Dear Scoutmasters and Troop Committee Chairs:
This is your monthly e-bulletin to all top Scout leaders in the Golden Arrow District. Please delete or edit items not relevant to your Troop, then forward to all your volunteers.
*** To add a new recipient, please send me full contact information, volunteer position, and Troop #. ***
*** To delete yourself, tell me your Troop # too because that is how I have you filed ***
*** Please check that we have your Troop leadership info correctly listed at http://www.goldenarrow.org/troops.html ****** Please pick up your Troop mail each month at Roundtable ***
********** ROUNDTABLE, DISTRICT, AND COUNCIL MESSAGES **********
1) APRIL ROUNDTABLE: This monthly meeting will be Thursday April 3 at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Roundtable is the "continuing education" vehicle for Scout leaders and a place to learn new materials, receive mentoring, and get event information for the benefit of your Troop. Roundtable is held every month EXCEPT JULY in the basement level of the St. John the Divine Parish Life Center, 2450 River Oaks Blvd. at Westheimer. All leaders are warmly invited. Your Troop mailbox is available in the foyer and contains hard copies of important information. What is Roundtable, and why should you attend? Click here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/roundtable-bs.html
2) URBAN SCOUTING: About twice a month, the Urban Scouting program transports city youth who participate in school-based programs up to Camp Strake for New Scout orientation, advancement activities, and a general exposure to the outdoors. Each time, a group of more senior Scouts and associated adults from a traditional Unit are needed to teach those skills. The "Service Troop" arrives Friday night (or early Saturday morning), teaches during the day, and heads home by dinner. You are responsible primarily for the program - the logistics are already handled. Can you help: April 4-5 and 18-19, riflery, archery, field sports. Email David Grizzle for more information at dgrizz@coair.com
3) FRIENDS OF SCOUTING FAMILY CAMPAIGN: NEW Click here to see your own Troop's statistics: http://www.goldenarrow.org/news/fos-2008-troops.pdf If your FOS Chair is holding pledges, please turn them in at Roundtable to get them logged in and credited. If you would like to pledge electronically right now, click here: www.shac.org/familyfos
Congratulations to the Troops that have ALREADY exceeded last year's totals: Troops 11, 13, 211, 222, 354, 505, 740, 806, 1020, 1197, 1226, 1730. (Troops 2, 18, 46, 55, 266, 549, and 688 are really close!) As always, our goal is a response from every family. For more information email claudia.hackbarth@shell.com
4) SCOUT FAIR TICKET TURN-INS: Remember that the quicker your boys sell and turn in their Scout Fair ticket proceeds, the more prize stamps they receive! The next upcoming turn-in opportunities for your Unit Scout Fair Ticket Chair (not individual families) are at Roundtable April 3, then 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. on April 9 and April 16 at St. Francis de Sales Scout House, near corner of Waldo and Rowan streets (near 8100 Roos). It would be appreciated if you can bring a single check for the total proceeds made out to BSA SHAC, rather than a collection of cash and small checks....
The $10 family ticket includes over $250 of very usable coupons plus a raffle ticket for a new Chevy Malibu. For questions contact SF Ticket Chairman to phyllismr@aol.com or 281-501-9945
5) SCOUT FAIR BOOTH SIGN UP: It's getting mighty late but there is still a little space available - Hosting a booth with a game, craft, skill, or demonstration is a good experience for your boys, plus it significantly increases your commission on Scout Fair ticket sales proceeds. Click here to register online: https://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Forms/ScoutFair2008OnlineUni/
6) ROSTER CLEAN-UP: Has every boy participating turned in a proper membership application, which you have had signed and turned in to the Council? Also, as we see the light at the end of the tunnel for summer vacation, why not use the time to clean up and organize your Unit's internal roster. Do you have an up-to-date spreadsheet with every member's home address, parent home, work, and cel phone numbers, and email addresses? When your members make a change, you can phone in address and phone updates to the Council at 713 756-3328.
