you that could tie into this period of Remembrance that is an example of the new direction of marketing, membership and communications within the Legion. Now the scenario I am going to paint for you is purely hypothetical at this time, I’m sharing it to give you an idea of what could be accomplished.
Imagine it’s May 2019; all month long at Legion branches across the country we are engaged in a national membership drive and we are recreating the Victory Bond drives of the war years...only this time the focus is not on getting the Canadian public to buy war bonds, we are getting them to support Veterans by joining the Legion. We’re engaged with the Canadian Forces in this effort and there are Support our Troops events, Military Family Appreciation events at Legion branches, BBQ’s, dances, why even the politicians can’t resist showing up at your branch because of the crowds! As part of this national membership drive, we’re recruiting the “troops” to join us as part of a special expeditionary force that will be heading to Europe. Near the end of the month, the “troops” gather in Halifax to board a cruise ship sailing for
27 England. The ship makes a stop in Newfoundland to pick up the last of the contingent. The trip to England is full of celebrations, commemorations and expectation. Once in England you spend a few days visiting the sites where preparations were made for D-Day.
Throughout this time the Legion is actively engaged with the media. We’re in the newspapers, on TV and all this on both sides of the Atlantic. Our social media campaign engaging thousands of people on a daily basis. Everyone knows again, that the Canadians are coming! On June 5, 2019 you will board ship again and cast off. Early the next morning you will wake to find that you have anchored off Normandy. The lifeboats will have been made ready, and you are lowered into the water to go ashore, 75 years later to the day, on June 6th 2019. You are part of the next generation of allies landing on the beaches to commence what will surely be a tremendous commemoration.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is what the Legion is capable of. In every community in Canada the Legion is an iconic cornerstone, a true pillar of support, service, and guardian of tradition. You are part of one of the greatest organizations in Canada, with a brand that is built on pride, and tradition. We cannot disagree that times are changing and we must evolve with them. It has always been that way and always will. Change will never kill us, it only makes us stronger. I look forward to working for you to embrace and effect the changes that will sustain and grow the Legion.
28 TOM EAGLES’ PRESENTATION 1 st Vice President of Dominion Command
Comrades of the Royal Canadian Legion, ladies and gentlemen:
It is a great honour for me to address your convention today. This is a time of transformation within our organization. It is a time for us to be exceptionally proud of the accomplishments we have all made, and to be proud to be members of the Legion. Yet it is also a time to consider what each of us can do to ensure our organization remains strong; that we are a vibrant part of our communities, that we honour the traditions of Remembrance; and that we all understand the important role we each play in growing our membership. Our organization is making changes to face many new realities, and there is much we can look forward to in the coming years. In 2013, the Legion celebrates 87 years of history. There is so much we have done, and today, there is nothing but a world of opportunities facing us that will ensure the Legion remains one of Canada’s most important institutions.
To help frame my talk with you today, I have turned to our mission statement because it represents the very foundation of everything all of us strive to accomplish as Legion members: “Our mission is to serve Veterans, which includes serving military and RCMP members and their families; to promote Remembrance; and to serve our communities and our country.” When it comes to serving Veterans and their families, the Legion continues to be the only organization in Canada advocating for, and providing assistance to, all our of Veterans. Our advocacy efforts are rooted in our history and represent the collective voice of our 320,000 plus members. You will all know from our Purposes and Objects that the Legion shall not be affiliated to or connected directly, or indirectly, with any political part of organization. Our stance with government must be one of ensuring all Veterans receive fairness and equality and we will never back down in our efforts to hold government to task for the promises it has made to the men and women who wear a uniform for our country. We have real success stories I can share with you about how the Legion’s advocacy is making a difference in the lives of those we serve: Our national letter writing campaign seeking to increase the funeral and burial benefits for Veterans and their families caused the government to review this policy and double the amount of the funeral grant while also removing strict usage guidelines. Tens of thousands of Legion members and even more Canadians sent letters to their MPs, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, and to the Prime Minister. The Legion has been specifically pointed out in the 2013 Budget for these efforts. I thank all of you for your efforts with this campaign. This is a wonderful example of how the Legion can be a powerful force in making positive change for Veterans.
This year, the legion approved the national expansion of the Veterans Transition Program to be delivered across Canada. Started by BC/Yukon Command, the Veterans Transition Program is the only program of its kind in Canada that assists Veterans in their transition back to civilian life.
