United in Service of Defence and Security since 1920 |
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Dear , Welcome to Spring and to the May 2021 issue of Dispatches. Our Annual General Meeting was held on April 22 and the Board of Directors was appointed. For those of you who were able to attend, thank you for taking part in the meeting!
All members are warmly welcomed to contribute newsworthy matters and photos to future monthly issues of Dispatches by e-mailing us at admin@rausi.ca. We look forward to hearing from you!
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. |
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Message from the President
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Maj Kent Griffiths, MMM, CD (Ret'd), President,
The Royal Alberta United Services Insitute (RAUSI)
 I am honoured to have been appointed as the President of the Institute. Congratulations to the new board and welcome to the new directors.
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Board Members - Major Kent Griffiths, MMM, CD (Retired)
President
- Major Mark Soehner, CD (Retired)
Past President
- Colonel Eppo van Weelderen, CD (Retired)
Vice-President
- Major Joe Howard, CD (Retired)
Secretary-Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair
- Major-General Paul Bury, OMM, CD (Retired)
Programs Committee Chair
- Lieutenant-Comander Anna Kocot, CD
- Lieutenant (Navy) Tom O’Sullivan
- Lieutenant-Colonel Bill Schultz, MSM, CD (Retired)
- Colonel Doug Stinson, CD (Retired)
- Ms. Karen Storwick, MSM
- Lieutenant-Colonel Ross Wickware, CD (Retired)
Governance Committee Chair
It is humbling to be in the company of a group of such outstanding Canadians and I must acknowledge Major Mark Soehner (Ret'd), RAUSI's outgoing President, and his executive for a phenomenal year contrary to the obstacles of COVID. Moving forward I will focus on how the Institute might assist in advancing the professional development interests of HMCS Tecumseh and 41 Canadian Brigade Group. We will continue with Social media, the virtual office, and electronic communication. Thanks for all of your support.
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The inaugural digital edition of RAUSI's 2020 Annual Report (formerly the RAUSI Journal) is now released, and it's a big change from previous years! Its enriched content demonstrates the RAUSI is serious in "upping its game" in being more relevant to more readers, in more places. |
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Beyond its overview of RAUSI's business affairs and the Ghost Squadron, the Report's history of RAUSI and United Services Institutes across the British Commonwealth is contrasted with the "how and why" RAUSI is rebranding itself as a 21st-century think tank.
The digital edition of RAUSI's 2020 Annual Report is available for members only. Login > Members > Journals. |
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Calgary Firefighters Stairclimb Challenge
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Immediate Past President Major Mark Soehner (Ret'd) is competing in the Calgary Firefighters Stairclimb Challenge 2021. On Sunday, 02 May, 2021 at 0900 hours, Soehner plans to initiate the climb of the lower stairs at Battalion Park. Ten cycles on these steps is the equivalent of climbing the downtown BOW/ Encana building to the 55th Floor, 775 vertical feet, 1204 steps. This is the virtual climb that replaces the real thing – the Bow building is closed -  that in 2019 Major Soehner completed in 28 minutes. This is a challenge. The other part of the Firefighter Challenge is to raise money for Wellspring, to support those who are struggling with cancer. Wellspring states “no one should face cancer alone”. |
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| Major Soehner's fulltime career was 27 years with the Calgary Fire Department, 1979-2006. If you are inclined to support programs to help those facing cancer, please visit his donation page. Donations accepted up to two weeks post event. |
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As of 30 April, his Team to the Top is No. 1 in fundraising at $4,215‍!! |
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Call for Nominations for the Veterans Ombudsman Commendation
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The Veterans Ombudsman, in consultation with the Veterans Ombudsman's Advisory Council (VOAC), awards the Veterans Ombudsman Commendation to recognize and honour the exceptional dedication, hard-work and selfless motivation of an individual or group's contribution to Canada's Veterans and their families. Nominations are open to individuals, groups, businesses and associations in the following four categories: - National organization or group – to recognize the exceptional work and significant contribution of an organization or group with a national scope that resulted in a long-lasting and positive impact on the well-being of Veterans and their families;
- Local organization or group – to recognize the exceptional work and significant contribution of an organization or group that resulted in a long-lasting and positive impact, at the local or regional level, on the well-being of Veterans and their families;
- Individual – to recognize the exceptional work and significant contribution of an individual that resulted in a long-lasting and positive impact on the well-being of Veterans and their families at the national or local level; and
- Lifetime Contribution – to recognize the life-long dedication, exceptional work, and significant contribution an individual has made in supporting or advocating for Veterans and their families.
