Scouter November-December 2009

 

 The Blue Ridge Council formally invites a Scout and their family to meet the National Chief Scout Executive, Robert 'Bob' Mazzuca of the Boy Scouts of America.  Each Pack and Troop in the Blue Ridge Council is asked to send at least one Scout and their family to 'A Morning at the Museum'  meeting Bob, as he tours the Nation making select stops promoting the 100th Anniversary of Scouting. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for  Scouts in your Pack or Troop to meet the National Chief Scout Executive!
When:  Saturday, January 9, 2009, from 10:00 - 12:00 A.M.
Where: Upstate History Museum (540 Buncombe Street, Greenville S.C. 29601) this is located two blocks off of N. Main Street in Downtown Greenville.
What to bring: Each family with the help of their Scout should write a letter stating what Scouting has meant to their son and family. 

What Scouts will be doing: Scouts will meet the Chief! Scouts will have the opportunity to tour exhibits and displays celebrating Scouting through the past 100 years!  All in attendance will also be planting a Tree on the grounds of the Museum commemorating this special visit from our Chief.  B93 Rock Radio Station will be on site, broadcasting the event live.  Scouts may also wish to visit the Museums displays of pottery, paintings, etchings, jewelry and various displays including the Museum Store and WWII exhibits. Click here to print out registration form.

 

LEADER TRAINING: Are you a trained leader?

Boy Scout Leader Specific Training- January 23, 2010

Trainer's Edge - February 20, 2010

Upcoming Events- MARK THOSE CALENDARS!!

 

 

 Rechartering has been streamlined to make the process a lot easier. The youth that were recruited at school nights will be marked with a red 'x' to show they have paid for 2010.  This is intended to eliminate duplication of registration fees. As a reminder, annual registration fees have been increased to $15 for new and rechartering Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers. The following information will help you in the process.
 
Included in the Kits- For Information Only: (Units Keep)
 
 
Items to be returned to the Council Service Center:
□          Unit Re-charter Renewal Form with Fees
 
□          Applications for all unregistered youth and adults
 
□          Gold Star Unit Certification Form with signature
 
□          Demographic Letter
 
□          Annual Charter Agreement
 
□          National requires new adult volunteers registering in a unit to provide social security numbers.  If someone is currently registered and is transferring or multiple registering with a different unit, a new application with SSN# will be required.

 

 The 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership is an opportunity for anyone to recognize outstanding leadership by a Scout, registered Scout leader, or Scouting volunteer who made a significant difference in the lives of others by the extraordinary service they have given and the Scouting virtues they have modeled.

A nominee must be:
* A living Scout or Scouting volunteer, who may or may not be currently registered with BSA.  However, all youth nominees must be a registered member of the BSA.
* Must have served as an active Scout or Scouting volunteer within Scouting for at least one year. Those nominees recommended to the Blue Ridge Council do not have to be individuals involved with our Council but must currently live within our boundaries.  Otherwise, they should be nominated in the Council where they now reside.
* Nominees may be young or old; there are no age criteria. Nominations will be submitted using a form available online and consists of a story that is 450 words or less describing why the person is worthy of induction into the National Hall of Leadership.  Through a panel of judges, the Blue Ridge Council will choose 12 local nominees.  Those 12 persons selected by the Council will then be considered by the judges of the National Council who will select one inductee from the Blue Ridge Council for the BSA's 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership.  Just being nominated is an honor!
 
If you have any questions in this regard, please contact Michael Thompson at Thompson1994@msn.com . 
Beginning now, nominations are entered through the National Hall of Leadership section of the 100th Anniversary website.

In February 2010, the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate 100 years as an organization. Founded as an outlet to prepare every eligible youth in America to become a participating citizen and leader, BSA has more than fulfilled its mission. Today, as we celebrate our first 100 years, we not on only reflect on our rich history, but lay the foundation for a strong future, as well. Click here to view the Blue Ridge Council's Calendar of events and Unit Leaders' Toolbox celebrating 100 years of Scouting!!  Click here to view the National Website 100 Years of Scouting. 

The Character 2010 presentations will make a dramatic impact on our ability to continue the implementation of the capital improvements for Camp Old Indian. Parents will have an opportunity to truly make a difference in the future of Scouting in the Upstate. Click here to view our fully embroidered recognition items parents and leaders will receive. 

 

 The Silver Beaver Award is made for noteworthy service of exceptional character for distinguished service to youth. All applications must be submitted to the Council Office by November 25, 2009. The following lists instructions necessary to complete the application process:
 
1. Be sure to give the full name and titles of the nominee exactly as you want them to appear on the certificate. Please do not use abbreviations, initials only, or nicknames.
2. Furnish as much information as possible for sections a, b, and c.
a. Record of service in the Boy Scouts of America. (Name chartered organizations in cases where service is unit-connected.)
b. Statement covering the nominee's standing in the community, citing activities in which the individual is most active in business, professional, civic, religious, educational,  fraternal, veteran, rural, and other fields exclusive to Scouting.
c. Record of noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth within the territory under the jurisdictions of this council.
3. Long-established policy limits the award of the Silver Beaver to adults (over 21) who are registered as volunteer Scouters.
4. Nominations will not be considered for former professional Scouters or council employees within 5 years of their leaving employment of BSA.
5. Nominations cannot be considered for posthumous awards.
 
Applications are available at the Council Service Center or by clicking here.  If you have any additional questions please contact the Council Office, 864-233-8363.

If you are a BSA Certified Climbing Instructor, we NEED you. The Council Climbing Committee is gathering a list of all Certified Instructors.  If you are a BSA Certified Climbing Instructor, Lead Instructor or Director, please e-mail Paul Herr, Council Climbing Chairperson, at pdherr@gmail.com .

Scouting for Food is when Scouts go out into the community and collect food items to donate to local food banks for those less fortunate.  All Scouts should participate in this Food Drive.  Scouts should do a good turn daily, and this is a fantastic way for us to gain community service hours, and for the Scouts to be seen out in the community doing good things for people who need it.  
 
 We always participate in Scouting for Food on the two Saturdays surrounding the Birthday of Scouting in February (February 6 and February 13, 2010). Not only is it an appropriate way to celebrate Scouting's Birthday, but food pantries really need a boost after the holiday rush. Scouts do a great job every year of helping to restock those empty pantries.
 
In past years we have provided bags for units to use, but this year we are asking that you use your own bags or boxes to collect food. Everyone has plastic bags laying around the house, and most people would love to get rid of them. The Blue Ridge Council has developed a flyer that can be passed around neighborhoods indicating which day Scouts will be in your area to pick up food.
                       
In 2010 we will again collect soup, beef stew, chili, canned fish, canned meats, canned vegetables, canned fruit, peanut butter, and many other food items.  We only ask that you not collect anything perishable or frozen.  
 
There are several ways to participate in Scouting for Food.  You can go out on a day and drop the flyers off in neighborhoods, and pick food up on a specified date.  You can go out and collect the food as you go. You can stand outside a grocery store and collect food. The important thing is to collect the food so we can give it back to those less fortunate.
 
You may be wondering if there is a particular food bank to which you should donate the food.  Well, the neat thing about it is, your unit picks the place that you think will benefit most from the food.  Examples are your local Salvation Army, your church, United Christian Ministries, your sponsoring organization and other local food pantries.
 
So, how do you get involved with this great activity?  You can pick up the Flyers at your Round Table Meeting in February.  Call your District Executive to get additional details.  
 
Please plan on participating in Scouting for Food.  Together we can do a Good Turn for America.

Phone: 288-1560      Fax: 288-1613
Email: ssutton@bsamail.org
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 

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