29 The Legion has established a national homeless veterans program, “Leave the Streets Behind”, and we are working towards the goal of ensuring that every provincial command establish a homeless veterans program tailored to meet their unique community needs. We must recognized Ontario Command for their groundbreaking work in this area. The program’s mission is to reach out to homeless veterans, or near homeless veterans, by providing immediate financial assistance and support when and where needed. It also connects them with the appropriate social and community services to establish a long term solution to meet their needs.
BC/Yukon Command has been assisting homeless veterans for many years, supporting Veterans Manor in Vancouver’s east side and more recently, Cockrell House, a transition house in Victoria;
Albert/NWT Command has operated a food bank for over 20 years assisting many veterans in their community and is engaged with first responders in identifying and assisting homeless or near homeless veterans; this Command has also supported Maddison House for homeless Veterans in the Calgary area;
NS/Nunavut Command launched the “Veterans Outreach Program” bringing together community resources and establishing partnerships to provide proactive assistance to homeless and near homeless veterans.
This year we are embarking on a new Legion senior’s initiative including a proposed advocacy approach as well as a national Day Away Program for seniors’ respite. Seniors home care should be part of a national strategy to include standardization, consistent service delivery and certification. The Legion also has significant strength and capacity to respond to the growing demographics of the senior population in Canada and the increasing rate of dementia.
It is anticipated that there will be an increase in the number of veterans coming forward with both physical and psychological injuries as a result of the high operational tempo over the last 20 years. The Legion has the experience, knowledge and capacity through the Service Bureau Network to reach out to veterans and make a difference. And we will do just that.
While the Service Bureau and Veterans Care are cornerstone pillars and the strength of the Legion dating back to 19236, there are challenges today:
1. The government is closing Veterans Affairs district offices across the country;
2. There is downsizing of Veterans Affairs and the transition to electronic self-service tools, putting more emphasis on the individual to look after their own needs; 3. There is a complex grid of policy, programs and eligibility criteria for Veterans, making it harder for Veterans and their families to understand, apply for, and obtain the care and benefits that they are entitled to;
30 4. There is an increasing number of Veterans, from all generations, coming forward with challenging care and benefit cases; and
5. There is a greater need to reach out to reservists given their high operational involvement over the last several years supporting deployed CF operations. Within this environment our Branch Service Officer function is even more important. These Service Officers are the boots on the ground, the eyes and ears in our community, able to help Veterans and their families. Therefore, it is important that every Branch have an active and trained Service Officer to respond to the challenges facing our Veteran community. You know the Legion was founded by members who wanted to support Veterans. It is our members who enable us to engage in the outstanding work we do. Members provide services in thousands of communities across Canada; they d4rive all aspects of daily operations in our more than 1,450 branches; and members create the opportunities for us to change and grow as an organization. Membership has been the base for our success, it is the connection we all share, and it will be the engine that drives our growth. But we must evolve the ways in which we retain our members and seek growth in our ranks. Our membership is like a family that is growing up… we are becoming increasingly diverse, seeing many new things, meeting new people, and there are many new opportunities to meet the needs of our changing family. At a national level, we have launched new campaigns such as “One By One” where we are asking each existing member to bring in just one new member. Many branches run a program like this on an individual basis. With the One By One campaign, we are [putting the resources of Dominion Command behind your efforts to grow membership. You know, if we had just 10% of our membership bring in one new member each, we would have 32,000 new members before the end of the year. I’m sure many of you have already brought in a new member, but I am asking all Commands and braches to get behind this effort. And there are more efforts like this ongoing. Every lapsed member from 2011 and 2012 received a personal letter from myself and Peter Piper, Chairman of the Dominion Command Membership Committee, urging them to renew their membership. We’ve sent out letters to some 70,000 individuals and last year, through this effort, we had more than 20,000 members renew. Our research tells us that 10% of Canadians, if given the opportunity, would join the Legion. To validate this, we will launch a small direct mail campaign this Spring and if successful, a national campaign will be run in the Fall. We know when we give Canadians the chance to engage with us, they will. Programs like this could also bring in thousands of new members. In staying true to the roots of our membership, we are also working closely with the Canadian Forces and the RCMP. The Legion continues to offer recently retired CF and RCMP members a free one-year membership in honour of their service.