Nominations for the 2021 Veterans Ombudsman Commendation will be closing on 1 July 2021. | |
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RAUSI and Valour Canada presented 2021 Virtual Speaker Series: The Battle of Vimy Ridge, on the 104th Anniversary of this important WW1 battle. The event was well attended with members of both organizations. This event is a part of RAUSI's new Speaker Series. Stay tuned for upcoming speaker series events, including one on the topic of International Law of Cyber Warfare. If you were not able to attend, a video is now available in the RAUSI Video Gallery. | |
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RAUSI celebrates the 101st Anniversary this month! We began as “The Alberta Military Institute” on 14 May 1920. Then on 21 May 1947, we became “The Alberta United Services Institute,” and finally, the prefix “Royal” was added by royal granting on 31 October 1975. |
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Becoming Public: the History of Surveillance |
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Tuesday, 4 May 2021 @ 16:00 - 17:00 MDT You are invited to UCalgary’s 2021 Lecture of Lifetime: Becoming Public: The History of Surveillance. Join UCalgary and Dr. John Ferris for this thought-provoking and topical discussion about surveillance, espionage, and communications intelligence, and their impact on security and privacy in our modern world.‍ [REGISTER]
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| Southern Pacific Consulting Group Webinar Series
Join in world-class discussions, led by significant academics around the world‍. |
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Transition via Education – The Scottish Perspective
Tuesday, May 4 2021 @ 14:00 MDT This webinar explores the issue of the role of Education in enhancing the Wellbeing Outcomes of Military, Veterans and their Families, with a presentation by Dr. Jim Castle, Ms. Claire Biggar and Dr. Gerri Matthews Smith who will share insights and experiences from Scotland. [REGISTER]
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Research for change: Examining the history of the LGBT Purge in the Canadian Armed Forces
Wednesday, 12 May 2021 @ 15:00 MDT This webinar explores the issues and experiences of LGBTIQ Military Service members, Veterans and their Families, with a presentation by Dr. Carmen Poulin & Dr. Lynne Gouliquer who will speak about the LGBT Purge that occurred in the Canadian Armed Forces and the role social science played in bringing about social change. [REGISTER]
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'Military Voices': The experiences of those who train to teach as part of their service to civilian pathway
Wednesday 19 May 2021 @ 15:00 This webinar explores the issue of the role of Education in enhancing the Wellbeing Outcomes of Military, Veterans and their Families, with a presentation by David Mather, Leigh Pickard-Morrish, Kevin Lloyd and Bruce Morrison from the University of Portsmouth on the Further Forces Programme and the role of Teacher Training / HE Education in their transition. [REGISTER]
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Thursday, 20 May 2021 @ 19:00 MDT Valour Canada is partnering with Tailgunner Brewing Co. and Goose’s Quizzes to bring you an exclusive event designed to challenge your mind while delighting your tastebuds – all from the comfort of your own home! Each ticket will include one beer bundle which will be delivered directly to your home. [REGISTER]
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Building a bridge between uniformed and civilian communities, the Royal Alberta United Services 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. |
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May Dispatches banner photo courtesy of Tokie Brideaux. Submit your photos to admin@rausi.ca to be featured in the upcoming Dispatches.‍ |
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Copyright © 2021. The Royal Alberta United Service Institute, All rights reserved.
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