Sept 17, 2021 FROM THE COMMANDING OFFICER...

TO ALL CURRENT 820 SQUADRON MEMBERS:  

820 Fall Start: 820 will hold it's first set of parade nights (for Validations, FTU uniform issues, and SSC fee collections) on 14 Sep, 21 Sep, and 28 Sep at 74 Robert Street, Milton from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This is just west of the Milton Fairgrounds.  These events will proceed RAIN OR SHINE.  See details below.
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21 Sep will be reserved for new registrations (and re-registrations for those that did not attend last year).
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28 Sep will be open for all that missed the earlier dates (first come first serve basis).  Open to all levels.
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Be sure every cadet has it's own unique e-mail address (g-mail is suggested) and that health cards are up to date.  Each cadet should also have a telephone number that is accessible at all times.   SSC payments are to be made in cash only ($200).
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Cadet dress will be appropriate civilian attire and all cadets must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
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Social distancing guidelines are in effect - no more than 15 cadets at a time will be permitted on the location.
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We all look forward to somewhat of a normal return to cadet activities and the plan is for regular training parade nights to resume in Oct at the school (dependent on Covid restrictions at that time).
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Documents required for Validations/New Registrations (or Re-Registrations):
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Current Levels 2-5 - you will be provided with your Validation sheet for review and to make any changes. Make sure you have a unique e-mail and up to date health card.
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New Registrations (and RE-Registrations): packages will be provided or you can print from this website (Join Cadets link).  You will need a birth certificate (or passport or valid residence card) and a valid ON health card.
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A NOTE REGARDING FEES:  while the DND/CF side of the cadet program is free...the Air Cadet League (a separate entity entirely) handles many financials including insurance liability, airplane maintenance, office administration etc.  In turn, they charge every Air Cadet squadron a fee for each cadet that is a member (to cover their costs).   Consequently, the 820 Squadron Support Committee gets a substantial invoice to pay every year based on the number of cadets.  This is unique to the Air Cadet program (Army and Sea are not billed these expenses by their Leagues).  At the same time,  the Support Committee also has to raise the funds for our accommodations (for example, the school rental and the storage unit facilities).  For 820, this amounts to almost $20,000 per year just for the school and the storage.   So if you are wondering why registration fees are necessary...this should provide a good idea.  Yes, technically the cadet program is free...but a lot of the costs to actually run the program lies solely with the Support Committee (hence annual fees and tagging/fundraising events).

NOTE: The collection of fees and/or 820 financials is the sole responsibility of the Support Committee (chaired by Mr. Donald Alva - he can be reached at ssc.820squadron@gmail.com for questions and or concerns) - 820 CIC/Staff are not involved in this process in any way.

As per Mr Alva's direction the cost will be $200 (which includes the Air Cadet League Lottery Book which you will be refunded - $60 credit back- if you are able to sell all the tickets).  This will be payable in cash only and a receipt will be given.  Cheques will no longer be accepted as there have been too many returned NSF (which then costs the SSC more money in bank charges).

New Communication Method:  effective June 28 2021,  Weekly Routine Orders (and all important Squadron information) will be sent out via a private Facebook Group.   CURRENT 820 Cadets/Parents/Guardians can request to join the group now by searching 820RCACS (no spaces) on Facebook and answering 3 security questions.  For those parents/guardians who do not want their cadets on social media, the responsibility will then fall to parents/guardians to retrieve the information and forward to their son or daughter.  This change in information distribution will ensure 100% communication for all relevant members of the 820 team.  If you want to be informed - join the FB group.  This will be the only form of official communication to cadets/parents/guardians moving forward.

E-Mail:  if you need to contact one of the 820 staff members then you must first contact our Administration Officer Capt (Ret) Peter Cranley at:  adm.820squadron@gmail.com.  He will then forward your inquiry to the appropriate staff member.  We do not have a phone number in use at this time.