In June this year, 900 CF personnel will deploy to Afghanistan to begin the withdrawal of troops from that theatre of operations. The Legion is supporting a project that will provide all deployed forces personnel a Tour Diary with a direct message from the Legion. Our goal is to have Legion Personnel on site during all deployments to personally hand out these diaries giving us a strong and direct connection to service personnel. Albert/NWT and Manitoba/North West Ontario Commands will be engaged in the first release of these diaries. This is just one of the new and creative ways we are reaching out to CF personnel. Our approach to outreach and marketing has taken on some new looks as well. You have all now seen the enhanced brand of the Legion, of which we are extremely proud. It is bold, fresh,
31 and shows the forward direction the Legion is taking. Canadians know the Poppy, and associate it with the Legion. Now it is the focal point of our look. Leading up to Remembrance Day, there are millions of Poppies proudly worn by Canadians. With this enhance brand, the Legion is putting the Poppy on the mind of Canadians every day of the year. Technology can be a great enabler for the Legion in so many ways – from membership to operations, communications, finance, and promotion. Many branches and Commands have already demonstrated innovative ways to embrace technology. We must learn and share with each other, not only with technology but in all that we do. In doing so, we make the Legion stronger, more exciting, and more appealing to our members and to all Canadians. In the coming months you will see the Legion embracing technology in many ways, from a newly designed website, an iPhone and iPad App, enhanced communications from Dominion Command in the form of a newsletter blog, increased use of social media and email tools for all branch mailings. And now to speak of Remembrance: As you know the Legion acts as the guardians of Remembrance for all Canadians. In coordinating and delivering ceremonies across Canada on November 11th it is Legion members like you who ensure Canadians will never forget. The Legion is making exciting additions to our Remembrance activities perhaps highlighted with our new Teacher’s Guide which was viewed by almost one million Canadians last year. This valuable resource helps teachers and schools across Canada present Remembrance to all students with new interactive features, including video and online activities. The poster and literacy contests presented by the Legion continue to engage more than 100,000 students of all ages. In doing so, your Legion passes on the traditions of Remembrance to entirely new generations of Canadians. Some Provincial Commands are also engaging in video and online elements of these contests with much excitement. I’ve had the chance to see some of the works presented for this year, and I have to tell you I am amazed at the talent and heart-felt emotion that is seen coming from our youth through these programs. The Legion is making a real difference in their lives and it is clear to me, the torch of Remembrance will be held high. Remembrance is a time to engage youth to ensure the pride we all feel in our military personnel and history is never forgotten. The Legion engages Canadians at commemorations across our country and now we are extending this into the virtual world. The Virtual Wall of Honour and Remembrance project started in 2012 has captured the hearts and minds of Canadians. We appealed to Canadians to share pictures of their loved ones who have served our country yet have passed away. Presented as part of the opening ceremonies of the National Remembrance Day services on massive video screens, this national Remembrance archive now lives on the Legion’s website. We will again call out to Canadians to add to this wonderful feature of Remembrance Day and hope to build it into one of the most poignant elements the Legion has ever presented on Remembrance. Let’s not also forget about the Pilgrimages of Remembrance the Legion hosts in Europe as well. In 2013, we will again tour a large contingent of Veterans and family members across battlefield sites and ceremonies offering them the chance for personal insight, reflection, and a very hands- on experience of what Remembrance may truly mean. It is paramount that the Legion strives to pass on these goals and traditions to the families and descendants of our ex-service personnel and to raise this awareness among all Canadians.
As you know, the major source of funding for Remembrance activities in the annual Poppy Campaign, which is also the foundation of our Remembrance Program. It is the generosity of Canadians that enables the Legion to ensure that our veterans and their dependants are cared for
32 and treated with the respect that they deserve. In 2012, we saw more than 18 million Canadians wearing Poppies, but did you know that through all levels of the Legion, we provided more than $12 million in benevolence to Canada’s veterans. Comrades, you are all to be thanked for your efforts in putting the Legion at the forefront in the minds of Canadians during the Remembrance period. And finally to speak of the Legion’s outstanding commitment to the communities we serve. I’ve already mentioned some of the outstanding work the Legion does for Veterans, much of which is at the local community level, but we can proudly acknowledge many other accomplishment of the Legion: Our National Track and Field program has achieved some exceptional recognition winning two recent awards for outstanding event sponsorship, and Corporate Excellence. The Legion’s National Track and Field program plays a leading role in training, competition, and promotions of national athletics. Comrades, not only is the Legion providing outstanding leadership development for Canadian youth through our Track and Field program, we are finally getting recognition for the hundred s of volunteers who put in thousands of hours of their time to help advance the next generation of Canadian Olympians. To all who help with this program, our deepest thanks go out to each and every one of you.
Legion across Canada also support hundreds of local sports programs or teams in our towns and cities, making it possible for thousands of Canadian families to engage in strong, community building activities. Just think of all the hockey, soccer, baseball and other teams who proudly wear a Legion logo on their jerseys. Other Legion sports programs from darts to cards to curling engage thousands of Canadians every year and help develop closer connections between the Legion and our communities.
