TAC Connection - New Year, More Unparalleled Scouting

TAC Connection

January 5, 2022

A periodic communication to our Scouting Families

Excerpt from TAC Commissioner's Corner Blog

For the full post follow the link below:

http://tac-bsa.org/welcome-to-tac-2022/

Throughout TAC in 2021, many events were canceled or held virtually due to COVID-19. This did not deter you from your Scouting adventure. Facing these challenges head-on gave rise to unique solutions to overcome these challenges. Many units thought of creative ways to deliver unparalleled Scouting. Where allowed, units continued to camp, hike, cycle, meet outdoors, participate in fundraising, earn rank, and other awards.

The council’s commitment to your safety and protection is stronger than ever. From Youth Protection Training to background checks for all adult volunteer leaders. Our commitment to you has never been stronger and will remain so with your cooperation and assistance. Working together, we will provide the best Scouting program in the BSA to the youth that we serve.

I look forward to an exciting and challenging 2022 in TAC Scouting. Come join us to make 2022 the greatest year yet in TAC Scouting!

-Jeff Arter, Council Commissioner

2022 Friends of Scouting is at 42% of goal

Congratulations to TAC Friends of Scouting FOS) volunteers who kicked off the 2022 FOS appeal on 1 December. They have already raised $129,650 towards the $302,500 goal.

Is your TAC Scouting community of volunteers and parents participating? All funds raised stay in Transatlantic Council to support TAC programs and services.

Here is the link to all the Friends of Scouting appeals—to help you make

your gift—or invite others to give.

Give - Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)

We are also pleased to announce a most generous challenge gift of up to $30,000 to Friends of Scouting--made by board member Paul Ostling.

$20,000 to FOS overall-- prorated and based upon each district meeting its 2022 FOS budgeted goal. ($3,333.00 to FOS overall when a district meets its FOS goal).

$10,000 to FOS overall when all six districts meet their FOS goal--as a TAC team of districts should.

NESA Scholarship Applications

The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Scholarship Application Portal is now open. Please notify your Eagle Scouts.

NESA is now accepting applications for its annual scholarships. See the link below for information and encourage your Eagle Scouts to apply.

Scholarships - The National Eagle Scout Association (nesa.org)

Upcoming Service Center Closures

As a reminder, the Program Supply Center is closed through January 9 for end of year inventory. We will again accept orders upon reopening on Monday, January 10.

In addition, the entire TAC Service Center will be closed on Monday, January 17 in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Covid Modifications for Rank Requirements and Merit Badge Requirements to Be Rolled Back

In 2020, the BSA instituted several modifications to rank requirements and merit badge requirements to accommodate activity restrictions necessitated by COVID-19. Effective March 01, 2022, those modifications will be removed, and the standard rules for advancement and merit badges will again become effective.

The link below brings you to the current COVID-19 guidelines:

https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/covid-19-faq/

All temporary changes made to Scouts BSA advancement requirements to address the COVID-19 pandemic- specifically, modifications related to swimming requirements for Second and First class ranks, virtual activities for Tenderfoot, Second and First Class, and requirement 9b of the Camping merit badge- will expire and return to the standard rules for Scouts BSA advancement. These requirements are published online and in the Requirements Guidebook.

Questions? TAC-ServiceCenter-802@scouting.org

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