 |
|
October, 2017 Vol. 10, Issue 9
|
Dear ,
What's important this month? Quite a bit. There is something below for everyone. Here's a few:
- Rechartering--Affects every pack, troop, and crew. There is a window of time to do it. Please read and attend the orientation.
- Scouting for Food--Affects everyone. Please note the dates.
- Training and Roundtable--Affects most people. Be sure to send someone in your unit to training and to roundtable. You unit will be stronger for it!
- And, there is much more that affects us all.
Please forward this to other people in your unit that may not be receiving it. They can also click here to subscribe if they are not on our mailing list.
|
|
Please, Don't Miss This Meeting!
Every year, all BSA units (packs, troops, crews, and posts) are required to renew their membership and renew their relationship with their chartering organization. This process is called rechartering. It can be an involved process, but we hope to make it as simple as possible for you.
Before roundtable on
Thursday, October 5, at 6:45 p.m., there will be an orientation about this process. This will be at the location of our regular roundtable (LDS Church, 220 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael), and it will be done in time for the regular roundtable meetings.
There are some changes to the process, so you should have a representative there to stay informed.
Every pack, troop, and crew should have a representative at this meeting. We cannot stress this enough.
Without exception, every year we have people that do not attend, and they get totally lost in the process. Please, please, please find someone to attend. Much remains the same; however, some things have changed.
At this meeting, you will receive:
- Instruction on how to do rechartering
- Your access code (new every year)
- Timelines and due dates
- A current roster for your unit from BSA system
- A current fee chart
- Some adult and youth applications
- Council purchasing authorization form
You will also be able to ask questions and learn about some of the common mistakes and pitfalls in the process.
Email with any questions.
|
|
It's Roundtable Time
Thursday, October 5, is Roundtable
Unit leaders don't forget to send someone from your unit to the October roundtable meeting. It's a great time to meet other leaders, share best practices, and ask questions.
Roundtables are at 7:30, the first Thursday of every month, at the LDS Church, 220 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael.
Pre-Meetings
6:30--Merit Badge Counselor Training
6:45--Rechartering Orientation
Cub Scout Roundtable
Join us at 7:30 p.m. on 10/5/17, for a short Welcome Event and then Cub Scout Roundtable!!
For new leaders, we want to welcome you and let you know we are a resource to help you get started. Experienced leaders, please bring your pack's new leaders to a (very brief) welcome event from 7:30 to 7:50 pm at 220 N. San Pedro Rd.. Afterward, we'll have a shortened (30 min.) Roundtable meeting. New leaders are more than welcome, but not expected to remain. This month we'll build on last month's intro-to-robotics project with a robot-car project your Scouts will really enjoy.
Please help guide your new leaders to take advantage of the support and training our council offers. Everyone can use a guide or two, and the boys will have way more fun in Scouting.
See you there!
|
|
It's Popcorn Time of the Year!!!
Popcorn is off to a great start! Five units ran out of popcorn the very first weekend!
A big thank you to Pieter Colenbrander for allowing us to use a Gnoss Field airplane hangar for sorting and distributing the popcorn. Also, thank you to Lisa Trott, Ned Farnkopf, Sherri Krahulik, and Lisa Ingels, for helping sort and organize everyone's orders. We managed to get everything done and distributed in one day!!
|
|
Upcoming 2017 Courses: Save the Dates
Merit Badge Counselor Training, October 5, LDS Church, 6:30 p.m. (before roundtable)
October 21, LDS Church, San Rafael
October 28 - October 29, Camp Tamarancho
Don't forget the online adult and youth supplemental training courses which can be accessed at
http://my.scouting.org.
Click here to email the training chair if you have questions about training.
|
Cub Scout Camping
Thanks!
Our 2017 Cub Scout camping season is coming to a close. This past year, we put on five events, including Family Fiesta (May), Day Camp (3 weeks in the summer), Webelos Woods (Sept), Cub Scout Adventure Weekend (Sept), and Tiger Cub Expedition (Oct). On behalf of our committee, we would personally like to thank all the many, many individuals involved in making each of our events a success this year. They include Boy Scouts, Venturers, adult leaders from various troops and crews, members of Talako Lodge, the Shooting Sports Committee, and other dedicated volunteers. They have ALL put forth their time and efforts to ensure your Cub Scouts have a fun and safe adventure while camping with us.