In communities across Canada, it is the Legion who provides funding for the purchase, construction, and maintenance of housing and care facilities for elderly and disabled Veterans and their families.
It is the Legion who supports drop-in centres and funding for meals-on-wheels services for Veterans and their families. Comrades, these are just a few examples of what Legions engage in on a daily basis in communities across Canada. Our Legions are iconic cornerstones in every community where they can be found. The Legion has one of the greatest footprints of any organization in Canada and we must continue to ensure we are meeting the needs of our communities by engaging with those we serve. We have built our successes by providing outstanding programs and services to Canadians…. We will continue to even more. There are many exciting ways we can run our branches and commands, but in many cases it will require us to step back and consider making some real changes. Comrades, we must change; just as the world around us is changing. One way we are looking at this is through the Focus on the Future Committee. This group has been meeting regularly to discuss the opportunities before the Legion. Our current members are doing a great job of keeping the Legion engaged in our communities, upholding the traditions of Remembrance, and supporting Veterans. New members are looking to join the Legion and bring exciting new ways to uphold our aims and objectives. We see this in many branches that are already “doing things differently.” Every
33 organization goes through a period of self-reflection and analysis. They must, or they will not survive. The Focus on the future Committee has embarked on this task, and we do so in partnership with Provincial Conventions where new ideas can be further explored. When the first Veterans group was founded in Canada, there had never been an organization like it. It represented major change. Yet it was quickly embraced by thousands of people. It became such a force for change that ultimately all of the Veterans groups that were created united in one that has become what we are today – The Royal Canadian Legion. Change like that took courage, as change always does. I believe that today, with the opportunities before us, and people as capable as you, we can rally that same courage and lead our organization to even greater levels of success. We always say this is only one Veteran. There is also only one Legion and we are all part of the same great family. The future of the Legion is in the hands of its members. Comrades, it is in your hands. In June of 1925, Field Marshall Earl Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British Armies and one of the founders of the British Empire Service League made the following comments at a meeting in Canada where all Veterans groups of the day were agreeing to unify: “In a world where materialistic considerations play a large part, it is well for a nation to have in its midst a group of men and women who place service high among the virtues; who continue in times of peace to be guided by that fellow feeling and sense of duty to their country and countrymen which are among the few good things engendered by way. I feel that the present is full of promise. Do not hesitate or delay. Let us proceed and get on with it.” Words spoken 88 years ago ring true today. Let us proceed and get on with making the Legion greater, connected to even more Canadians, upholding he honour of Remembrance, serving our communities and our country; all the while we will make the lives of all Veterans and their families the best it can be. Comrades, I thank you for the privilege you have given me to address you today. I look forward to working on your behalf to accomplish what you seek in making the Legion the most respected Veterans organization in Canada.
34 1KEITH HILLIER’S PRESENTATION Assistant Deputy Minister, Service Delivery, Veterans Affairs Canada
Good morning. Bonjour.
I’m pleased to be here today to provide you with an update on what’s new at Veterans Affairs Canada.
The past 12 months have been incredibly busy for the Department as we strive to serve Canada’s Veterans and their families faster and more efficiently.
Through the Department’s ambitious Cutting Red Tape for Veterans plan, we are streamlining our business processes, simplifying our policies and reducing red tape. As part of this modernization, we are also making greater use of new technology and e-services for the many Veterans who have told us that they prefer communicating that way. And, of course, we are maintaining quality service for those who prefer more traditional approaches.
We are determined to make sure our programs, benefits and services are as responsive, inclusive and flexible as possible, and that we are delivering them as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
For example, we have just implemented important changes to our Vocational Rehabilitation program and we are now covering an expanded list of training expenses. With these new measures, which took effect October 1, we can now pay more quickly for eligible costs such as required computer software and e-books, as well as campus parking and various training equipment. We have also removed the maximum limits on individual training expenses to provide greater flexibility.
This is great news for the approximately 1,300 Veterans participating in our vocational rehabilitation and vocational assessment services.
These latest changes also build on other recent enhancements. For example, we’ve simplified our process for reimbursing Veterans for travel costs to and from their medical appointments. The result is that about 18,000 Veterans no longer need to send receipts or appointment verifications to the Department to recover their travel expenses. This single change has eliminated a lot of cumbersome paperwork for eligible Veterans and it is putting money back into their pockets faster.
We are also doing the same for the more than 100,000 Veterans and family members who use the Veterans Independence Program.
