The Latest
November 3rd, 2020 Issue #21
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Scouters and Parents,
At the end of October our Council’s Board of Directors, key District leadership, and staff took the initial step in creating a new 3-year strategic plan. As you can imagine, this plan will require the Council to examine how we continue to provide support for our volunteer leaders while navigating the global pandemic and looming National bankruptcy.
The next stage of our strategic planning process is to collect your feedback and while we missed the opportunity to conduct an in person meeting due to covid-19 restrictions, we would like to invite you to a virtual town hall zoom call. Please look for an upcoming schedule of meetings to fit around your availability for this important conversation.
Mark Switzer
Scout Executive/CEO
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Membership and Unit Service
For assistance contact Steven Dunn Assistant Scout Executive |
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Membership Tips and Tricks
Online Registration
Invitation Manager is a tool on my.scouting.org providing you the ability to add new leads, manage leads, and sending joining invitations with an active lead to your unit’s application form.
Drive Thru Recruitments
Please see the article below on the Harvest theme Drive Thru
Social Media: Invite a Family
Using social media we can invite new families that we know to join our Scouting Units. Let's welcome new families to try something new that is fun for the whole family. We will provide videos with a QR Code that you can share on facebook, instagram and any other social media that you use. Request your video today. Videos available for Cubs and Scout BSA. Request Form
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Harvest Drive Through Joining Nights
These two things go great together and is fun for new and current Scouts.
This event is based off of the 5 station method but is being held in a parking lot allowing for social distancing. Below are a list of the stations and how they work. For more information look at the Recruitment Catalog or call your District Executive.
Station One: Check-In
- Greet the new families, explain the 4 stations they’ll be visiting
- Take down the parents’ contact info using a sign-in sheet
- Show them where the next station is.
Station Two: The Fun Station! (what we do)
- Show them a poster board with all the fun activities your unit does!
- Review the unit calendar, discuss unit meeting times.
Station Three: Registration & Complete Forms
- Have a few adults around to answer questions that the parents have. Discuss unit fees.
- Print your pack QR code for parents to scan. Direct them to a spot where they can park to fill out the form and pay online.
Station Four: Check-Out
- Inform parents of the next meeting date. Encourage them to attend parent orientation night.
- Make sure all their questions are answered!
You can find your units QR code through the following steps:
Accessing QR Code: (you must be a Unit Key-3 member to access your QR code)
Parents can scan this QR code with their phone to complete the application process.
1. Log into your my.scouting.org account.
2. Click on the 3 lines in the upper left-hand corner
3. Select your Unit
4. Click on “Invitation Manager”
5. Scroll down, your QR code will be on the left!
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Charter Renewal For 2021
The UCRS website login access opened on November 1st. Unit UCRS Access Codes were emailed to each Unit Key 3 member in the last few days, check your email. Please give this code to your designated Renewal Processor to begin and complete the Unit Charter Renewal Application for 2021. The Charter Renewal Applicaton submittal due date is 12/15/2020. View this quick tutorial before you begin!
Top Five Charter Renewal Tips for 2021;
1. Review your Unit Roster before you begin. If you are missing any youth or adults, get this fixed before you begin by sending applications and pro-rated payment to council office to process. We are asking our units to NOT ADD any new members to Charter Renewal. Find out who is remaining on the roster and who isn’t. Let your Renewal Processor know.
2. Review your YPT Aging Report before you begin. If any of your adult members have expired YPT or will expire prior to 1/1/2021, this will prevent you from completing your charter renewal. Those adults must retake YPT immediately to remain on the roster and allow the Renewal Processor to complete the Charter Renewal.
3. Decide if any changes in positions will be made ahead of time and seek approval from your Chartered Organization Representative. Relay this information to your Renewal Processor.
5. Stage 5 Submit Roster, Step 1 Approve Roster, please use the online approval to bypass the need for a signature. After you validate the roster, send a Draft Copy of the Charter Renewal Application to your Executive Office or Chartered Organization Rep for their approval by email.
If a Renewal Processor needs help with their Charter Renewal, please contact your Unit Commissioner, District Executive or you can contact sandy.elkins@scouting.org to setup an appointment by phone or in-office.
