Jim Morriss was elected at our Annual Business Meeting as the new President of our council's Executive Board. In doing so, he becomes the highest ranking volunteer leader. In his introductory message, he explains his Scouting background and why he wants to work with you to make your unit the best it can be:

CLICK HERE to read Jim's message

The Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center and Matthews Scout Shop will have the following changes in hours during the upcoming holidays:

December 22: Fickett/Shop closing at 3pm
December 23-26: Fickett/Shop closed for Christmas
December 28-January 2: Shop closed for end of year inventory
December 31-January 2: Fickett closed for New Years

Here are courses in the next ~30 days that cover the basics of your volunteer leadership position or specific outdoor skills. The links below will either take you to an online course registration or send an email to the course director:

January 15 - Archery Instructor Course
January 20-21 - Muzzleloading Rifle Instructor Course
January 21 - University of Scouting
January 27-28 - Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills (North Shore District hosts)
January 27-28 - Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training (North Shore District hosts)

Unit Committee Chairs and Committee members: ever wonder why your Scoutmaster/Advisor/Coach are wearing the "Trained" patch but you aren't? The short answer is... because you have not completed the training requirements for your position!
 
If you come to University of Scouting on January 21, there's a new program especially for Unit Committee members that will result in you earning the Trained patch. You'll also have an opportunity to learn all sorts of things relevant to your particular "job" in Scouting. We have classes ranging from Unit Finance and how to conduct Boards of Review to engaging new parents, recruiting new volunteers, and how to deal with "problem adults."

CLICK HERE for more details, including the course catalog, a flyer, and a link to register.

Know someone who does a terrific job in Scouting serving Hispanic youth and families, youth in Exploring, or Scouts from rural or low-income backgrounds? Help us honor these deserving Scouters by nominating them for the ¡Scouting Vale la Pena!, William H. Spurgeon, or Whitney M. Young Service Awards. The deadline is January 15 (disregard the December 1 deadline date on the nomination forms).

CLICK HERE to learn more

There are still available openings for individuals and small groups for the 2017 Philmont Council Contingent. The fee is $1285 per person. The contingent leaves Austin July 2 and returns July 15.
 
If you have interested "financially challenged" or "at risk" Scouts and adult leaders interested in being a part of the Philmont Opportunity Crew, there will be a presentation and interviews at the Frank Fickett
Scout Training and Service Center in December 2016 and January 2017. For more information, contact Mark McDermott, Philmont Contingent Advisor, at mcdermot@ece.utexas.edu.

It's not too soon to start planning our council's 2018 Philmont Contingent. It will depart Austin Sunday, June 24, 2018, and will return Saturday, July 7, 2018. You must commit to the estimated financial cost of $1,330 per person ($15,960 per crew) and contingent's payment schedule. CLICK HERE for more information.

Help continue the rebirth of the native Loblolly Pine forest at Griffith League Scout Ranch by taking part in one of our January tree plantings! This is part of an ongoing series of plantings, repairing the damage done by the 2011 Bastrop County wildfires. CLICK on one of the dates below to register:

January 14 2017
January 28 2017

Many Scouts found worthwhile service opportunities during our November Good Turn on JustServe.org: a website devoted to helping volunteers find meaningful ways to serve. At any given time, the site has more than 100 service project ideas (within Austin metro alone).

Scouts may continue to use JustServe.org to find:

• Service hours for Citizenship in the Community and other merit badges
• Opportunities to accomplish needed service hours for rank advancement (Star and Life)
• Potential Eagle Scout projects
• Meaningful service activities for their unit

If you have any questions about JustServe.org or would like to suggest a service opportunity for posting, please contact Colette McCullough at colette@justserve.org. 

Tonkawa Lodge's banquet will take place Saturday, January 14. Mark your calendar now and look for more information soon on the Lodge website, www.tonkawa99.org.

Be a part of the 2017 Report to State Parade on Saturday, February 4! Our theme is "Deep in the Heart of Texas". Plans include:

• TWO Scout Spirit Rallies on the Capitol steps
• A Scout Band leading the parade
• Eagle Scout rededication ceremony

CLICK HERE to learn more and register your unit

The following individuals have made generous contributions to Scouting in memory or in honor of the following individuals:

In memory of Fred Gerbode
Jon C. Yates

In memory of Andrew Jefferson Hunt
Paula Blaka

In memory of Grant Wishard
The Koons Family

In honor of Ron Garland
Dianne Johnson

All Capitol Area Eagle Scouts who earned their Eagle rank in 2016 are invited to attend a reception in their honor on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center. More information will be available in mid-January, and this information will be mailed to the Eagle Scouts at that time. This event is for the Eagle Scouts, their families, their friends and their unit leaders and Scouts.

For more information please contact Teresa.Northcutt@Scouting.org.

The Scout Shop staff wishes every person a joyous and safe holiday season!  Remember that we have supplies for Winter Camp, NYLT or your Boy Scout's wish list. Need to thank a Leader or Mentor? We have gifts that will show your appreciation.

Scout Shop business hours: M-F, 9am-5:30pm and Sat, 10am-2:30pm.! Contact us at CACshop@scouting.org.

December 28, 2016 - Harlem Globetrotters

• Frank Erwin Center
• Performances at 2pm, 7pm
• Pre-game shoot around, photo/autograph session available with "Magic Pass" purchase
• Game ticket purchase includes Scouts patch
• CLICK HERE for more info and ticket purchase instructions