The Latest
January 24, 2020 Issue #13
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Council Staff Changes.
As we continue our Council’s focus on new member recruitment, please join me in welcoming Sandy Elkins in her new role as Membership Executive. Sandy will bring back in-house Council Registrar services as well as Camping Registration service. Sandy is also our Scout Book and My.Scouting guru, she is available to help our units on-board these information systems and support our leaders.
Holly Rogers will shift her responsibilities to spend 100% of her time supporting the Council’s fundraising department. Holly has mastered our donor database system, Blackbaud, donor acknowledgement/communication, and increase our fundraising efficiency. Holly will also support the multiple Council Special Event fundraisers as we raise the bar in the quality and results of those events.
Feedback from our members has been clear and Twin Rivers Council will continue to adjust our customer service model to meet the needs of our busy families and dedicated volunteers.
Mark D. Switzer
Scout Executive
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Sunday, February 9, 2:00 pm, River Stone Manor, Glenville, NY.
Please come and join us in honoring our newest Silver Beavers and plan to attend the Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner of the Twin Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America. The afternoon will begin with:
- Reception for the honorees starting at 2:00 (please do not come early)
- Annual Council Meeting at 3:00
- Dinner will be served at 3:45
- Recognition program at 4:15
This is an opportunity to recognize many of our most dedicated and deserving volunteer leaders. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the council’s highest recognition for service to others, the Silver Beaver Award. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. This year's honorees are:
- Kevin Bulris
- Dave Hoffman
- Kris Kusche
- Kristina Matthews
- Barb Potter
- Randie Sandford
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Membership and Unit Service
For assistance contact
Steven Dunn Assistant Scout Executive
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Finding New Leaders
Some Dos and Don’ts to finding that perfect Den Leader
1. Reach Out
Tap the brains of the folks in your community, in your Pack, and in neighboring packs. Ask around and you’ll be surprised what insights you might find.
2. Be Discerning
Don’t just go into a room of people ask “who wants to be a Tiger leader?” Not any warm body will do when it comes to instilling in young Tiger Scouts the joy and thrill of Scouting.
3. Observe
When you meet all the parents, look for the natural leaders to emerge. Keep your eagle eye sharp and focus on those parents who might be looking for an opportunity to get more involved, too.
4. Identify
Research potential leaders from school teachers, community events, sports programs, and religious leaders. Many of them might already be doing great things, and could really dive into Cub Scouts with both feet!
5. Pursue
Keep in mind you want to refresh the unit’s talent and grow and develop leaders as well as boys, so it’s important to go after those parents and volunteers you think will rise to the occasion
.
6. Commit
Start with small asks – Committee positions are great for new leaders, especially first year parents and could really be a great intro to learn about the program so they can lead their own Den later!
7. Innovate
Leverage Technology – calendars, email, social media, etc. Incorporate a sharing experience and reach your volunteers where they are, on the devices they use. In other words, make Scouting accessible to socially connected, on-the-go parents.
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THIS NEW VIDEO SERIES DELIVERS THE ULTIMATE DEN LEADER EXPERIENCE
By now, you’ve probably caught word of Scoutbook’s
Den Leader Experience
, the free web app that makes it easier than ever for den leaders to prepare for and lead meetings, track advancement and attendance, and more (if not, just check out the
video
at the end of this post). So, how could preparing for a den meeting possibly get any easier?
Leave it to the Scoutbook team to find new ways to streamline and simplify the den leading process—because they’ve now introduced a video series to help you navigate the Den Leader Experience app and get the most out of this terrific new tool.
Based on the top questions the Scoutbook team received since the launch of the Den Leader Experience, these videos were created in the spirit of continuous improvement. The video series uses quick, to-the-point snapshots that will help any den leader get started, whether you’re a tech novice or an app aficionado.
From home screen how-tos to den invitations, check out the list below to see how these videos can offer you the best Den Leader Experience possible. You can also find all 17 videos at
Scouting.org/DenLeaderTips
, or on the YouTube playlist
here.
More...
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Criminal Background Checks to be Updated with Charters
Message on behalf of Steve McGowan Chief Legal Counsel for the Boy Scouts of America...
A number of people have asked questions about the forms sent out. We have tried to answer all questions as best we could. We also sent the most commonly expressed concerns to our lawyers and asked that those concerns be addressed to the extent possible. A revised set of forms is attached. For some who have been reluctant to sign the original version these may address at least some of their concerns. Please be sure to use the forms applicable to your council (California and others)
As stated in our FAQs: (1) We only obtain criminal record and driving checks - not credit checks; (2) We only share data with local councils and Learning for Life; (3) We do not sell or share data with anyone outside of Scouting.
