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Volunteer Fundraising Bond

Introduction

​The Air Cadet Program is jointly funded by the Government of Canada, through National Defence, and by parents and guardians through their local Squadron Sponsoring Committees (SSCs). Every parent and guardian is a member of the 699 Jasper Place SSC by virtue of their child being a member of the Squadron. As parents, we are jointly responsible for providing approximately $70,000 in fundraising each training year to support our cadets and their activities - about $470 per cadet. These funds pay for the building rent, Cadet League fees, transportation, food, training materials, instruments, etc. 

 

​​The Squadron relies on the dedicated efforts of parents like you to meet its funding requirements. In the 2024-2025 training year, the SSC introduced a volunteer fundraising bond to be paid at registration in September. The bond is optional and refundable as parents volunteer for planned fundraising activities supporting the Squadron. The decision to institute this bond was voted on by parents at the AGM in May 2024. The volunteer fundraising bond is a crucial step to ensure we can meet the ongoing funding requirements of the Squadron. 

Bond Amount and Payment

The volunteer fundraising bond value for the 2024-2025 training year is $140/cadet.

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Parents will be given the option to pay for the bond via cash, credit card, debit card, or cheque. (Note that NSF cheques will incur an additional $40 fee.)

 

As a bond, parents can earn the bond back by participating in fundraising activities. Parents receive credits for working events like casino shifts, helping with bottle drives, and participating in other fundraising events like selling cash calendars.

 

If the volunteer fundraising bond credit threshold is not met before the end of the training year, the bond will not be returned, and a tax receipt will be issued for the bond amount.

Can I just donate the bond?

The best thing a parent can do is donate the bond. This allows the money to be available immediately for the Squadron to use, rather than keeping it in a holding account till the end of the training year. You can opt to either still fundraise or not when donating the bond.

 

Parents who opt to donate the bond and receive a tax receipt. Note that you cannot earn the donation back or change your mind once the tax receipt is issued.

What if I don't want to fundraise?

You may select to fundraise or not when you fill out your Volunteer Fundraising Bond form. Just identify that you would rather donate the bond (see above for details) and note that you do want to opt-out of fundraising.  

 

Those who identify they do not wish to fundraise will not be asked to, but may still receive the general fundraising communications sent via general communications.

How is the bond returned?

Once a credit equal to the bond value has been earned, the bond will be returned to the parent via e-transfer. The bonds will be returned via e-transfers to the email provided on the Volunteer Fundraising Bond Agreement Form.

 

If the e-transfer expires, the SSC will issue a registered letter to the address on the Agreement to make alternative arrangements that are agreeable to the SSC for the bond's return. The bond value will be reduced by $10 for the cost of the registered letter. If no arrangements are made within 30 days, the bond we be forfeit.​

What if I don't get enough credits during the year?

Once a credit equal to the bond value has been earned, the bond will be returned to the parent via e-transfer. The bonds will be returned via e-transfers to the email provided on the Volunteer Fundraising Bond Agreement Form.

 

If the e-transfer expires, the SSC will issue a registered letter to the address on the Agreement to make alternative arrangements that are agreeable to the SSC for the bond's return. The bond value will be reduced by $10 for the cost of the registered letter. If no arrangements are made within 30 days, the bond we be forfeit.​

What if my Cadet quits during the year?

Cadets who officially resign from the Squadron, and turn in all required materials and property prior to January 1, will see half of the bond returned to the parent/guardian using the return process. Cadets that leave on or after January 1, no refund in part or whole will be provided.

Are financial accommodations available?

If you require financial accommodation or would like to discuss the volunteer fees, please check the box on the Volunteer Fundraising Bond form indicating you have special circumstances that you would like to discuss with the SSC Chair. A meeting to discuss your particular situation will be arranged.

Please note that no one will be denied entry into the cadet program for financial reasons.

I thought Cadets was free! What gives?

The Air Cadet program is one of the best youth programs in the country. It is often mischaracterized as 'free' when it is, in fact, provided 'without cost.' The costs are covered through fundraising by parents. Fundraising has sustained the program in the past, but following COVID-19, fundraising has been insufficient to meet the program's costs. The goal of the volunteer fundraising bond is to reignite our fundraising campaigns to ensure that we can continue to provide our Cadets with the best possible Cadet experience now and in the future.

I'm ready to do my part. What's next?

If you missed the opportunity to sign up for the volunteer fundraising bond during our September recruitments nights, we you can do so now. Here is what you need to do:

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  1. Make sure your cadet has been accepted as a member of the 699 Jasper Place Squadron.

  2. Download and complete the form. <Click here to download the form.>

  3. Send $140/cadet via e-transfer to 699wingsociety@gmail.com 

    • Note in the message section of the e-transfer the names of the cadets you a providing a bond for.​

  4. Email the completed form to 699wingsociety@gmail.com​

  5. Keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities listed in the announcements, and sign up to help out!

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