Elise Bruneau

Committed to helping others at all times

When she took the scout oath at the age of 12, Elise Bruneau made a promise to help others at all times and adhere to the principles of duty unto others in her daily life. She didn’t take this commitment lightly because, ten years later, the linguistics student at the Université de Montréal is still a proud member of the scout movement and community involvement is part of her everyday life.

“I experience renewed pleasure every time I learn from others and when I set up useful projects that get people involved. For me, community involvement is a way of life,” she says. “I believe that volunteer work and community activities are an integral part of the education required in order to become complete and informed citizens.”

Elise’s desire to serve others stems directly from her participation in the scout movement. “I am lucky to have been surrounded by people willing to give of their time and energy to pass on the merits of volunteer work.” Ever since she joined the movement, she has been steadfastly involved both at school and in her community (Red Cross, first aid services in college, Katimavik program, university student association, teaching assistant, etc.).

Elise has always been an exemplary member of the scout movement. In 2004, at the age of 17, she even received the prestigious Ordre du Scout and Guide du Baussant, the highest honour for progress made in the Adventurers Association of Baden-Powell.

“To be honoured with the Guide du Baussants scouts must, among other things, have exhibited the scout spirit, been charitable towards others and shown their leadership abilities,” points out Robert Le Bouthillier, chief scout of the Clan 11e des Godillots, of which Élise is currently a member as a senior guide.

According to Mr. Le Bouthillier, Elise has always set herself apart thanks to her candidness, generosity, availability, perseverance and efficiency. “As a woman of action with a concern for seeing the movement continue its work towards educating young people, Élise not only gives of her time, she gives of herself, generously and without counting the hours.”

“I feel I have to give young people all that I have received in terms of experience,” Elise asserts. It was for this reason that she decided to found a group of guides (girl scouts aged 12 to 17) four years ago at Île-Bizard. During the first year, while simultaneously pursuing her college studies, she set up the new group, and then organized and hosted meetings, a winter camp and a summer camp. But more importantly, she taught a dozen or so young girls all about scouting techniques. She also recruited assistants, supervised the assignment of duties and thus ensured the new group had solid foundations.

Four years later, Elise is still chieftain of the group and spends more than ten hours a week with the young girl guides. “I am convinced that I contribute to the development of citizens who know how to interact with their community.” The positive effects are definitely already manifest in the Île-Bizard community: the girls get involved at school, sing for senior citizens, baby-sit, spend time working at the food and clothes bank and so forth.

“Scouting is not just a way of preparing for life, it is also a tool for building a united and sound community,” believes Elise, who will be undertaking a Master’s degree in speech therapy next year.

Elise Bruneau