Bill's Blog |
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| 2/17/2010 - Bill's Blog-Get Ready for a Busy Year | |
I had the opportunity to make a few presentations recently. This past Sunday, Pastor Chris at the United Methodist Church in Sherrill spoke about mountain top experiences. Experiences that give us a moment that glows and fills us with overwhelming feelings of unity with creation and others and a deep sense of our own worth and the beauty of life. With his sermon, Pastor Chris, gave me a great opportunity to share a few special Scouting stories that have changed lives over the past year. One in particular stands out. The story is of two Scouts in Troop 14 who, by all accounts, saved a 16 year old life in April 2009. They attribute their actions to their Scouting experience. (read about Eagle Scout Brian Fee and Life Scout Dale Raar here: http://www.uticaod.com/news/x402458235/Scouts-honored-for-actions-after-accident ). These young men are great examples of what Scouting can accomplish.
I want to thank all of you who make this type of story a reality. Whether you realize it or not, you are providing the opportunity for mountain top experiences everyday! THANK YOU!
First Annual JAMBO
The council event I mentioned in my last blog has a new name……..JAMBO……..it will be held on October 1, 2, and 3 at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds. So…….what is a JAMBO you ask? A JAMBO is…
· …for EVERYONE…..ALL Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and all family members and friends are invited to JAMBO
· …not your usual Scouting event….JAMBO will feature live music and entertainment
· …filled with adventure….our portable climbing wall will be set up at JAMBO (for everyone)
· …for families….JAMBO will feature a family fun center with “carnival” type activities
· …exciting…We will have fireworks to celebrate our 100th Anniversary at the closing JAMBO stage show
· …camping…JAMBO has camping experiences for all Scouts and their families
· …advancement….Scouts can earn belt loops, work towards rank, and take merit badge classes at JAMBO
· …community oriented…JAMBO will feature community displays
· …fun…We will have plenty of shooting sports at JAMBO
· You can even get a JAMBO patch
Our committee had a great meeting on February 15 with a lot of positive excitement and enthusiasm. I know they will plan a great event. As of now, the committee members are: Peter Fagan, Heather Braathen, Dan Snyder, John Ingram, Michelle Brand, Bill McEachern, Karla Knapp, Paul Trepac, Paul Obernesser, Mark Miller, Al Schrader, Bruce Matteson, Bill Engelbrecht, George Schmidt, Deb Amidon, Marybeth McCall, Frank Dubeck, Brian Rose, Dave Manore, Ed Welsh, and the entire field service staff. We plan to recruit others, so be prepared, when asked, to say “YES, I want to plan the best event we have ever had and have a lot of FUN in the process!”
A lot of debate was held about the date of this event and we realize that there may not be a “perfect time” to hold an event. We also understand that this event is only a week after the “Brotherhood” Camporee……but you don’t let that stand in the way of attending. Start planning NOW for THE most exciting event that the council has ever had!
You will not want to miss this event. Look for registration forms soon!
100th Anniversary Recognition Dinner
Our recognition dinner committee met recently and decided to change the date and location of our annual recognition dinner. The committee hopes that the new date and location is more convenient. It is now scheduled for Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the Radisson Hotel in Utica. The council leadership looks forward to recognizing the volunteers that make Scouting a reality for our young people. At this event, we recognize Silver Beaver Recipients and District Award of Merit Recipients, and some other special awards. However, unit leaders will be will the focal point of our celebration as they are the “boots on the ground” that make Scouting happen. The committee is also planning special presentations from our Scouts and our community. This event will be a wonderful celebration of Scouting as we move into our second century. I hope everyone plans to attend………..look for the registration forms soon.
Talent Search…….Scouting Testimonial
The council is looking for talented Scouts to help us with a new project. This summer and fall, we will be producing our own local advertisements to support our annual membership enrollment and our October JAMBO Here’s an assignment you can pass along to your Scouts:
1) What would you say in a 30 second commercial about Scouting?
2) How would the commercial “look”?
Ideally, we would like Packs and Troops to encourage Scouts to adopt this as a den or patrol project. However, individual projects are welcome. Packs and Troops may also work together.
All entries should be:
1) Typewritten and may include a graphic design of the commercial “set”
2) List the names of the Scout(s) who participated in the project
3) Include the unit number(s) and charter organization(s)
4) Submitted by May 1 to wgarrett@bsamail.org
5) May include a “home video” of the concept-please mail these to the Scout Office at 1401 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501
The council Key 5 will review submissions and choose the best entry for the commercial spot and award $750 to the winning team to be divided equally and applied to summer camp and/or day camp fees. If willing, the Scouts will be featured in the commercial. Other entries may be used for the membership section of our website.
