Supporting our youth throughout their adventure

Important links and information for parents

Parents are an important part of the Cadet organization. Whether you support our cadets at home by maintaining their uniforms or helping the Sponsorship Committee locally, provincially, or nationally, Our cadets cannot be successful without you.

Click here to sign up for Team Snap.

Communication wth parents

The sponsorship committee and the squadron will communicate with cadets and parents via Team Snap. A communication tool that sends emails and/or texts regarding training, fundraising and special events. Please sign-up so you can keep up to date when events are happening.

Sponsorship Committee

878 Squadron Sponsorship Committee is foundational in the operations of the Air Cadet program locally

878 SQUADRON SPONSORING COMMITTEE (SSC)

The 878 Sponsoring Committee is a registered charity in the Province of Alberta. Fundraising efforts adhere to legislation concerning charitable organizations. Ultimately, the local sponsoring committee is responsible for keeping the doors open and the lights on for the local squadron. The cadet program within the Canadian Forces pays for uniforms, training, logistical support, summer camps and other organizational structure. The Sponsoring Committee pays for the gym rental, taxes, utilities, headquarters building maintenance, vehicles, insurance, recruiting initiatives and other financial costs associated with running the squadron.

Provincially, the Air Cadet League supports squadrons by maintaining the provincial glider fleet, providing scholarships, committee member training and other supportive work. Nationally, the League works with the Department of National Defence to create the best program available to our cadets in addition to financial support for power and gliding schools and other scholarships.

At the Local level, the Air Cadet League comprises of Squadron Sponsors and a Squadron Sponsoring Committee for each Air Cadet Squadron. The Squadron Sponsor is often an association or service club, or it may be a group of parents or others, from which human and other resources may be provided for the Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC). SSC’s are responsible to their respective Provincial Committees, and the Chair of the Squadron Sponsoring Committee is a Member of the Provincial Committee.

SQUADRON SPONSORING COMMITTEE

The day to day responsibility for administering the affairs of the Squadron in matters governed by the Air Cadet League (ACL) belongs to the Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC). There are three essential features that distinguish the SSC from the Squadron Sponsor. The first is that the SSC agrees to act on behalf of and in the interests of the ACL and to be responsible to the Provincial or Territorial Committee in whose jurisdiction the Squadron is located. The Squadron Sponsor has no such relationship with the ACL. The second is that the SSC is granted authority to make decisions and recommendations in certain matters on behalf of the ACL. The Squadron Sponsor has no such authority. The third is that the SSC has a formal role to play in discussions with the Commanding Officer (CO) as to the selection and funding for optional activities for the cadets during the training year. The Squadron Sponsor does not. The Chairperson and members of a SSC may be from either within or outside the Squadron Sponsoring Organization. The essential point is that the sponsorship of a Squadron be done well, regardless of how the SSC is set up; what is required is a sound basic organization that meets ACL requirements and good leadership. SSCs generate millions of dollars annually through donations and fundraising to support their local Air Cadet program. In addition to support received from its Squadron Sponsor, an Air Cadet Squadron may receive assistance and support from other organizations, groups or individuals who are simply Supporters of the Squadron (see Bylaws Article 9.3). SSCs must be cognizant of the undeniable importance of Squadron Supporters and the contribution they can make to the success of their Squadron

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE AIR CADET LEAGUE OF CANADA

Vision

An aviation focused organization preparing youth to be engaged citizens of Canada.

Mission

To promote and encourage the nation’s youth to develop and maintain an interest in aviation, leadership and citizenship, in partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces and other organizations.

Mandate

To help youth improve their knowledge of aerospace and aviation by supporting and providing access to educational programs and resources.

To help youth become better engaged citizens by providing opportunities to access educational programs and resources, including leadership, communication, volunteer opportunities, and awards and scholarships.