In January, we began providing up-front payments for grounds maintenance and housekeeping services. Veterans no longer have to pay out of their own pockets for these services and then wait to be reimbursed.
Again, this is greatly reducing the amount of paperwork for Veterans.
35 These kinds of changes make a real difference. They represent real results.
There’s been a lot of encouraging feedback from Veterans who like what we’ve done so far— and I want to stress “so far”—because the Cutting Red Tape initiative is an ongoing process.
We still have many more improvements planned over the next few years, but we are already seeing impressive gains:
We have improved our turnaround times for processing disability benefits;
We have reduced the number of forms and the length of the forms Veterans have to fill out; and
We have a renewed emphasis on using plain language when we write to Veterans and their families to help simplify and improve the client experience.
All of these things have a tremendous effect in improving how well we serve Veterans.
There have been many other exciting and important changes over the past year.
For example, you may have heard about our Veterans Transition Action Plan that the Department unveiled last fall.
We really believe it is our most robust package of transition services and programs ever.
In sum, this plan is about making sure Veterans and their families know about the care and support we provide, and helping them access these programs and services as quickly and easily as possible.
That’s why we’ve focused heavily on developing a full suite of e-services that allow Veterans and their families more options . . . more choices . . . for dealing with VAC.
Three of these new or enhanced e-services are:
The new Veterans Benefits Browser, which helps visitors to our website quickly determine which benefits and services are most relevant to them.
We also have the new My VAC Book, which is a customized, print-on-demand brochure that puts important information at Veterans’ fingertips; and
We have a new My VAC Account that provides Veterans with secure, online access to the Department 24/7, from anywhere in the world, including through mobile devices.
36 The Veterans Transition Action Plan is also about establishing new partnerships with the private sector and not-for-profit organizations, as well as other federal departments and levels of government.
I’d like to share with you some of these new partnerships because they have great potential for leveraging even more support for Veterans.
One of our best-known new partnerships is the Helmets to Hardhats Canada program. It is now fully operational and helping Veterans find good-paying jobs and apprenticeships in the trades and construction industry.
But there are other significant new partnerships:
Among them is the Veterans Transition Program at the University of British Columbia, which we are helping to “take national.” This is a residential program which uses the power of “soldiers helping soldiers” to assist Veterans who are having a difficult time returning to civilian life.
We’ve also teamed up with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) on a promising two-year pilot project that provides transitional housing and support to homeless Veterans and those at risk of becoming homeless in four cities across the country: Toronto, London, Calgary and Victoria.
While Saskatchewan is not part of this pilot, I know our Department has an active Homeless Veterans Outreach Committee which works closely with local partners to ensure that we are doing everything we can to identify Veterans who need our assistance. Since 2009, we have worked with groups like ANAVETS to reach out to shelters and community organizations throughout the Prairies to raise awareness of VAC's services and benefits. Through these efforts we have successfully identified and assisted homeless Veterans in accessing programs and services through VAC and the community.
We’ve worked with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Mental Health Association to develop the Canadian version of a new mobile app that helps Veterans cope with the daily symptoms and struggles of post-traumatic stress disorder. While this app does not and cannot replace the health-care professionals who are essential for the assessment and treatment of PTSD, it can definitely help users manage their symptoms on a daily basis. It can also direct them to seek medical care if they are living with an undiagnosed case of PTSD. We first tested it with a group of Veterans in the Veterans Transition Program and on May 6, the Department announced that the app is now widely available. It can be downloaded to mobile devices free-of-charge through the iTunes store and the Android Market.
Another important new partnership is the Veterans Transition Advisory Council. Working with the True Patriot Love Foundation—also a key driver in UBC’s Veterans Transition Program—we’ve brought together some of Canada’s most recognizable companies to look at innovative ways for both government and the private sector to
37 further support Veterans’ transition to civilian life.
We are also forging new partnerships and building on existing ones to expand the opportunities for Canadians to pay tribute to Veterans and their families. A great example is the arrangement we have with the Canadian Football League. It’s put us on the national stage.
These types of partnerships . . . whether they are community-oriented or nationwide in scope . . . help Canadians better understand the role Veterans have played in defending and building our country.
One more partnership I would like to mention is our expanding agreement with Service Canada, which we announced last summer. We are now using its storefront presence to provide Veterans with nearly 600 additional points of service across the country. This is particularly important to those Veterans who aren’t comfortable going online or who don’t want to speak with someone over the phone.
Having said that, we realize there are some concerns about our plans to close district offices in nine communities next year.
