DE Wes

Training

2009-04-11T09:39:00.004-04:00

It's been a few weeks sense I blogged but we haven't had a lot of new things going on. Some of this blog will repeat what I said in the e-mail but I am going to provide some more detail.

Earlier this week I sent out an e-mail asking for units to send me their training updates and I was not surprised by the responses I got. Sense, I came to this District this has been one of the biggest complaints. About a year ago the training committee tried to create a database of trainings and for a variety of reasons they weren't successful.

What I sent out earlier this week was the spreadsheet they created. I do believe Council is more up to date than that list but I can't run a report like that for units. So Instead I sent you what they were working on. I understand there's a lot missing. And truthfully, I'm done trying to figure out why. My commitment is anything sent to me before the end of May I will get updated down in Bethesda.

I did ask that you update the spreadsheet to help save me some time but I will take datadumps, other files, PDF, etc. At this point the rule is, whatever it takes.

I hope this helps and I look forward to hearing back from you to get this problem fixed and put behind us.

YiS,

The Cheif Scout Executive for the Boy Scouts of America

2009-03-07T10:40:00.002-05:00

This past year Bob Mazzuca became the new Chief Scout Executive for Boy Scouts of America. He is the top professional in the nation. One of his missions was to reintroduce the Boy Scouts to the American people. He's doing this in many ways including interviews in major national media.

One of his first interviews was with USA Today.

Most recently he spoke with NBC Nightly News while here in DC.
You can see that by visiting our council website and clicking the link on the right.
www.boyscouts-ncac.org

I thought you all might be interested in this.

YiS,

Camping helps retention - True Story

2009-03-03T10:48:00.005-05:00

I got one of my favorite e-mails of all time last week and I wanted to share it.

Background: Last Tuesday I did an Camp Promotion at a Blue and Gold. The Committee Chair had me entertain some Webelos before it started by talking about Goshen as well.

Two days later I received an e-mail that stated a Webelos I did not recharter because he didn't want to stay in scouts any longer but after hearing all about Goshen wants to stay in Scouts!

Young men join scouts to go camping and be outdoors. This is why the joined and this is why they stay. Join me lets get every Cub Scout outdoors and camping this summer.

YiS,

Major CubWorld Incentive

2009-02-23T08:49:00.002-05:00

As promised I wanted to elaborate on the CubWorld Incentive I e-mailed out last week. The truth is - in most cases the Committee Chairs and Cubmasters of a pack are parents of Webelos and Bears and they are very likely to attend Goshen and not interested in leading a trip to CubWorld as well even though it is the number one camping oppurtunity for Cub Scouts who don't or aren't old enough for Goshen. And of course it's always hard to find someone to take one more job in the pack.

With that in might we created an incentive to help a pack find a CubWorld coordinator. The way it's set up if someone volunteers to be the Coordinator (only one per pack) and recruits 5 cub scouts in additions to their son to go to CubWorld at the same time he or she and and their son go for free. This is a savings of $275. We don't want you to stop there though. If a total of 15 scouts from the pack attend we'll through the pack a pizza party at camp.

Some of you may not need help recruiting a coordinator and instead may choose to just reduce every one's fee. That's a decision for the CubMaster and Committee Chair. Keep in mind that the paperwork and deposits are due by April 1st. That's not a lot of time so jump on this. I'm betting there's someone in every pack who would jump on the chance to go to CubWorld for free.

Yours in Scouting,

Big Changes for Goshen- A break down of what we know now...

2009-02-15T20:16:00.004-05:00

Before I start, let me say the truth is we simply don't know anything yet because nothing has been decided for sure. There are a lot of ideas and thoughts and even a map with a plan but nothing is confirmed and everything can change but I'm sure people are curious what the ideas are right now.

The most important thing I want to say: CHANGES ARE COMING! THIS MAY BE THE LAST SUMMER GOSHEN LOOKS THE WAY YOU KNOW IT!!!! IF YOU LOVE GOSHEN COME THIS SUMMER TO REMEMBER IT HOW IT WAS!!!!!! - I also strongly suggest anyone available attend the Town Hall meetings mentioned in earlier e-mails/blogs.