Cub Scouts 2010
Welcome to the most recent evolution of Cub Scouts……Cub Scouts 2010 is a piloted and successful method of delivering the existing Cub Scout program that is handbook-based and focuses on den activities. The program leads to youth advancement and higher retention. The Cub Scouts 2010 Overview Brochure includes information on the pilot, its results, what changes with Cub Scouts 2010 and how the changes benefit the Scouting community. Cub Scouts 2010 is supported by a new leader resource, the Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide. This new resource contains all the information a den leader or Cubmaster needs to deliver the planned program. Check out the Sample Meeting Resource Guide. For more information about Cub Scouts 2010, see Frequently Asked Questions and the 2009 Top Hands PowerPoint or general session presentation. Here’s a summary of what the program will accomplish:
Boy Scouts Featured on Jeopardy
On February 25th, the Boy Scouts will be a featured category on America’s most popular game show. This is a great way to expose our brand to a nationally televised audience during our 100th Anniversary. We will also feature a commercial during the show. Be sure to watch and test your Scouting knowledge.
New communication tool
In the next two weeks, we will try a new experiment designed to enhance and improve our communication. Instead of publishing a paper newsletter, we will be mailing information directly to all registered youth and adult participants. The packets will include flyers for upcoming council and district events and general news items. I see many benefits in this new approach: 1)we will be disseminating information directly to our end customer (Scouts), 2)information on all districts will be included….Scouts and leaders will then be able to “travel” and participate in events in another districts, and 3)the information will be more timely. We hope to send out the packet quarterly. Once you have a chance to review it, please let us know how to improve!
Camp post cards
Our first edition of “Let’s Go Camping” post cards were mailed on February 12…..they look great and I hope they build enthusiasm for a great summer camp experience. Every registered Scout and leader (as of January 22) should receive a copy. I look forward to seeing your Scouts at camp!
Camp assistance
Speaking of camp, I wanted to remind everyone of my (and the council’s) commitment to provide a summer camp experience to every Scout. If you have a Scout that demonstrates financial need and cannot afford to pay the full fee to attend camp, the council has camperships and other options available. Most of our assistance will require some participation by the Scout and family (example: a partial campership and partial payment OR a campership and the ability to sell popcorn). Please don’t let a Scout miss out on a great summer camp experience! Let me know how I can help!
Spring popcorn opportunities
Camp is just around the corner, and your Scouts can earn their way to camp by selling Trail’s End online! Selling online is a great way to earn additional funds to help pay for camp and equipment. Since every online sale is automatically credited to a Scout, the commission each Scout earns can be used to offset his camp fees. Plus, the number one reason consumers make purchases on trails-end.com is to help Scouts pay for camp.
THE UNIT CAMP CHALLENGE! Trail’s End will give $50 bonus commission to any unit that sells $1,000 online between now and Monday, March 15. Have your Scouts start earning their way to camp today!
70% of every online purchase goes back to local Scouting. Any Scout who sells at least $250 online will earn 5% of his total online sales back in Amazon.com Gift Cards.
Scouts can click here to sign into their account (or create an account), send emails, and track online sales. Leaders, click here to sign in and view your unit's online sales.
(This information will be mailed to all Scouts soon)
NY State Special Olympics 2010 and 2011
I just read on the OD website that Utica will host the NY Special Olympics Summer Games in 2010 and 2011. This year’s event will be held on June 4, 5, and 6. In keeping with our tradition of service and showing our communities that we are alive and well, I would like to encourage your unit to volunteer. In my college years, I was involved with the Special Olympics for 4 years and remember it as a rewarding experience. I just sent an email to the state committee offering my personal support. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit www.nyso.org or send me a email. When I get more information, I will pass it along.
New advancement awards to start our new century
When the BSA was founded in 1910, boys weren’t into video games, scuba diving, or robotics. But as we enter our second century, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will be able to earn awards in these topics, thanks to a new focus on change and innovation.
New Cub Scout Academic Subjects:
New Cub Scout Sports:
Five new merit badges will appear over the course of the coming year:
In honor of the BSA’s 100th Anniversary, rumor has it that the BSA will offer 4 “historical merit badges” (those that are officially retired) that can only be earned in 2010. You may find some “unofficial” information on the web. However, the program has yet to be formally adopted. I will pass along the new details as they become available.
For all these new advancements, I will encourage the camping committee to incorporate as much as they can into our summer programs.
100th Anniversary Rank Badges
What a way to remember your Scout’s achievements! For the rest of this year, each Scout earning a rank advancement should be given a special Centennial rank patch. Think about the pride and the memories young men will have as they look back on their involved in Scouting’s Centennial. Encourage your Scouts to advance, these special badges are only available until December 31, 2010. Please note that these items are restricted and cannot be sold without a completed advancement report on file at the council office.
 Cabela’s salutes the Boy Scouts of America on 100 years of values
To thank us for 100 years of Scouting, Cabela’s is offering all councils, troops, and packs up to a 25% discount on all merchandise in 2010. If your unit would like to take advantage of this offer, please call 800-753-3219 or email businessdevelopment@cabelas.com and provide them reference # 47827207.
Yours in Scouting,
Bill Garrett
Scout Executive & CEO |
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