Squadron Sponsoring Committee
Cadets is a Community
Its success is only possible when we are all involved.
Our Cadet Community
The cadet community begins at the federal level with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The history of how the Cadet Program got started is quite interested, please give it a read here: https://aircadetleague.com/history/
Here at the local level, at the 758 Argus Squadron, the Cadet Community consists of the Cadets, the Officers, the SSC, the Cadet Parents, and of course the broader Brampton community of both Residents and Businesses.
Everyone has a role to play in the success of the Cadet Program:
The Cadets are the focal point. The program aims to develop upstanding citizens that will become the community.
The Officers facilitate the delivery of the program.
The SSC raise the funds and manage the squadron’s facilities, finances and assets.
The Cadet Parents reinforce the virtues and values instilled in the cadets through the program. The parents lead the SSC as members and volunteers.
The Broader Brampton Community is the playing field that the cadet program prepares the cadets for. The residents and businesses that support our fundraising efforts make the program financially possible.
SSC Meeting Schedule
The SSC meets on the first once each month, sometimes online via Microsoft Teams, and sometimes in person – Details relayed ahead of each meeting. All parents and volunteers are welcome to join in and see what’s going on.
DATE | THEME | Status |
| Sept. 2025 | Welcome Back – Expectations & Meeting Parents | Coming |
| Oct. 2025 | Fall Tagging | Coming |
| Nov. 2025 | Remembrance/ Poppy Campaign | Coming |
| Dec. 2025 | 10 for $10 Year-End Fundraiser | Coming |
| Jan. 2025 | Fundraising, Recruiting, Drivers | Coming |
| Feb. 2025 | Fundraising, Recruiting, Operations | Coming |
| Mar. 2025 | Spring Tagging | Coming |
| Apr. 2025 | Spring Tagging | Coming |
| May 2025 | ACR Prep | Coming |
| Jun. 2025 | ACR Execution | Coming |
| Jul. 2025 | Summer Camps & Parent Expectations | Coming |
| Aug. 2025 | Fall Prep | Coming |
Our SSC
A strong Squadron Sponsoring Committee is on that follows the 10:1 rule, which means that for every 10 cadets there is 1 SSC member. Given that our squadron has 160+ cadets registered, we are aiming for 16 SSC members. We are not there yet, so please join us!
Ron Lapos
Chairman
2023 - 2026
“Everything we do, all the time we spend, all the effort we put into this committee is entirely for the benefit of these kids. By participating in this committee, you’re outdoing your peers, you’re leading your own kids by example, and you’re creating a lasting impact in more than 150 lives. I respect and appreciate each one of you.”
Ron joined the SSC in 2021 and became the Chairman in 2023.
The role of the Chairperson involves working closely with the Commanding Officer, SSC members, and the broader community. The Chairperson’s primary responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the SSC and fostering a strong and effective partnership within the committee and with the squadron leadership​​. This role is pivotal in ensuring smooth coordination and effective management of the squadron’s supporting activities and initiatives.
Chairman, 2023 - 2026
Ron Lapos
"Everything we do, all the time we spend, all the effort we put into this committee is entirely for the benefit of these kids. By participating in this committee, you're outdoing your peers, you're leading your own kids by example, and you're creating a lasting impact in more than 150 lives. I respect and appreciate each one of you."
Ron joined the 758 Argus squadron in 2021 with his eldest, and he became the Chairman in 2023.
The role of the Chairperson involves working closely with the Commanding Officer, SSC members, and the broader community. The Chairperson's primary responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the SSC and fostering a strong and effective partnership within the committee and with the squadron leadership​​. This role is pivotal in ensuring smooth coordination and effective management of the squadron's supporting activities and initiatives.
Vice Chair
Deep Chopra
Deep joined the SSC in 2023 and became Vice Chair in 2024.
The role of the Vice Chairperson involves a variety of responsibilities, mainly focused on supporting the Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson is tasked with carrying out specific duties assigned by the Chairperson. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson is responsible for running the SSC meetings. Additionally, part of their role includes learning the responsibilities of the Chairperson as part of succession planning, ensuring continuity and effective leadership within the SSC​​. This role is crucial for the smooth operation of the squadron's administrative and leadership functions, providing necessary support and stepping in as needed to lead the committee.
Treasurer
Ashok Manickam
The role of the Treasurer is pivotal in managing the squadron's finances. The Treasurer is responsible for overseeing all funds and financial records of the squadron. This includes preparing an annual budget for approval, keeping accurate records of all income and expenses, and preparing monthly financial statements​​. Their primary mandate is to ensure the good financial health of the Squadron, which involves diligent financial management and regular reporting​​. This role is crucial in maintaining the financial stability and operational capability of the squadron, ensuring that the cadets have the necessary resources for their activities and training.
