The Lamplighter - November 2023 - W. D. Boyce Council, BSA

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Welcome to The Lamplighter, the official newsletter of the W. D. Boyce Council!

This newsletter is distributed to all registered Scouters in the W. D. Boyce Council. It’s our goal to keep you up to date on the latest happenings, with information you can use whether you’re a parent, Scouter, charter organization representative, donor or any other friend of Scouting.

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Have a question, idea or something you want to see in an upcoming issue? Please email Charlie Zimmerman, Council Field Director, at charlie.zimmerman@scouting.org

This week we’re all telling friends, family and acquaintances, “Happy Thanksgiving!” We’re hearing that as well from people we know, those we just pass on the street or see in the store. But as sincere as the collective wishes for a happy Thanksgiving are, we also want to stop and say, “Thank you!”

We want you to know we appreciate you and your ongoing support of Scouting, through every way in which you express it.

Each year, Scouting units (Packs, Troops, Posts, Crews and Ships) are required to renew their charters with the W. D. Boyce Council. The charter is the official agreement between the Council and your local chartered organization to provide a program under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America.

The process of renewing a unit's charter reinforces this agreement year-to-year and provides an opportunity to update registration records and qualify for Journey to Excellence unit status.

The Scouting history of “chartering” goes back to 1916, when the United States Congress granted a federal charter to the Boy Scouts of America. This charter can be found in the United States Code, Title 36 (Patriotic Societies and Observances), Chapter 2 (Boy Scouts of America).

You can learn more about the rechartering process at https://wdboyce.org/rechartering/

Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner Honors Dr. Stephen & Patti Bash

Pictured (L to R): DCA Dinner Chair Cori Schmidt, Dr. Stephen & Patti Bash, Scout Executive Ben Blumenberg

Thank you as well to all of our sponsors and supporters for the Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner honoring Dr. Stephen & Patti Bash on Saturday, November 18th at Jump Simulation Trading & Education Center. Steve and Patti received the award in recognition of their noteworthy and extraordinary leadership, significant contributions to the growth and vitality of the Central Illinois community, and shared belief in Scouting's leadership, determination, and values.

Special thanks to dinner chair Cori Schmidt for her tireless efforts in making the evening a great success!

Silver Beaver and District Award of Merit Nominations

The Silver Beaver Award was introduced in 1931 and is a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered Scouters who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given at the Council level.

The District Award of Merit is a council award presented by districts in the same manner that the Silver Beaver is a national award presented by councils. The District Award of Merit may be presented to registered Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the District level.

If you know of a Scouter in the W. D. Boyce Council who you feel is worthy of either of these important awards, please fill out the corresponding nomination form and submit it to the Scout Service Center in either Peoria or Bloomington, no later than December 1, 2023.

Nomination Forms and Instructions

Silver Beaver

District Award of Merit

Giving Tuesday: Special Caterpillar 2:1 Match!

In support of Giving Tuesday, the Caterpillar Foundation will provide a limited-time 2:1 match through the Caterpillar Foundation Matching Gifts Program for global employee and U.S. retiree gifts made starting November 27 through December 1, 2023 (or once the 2:1 match total reaches $2 million USD).

For example, a $100 gift generates a $200 match from the Caterpillar Foundation— that’s $300 to support Scouting in Central Illinois! Caterpillar participant gifts must be made to W. D. Boyce Council, Boy Scouts of America starting on November 27, 2023 through December 1, 2023. The match request should be submitted as soon as possible in the Caterpillar Cares portal but no later than 11:59 pm ET on December 1, 2023. Gifts made prior to November 27 are not eligible.

Donate to W. D. Boyce Council, BSA

Click here for more information

ISR Winter Needs

Ingersoll Scout Reservation (ISR) has a few items that are necessary to be fully operational this winter, and we need your support! Donors can purchase one or more refills of Propane ($350-$1,050), an Electric Heater ($875), a Chain Saw Sharpener ($200), and 4 Truck Tires ($1,200). Donations of any amount will help with winter operations.

Purchase your gift for ISR today!

https://donations.scouting.org/li/ISRWinterNeeds2023

BSA Scouter Code of Conduct

Have you reviewed the BSA’s Scouter Code of Conduct recently?

If you haven’t, now is a great time to refresh your memory on the elements of the Scouter Code of Conduct. Abiding by it is acknowledged by all adults when they complete a BSA Adult Application.