To collaborate and assist our CAF partners in our shared roles and responsibilities in support of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SQUADRON SPONSORING COMMITTEES

The Squadron Sponsoring Committee of an Air Cadet Squadron shall be responsible for:

1. assisting in recruiting suitable persons to be Cadets in their Squadron;

2. making comments through their Provincial Committee to the appropriate Region Commander regarding the appointment, promotion, transfer or release of Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) Officers for their Cadet Squadron;

3. assisting in providing names of possible candidates for replacement Officers and for positions as Civilian Instructors or volunteers;

4. inviting suitable persons to be members of the Squadron Sponsoring Committee;

5. liaison with other Cadet unit Squadron Sponsoring Committees;

6. providing appropriate accommodation for their Squadron’s training, administration and stores when it is not provided by the CF;

7. providing training aids and equipment, including band instruments, not supplied by the CF;

8. arranging Cadet recreational programs;

9. providing transportation, when not available from the CF, for local training exercises

10. providing for the financial and administrative needs of the Squadron;

11. supporting Provincial Committee activities;

12. providing input to Cadets’ applications for summer training;

13. providing such other facilities or assistance as may be mutually agreed between the Squadron Sponsor, the Squadron Sponsoring Committee, and the CF; and

14. Registering and Screening all volunteers in accordance with League policies.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AIR CADET LEAGUE - COMMITTEE

To the Air Cadets – The main objectives are to:

Obtain suitable training quarters for the Squadron;
Provide adequate financing for the needs of the Squadron not otherwise covered by DND;
Encourage the enrolment of qualified young people as Air Cadets;

Visit the Squadron as frequently as possible during training periods;

Work with the Commanding officer (CO) in selecting Air Cadets for training reward activities
Award trophies and other special inducements for proficiency; and
Sponsor Air Cadet Bands.

To the Community – The SSC will undertake to:

Interpret the aims of the Air Cadet training, particularly to parents, civic authorities, community organizations, etc;
Publicize the activities of the Squadron through press, radio and television, and through special activities; and
Assist Squadron Officers in devising and carrying out Squadron projects that will be of benefit to the community; i.e., environmental clean-up campaigns, blood donor clinics,
ushering at community events, etc.

To the Canadian Forces – it is the function of the SSC to:

Work with the appropriate DND authorities in obtaining the services of properly qualified Officers and Instructors for the Squadron;
Assist in the recruitment of new Air Cadets;
Cooperate with the Commanding Officer in arranging medical examinations for Air Cadets; and
Assist the Commanding officer in every way possible to ensure proper custody and care of equipment on loan to the unit from DND;

To the Air Cadet League – As a component of the ACL the SSC is expected to:

Maintain a committee or group of adequate strength to support the Squadron;
Delegate responsibilities to Members of the Committee, such as finance, publicity, enrolments, accommodation, liaison with other Air Cadet Squadrons, etc;
Ensure that important announcements emanating from League Headquarters or the Provincial Committee are made known to Squadron personnel and to the Air Cadets;
Provide required documentation to the provincial and national levels in a timely manner; and
Provide financial support as agreed to the Provincial Committee.

Where we need help

Join the local committee

Our local organizing committee needs your help. As a registered charity and as part of our association with the Air Cadet League, we require a Board of Directors which includes the positions of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and general board members. Your participation will help with supporting the training of our cadets.

If you are unable to commit to sitting as a board member, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities during our fundraising, recruiting and annual ceremonial review.

Help with bottle drives

A major fundraiser for the 878 Squadron is performing bottle drives in our local community. Cadets do help with this activity by going door-to-door, but the activity cannot happen without our parents and volunteers to drive, assist with door-to-door canvassing and be present at the sorting facility while they process our bottles. We have four bottle drives a year 2 in Exshaw/Banff and 2 in Canmore. The drivers occur on Friday evenings and Saturdays during the day. If you have a truck or cargo trailer, that is a huge asset for us.

Support current fundraising events

We have an ongoing fundraiser selling first aid kits. These are ordered online and available for pick-up only in Canmore. The packing of first-aid kits and processing of the order requires volunteers.

878 Air Cadets also have an annual silent auction that occurs during the annual ceremonial review (last parade of the year). We now hold a hybrid event where the items up for bid are online for purchase by the wider community. This is an excellent fundraiser, however, we rely on the generosity of our local businesses. If you would like to donate to the auction or have connections during our donation drive please let us know, and as always please shop local and purchase from the businesses that support us by browsing our sponsor page.