National will put approx. 150 million into the infrastructure
National is buying the property from NCAC - However, this does not decrease the need for our normal continuous fundraising. This does not make the council filthy rich by any means.
They may pave the 'beltway', rebuild the buildings, build new buildings, create ATV trails linking all the camps, build a bridge across the lake
We have no idea when the changes will start. We don't know how this will affect summer camp post this year. But it will.
The idea is to have a muesum and a year round training center where Post currently is.
They'll build tons new cabins at post for guests, training staff, etc.
Obviously every four year this will be the site of the National Jamboree for every year after 2010
NCAC will still run it's summer camp program at Goshen - However, be ready for changes, maybe fewer camps (maybe more), maybe new lay outs, maybe new names, definitely new buildings.
The were talking about having a new National High Adventure but it looks like that'll be in WV.
We've already gotten calls from units out of Council who want to come to Goshen this year to see the next site of the National Jamboree - we expect Goshen to have a waiting list to attend very very soon - priority to those units who normally attend Goshen.
This is a good thing for the Council, the District, and the youth currently being served in the NCAC.

I for one plan intend to make sure this summer is the greatest summer Goshen has ever seen.

Big News Big Changes

2009-02-12T12:11:00.001-05:00

Date: 2/12/09
To: NCAC Board Members, District Key 3, and Selected Scouters
Cc: Staff
From: Alan F. Lambert, Scout Executive & Peter C. Forster, Council President
RE: National Jamboree – Site Selection

On Wednesday, February 11th, the Boy Scouts of America National Executive Board concluded an 18-month process and approved the selection of NCAC’s Goshen Scout Reservation in Rockbridge County, VA as the permanent home for BSA’s National Jamboree. We are extremely pleased and excited by this decision and the confidence the National Executive Board has placed in our Council. The next step in the selection process involves contract negotiations between BSA and NCAC’s Executive Board. Past Council President Bill Hagerty has headed the volunteer team that has worked with the selection process and will spearhead the negotiations.
In order to keep you more informed, the NCAC will be hosting a series of five Town Hall-style meetings throughout our region to discuss the potential for our Council and address the decision and its impact for our Districts, Troops and Scouts. A schedule of these meetings is listed below. Please RSVP your confirmation to attend at www.boyscouts-ncac.org. We are counting on you to share this information with our Scouting family and look forward to your participation.
Please note – this exciting opportunity has no impact on the 2009 summer camping season at Goshen – other than an increased interest in our camp from Scouts across the country! The 2010 Jamboree will happen at Fort AP Hill – as scheduled.
Please refer any media inquires to Don Reinhardt at the Council Office – 301-214-9117.
As more details become available, we will continue to share them with all of you.
# # #

TOWN HALL MEETINGS SCHEDULE
All meetings start at 7PM

Monday, March 16
Falls Church Presbyterian Church
225 E. Broad Street
Falls Church, VA 22046

Wednesday, March 18
Ebenezer United Methodist Church
161 Embrey Mill Road
Stafford, VA 22554

Thursday, March 19
Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church
610 S. Frederick Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Monday, March 23
Oxon Hill Lutheran Church
3415 Brinkley Road
Temple Hills, MD 20748

Monday, March 30
Camp Snyder Dining Hall
6100 Antioch Road
Haymarket, VA 20169

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Great Job Everyone! Let's keep it up!

2009-02-12T11:53:00.003-05:00

I am blown away by how great our Family FOS Campaign is going. I simply can't believe it. We're almost at the half way marker for presentations and we're already at 60%. Studies show that strong non-profits are recession-proof because people will still give to those organizations they believe in - THEY JUST NEED TO BE ASKED!

We would not be here without the support of unit leadership taking ownership of this campaign and making it happen.

Thank You!

2010 - The Hundredth Anniversay or Scouting in the US is coming

2009-02-12T08:59:00.002-05:00

Not much to say here. I hope you all got the e-mail asking you to fill out the survey on when you'd like the 2010 Council Camporee to be.

For that and all the other celebrations we have planned go to:

http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=2010

University of Scouting

2009-02-12T08:54:00.002-05:00

A key essential to the scouting program is a trained leader. The truth is, online basic leader training, leader essentials taught in the district and even Roundtable are just tools in the training toolbar. But no training offered in our council is better than Univeristy of Scouting. You don't need to be a Cubmaster or Scoutmaster to attend. Any parents wanting to help the pack grow can attend.

I urge everyone to go to:
http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=24914&orgkey=1934

And sign up. It's one day that I promise you, you won't regret. And if you'd like to see me come to the Goshen class at 11 - I'll be a co-teacher!

Friends of Scouting - What is it and why do we need it?

