Thursday, March 24, 2011

Welcome - Donations for Creation of Grassy Area for Children

Okay I might be dreaming here but wouldn't it be great to create a grassy area for the children where they could rest with the shade of the trees or play a game of friendly soccer? I know the perfect location. Next to our second parking lot. The only problem is I don't have $3,800 - yup that's how much it costs for 10 loads of soil, 6inches deep to cover 835 sq.yd.

Once again I'm learning something - dirt is expensive.

I know this area would be a bonus to the children. I also know Chad, our Head Paddling Coach, thought it would also be a great place for children in-between their paddling sessions. I figure if we get the soil (tackle that first) then we get the Maskwa volunteer power to level the area and spread the soil. Next step - sods.

So, I got thinking who supplies sods - Farmer Clem's. I called Farmer Clem's head office and guess what? The President, Mr. Blois picked up his line. I should tell you here I gave a quick pitch - more like a plea for help. He has asked for more information. I fired off a letter outlining the need for a grassy area and how any help would be appreciated. I figure nothing ventured nothing gained. Now, I'm asking for all of you out there to send positive vibes our way.

Last summer with lots of fund-raising we managed to supply the children with a new-to-us playground. They love it.

This summer, I'm hoping we provide them with more grassy space.

If anyone knows of any other suppliers please email me at manager.maskwa@gmail.com. All help or donations greatly appreciated.

Friday, March 18, 2011

1st Maskwa Athletic Scholarship Created with Heritage Credit Union



Okay, I have to say I am very excited about the creation of the first Maskwa Athletic Scholarship Program. When I was hired as the Club Manager, my own personal goal was to develop a way to give added value to our high performance paddlers. The first thing I had hoped to create with one of our key sponsors was a Scholarship Program. Why you might ask? Well, what better way to say to our athletes that we value their time and commitment to the club, and the sport of competitive paddling than through the creation of a scholarship program to help lighten the financial burden when they move on to post-secondary. Many of our high performance athletes are not able to work part-time during the school year because of their training schedule and we understand that.

When I had my first meeting with Trudy Wells, Manager of Marketing, Ken Shea, President and CEO of Heritage Credit Union (HCU) and Annette Shumey, currently promoted to Branch Manager for HCU they were all receptive to the idea of the creation of a specific scholarship for our Maskwa athletes. It took a while for us to work out the fine details but I’m pleased to report that Heritage Credit Union is Maskwa’s Platinum Sponsor and that they have offered a $1,000 scholarship to a Maskwa athlete for 2011. The deadline for application has been extended this year to May 1, 2011. Please see the information below for specifics on this program.

Program Specifics:

As proud Corporate Sponsors of the Maskwa Aquatic Club, Heritage is pleased to offer our first MASKWA Athletic Scholarship Program which is open to grade 12 students who are members of Heritage Credit Union or are the child or grandchild of a member.

We are awarding a $1000 scholarship to the successful applicant once they have confirmed enrollment in a post-secondary program.

If you will be pursuing a form of post-secondary education full-time next year, you are invited to apply. Please review the enclosed scholarship information. As a partner in your education and your financial success, we also welcome you to speak with one of us about any financial needs you have now, or in the future. If you’re thinking about applying for a student loan or MasterCard, I’d encourage you to take a look at our competitive rates and exceptional service. We understand that your next step will be challenging, which is why working with us ensures that you can concentrate on your studies when you need to.

Thank you for your interest in Heritage Credit Union and good luck!




Heritage Credit Union Annual Scholarship

Information Package


Heritage Credit Union Annual
Maskwa Scholarship Information Package

Heritage Credit Union is pleased to offer the first Maskwa Athletic Scholarship as part of Heritage Credit Union’s on-going sponsor relationship with Maskwa Aquatic Club.

The Maskwa Athletic Scholarship will be based on the following criteria:

To be eligible for the Maskwa Athletic Scholarship, you must:
1. Be a current member of Maskwa Aquatic Club
2. Be enrolled in Maskwa’s High Performance Paddling program.
3. Be a member or the child, or grandchild of a member of Heritage Credit Union.
4. Be enrolled full-time for your first year at an accredited vocational program,
college or university for the 2011-2012 academic year.
5. Complete the application form and submit it before May 1, 2011.

Application Instructions:
1. Complete the attached application or request an electronic copy from Trudy Wells at trudy.wells@heritagecu.com.

2. Submit a letter of recommendations from Maskwa Aquatic Club’s Head Paddling Coach, Chad Brooks who can be contacted at chadebrooks@gmail.com.

3. Youth play a very important part in the growth and development of our credit union and our community. They offer fresh ideas, passion and commitment to the co-operative principles on which our business is based. Complete and attach a 500-word essay addressing one of these topics:

What is the single most important thing that you have done for your community in the past three years?

Or…

Explain how the Maskwa Aquatic Club’s paddling program has fostered your development?

Or…

Would you consider Heritage Credit Union as your future employer? Why or why not?

4. Community commitment plays a large part in our business and we support those who are equally as committed to their community. Briefly share (100 words/each max) with us your involvement in each of the following:
a. School activities
b. Work experience
c. Leadership experience
d. Awards and honors
e. Community service
f. Environmental causes
g. Athletic involvement

5. Submit all the requested information to Heritage Credit Union at 120 Kearney Lake Branch, Halifax, NS B3M 3P1 or submit by email all forms to trudy.wells@heritagecu.com. Information by also be faxed to (902) 464-0009.

