Spreading the word in the Ottawa Community
I get a lot of suggestions of what I should do about sharing model aviation with new people. Usually to propose activities for this or that organization. I decided to keep this page as a blog of my meetings and efforts. It will allow my friends to support me in this effort and avoid duplication of efforts.
City of Ottawa Event Calendar
Fri, Jan 15, 2010I've been running free community workshops with no charge for a while now. It's going extremely well. I wanted to list these events in the City of Ottawa Event Calendar. Here is the response I got:
Hello Darcy Whyte
Thank you for your interest in the online event listing service for cultural events in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.
Unfortunately, your organization does not fit within the criteria outlined for this online event listing service at this time.
Spotlight is an events calendar for arts organizations such as theatres, galleries, museums, heritage organizations, and other groups presenting events that are primarily cultural in nature.
We regularly review the criteria framework and if in the future your event is reassessed, we will contact you.
EventsCalendar@ottawa.ca
Caroline.Obeid@ottawa.ca
Good Companion Center, Ottawa ON
Address: 670 Albert Street, Ottawa ON K1R 6L2Telephone: (613) 236-0428
Website: www.thegoodcompanions.ca
2009-04-09: I telephoned the Good Companion Center in Ottawa since it's 2m walk from my place. I left a detailed message about my interest in volunteering with model airplanes.
I followed up with an email with some pictures and videos.
I never heard back. Lately I've been adding people that I contact to my mailing list so they can learn about other volunteer work that I do and consider it for their programs.
2009-12-21: I finally heard back. I recieved a note from Sharon Oatway the Day Centre Director. She asked me to take them off the mailing list. At least I know they got my message.
McNabb Community Centre, Ottawa ON
I've been trying to make myself available to people who are learning about models by inviting people to fly at a park at least once per week. I bring repair materials and some spare planes for those who don't have them. When winter comes I want to have a regular place for indoor flying and also in the mean time an occasional place to meet up with people to build, repair and fly around in a room that's sheltered from the wind.
I telephoned McNabb Community Centre (180 Percy, 613-564-1070) in hopes of finding out if they had any availability and what the costs would be. The lady on the phone gave flat no to the possibility of doing a rubber-power model airplane activity for children in their venue. She was completely closed to hearing about it and ended the conversation.
A few minutes after I hung up I decided to call back and get her name because this didn't seem right. For one thing I used to rent there regularly in the past and for another, model aviation such as the flavour I promote is really a perfect fun activity and it seemed like a sin to let her get in the way. When I called back and said I'd like her name for my notes, she didn't give it out but started to ask questions about it and check their schedule and rates.
Here's what was available at the time. Thursday, Aug 27, 6pm, room for 45 at 25.05/hr. Monday, Sep 14, evening, larger room at $32.57/hr.
So I will send that out to my friends and see if we can use those times.
(2009-08-17 Week)
Air Cadets
This morning around 9am I dropped by the Air Cadets office at 66 Lisgar Street near Elgin Street.
It took a while to get in as they weren't answering their doorbell but a man from the Army Cadets came to let me in. He went to fetch someone who may be covering for any questions from the community upstairs in another area.
Sarah Matresky came down to meet me. I had some models to demo and drop off but she was very busy and pre-occupied. She couldn't get me back out the front door fast enough.
I sent a follow-up email with a few links so they could consider having me mentor some of the leaders in their community to be able to have fun and learn from simple model air-planes.
Jack Purcell Community Centre, Ottawa ON
I just sent a note to Jeannette St-Jacques who was my contact when I used to run rubber-power workshops at Jack Purcell.
Earlier in the summer I had proposed the workshops and she told me that she must bring it in front of a committee and will get back.
Here's what I proposed:
Rubber-Powered Squirrel Workshop
Submitted by: Darcy Whyte, Ottawa, ON
Home: 613-563-4444 Work: 613-563-3634 Email: Darcy@Siteware.com
Video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5062796857319214061&hl=en
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1686703641019762407
Description: Build and fly a rubber-powered Squirrel. A Squirrel (featured at www.Ruber-Power.com) is a revolutionary elastic band powered model airplane designed by Darcy Whyte from Ottawa. Wind up the elastic band and it can fly over a hundred of meters. Great for a picnic on a calm day and can fly indoors well too. Must be 12 years old or co-registered with a guardian over 16 years old.
Objective: To learn to build and fly a Squirrel
Suggested Length: 2-3 hours
Suggested number of Sessions: 1
Workshop fee: To be negotiated
Material fee: $7.00, propellers, elastic motors, balsa, tissue, glue, glue sticks, pre-cutting preparation
Course Outline:
1.
Flying Demonstration
2.
Trim Explanation
3.
Building
4.
Trim Explanation while glue is drying
5.
Hand out propellers and rubber
6.
Trimming
7.
Fun Fly
8.