2009-02-12T08:39:00.003-05:00

Friends of Scouting: At a Glance

Friends of Scouting is an overall fundraising campaign.
It has three divisions:

1. Scouter
a. Usually runs from October to November
i. This money goes into the following year’s FOS
ii. This campaign does not end until the campaign is complete or Dec. 31st of the next year
b. Targets District Committee members, Commissioners, and former District Volunteers
c. Run by Key 3 (Specifically the District Chair for the District Committee and the District Commissioner for the Commissioner Corp.)
d. Kicks-off with the Key 3 making a commitment and asking others to commit
e. District Executive will have pledge forms for everyone with last year’s donation and an increased request for this year. The smallest request will be the minimum requested amount ($150). However, any donation is accepted.

2. Family
a. Run by a District Volunteer
b. Trained volunteers from either district or units go into units and make presentations
c. Runs from Nov-March (preferably)
d. Does not officially end until Dec. 31st of the following year (2009).

3. Community
a. We don’t do a traditional FOS Community Campaign.
b. We have the special event, known as the George Delaplaine, Distinguished Scouter Dinner with a volunteer committee from the business community that runs it.
c. The professionals of both Frederick County Districts advise this committee.

Where Does the Money Go? (To tons of stuff)

As a whole this money goes to support the Council and all of its functions.
This is the only money that families and volunteers give that goes to council.
Most families don’t understand why they pay $X amount in unit dues and then are asked to give to FOS. The $12 registration dues go to national and the rest stays in the unit.
People say I pay $X amount to my unit for gas, short money for registration, etc. So does everyone else who gives to FOS including the DE.
The Bethesda Service Center – maintenance and utilities.
Professional Staff (including our own District Executive but not everyone; example – Council program staff make their salaries in the program events they run).
Support Staff such as those who process awards, tour permits, registrations, Boy’s Life, insurance forms, and more (Clerical, Data Processing, Cleaning, Admin).
Serving the Community and just in general doing good things.
Examples – Scouting for Food
Little Sioux Scout Reservation (This event was not purely paid for by FOS)
This was the Scout camp that was hit by a tornado in June that caused 4 scouts to lose their lives but also caused other scouts to become heroes by quickly rendering first aid, creating access for 911, and much more.
In August our council was able to fly every scout that was there plus the parents of the four scouts who died to DC from Iowa.
They all met with President Bush in a non-media covered event at the White house and had a tour of DC. Then we treated them to a fancy meal at Camp Snyder with guests that included sport stars and politicians.
Improving program
This includes Snyder, Goshen, and Day Camps
This is materials, facilities, Camperships, etc.
Supplies for Recruitment
Fliers, signs, posters, free giveaways, applications, recruitment videos, trainings, etc.
$250 for the District Chairman’s fund to be used to support the District at the Chair’s discretion.
Knots and other awards that volunteers earn.
Trainings such as POW WOW and University of scouting are underwritten by this money.

Cub Scout Summer Camp Promotions

2009-02-11T22:15:00.004-05:00

I was blown away by how many leaders have come to me saying "Wes we want (sometimes even NEED) you to come to our unit and do a presentation for summer camp." Now this is something I love to do.

Every study done says scouts who go to scout summer camp stand a significantly greater chance of staying in scouting longer and retaining the core values we're trying to instill.

Everyone feels Boy Scouts should go to Summer Camp, well so should Webelos...and Bears and Wolves...and yes even Tigers! And I'm not talking Day Camp. Day Camp is a wonderful program, but it's only one step in the game.

I would love to come to talk about why your Webelos need to Go to Goshen! I'd also love to come tell your scouts why they want to go to CubWorld this summer. And just as importantly I want to make sure your parents know about the 2 night/3 day package on Friday thru Sunday so parents only have to take one day off if they want to go. Not to mention the coffee and copy of the Washington post we'll deliver to their camp site every morning.

This is the number one Cub Camp in the nation and it's right in our back yard. Give me the chance to come to your Blue and Gold or Pack Meeting and sell your scouts and parents on Cub Scout Camps and why they're so amazing!

Why Blog?

2009-02-11T21:58:00.000-05:00

This is an experiment for me. I talk.... alot. And it's because I have a lot of important useful things to say. However, alot of people miss what specifically is important to them. So the first reason I created this blog was so volunteers could come here to get information they may have missed while I was talking - particularly at RT. I'm thinking Council events, Camp Promotions, Friends of Scouting, District Positions we need filled, etc.

The second reason I did this was so I could post the council liers and handouts I bring to RT that are often difficult to find on the Council website.

Finally, I'm hoping to increase the service and communication between myself and everyone else. I'll have polls Q&A and who knows what else. Maybe volunteers can post to each other about the things up here. We'll have to see.

Maybe this will be a failure, but you never know until you try.

I look foward to your feedback, suggestions, and yes even critisms.