Some Veterans are wondering how we can maintain our current levels of service when VAC is getting smaller.
Those are fair questions and concerns, and I want to reiterate that we are committed to maintaining quality service to Veterans all over Canada, regardless of their geographic location.
Veterans will continue to receive services and home visits from Veterans Affairs staff. These Veterans will not have to travel to another office.
These changes reflect our new reality.
We have to adjust how and where we do business to keep pace with the changing needs and demographics of the Veterans and families we serve.
And I firmly believe with the right innovations, we can actually do an even better job of serving Veterans.
Of course, serving Veterans better and faster is only one part of what we are doing.
We are equally focused on ensuring our programs and benefits are keeping pace with the evolving needs of Canada’s Veterans and their families.
That’s why Minister Fantino recently announced that the Government of Canada will launch a comprehensive review of the New Veterans Charter ... with a particular emphasis on: the most seriously injured; support for families; and
38 the delivery of programs.
We believe this review will ensure that the tools and assistance that Veterans depend upon are as effective, efficient and accessible as possible.
Having said that, I am sure many of you are also following an important class-action legal case known as Scott et al v. the Attorney General of Canada.
As you can imagine, we are quite limited in what we can say while a matter is before the courts. But there has been a lot of discussion in the media of late about the Government of Canada’s decision to appeal a recent ruling in the case.
To summarize, the lawyers for the Plaintiffs have argued that the promises of past governments are binding on current and future governments. While this may sound reasonable, this argument could have a far broader impact than perhaps even the Plaintiffs intended. For example, if this principle were accepted it could undermine the very basis of democratic accountability ... because parliamentarians of the future could be prevented from changing important legislation, including the sort of changes that many of you would like to see to the New Veterans Charter.
That’s why we believe the looming comprehensive review of the NVC is the more appropriate forum for ensuring all voices can be heard. It also reflects our ongoing determination to constantly review everything we do . . . to make sure we are meeting the needs of Canada’s Veterans and taking swift action when we are not. . .
Like the Government of Canada’s quick response to the Federal Court ruling in the spring of 2012 against the deduction of the VAC disability pension when calculating DND long-term disability insurance payments to ill and injured soldiers. . .
The Government immediately decided to also stop deducting the VAC disability pension when we calculate monthly payments for the Earnings Loss benefit and the Canadian Forces Income Support benefit.
These changes, which amount to an investment of $177.7 million over five years, came into effect on October 1, 2012. Approximately 2,500 modern-day Veterans and survivors are expected to benefit from the changes in the first year alone.
And, as of October 1, 2013, we have also adjusted the War Veterans Allowance in the same way. This change in how the War Veterans Allowance is calculated is expected to help:
approximately 3,000 Veterans and survivors who may now qualify for monthly WVA benefit payments for the first time, including 700 who are expected to gain access to related benefits (treatment and Veterans Independence Program services) for the first time; more than 2,000 Veterans in long-term care who may receive a higher subsidy toward their accommodation and meals fees; and 200 Veterans and survivors who will receive increased payments.
39
Budget 2013 had other good news for Veterans and their families.
One of the biggest announcements related to the Funeral and Burial Program. As you may know, we are raising the maximum rate for the funerals of eligible Veterans from $3,600 to $7,376. We are also simplifying the program for Veterans’ estates.
The Government of Canada also announced in Budget 2013 that it is contributing $5 million to help construct a permanent Visitor Centre at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. On May 14, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was in Vimy, France to announce the investment. Construction of the Centre is expected to be completed by April 2017, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
That’s a timely investment since Budget 2013 indicated that we will recognize a number of important milestones on the road to Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017.
Among the significant dates next year are the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, the 75th anniversary of the start of the Second World War, as well as our plans to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in June 2014.
This year is equally important. As most of you likely know, 2013 has been declared the Year of the Korean War Veteran in our department. In July, Minister Julian Fantino had the honour of accompanying a group of Canadian Veterans on a trip to Korea. Participating in the Revisit Korea Program, organized by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the group attended several events to mark the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. The Government of Canada also presented a new monument to the Republic of Korea as part of the anniversary ceremonies.
Recognizing and honouring Canada’s Veterans is a real priority for VAC—and the Government —and these various commemorative activities and initiatives reflect that.
We are proud of that . . . and we are going to keep building on this support for Veterans. Veterans and their families deserve the very best we can provide . . . and we are committed to delivering it.
We really are . . . because Veterans and their families are not just our first priority at the Department, they are our only priority.
Thank you. Merci.