6. If forms are submitted by email please provide a copy of the “Scholarship Completion Checklist” complete with your signature either by scanning/emailing, fax, mail, or via the Kearney Lake Branch.

The deadline for application is May 1, 2011

Determination Procedures:
All applications will be reviewed and judged by a Heritage Credit Union selection committee. The judges will base their scores for the essay on originality, clarity, and meaningful content. The overall score will be reflective of the level of community and school involvement, athletic performance and dedication, and acceptable academic achievement. Scholarship funds will be held by Heritage Credit Union until written verification is received as to the student’s acceptance into a 2011 program

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Wanting Your Maskwa Stories/Open House etc


Spring is definitely in the air! I know it was -7 this morning but with the hot sun streaming through my office window, and the fact I can now see the basketball court once again, I’ve got an extra spring in my step today.

I have had lots of inquiries about membership rates/programs and our Recreational Day Camp program already. We are currently working on having our rates up for the first week of April with a new on-line registration process. You will still have to pay by either cash or cheque but the on-line system will make it easier to calculate your 2011 fees. We have kept the Family Plus cap so for families with two or more children looking to register at Maskwa and take part in both swimming and paddling this will probably be the most affordable rate for you. The great thing about our new system is that it will calculate your actual costs of programming and then advise you what your best option for membership should be. I have to say again a huge shout out to Ian Wood, a volunteer, who has done a tremendous job putting our new system together. It’s much more user friendly.

What I’m working on now is an 8-page tabloid spread which will be inserted in The Herald for hopefully the second week of April for the Clayton Park/Rockingham/Kingswood and Bedford South areas. This insert will highlight Maskwa, our sponsors and our success stories. That being said, I’d like to hear from you.

Send me in your stories about Maskwa. What you enjoy about the club or any pics you’d like included (send as jpeg or tiff file). I know a lot of people today who are parents came to Maskwa when they were kids – so I’m asking for you to tell me what it was like. Old and new stories are great. Please send them to manager.maskwa@gmail.com.

Also we are looking for great individuals who want to work for Maskwa in the following areas:
Paddling coaches
Lifeguards
Recreational Day Camp Instructors
Custodian.

Please send in your resume and covering letter to my attention and I will forward along to the right person.

We have also booked the time for our Maskwa Open House. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 14 from 9am-2pm at the club. Tell all your friends also. Program information will be up in April but for those new to the area or just discovering Maskwa this is your time for a tour of our facility, learn about our programs and come to meet our paddling coaches.

Well, that’s it for now. Again, talk about a gorgeous day.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Maskwa is looking for Summer Coaches

The Maskwa Aquatic Club, located on Kearney Lake in Halifax is currently seeking coaches for the 2011 summer paddling season. All coaches will need to have their Pleasure Craft Operators Card and the ELCC course completed before their employment. Experience is an asset but not required.

If you are interested in working in a fun, exciting, outdoor setting please send a resume to Chad Brooks at chadebrooks@gmail.com and at ianrscott@gmail.com.

There will be courses offered in both the Pleasure Craft Operators Card and ELCC this spring. Please indicate if you will need to be signed up for one or both of these courses when you apply.


Sincerely,
Chad Brooks
Head Coach
Maskwa Aquatic Club

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Gift for Maskwa

What a wonderful way to begin my Maskwa morning. I was unloading books my girlfriend donated to Maskwa when up pulls a van I can't place. Turns out it was Trudy Needler, a member of our board, with a great gift for Maskwa the children/teens will love. It's a brand new fooseball table. It looks amazing. For now, I'm going to keep it in its box until the summer season begins because I have a few rentals who have asked for us to remove all the items in Heritage Hall. I can't wait for the children to see this. For those rainy days, we now have an air hockey table, ping-pong and a brand new soccer fooseball table. I will have to think about how we're going to configure Heritage Hall in the summer but I'm sure we can do it.

This morning I also realized only four more months to go until our new 2011 paddling/swimming season! I can't wait. This is the time of year I start to really hate the cold and looking out my office window at banks of snow does not help. Four months is not long. In that time frame I will be working on our 2nd Maskwa Newsletter, a new Maskwa 2011 flyer, a new rental brochure and of course getting my head wrapped around any new programs.

Okay, I might be dreaming here but I'd love to see a Saturday Maskwa market take place at the club for people looking to get homemade bread, vegetables and fruit and much more.

I have to add that behind the scenes, with the help of Ian Wood, who has been working long volunteer hours to put together our new on-line registration process, I feel confident that this year's registration system will be much more user-friendly. We are in the testing phase at the moment but our goal is to have it up by the first of April. I'm already averaging ten inquiries a week about our summer program and recreational day camp program so that's a good thing.

The road way and 2nd parking lot is icy once again but I've got a small order of gravel coming to be spread later today so the soccer children hopefully won't be slipping and sliding down the driveway.

Don't forget if you want to order your new Maskwa track suit to email me at manager.maskwa@gmail.com or call me at 443-0178 ext: 221 if you'd like to arrange a specific time to come in and try them on.

Enjoy your day. I'm hoping when I roll up the rim to my Tim's cup it's not play again.