TO PARENTS OF RETURNING CADETS:   If your child is a RETURNING CADET (FROM THE PREVIOUS TRAINING YEAR),   ANNUAL Validations will be completed "in person" (along with the payment of fees).  Questions/concerns can be sent to the  820 Administration Officer at adm.820squadron@gmail.com.  If your cadet is not returning, please advise the AdminO via e-mail, who will then liaise with the Supply Officer for uniform return, and then proper release from the CCO.    If you are a TRANSFERRING CADET (from another Air, Sea, or Army unit) please e-mail the AdminO who will then forward your request/information to the appropriate authority for processing.

TO PARENTS OF NEW RECRUITS: If your child is at least 12 years of age, but not yet 19, and is interested in becoming a cadet for the first time, click on the "Join Air Cadets" link for specific requirements and documents.   New cadet registrations will start being accepted on 21 September 2021.

DO NOT USE THE "JOIN CADETS" FUNCTION ON THE CANADA.CA WEBSITE (nor the 820air@cadets.gc.ca e-mail address) as it is unreliable and is missing information.  Use only the information and forms provided via this website for new registrations (which MUST be completed/actioned/verified in person).

CADETS THAT DID NOT PARTICIPATE DURING THE 2020/2021 TRAINING YEAR:  you have been removed from the system (by our Detachment) and are no longer enrolled in the program (820 had no control over this action as it was done at a higher level).   If you wish to return you will have to complete a re-enrollment process in the Fall (when the 2021/2022 training year begins).  Note that requests to join the private FB Group will be declined until the re-enrollment process has been completed.  We apologize for the inconvenience.  Re-registrations will start 21 Sep 2021.

UNIFORMS:  820 will begin to have regular nights available for uniform upgrades/exchanges for both the new FTU uniform and the DEU dress uniform (all cadets will be issued both).  Further dates/details to follow with info posted on the 820RCACS Facebook group.   Capt Mike Cameron (the Supply Officer) can be reached at supo.820squadron@gmail.com for supply related issues only.

FTU Uniform Guidelines:  Wedge, Belt, Slip Ons (from your DEU dress uniform) to be used with your new FTU. Do not iron. Boots not shined (blackened only). These are loose fitting uniforms and are meant to be "roomy" in size for maximum mobility.
On our first official "in person" training night we will issue out appropriate/upgraded rank slip ons.
Once the new FTUs have been issued we will then concentrate on upgrading your DEU dress uniform (as Supply will then be open regular hours).
We will issue new rank slip ons (and wedges for those that require them) on the first night back "in person".
Please be patient...after a 1.5 year long shut down it is going to take some time to get supply/uniform issues sorted out.

NEW 820 Kit Shop!  https://promoplace.com/burlingtonshowrooms/showrooms.htm

(Scroll until you see our Squadron crest and then enter the password : 820CH)

SCC VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Parents/Guardians of 820 squadron cadets: we require volunteers for the Support Committee. With the probable return to "in person" activities in the fall, expenses are expected to jump considerably and we need all the assistance we can get.  Most importantly we require a Treasurer and Secretary. For the Treasurer position some accounting background would be preferable but willing to train.
If you would like to volunteer, please send an e-mail to ssc.820squadron@gmail.com (the Chairperson Mr. Donald Alva).
I can't stress enough the importance of having a well outfitted Support Committee....the success of the cadet program depends heavily on such!
Thank you in advance for your consideration with this very important matter!!!

 

 

NEXT PARADE NIGHT

Regular Training Night

Date:                In Person training  Parade nights will resume in Oct 2021

Time:               1845 to 2030 hrs

Location:         St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School

Dress:              CADETS - FTU uniform

RECRUITS - Black necktie, white button-up shirt / blouse, black slack/dress pants.

For further details, please review our Weekly Routine Orders (WROs). If you have any questions not answered by our FAQs, WROs, or the Google calendar, please email us at adm.820squadron@gmail.com.  Thank you.