40 RCEL Presentation
RCEL Briefing for Provincial Conventions 2013
Thank you for those kind words and for the opportunity to speak to you today for a few minutes.
We all have a shared understanding of the mission of The Royal Canadian Legion: Our mission is to serve Veterans, which includes serving military and RCMP members and their families, to promote Remembrance and to serve our communities and our country. Legion branches understand our mission and have proudly carried on our benevolent and community service for the past 87 years. But these basic objectives of the Legion do not only apply to our Veterans in Canada but also apply to the Veterans of the Commonwealth with whom we fought shoulder to shoulder in all the wars as part of the Commonwealth. Indeed one of the little known aspects of the Legion’s benevolent work has to do with these Veterans of the Commonwealth known as the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL). Some of you may be familiar with the RCEL, but many other delegates here today are not or have heard various stories about our participation in the RCEL. So, I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words about the history and objectives of the RCEL and our relationship with the League.
HISTORY The RCEL was formed in 1921 in South Africa and it was originally called the British Empire Services League (BESL). Canada, along with Britain, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, are the founding nations of the League. Its purpose was to link ex-service organizations throughout the British Empire. Many Veterans organizations in Canada joined the BESL. But when these same organizations amalgamated into the Canadian Legion in November 1925, it was only natural that the Legion remained a part of the BESL. In fact, when the Legion was created it was officially called The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Ex-services League. Fast forward now to 1958, when the BESL changed its name to become the British Commonwealth Ex-Services League (BCEL) and the Canadian Legion stopped using the term the Canadian Legion of the BESL that same year.
Two years later, we received the designation Royal to become The Royal Canadian Legion and the BCEL dropped the title “British” in 2002 and was granted permission to use the title “Royal” in 2003. Hence its current title: “Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League” (RCEL).
OBJECTIVES The objectives of the RCEL have remained constant through the years: Specifically, (1) To perpetuate the memory of the fallen; (2) to continue the spirit of selfsacrifice and comradeship engendered in war; and (3) to help those among us suffering hardship and need through no fault of their own.
THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION As I mentioned earlier, the Legion has maintained comradeship among the 48 Commonwealth member countries and 54 Veteran organizations and all continents of the world since 1925. The Canadian Legion has also helped ensure that all former Commonwealth and former
41 Commonwealth country Veterans receive assistance where needed to relieve suffering and hardship. This includes the simple basics like one proper meal a day. But we also enjoy a special commitment in this regard to 14 affiliated legions or their equivalent in the Caribbean region. Antigua has just recently reapplied to the League for admission, so in fact there are 15 Caribbean nations belonging to the RCEL. Many developed countries like Barbados, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos are self-sufficient and only apply for Poppy material to support their own Poppy Campaigns, but many other countries like Guyana, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago and others do not share the same prosperity and have large concentrations of veterans who need our assistance.
Since 1968, The Royal Canadian Legion agreed to provide direct assistance to more than 500 destitute Veterans and Veterans’ widows in the Caribbean region. In 2012, we provided direct benevolent assistance to 156 veterans and 126 widows which include medical and administrative grants. On an annual basis, this number fluctuates due to death and in some cases; new veterans and widows can be added to the lists.
As you can imagine, this type of assistance over a large geographic area and with aging administrators in primarily underdeveloped countries is not without problems. Each year a visit is planned as part of a cycle to visit each country in a five year period. More recently we have enforced accountability standards that each country must adhere to before being eligible to reapply for the annual grant. During the visits, each organization must open their books and demonstrate that the grant monies received are actually being paid out. This is further verified with visits to the veterans in their homes. This type of visit provides a wealth of firsthand knowledge about the veteran or widow’s health, living conditions and overall welfare. In addition, we have required each country to provide substantiation for monies spent on medical and administrative grants.
This is a major change in the past five years. It is important to note that these trips are NOT paid for by the money that is donated to the RCEL. All money donated goes directly to the Veterans in need or the widows. That being said, these tours reveal a very sad state of affairs for some of these Veterans whose living conditions and health are sub-standard. I can state that the countries visited this year, Barbados, Grenada and St Vincent, are some of the best administered countries in the Caribbean.
In Grenada, we support seven veterans and six widows as well as providing medical and administrative grants and poppy material. During the short visit, we met three veterans, 86 year old Cosmo Cape and 89 year old Oliver Modeste and 93 year old Cecil Harris.
All are in relatively good health and live with or nearby family members. Mr. Modeste’s home is located on the edge of a swampy area and is fairly damp, but his daughter who runs a road side fruit and vegetable stand lives beside him. Mr. Harris is legally blind and hard of hearing and lives with his wife, 92 years old.