However, in-order to keep the program thriving, we need your help for next year. Our committee meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month. You are invited to join us for our next meeting - 10/12 @ 7 p.m. at the council office. For more information, please contact
Ron Poggi or 415-717-8853.
|
|
| Scouts and parents at Cub Scout Adventure Weekend |
|
|
Cub Scout Halloween
and Turkey Shoot
There is still room!
Come have fun at Camp Tamarancho on Saturday, October 28. The council Shooting Sports Committee will conduct the Fifth Annual Cub Scout Halloween and Turkey Shoot. Archery and BB guns will be the activities of the day. Cub Scouts (Tiger through Webelos) are encouraged to wear fun Halloween costumes.
Don't worry; no turkeys will be harmed at this event!
The fun starts at 10:00 a.m. with 30 minute sessions every 40 minutes (allowing 10 minutes of travel time between sessions) until 2:50 pm. We can accommodate 8 Cubs per rotation on each range. Space is limited, so do sign up early. Cubs should arrive at the BB Gun range 15 minutes before their scheduled session for a mandatory safety briefing. (If they miss it, they will not be allowed to shoot.) Also, allow ample time to drive up the "hill." There will be traffic coming and going. If your Cub Scout is late for his scheduled time he may miss the action.
Cost per participant is $10.00, which covers 1 session of archery and 1 session of BB shooting.
Register soon because it will fill up quickly!
Online sign-ups and scheduling ONLY on the council web site
(click this link). Sign-up deadline: October 24. Release forms must be filled out and signed by at least one custodial parent/guardian in order to participate. Forms are available on the council web site. NO WALK-INS WILL BE ALLOWED.
Tigers must have an adult partner with them. No one can wear face masks, jewelry, or loose clothing while shooting. Everyone must wear closed-toed shoes in camp. No dogs allowed in camp (unless a service animal).
For more information or with questions, email
Steve Dutra.
|
November 4 and 11
Please note the dates!
November is the time for giving thanks. It is also the time of year to give to those in need. It's amazing how many families and people are food challenged in Marin-more than you think. The BSA national service project of Scouting for Food benefits millions of people every year.
This year, the Bay Area councils will do this service project on the first and second weekends of November--11/4 and 11/11. The weekend of 11/4 is when we distribute the door hangers; Saturday, 11/11 is when we pick up the food and bring it to the Food Bank. This year again, the need is great--perhaps greater than ever.
Since 1988, the Marin Council has gathered well over a million pounds of food for the Marin Food Bank. Last year alone, we contributed over 27,000 lbs of food when all the totals were in, during one of the rainiest days of winter! What an awesome way to teach our families how to give and to serve their community. It is a very tangible way to see giving in action and leaves everyone feeling like they have contributed significantly.
Since November 4 is immediately following the November roundtable (Nov. 2), we probably will not be able to do the orientation then to hand out the door hangers. It's just too close to the event. We will have door hangers and instructions available at the council office after October 15. Call or
email Tim to let him know when you will be by to pick up your door hangers.
|
|
Order of the Arrow News
Just back from a great Section W3N Conclave weekend at Camp Lassen.
Congratulations to Bryce Hanson (center)--our 2016 Lodge Chief--who was elected Section W3N Secretary of the 2018 Section Executive Committee, presented by OA National Chief Forrest Gertin
The Fall Election Season is upon us. Scoutmasters, you can
click this link to
get information on coordinating an OA visit to your troop. The 2017 Fall Ordeal
will be held at Camp Tamarancho from Friday evening to Sunday morning, 10/20-22.
|
|
Marin Council Shooting Sports
In September, we had two shooting programs for Cub Scouts. Over Labor Day weekend, 50 Webelos got to experience Boy-Scout-type shooting with archery and pellet rifles at Camp Marin Sierra. At Cub Scout Adventure Weekend on September 23, 85 Cub Scouts experienced archery, BB Guns, and wrist rockets at Camp Tamarancho!
On October 7, 45 Tigers will have the opportunity to shoot archery, BB guns, and wrist rockets at Tiger Cub Expedition.
On October 14, Webelos from Redwood Empire Council, our neighboring council to the north, will be shooting BB guns on our range for their Webelos Woods program.
On October 28, we will open the BB gun and archery ranges for all Cub Scouts for our Fifth Annual Halloween and Turkey Shoot. Costumes are encouraged. You need to sign-up in advance so make sure you register on-line at boyscouts-marin.org before spaces fill up.
On October 14, Boy Scouts from Petaluma will be shooting archery, .22 rifles, and throwing tomahawks.