It has been difficult in an era where we are warned about data theft for people to trust anyone who may want access to their personal data. But criminal record rechecks are one of our barriers to abuse and using forms that protect all concerned are essential in obtaining that information. We hope volunteers will understand and trust the BSA to do what it has always done - protect the information they provide and we obtain while ensuring the barriers to abuse are meaningful and effective.
Thanks for your assistance with this important effort.
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Camping and Program
For assistance contact
Steven Dunn Assistant Scout Executive
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Cub Scout STEM Day Camp
While the weather outside is cold, bright young minds are going to be heating up at the first-ever Twin Rivers Council STEM Day Camp! Cub Scouts in grades 2 through 5 are invited to spend February Break 2020 discovering, learning, and innovating.
Each day will feature engaging presentations by STEM professionals and numerous hands-on and age-appropriate STEM activities designed to stimulate and inspire. Participants will be guided by adult instructors and youth mentors from the champion Shaker High School FIRST Robotics Team.
Each participant will receive their own Raspberry Pi computer. The Pi is a small, child-friendly device that will enable the Cub Scouts to explore computing and learn basic programming skills. Best of all, each participant will get to keep their Pi, to continue coding and exploring after the camp has ended.
Please keep in mind that each participant will need to bring a sack lunch and that lunch is not provided.
The Twin Rivers Council Cub Scout STEM Day Camp will run February 18-21, 2020 (Tuesday through Friday) at Shaker High School in Latham, NY. The program runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day.
For more information about the program, contact Camp Director
Kristina Matthews
(kmatthews@trcscouting.org).
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University of Scouting!
Register
here
for this great event. Also check out our preliminary list of
courses.
The Twin Rivers Council University of Scouting will be held March 21, 2020 at Shaker High School in Latham, NY.
Course Change:
University of Scouting Course #483 (Chaplain Training) has changed. The content will focus on Chaplain's Minutes, and it's appropriate for anyone and everyone. You don't have to be a Chaplain to attend.
Description:
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2020 Camp Staff
If you are looking to fill your Summer with fun and excitement then apply to be on staff at one of your great camps. We have Summer long opportunities at Rotary Scout Reservation and Camp Wakpominee. If you only have a couple of weeks then serving on staff for our Cub Scout Day Camps is for you.
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2021 National Jamboree
July 21-30, 2021
Summit Bechtel Reserve
Glen Jean, West Virginia
JOIN THE TWIN RIVERS COUNCIL CONTINGENT!
The Twin Rivers Council will be sending troops and a crew to the 2021 National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia. Scouts must be at least 12 years old and have earned First Class by the start of the Jamboree.
SCOUTING’S PREMIER NATIONAL EVENT, HELD AT A WORLD-CLASS HIGH ADVENTURE FACILITY! EXPERIENCE THE BEST PROGRAM SCOUTING HAS TO OFFER:
- 5 miles of zip lines and challenge courses!
- 36 miles of mountain bike trails and BMX tracks!
- 13 acres of shooting sports ranges (shotgun, rifle, pistol, and archery)!
- Whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and waterfront activities!
- Rock climbing and rappelling!
- Skateboarding!
- Technology areas, patch trading, and service projects!
- World-Class entertainment and stadium shows!
- Summit Center Exhibits and Garden Ground activities!
- Merit Badge opportunities!
TWIN RIVERS COUNCIL CONTINGENT
- All-Inclusive Contingent Fee: $1,900 per participant. Participants who stay on track with the
- Contingent payment schedule will be eligible for a $100 credit.
- Fee includes registration, bus transportation, and limited edition contingent patches and
- Merchandise.
- Scoutmaster and Crew Advisor applications available upon request.
TWIN RIVERS COUNCIL CONTINGENT CONTACT
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Development and Sponsorships
For assistance contact
Beth Bush Development Director
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Unit Fundraising
Unit fundraising is an essential part of making sure your unit is able to provide the programming for your Scouts. The more funds your unit has, the more your Scouts are able to do.
While the best fundraiser for units to participate in is the annual popcorn sale, some units do additional fundraising. Before you plan a fundraiser, check out the following link to make sure that you are meeting the requirements for fundraising as a unit.
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Office Closed February 17th
Our office will be closed on February 17th in observance of President's Day. Please mark your calendars so that we can all plan accordingly.
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