They are surrounded by family members who live nearby and well looked after. We also visited Mrs. Etienne who never would reveal her true age which we estimated at close to 92. All seemed to be alert and spry for their age and certainly welcomed the assistance provided by the Legion.
42 We also had a very informative meeting with the Executive of the Grenada Legion and can report that they are fully engaged in looking after their Commonwealth veterans. We have provided them with information on our youth programs and advice on how to better engage their government with the veterans. From all perspectives the Commonwealth veterans in Grenada are well respected.
The next port of call was the island of St Vincent. Although there are not living veterans receiving assistance in St Vincent, the RCEL does support seven widows there. We met six of the seven widows at the local Girl Guide Headquarters and all are very appreciative of the assistance received. Unfortunately the seventh widow was in hospital. In addition to assistance from the RCEL, they also receive assistance in various forms from the Red Cross and from returning nationals who have served with the British Forces and are now back home and contributing to the Legion. While in St Vincent, the Dominion President had the opportunity to meet with the Governor General, the Assistant Commissioner of Police and with St. Vincent’s Prime Minister. All are very supportive of the Legion and the widows.
Comrades, the work of the RCEL and RCL continues to make a difference; not only through our assistance to veterans and widows, but also through our support to veterans care facilities such as can be found in Jamaica and Guyana, and as well through the provision of Poppy materials so that they can conduct their own Poppy campaigns. In places like Barbados, those funds raised, support their veterans like 88 year old Warren Alleyne, a RAF veteran and local historian and widow Alma Rae who is 103 years old and lives with her grandson.
They have also raised enough money to build 10 houses for veterans. They can do this because they are well organized and enjoy the support of members who have served in the Barbados Defence Force and in the British Forces.
Comrades, I remain as convinced today - as the first day when we joined together - that the great humanitarian work of the RCEL is more than just the sum of its parts – or in this case more than the sum of its associations. Our Veterans – who share a common bond of comradeship with all those who fought shoulder to shoulder in all the wars the Commonwealth has taken part in our time - look to us for leadership and help. We accepted their assistance in time of war and now is not the time to abandon them in their time of need. So I invite the delegates here today to join me and – together - let us take the opportunity during this gathering to renew our belief in the ability of the RCEL to bring all of our associations together – as we believe in democratic government and freedom of the individual – so that we can relieve hardship and suffering facing some of our Veterans and Widows.
Our assistance is needed and fully warranted for those Veterans in need of a standard of life and dignity to which their service entitled them. Only then will we be assured that no Veteran is either left behind or faces the prospect of dying alone.
May we always remember: “...If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow...”
43 Thank you and I leave you with this note of thanks from Winifred Lewis, one of our widows in St Vincent.
Possible Q & As on RCEL Business Q: you mention that the Legion provides benevolent grants. How much do we provide? A: we provide: To a veteran: $1,080 annually which equals $2.96 daily. To a widow: $540 annually which equals $1.48 daily. Medical and admin grants vary, but average $1,500.00 annually each.
Q: what is our allocated budget for 2013? A: the 2013 budget totals $ 259,600 is broken down as: Benevolent grants to individuals = $211,580 Medical and Administrative grants = $ 19,020 Poppy Material = $23,500 Emergency funds = $5,500 Curphey Home Jamaica
Q: How long does the Legion have to continue supporting these veterans and widows? A: given that the average age of the veterans is approximately 89 years old, it is anticipated that we will need to support them for another 10 years. The requirement to support the widows may be longer as they generally are younger than the veterans.
Q: What happens when there are no more people to support? A: The RCEL is commencing to look at that issue and from a Commonwealth perspective will change from providing direct assistance to Commonwealth veterans to becoming an assisting agency is helping other benevolent service organizations support ex-service members of the British Forces. There are many Commonwealth nationals who chose to join the British Forces then return home following their service. For our support of the Caribbean region, any monetary support will eventually cease and then is becomes a relationship based on common association.
Q: Do veterans and/or widows have to make an application for assistance or are they allotted funding through the Legion representative in their country? A: Requests for monthly or annual assistance to individual veterans or their widows are to be made by name on the RCEL Application for Financial Assistance.
Q: Are grants automatically renewed? A: No, renewal lists must be submitted and be received no later than 01 November at Dominion Command for consideration for renewal of the grant.
Q: If a veteran dies, is the grant automatically provided to the widow? A: No, the widow must submit an application through their respective Legion to Dominion Command. Unused funds are usually dedicated to funeral and burial costs.
44