Duration Contest/Simultaneous Launch
Facility Requirement: Building requires flat surface so tables are required. It takes the same amount of space as a dinner table. So as many people can work at a table as can be seated for eating. For flying a gymnasium is ideal. Can work outdoors if weather is very calm.
Availability:
This can be run on short notice.
Scouts Canada, Ottawa ON
I dropped into their offices at 1345 Baseline Road today.
Judy at reception hooked me up to Susan Muehlherr who is the Editor of Scouting Life Magazine. We flew a Squirrel in their lobby and out back for a few minutes. She was excited and supportive and connected me to Pamela Bazinet of the Voyageur Council as well. (Voyageur Council). Pamela introduced me to Andrew Paterson who is the contact for programming. I will offer to provide workshops to get them started at the Squirrels. Also, I will provide an article for Scouting Life Magazine.
Looks like a great start with a great organization!
Air Cadets, Lisgar in Ottawa, ON
I never heard back from the Air Cadets so I just did a follow up. I sent the follow-up to sarahp@aircadetleague.com and execdir@aircadetleague.com which were from the two cards I collected while I visited their offices about 10 days ago.Jack Purcell Community Center, Ottawa, ON
I didn't hear back from Jack Purcell yet so I just sent a note to me contact (Jeannette) to see if they will host model airplane workshops for children. I've done this there in the past on many occasions and it was an amazing success.I also followed up with linda.pajot@ottawa.ca since I had her on my list as a contact for Jack Purcell.
Saint Andrew's Church on Kent Street, Ottawa, ON
Last week, I dropped by St. Andrew's church on Kent and Wellington because I saw a Montesorri sign there for a Sunday activity for kids. I spoke to reception about offering a free workshop for the kids. I got the details for the lady that runs the kids educational programs and the Montesorri stuff. I dropped of a kit for her. The next day I telephoned her leaving a message and emailed her as a follow-up. I've not heard back yet. I was given boomgaardt@sympatico.ca, 613-746-6557, Mary Ellen Boomgaart.City of Ottawa
Linda Pajot got back to me from my email regarding Jack Purcell. She said that she was with the City of Ottawa and didn't know what was going on at Jack Purcell. She referred me back to Jeannette. I replied asking her what to do to get the model air planes into the City of Ottawa programming.Canadian Tire JumpStart Program
I was looking at their program for children and sports and wanted to talk to them about model aviation as an alternate activity and to see if there was a way that I could collaborate with them to get model planes into the hands of children that wouldn't due to their economic conditions. I called 1-877-616-6600 which I got from jumpstart. The guy on the phone kept talking circles around me and I couldn't really get anywhere. He gave me another number which he said was the admin portion of the jumpstart program. The number he gave was 416-544-6402. I called it to find that it was the voice mail of someone on vacation. I got to reception (I think). I started to explain and they just transferred my call back to the first person that I spoke to.Welcome to corporations.
JUMP Math
Today I contacted John Mighton founder of Jump Math in order to see if there was a way I could collaborate with the construction of curriculum and activities for children. I also emailed all the exectutives and support staff at their Web site. JUMP MathPlant Community Center
I dropped into Plant Community Center while I was out doing other rounds. I asked to speak to someone in the office about their children's programming. The lady at the front (Nikki) said that there was no way to speak to them and I had to fill out a form and they would get back to me. I filled out everything and added my business card and moved on to my business.I received a telephone call from Kevin (613-232-3000 e234) at 4:19. I phoned back 30m later when I got the message and left a message.
Yay! Telephone tag!
MacNabb Community Center
While I was in the neighbourhood I dropped into MacNabb. I wanted to take a look around to see how many rooms they had that were big enough for flying in case I am able to book it this winter or next winter.In my walkabout I found that the whole place was empty. There was a huge gym, the huge room that the Ottawa Remote Control Club uses. All vacant.
Wow, when I called them initially it was a standing room only situation! But it's actually empty!
I went to look for more rooms but the guy who was cleaning just beyond the office said that I wasn't allowed to take pictures.
Also in my travels there I discovered that their was school inside the same building. I walked in there. It seemed empty. But a teacher in the first classroom said that the kids were out for physed. I told her that I was looking to volunteer to help create educational model airplane activities and workshops. She took my card so I hope to hear from her.
Plant Community Center, Ottawa
I finally had a telephone conversation with Kevin. In a nutshell they are disinterested and are at capacity. I mentioned next year and such and it seems that didn't make any difference.Air Cadets, Ottawa
I sent another note to them expressing a bit of frustration because from my visit to their office and emails there is no sign of reply. I suppose the Air Cadets aren't on at this time of year?McNabb Community Center, Ottawa
Just dropped into McNabb again at about 1:13 today. The place was empty and there were lots of staff hanging around. This is a bit of an inconsistency with how booked they are when you phone them to try to book the room I want. I took some pictures from this visit and other visits. I'll post them after the gallery update is finished.(2009-11-10)