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Camping and Program
For assistance contact Steven Dunn Assistant Scout Executive |
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Summer Camp Fees for 2021
We have made some changes for this year. The $100 deposit per scout and the paid in full due dates remain the same. Please, see the Fee Structure below:
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Fall Camping Reservations are Live at Both Camps!!!
Reserve your weekend campsites at Rotary Scout Reservation and Camp Wakpominee. Please find the reservation login here.
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Be a Part of the Grand Re-opening of Summer Camp in the Twin Rivers Council.
Make Summer 2021 Epic! Reserve your spot today so that our Scouts can spend a week at camp. Whether it is roasting marshmallows over a campfire, facing your fears at the top of a climbing tower or even splashing in our lakes on a hot summer day, the fun and adventure of summer camp stays with us forever.
Reservation deposit for Scouts BSA resident camp is $250.
Reservation deposit for Cub Scout Resident camp is $50 due March 15th.
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Development and Sponsorships
For assistance contact Beth Bush Development Director |
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Oh My Gourd!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Oh My Gourd! Virtual 5k in October.
It was so much fun and we really enjoyed seeing the pictures you shared. For those of you who purchased shirts, they will be in the mail shortly.
Your support for this and other events is appreciated. We hope you join us next year!
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Holiday Shopping and Twin Rivers Council
As we get closer to the holiday shopping season, here’s a reminder to use our council link when shopping at Amazon. You can use the link all year and you’ll help us earn 6-8% of your purchase price with nothing else to do. Please share this with your friends and family!
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Hello Popcorn fans!
We have something NEW and EXCITING to share with you!
This incentive is running now and will continue through December 31st, so there is plenty of time for your Scouts to participate. Please see the attached file, which will explain all of the details.
Show and Sell time isn’t over!!
Our council has plenty of show and sell product for units who would like to have product available to sell at local locations or for show and deliver sales. We have pre-made kits available to sign out. A small kit at $535 retail, medium kit at $935 retail, and a large kit at $1670 retail. Check out the kit you feel most comfortable with and if you need more you can check out another kit. Once you sign out the popcorn, it is yours to keep, so we suggest that you plan for what you need and come back for more if you need it. All popcorn will be picked up by appointment at the TRC office. The kit contents are listed on the request form.
Register Now for these Show and Sell Locations!
We now have spaces available to do Show and Sells at Aviation Mall and Crossgates Mall. Please read the attached rules for the location you would like to sell at BEFORE clicking here to register for your spot. Click here to sign up:
For other locations to sell, check with your local Stewart’s Shops, Lowes, Home Depot, and small businesses. Many that have agreed to allow selling are some Ace Hardware stores, and locally owned stores.
SCOUT SUCCESS: Check Out the attachment of Gabe from Pack 1232 at his Show and Sell. His pack is selling like crazy!
Unit success story of the week: Pack 4001 decided to try show and sells by getting a large kit. They have sold out of the large kit two times and are continuing to sell! Remember that the market isn’t very saturated, as we have less sellers this year. Your odds of selling show and sell popcorn are GREAT!
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Silver Beaver Applications Now Being Accepted
The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. 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. It is given to those who do not actively seek it.
On behalf of the Twin River Council, all registered scouters are invited to submit a Silver Beaver Nomination Form to the Twin Rivers Selection Committee. Nomination Forms are due by November 25, no exceptions.
The Silver Beaver is an award bestowed upon scouters by the National Recognition Committee based upon nominations from local council committees.
Criteria for selection include, but are not limited to, direct service at a Council level, effective leadership as a member of a council and/or district committee, which favorably impacts on the council or any of its programs. Tenure alone, while indicative of the nominee's dedication to the service of youth, is not necessarily a key factor in making the selection. Consideration should be given to the nominee's service beyond scouting. School board membership, service clubs, religious organizations, and any other distinguished service to his or her community.
In short - we are seeking an individual who has given noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth.
It is appropriate to include two to three letters of support from individuals who know the nominee best.
You can submit the nomination by emailing it to silverbeaver@trcscouting.org, or by mailing it to the Council Service Center at 253 Washington Avenue Ext., Albany NY, 12205.
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