You are not connected. The newsletter may include some user information, so they may not be displayed correctly.

RAUSI February 2021 Dispatches

United in Service of Defence and Security since 1920

Dear ,

Welcome to the February 2021 issue of Dispatches. In this issue, you'll find our newest initiatives, upcoming virtual events, and other related items. If you ever find that this e-newsletter is not for you, simply click on the link at the bottom of this newsletter to unsubscribe.

All members are warmly welcomed to contribute newsworthy matters and photos you've taken to future monthly issues of Dispatches by e-mailing us at admin@rausi.ca.

Message from the President

Maj Mark Soehner, CD (Ret'd)
President, The Royal Alberta United Service Insitute (RAUSI)

 Welcome to the second edition of RAUSI Dispatches for 2021. Despite public health restrictions remaining onerous, life goes on, and RAUSI soldiers on. Three points bear mention.

Firstly, RAUSI’s 2020 Annual Report is currently approaching its final late stages of production and editing. The theme of the 2020 Report informs the value proposition and relevance that RAUSI offers to the extended communities it serves. Understanding the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of this theme is essential to activating RAUSI’s critical mission, i.e., ‘to encourage and promote the arts, science and letters in the study and promulgation of defense and security issues.’ The 2020 Report advances this theme by celebrating the centennial of RAUSI and contrasting relevant extracts from the 1920 Report with an outlined work plan for 2021.

The 2020 Report’s production cycle is faster than that of last year. This is due in part to the fact that, whereas the 2019 edition was produced only in hard copy, the 2020 Report is a digital product. In addition to reaching most current members, this will enable a broader reach into audiences of potential members who are accessible by social media.

Secondly, RAUSI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for 22 April 2020, at which time new directors will be elected. As noted above, RAUSI is undertaking a far more serious effort to remain relevant and useful to the members of the diverse communities it serves; these members are characterized in the 21^st century as much by their differing socio-economic and cultural demographics and facets of interests in defense and security as they are by the traditional criterion of locale of residence.

Whereas RAUSI currently receives an over-abundance of ‘visionary leadership and strategic guidance’ offered by aged, retired military officers, RAUSI needs a much more diverse board in terms of its talents being employed to complete critical tasks and its mix of gender, youth, and multiculturalism. RAUSI needs robust technical leadership in managing its small but critical infrastructure, e.g., a credentialed lawyer to serve as Corporate Secretary, an IT engineer to shepherd RAUSI’s computer/technological matters, a Chartered Financial Analyst to steward RAUSI’s financial investments, an individual experienced in consumer marketing and sales of information. For example, a young, female civilian Certified General Accountant (CGA) has kindly agreed to serve as the Treasurer.

Further, RAUSI requires the diverse talents of those who can research, think, write and produce e.g., reports, papers, presentations, videos, etc. on the wide range of issues in defense and security policy and practice. Such content constitutes RAUSI’s real deliverables.

Thank you to Lt Tom O’Sullivan, Maj Bruce Henwood, MSM, CD (Ret’d), and LCol Ross Wickware, CD (Ret’d) for taking on the nomination process and overseeing the upcoming elections at the AGM.

Thirdly, RAUSI is experimenting with the introduction of a new research product, RAUSI takes note of. This title draws from the opening wording of many UN Security Council Resolutions. The new product will take the form of a note concerning a recent issue, development or situation regarding defense and security. The note will be written less formally than a RAUSI research brief and does not cite sources as extensively. It will remain neutral and impartial in its content but concludes with provocative questions intended to inform further thought and debate among those having a vested or potential interest in the matter’s outcome. The intention is to advance RAUSI’s position as a valuable resource for members and engage members in relevant discussions.

Join the Board

In preparations for this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 22 April 2021, the Nominations Committee has now been struck. The Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2021/22 Board of Directors. Each potential board member must be nominated by two current members and accept the nomination.

RAUSI requires the diverse talents of those who can think, write, produce and deliver a wide range of substantive content that constitutes the mission’s range of deliverables.This pool of talent will help considerably to lead RAUSI through a new era.

Should you be, or know of current, past or potential members who would be willing to serve, please approach LCol Ross Wickware, CD (Ret’d) at rosswickware@gmail.com.

To serve as a board member or vote at the AGM, you must be an Ordinary Member in good standing. If your membership has expired, or you wish to upgrade to an Ordinary Member status, please visit the website (https://rausi.ca) and complete your registration online.

Are you a LinkedIn member? RAUSI now has a company profile page on LinkedIn. Visit us and follow us today! https://linkedin.com/company/therausi

As well, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

New Publications for Members

Several new publications have been posted to the Members area: the 2020 Minute Book; archival RAUSI News from the '90s; and recent USI newsletters from Edmonton, North Vancouver Island, and Edmonton.

CDA Institute - Ottawa Conference 2021

Registration is now open for the CDA Institute's Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence 2021. This year's conference will take place March 10 - 12 and is set to be the biggest event CDA Institute has put on in its 89-year history, with high profile guests from around the world.

The conference will be online and will be roughly 50% less expensive to attend than usual. You'll also have one full month to catch all the panels. To register or to find out more, visit https://cdainstitute.ca/ottawa-conference-2021

Upcoming Events

Many events in other regions are now available through Zoom or other video conferencing software, making location less relevant. Watch the RAUSI website's Event calendar for updates from our associate organizations.

Maritime Security Dialogue - USN: Setting the Theater in the Arctic

Centre for Strategic & International Studies and the U.S. Naval Institute for a Maritime Security Dialogue presents Admiral Robert P. Burke, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe / Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command Naples. This event will be moderated by Heather A. Conley, Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia, and the Arctic; and Director, Europe Program.

Tuesday, 2 February 2021 08:00 - Tuesday, 2 February 2021 09:00

The Legacy of 911 and the Defence of North America - Social Implications of 9/11

What immediate changes did the attacks on September 11, 2001 have upon Canada-US social relations?

In a post-9/11 world, do long-term impacts of this event remain evident in one of the world's most diversely populated bilateral partnerships?

These questions and many more will be examined in the third-panel event of the 2021 J.W. Dafoe Political Studies Students’ Conference. Open and free to the public, this event brings together a diverse group of academics and practitioners to provide a wide range of perspectives and expertise in social topics pertaining to 9/11.

Thursday, 4 February 2021 10:30 - Thursday, 4 February 2021 11:45

About RAUSI

Building a bridge between uniformed and civilian communities, the Royal Alberta United Service Institute's vision is to be the premier organization in Alberta linking the public with members of the Canadian military and their role within and beyond the border of Canada.

Find out More