Training Opportunities in October
On October 14, BB Gun and Archery rangemaster classes will be taught by our neighboring Pacific Skyline Council. If interested, contact the council office at
pacsky.org for information and to sign up.
Check the Marin Council calendar for future shooting and training opportunities.
|
|
Camp Staff
Now Is the Perfect Time to Apply
Don't miss your opportunity for one of the greatest adventures you can have: working at camp. Fall is a great time to apply. Interviewing begins after the first of the year.
Marin Sierra
Applications are already flowing in! We are seeking over-21 people to staff waterfront, COPE, climbing, shotgun, rifle, kitchen, and other areas. Over-18s can work as area directors or assistants in shotgun, rifle, COPE, climbing, and kitchen. Over 16s can be lifeguards. 15-year-olds can work all summer and be paid. Counselors-in-training are 14 years old and work for 2 weeks. There is something for everyone!
Tamarancho
For Cub Scout day camp at Tamarancho, we are seeking the same age groups for a myriad of positions as well.
These camps our your camps!
|
|
Jamboree on the Air
Did you know that Scouting is worldwide?
There are over 30 million Scouts, in 161 countries!
Did you know there is a weekend every year when Scouts go on the air waves and on the Internet to talk with one another and share their worlds?
It's JOTA/JOTI--Jamboree on the Air/Jamboree on the Internet! The jamboree that only requires you to travel to San Rafael!
Crew 333--the International Scouting Venturing Crew--and the Marin Amateur Radio Society will be hosting a JOTA/JOTI gathering.
When: October 21, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Trinity Lutheran Church, 333 Woodland Avenue, San Rafael
Cost: $10.00, includes food/snacks, and the official JOTA/JOTI patch.
|
|
|
|
Packs, Troops, and Crews:
Let's Add Members
It's no secret that we need members to have Scouting at all in Marin. To stay healthy, we should be adding people to our rosters all the time.
Recruiting should not be a one-time event but an ongoing, year-round activity. Yes, there are best times of the year, for example, to do Cub Scout recruiting-fall and spring. However, there are young people and parents looking for Scouting all year long. Let them know you are there; let them know what you're doing; let them know how to find you. Keep your unit sustainable.
Even as this newsletter is sent out, packs all over the county are scheduling joining events. Troops and crews should be doing the same. This is a great time to target non-Scouts to join.
Here is a link to a great blog article about Boy Scout recruiting that can also apply to crews. Not only read the article, which is short, but read the suggestions in the comments section. There are some great ideas, and it is very likely some will resonate with you as great possibilities.
Here is another link to a Scouting Magazine article on recruitment best practices:
Here are some success stories from another council regarding Cub Scout recruiting:
Here are some resources from ScoutingWire:
With new online membership applications, a parent can sign their youth up at the activity. All you have to do is obtain their email address and forward an invitation to them. Remember, people come to recruiting events because they want to join Scouting.
The staff at the council office are always willing to help you with resources and materials, such as, flyers for your recruitment events, mini-Boys' Life magazines, "Join Cub Scouts" flags, Cub Scout brochures, and positive thoughts.
Let's ensure that there is Scouting-and particularly your unit-still available in future years for the young people that will want to be part of Scouting in Marin.
|
|
Membership Fee Increase
A reminder that the national Boy Scouts of America membership fees are increasing. This money goes directly to the national organization for registration of youth and adults. The Marin Council receives no part of it.
Based on feedback from both volunteers and employees, the BSA membership fee will increase to $33 for all registered youth and adult leaders, effective December 1, 2017. The last fee increase was in 2014.
Membership fees support the services that are necessary to provide Scouting to youth from Kindergarten to 21 years of age. From education to high-adventure experiences you can't get anyplace else, the BSA provides unique growth opportunities at a great value.
Services include primary liability coverage for all volunteer leaders and chartered organizations, ongoing advances in technology, fundraising support, new program development and membership recruiting strategies, and support materials. In 2016 alone, the BSA served 2.3 million youth members through approximately 270 local councils across the United States and its territories.
With the help of all of our volunteers and Scouting parents, the BSA will continue accomplishing incredible things for young people and the communities they serve.
|
What's Tradin' at the Tradin' Post
Our extended fall hours will be beginning on September 14 and will run through October 28:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday--10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday--10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday--10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
|
|
Marin Council Office and Store Closures
The Marin Council office and store will be closed on the following dates:
Monday, October 9
Friday, November 10
Thursday and Friday, November 23-24
|
|
|
|
|
|
