Voyageur Region Rover Round Table

Questions Most Commonly Asked About Rovers

The information on this page was adapted entirely from the Ontario Rover Community pamphlet of the same name. With the advent of the Contemporary Rover Program and the corresponding new Rover Handbook, some of the answers may be out of date.

What are some things you do as a Crew?

There are many things that you and your Crew can do. You can go camping or canoeing. You can help with special events for other sections or even plan them yourselves. For example, run a District Kub Kar Rally. Take some extra training like a First Aid course. Or take part in multi-Crew events. The only limit to what you can do is your imagination

How can we recruit members into our Crew?

A difficult question to answer. There are many ways to recruit new members, but not every method will be right for you. Some members may come from the same school you attend if you post flyers or messages on bulletin boards. You may try to recruit a family member (brother or sister) into the Crew, or even a friend. Visit a Venturer Company that doesn't already have a Crew to let them know that you exist and are ready to welcome them into yours. Organize an activity, and have each Crew member bring along someone they think would enjoy being a Rover. Do some active Public Relations, so people know what Rovers are all about. If you get lucky, someone from out of town might contact you and ask to Rover with you. There are many ways to recruit members, you just have to discover them.

What can we do for fund raising?

Rovers have a difficult time finding ways to raise funds, especially if they are the senior section in a group. However some Crews have thought up some different ideas to get the money they need to keep going. Some Crews perform screen printing at events (with the permission of the organizers) and produce t-shirts and such. Others do an annual fund-raiser like selling cheese or Christmas Trees. Some Crews will run a camp for youth during the summer months. You could even use some of the special talents in your Crew, like air brushing or leather work, to make some money. It doesn't take a lot of creativity to think up new ways to do fund raising.

How does a Crew conduct its meetings?

This will depend upon how the members of your Crew feel. If the Crew follows a theme, then you may want to model your meetings to keep the atmosphere of this theme. However most Crews are using the basic business setting to run meetings. They have one person who Chairs the meeting and leads the discussion. It is entirely up to your Crew members on how the meeting is run.

Should we use the Knighthood theme?

When B.P. created the Rover Section, he modeled it after the Knights of England. Some people feel that this particular theme is outdated, while others believe that it is what has kept Rover tradition alive for so long. Some Crews use the Knighthood theme and go all out in its use by wearing full Knight's armor to meetings. Another Crew will use only bits and pieces of the Knighthood theme, like the titles for executive positions and the squireship. Some Crews do not use the theme at all, while still others use a different theme altogether. There are Search and Rescue Crews, Naval Crews, and various Vocational Crews throughout Canada. The decision to become a "Themed Crew" should be made by all Crew members. Once you choose a theme, it is not engraved in stone. After a time you may wish to change the theme of the Crew. But again, the decision should be made by the whole Crew.

How does a Crew incorporate a theme into the things it does?

Activities that your Crew do, do not necessarily have to be theme related. However, ways in which Crews have incorporated theme ideas into everyday Crew activities are: - performing ceremonies (investiture, taking on an Executive position) in the style of your theme - naming the positions of the Crew Executive in the style of your theme - a Crew code of Conduct taken from the Crew theme.

Aren't Rovers just leaders with red Epaulets? Do I have to sign up as a leader to be a Rover?

NO! Scouts Canada defines a Rover as being an adult male or female no younger than 18 and no older than 26. Rovers have their own program, their own training courses for Advisors, and their own events. Many Rovers do provide service to other groups in the form of leadership, but it is not the main purpose of the Rovering program. If you do decide to become a leader, then you should register twice. Once as a Rover and once as a Leader (you only have to pay once though).

How much service should our Crew do?

There are no set requirements or quotas to determine how much service a Crew should or must do. The amount of service done by a Crew is up to the Crew. Some Crews focus their entire program on providing a service, like Search and Rescue, while others concentrate on other aspects of the Rover program. As a Crew, you should decide how important providing a service is. But remember, our motto is "Service".

What kind of resources do we have? Where can we go for help?

Many Regions have a Regional Rover Round Table or Rover Council, who would be more than willing to provide information and advice to your Crew. The Ontario Rover Community (ORC) is another resource. They can put you in touch with a number of people who have valuable experience. Other Rovers in your District are great resources as well. They can help plan, and participate in events with your Crew. Your District Service Scouter or Rover Coordinator is just a local call away and has access to a lot of information and ideas. The Rover handbook can help to give you program ideas to get you started if you are a new Crew. Your Crew Advisor is there to give their sage advice in times of need, don't forget about them. As well, your Regional or District Office will have people you can contact. The resources are there for you to use, it's up to you to seek them out.

What is a Round Table/Rover Council?

A Round Table/Rover Council is a meeting of Rovers. There are various levels of Round Tables. There are Regional/District Round Tables and Provincial Round Tables. The purpose is to maintain communications between the Crews, provide information about upcoming events and training, and to promote Rovering on that level. Each Crew sends a representative to the Regional/District Round Table, which in turn sends representatives to the Provincial Rover Council. Contact your Regional Council for more information.

What are Moots?

A moot is a camp for Rovers. It involves a bunch of activities for the Crew to participate in, and a chance for Rovers from all over to meet each other and see old friends. There are several moots each month, and each has some kind of theme associated with the weekend. Many of the moots are advertised well in advance. It's a great way to meet new people.

What kind of stuff should we be doing?

Fun stuff. There is no point in doing it if it's not fun right? Stuff you're interested in or want to learn more about. Basically you should be doing stuff that you want to do and helps to develop yourself as a Crew, as a Rover, and as a person.

What are the coloured ribbons and big red epaulets that I see older Rovers wearing?

These are parts of the previous Rover uniform. Some people continue to wear them with the current uniform. This is not appropriate. You are a Rover, and a part of Scouts Canada. You should wear the proper uniform, and move these items to your campfire blanket or other special place. They have no place on the new uniform.

What's in it for me?

A chance to learn more about yourself, and what you can do. Meet new and interesting people and make lasting friendships. Doing things you never thought you would be doing before. An opportunity to learn new skills and try different activities you might not have had the chance to do before. But most importantly, you get to develop yourself into a better person.

Can I be a one person Crew?

In some areas of Canada, a one-person Crew is acceptable because they are so far away from other Rovers. Distance makes it a necessity. However, whenever possible it is much better to get together with other people to form a Crew. Even if they are strangers, you all share a common bond of wishing to become Rovers. As a one person Crew, you will be limited in the number of activities you can do. With a group of people, you can learn and do so much more.

Do I have to drink?

No, you don't have to drink. Many Rover events are "dry" events (no alcohol is present) and there are many Rovers out there who don't drink. Although there are Rovers who do drink, it is not a requirement or a necessity.

What kinds of awards are there for Rovers?

There are several awards that are just for Rovers. The Rambler Badge and the four Developmental Awards. The Ontario Rover Community also has several awards available to Rovers who do qualify. There may also be awards given out by your District, Regional, Provincial, and National Councils. Rovers may also wear their agency awards on their uniforms. Agency awards include Standard First Aid, National Life Saving, National Lifeguard, etc. Please check with your local Scout Office for the current information.

Courtesy of: Peter K. Waycik