Assistant to Treasurer
VACANT SEAT
We are actively looking for a qualified candidate to fill this role ASAP.
The Assistant to the Treasurer is a supportive role within the SSC, designed to aid the Treasurer in their duties. This role involves assisting with general accounting tasks, organizing documentation, and helping to prepare reports and presentations. The Assistant to the Treasurer plays a key role in ensuring efficient financial operations, offering administrative support, enabling the Treasurer to complete their duties accurately and in a timely manner.
Secretary
Brinda Sasikumar
"It's important to do our best for the cadets' future."
Brinda joined the SSC in 2021 as a casual member, and became the Secretary in 2023.
The role of the Secretary is crucial for efficient communication and administrative functioning. The Secretary is responsible for facilitating communication with stakeholders (SSC members, the City, parents, donors, sponsors, etc) and preparing correspondence for the SSC. In collaboration with the Chairperson, the Secretary prepares meeting agendas and is also responsible for the distribution of meeting minutes​​. This role is integral to ensuring that all committee members are informed and engaged with the squadron's activities and decisions.
Past Chairman, 2021 - 2023
Lance Daoust
Lance joined the SSC in 2014 when his eldest joined the squadron. His second child joined in 2015 and retired as the squadron's Chief Warrant Officer (WO1). Lance served as SSC Chairman for 2 years before stepping down in 2023, passing the torch to Ron Lapos.
Lance's youngest child joined the squadron in 2025, and Lance continues to help the squadron in a variety of ways, including managing the SSC website and interacting with parents and the public.
The SSC's Past Chairman serves as an advisor and mentor to the current Chairman as well as all SSC members. This role involves imparting valuable knowledge and experience to the new Chairman, aiding in a smooth transition of leadership and responsibilities. The Past Chairman acts as a custodian of the committee's history and institutional memory, providing support and guidance while gradually stepping back to allow the new Chairman to fully assume their role.
CASUAL VOLUNTEER
Monica Hayward
Casual Volunteers are screened members of the SSC who help out on an as-needed basis.
Monica is an integral member who can be found helping with fundraisers and guiding parents along their journey.
CASUAL VOLUNTEERS
Parents & Community Members
Casual Volunteers are screened members of the SSC who help out on an as-needed basis.
We've learned that the for every 10 cadets there should be 1 SSC member. This ratio of 10:1 means we need 15 SSC members for the squadron to function optimally. Join us and help make the Cadet program a success.
Our Sub-Committees
There is a lot to do in a squadron. To help keep on top of the myriad of tasks we’ve created the following sub-committees. These roles are all currently open and we need your help filling them.
- Fundraising Coordinator
- Transportation Committee Coordinator
- Transportation Committee Driver
- Tagging Coordinator
- Corporate Sponsorships Coordinator
- Facilities Coordinator
- Recruiting Coordinator
- Merchandising Coordinator
- Canteen Team
Success Starts With You
You can do a great deal to help your son/daughter become successful in the Air Cadet Program. The most important thing is to show an interest in their success and training and to support them during the year. There are many other ways that you can help your son/daughter be successful. These include:
- Helping them organize their after school time so that there will be time for Air Cadets and schoolwork,
- Reminding them to look after their uniform (washing, drying, pressing, boot polishing etc),
- Including Air Cadet training activities on the family calendar,
- Try to avoid conflicts with major activities such as Annual Review (ACR),
- Transporting your child to parade nights and picking them up at the end of the night,
- Encouraging them to participate in squadron teams and activities. The more they put into the squadron the more they will get out of the program.
Become a Volunteer
Whatever your skills and experience are, you can contribute meaningfully to the development of not only your child but all of the cadets, by volunteering with the squadron.
A squadron our size typically requires a committee of 10 to 15 members to function adequately.
3 Ways to Volunteer
Join the squadron as a volunteer and ensure the future of the cadet program.
How to Contact Us
Our preferred method of communication is via email. Should you prefer communication via telephone, please feel free to leave us a voicemail and we will return your call during our office hours on Monday evenings. Should you require a response quicker than that, please contact your flight staff via telephone, or other appropriate means, or fill out the contact form above.
Registration info for new cadets can be found under Join Us: https://www.758argus.ca/join-now
Physical Address:
55 Avondale Blvd
Brampton, ON L6T 1H1
T: 905.793.7992
Mailing Address:
758 Argus Royal Canadian Air Cadets
P.O. Box 339, Stn ‘A’
Brampton, ON L6V 2L3