Bill's Blog |
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| 7/12/2009 - Bills Blog-Summer Adventure | |
TO: Fellow Scouters FROM: Bill Garrett
Florida Adventure
It’s Sunday morning aboard AirTran flight #588 from Orlando, Florida. Mark Miller, Marybeth McCall, Dave Manore and I are returning from Merritt Island and a visit to another one of our “Scouters of the Century”-Bob Gilchriest. We enjoyed the stories, the fellowship, and being able to recognize a veteran Scouter. I also believe we brought a little sunshine to Bob’s life-a small thank you for an individual that has done so much for Scouting.
It was also an educational trip. We learned about chocolate and neuro-transmitters, landing long, and that you shouldn’t ask a hotel clerk for roof access to view the space shuttle launch with a straight face. I also learned how to drive with 5 navigation systems operating at the same time. Next time you have the opportunity to visit Merritt Island-I would suggest you dine at the Olde Fish House Restaurant. Just be sure to print out coupons before you arrive and ask for Judy!
Bob Gilchriest
Bob has been active in Scouting since, at least 1935, and attained the Rank of Eagle Scout in 1939. He is a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow, served as Woodbadge Scoutmaster, and has been involved at the unit, district, and council level in at least 4 different Boy Scout Councils. He also holds the highest regional Boy Scout Award-The Silver Antelope.
Bob is also an avid outdoorsman. He served on Ski Patrol at several mountains, holds certification as a mountaineering rescue trainer and avalanche rescue trainer. Bob is also an Adirondack 46er for climbing all 46 peaks over 4000 in the state of New York.
He served in the US Army during World War II and afterwards received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M. In 1949, he began his career with General Electric and worked on many aircraft fire control systems (sights) including the F-22 Raptor. He retired in 1988 after nearly 40 years of service.
From my perspective, the easiest thing to say about Bob is that he is a “silent giver” and a very modest individual. When asked why he became a philanthropist his reply was “I really don’t recall”. “Perhaps it was a combination of my mother, Scouting, and personal philosophy.” Bob has contributed well over $100,000 to our council’s endowment in addition to his very generous annual Friends of Scouting contribution. He is also a major donor to the Rotary Foundation-over 4 years (1995-1999), his contributions exceeded $50,000. His “contributions” transcend monetary gifts-Bob has been a mentor to hundreds of youth and adult members, a respected trainer, a council commissioner, a Scoutmaster, a unit committee chair, a charter representative, and most of all- a Scouting Ambassador.
Bob would enjoy hearing from friends. I would encourage you to send a note or card to: 220 N. Grove Street, Merritt Island, Florida 32953.
Scouter of the Century
I want to thank Bill Rudge for developing the “Scouter of the Century” concept and getting us started on what will be a year-long journey to recognize the outstanding leadership of our veteran Scouters. So far, we have recognized two individuals (Bing Richards and Bob Gilchriest) with more than 60 years of service (each) to our great movement and we have several more to go. Our plan is to recognize each Scouter individually and compile a picture/video presentation to be used at our Volunteer Celebration (council recognition event) in 2010! If you have anyone you would like us to recognize, please drop me an email.
Camp
I am happy to report that all three of our camps are open and full of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers! Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting each camp and being part of the camp visitation process. If you aren’t familiar with camp visitations, it is the process of accrediting local Boy Scout Camps against national and state standards. A team of regional and area representatives visited our facilities, reviewed our programs and physical plants and gave us great reviews. We even heard some good suggestions for the future.
More importantly, I was able to see our Scouts, Scouters, and camp staff in action. They were all having a great time and smiles were abundant! I would like to give my congratulations and THANK YOU to the staff at our new Cub Scout Resident Camp. We had nearly 100 Cub Scouts at camp Kingsley and nearly 50 of them, along with their parents and leaders, spent several nights at camp. This is great step forward to improving the program and membership in our council!
If you haven’t been to camp lately and have a free day, please give me a call or email. For the next 4 weeks, I will be at Cedarlands on Tuesdays and Camp Russell on Wednesdays and would love to give you to a ride to camp!
A Shining Light Across America
For those Scouters not able to travel to the 2010 National Jamboree the stage show scheduled for July 31 will be broadcast live via webcast. It will be a spectacular event with two way transmission. Selected areas from across the country will be able to actively participate. Please mark your calendars now to “save” this historic date. We will provide more information in the coming months.
A Year of Celebration, a Century of Making a Difference
 For the 100th Anniversary, the BSA will offer a unique awards program to recognize Scouts’ contributions. Through “A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference,” we celebrate the enormous impact made by a century of living by the Scout Oath and Law.
· The program centers on five Scouting core values: Leadership, Character, Community Service, Achievement, and the Outdoors.
· Any one ever involved in Scouting—including adult leaders and Scouting alumni—can earn a 100th Anniversary commemorative patch.
· There are inspiring and meaningful ways to meet the patch requirements in each category, especially for the Service award.
o Participants will be encouraged to promote citizenship in the nation and world by helping out programs with a national and global impact, like “Cell Phones for Soldiers” and the United Nations Foundation’s “Nothing But Nets” malaria prevention program.
o In addition to supporting worthy causes, these national and global opportunities show what the Scouting community can do when united towards a shared goal.
o Participants are also encouraged through the Service award to reach out to their local service
Look for more information soon!
BSA Centennial Coin
The Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 5872) was signed into law, authorizing the minting of 350,000 silver dollar coins in recognition of the BSA’s 100th Anniversary in 2010.
· The United States National Mint will produce 350,000 commemorative BSA silver dollar coins between February 8, 2010 and January 1, 2011.
· Only two commemorative coins are selected for U.S. Mint production each year.
· For each coin sold, there is a $10 surcharge that will directly benefit Scouts in hard-to-serve areas, adding up to $3.5 million in new revenue for the BSA Foundation.
· Look for more information over the next few months.
Coming Soon:
Customer satisfaction surveys on the web, a Cub Scout or Venture Scout (boy or girl?), and more new partnerships………………..stay tuned.
Yours in Scouting,
Bill Garrett
Scout Executive & CEO
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