7) POCKET PRIDE: Many Adult Training knot patches on your pocket make you a real object of envy amongst your peers. Perhaps this year you completed many of the requirements already, and didn't even know it! Click here to start covering yourself in glory: http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/knots-overview.html and then here to read more: http://usscouts.org/usscouts/awards/knots2.html
8) TOP LEADERSHIP CHANGES: If you become the Committee Chair or Scoutmaster, you MUST turn in a properly filled out and signed NEW adult leader application to the Scout Office. Until this happens, the old volunteer remains as the leader of record. No form = no official change.
9) TEXAS YOUTH CAMP SAFETY ACT: Please note that if you (an adult over age 18) are attending a Youth Camp in the State of Texas, you must follow specific procedures to be in compliance with State Law. http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Camping/YouthCampCompliancePro/
10) SILVER BEAVER NOMINATIONS: The prestigious Silver Beaver Award nomination deadline is May 31st. The Silver Beaver Award is presented for outstanding service to youth within the Council or for outstanding longtime service to youth by a registered Scouter residing within that Council. A typical tenure for Silver Beaver candidates is ~ ten years or longer. Download a nomination form here: http://samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events/AnnualRecognitionDinne/
********** ADULT TRAINING ********
11) EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING AWARD: In our drive towards 100% trained leaders, a ribbon streamer will be awarded once during the calendar year to units achieving the goal of 75% direct contact leaders trained in their registered position. At the 100% level, you will further be awarded a plaque. Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters are considered trained when they have completed Fast Start Training, New Leader Essentials, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. Troop committee members are considered trained when they have completed Fast Start Training, New Leader Essentials, and the Troop Committee Challenge as their Leader Specific training. Read about it and download an application: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/ExcellenceinTrainingAw/
12) BRAND NEW LEADERS: Our goal is 100% trained leaders. This consists of a "Fast Start" online training, then online Youth Protection Training. Access both by clicking http://olc.scouting.org/ The computer being used should be hooked up to a printer so that a certificate of completion can be printed. New users will be asked to set up a user name and password, and you need your membership ID number from your annual membership card. Lost the card? The ID may also be obtained from the troop roster available via Internet by your authorized Advancement person.Then take live training "New Leader Essentials" and "Scoutmaster Specific Parts 1, 2, 3 " lectures. Finally, outdoor skills are taught at "IOLS ". See below for the specific date opportunities for each, and visit this webpage for an overview: www.goldenarrow.org/training/adult-troop.html
To read the Grand Unified List of Scout Training, click here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/training-overview.html
Other Districts also offer these trainings; a list around the Council is available on the SHAC website at http://shac.org/Home/Training/TrainingSchedule/
13) HOW DO I GET MY PERSONAL ID NUMBER? When registering for online training classes, if you put in your leader ID#, the system should automatically record your achievement. This number is found on the annual ID cards you are issued at recharter time. (Hint: The Committee Chair should photocopy the sheet of cards before tearing them apart and distributing them, then you have a back-up paper record.) However your Advancement Chair can look up your Unit's list of personal ID numbers anytime, if your Unit is registered for Internet Advancement.
14) TROOP COMMITTEE CHALLENGE ONLINE: Troop Committee Challenge (Leader Specific Training for troop committee members) may now be completed online via the BSA Online Learning Center. Completion of the course will take about a half-hour. Click here to start: http://olc.scouting.org/
15) ONLINE WATER SAFETY TRAINING: Click here to take Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat: http://olc.scouting.org/
16) NEW LEADER ESSENTIALS: This first module, which is for all volunteers in any role, will be offered twice in the next month. You can take this starting at about 9 a.m. at the upcoming Merit Badge Fair, April 26 (see that news item). You can also take it on Saturday May 3, during the first two hours of Cub leader training starting at 8 a.m. The location is on the campus of Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren immediately south of US 59, in Atwood II room 214. Contact Mary Farley 281-649-3349 or mfarley@hbu.edu Click here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/adult-pack.html
17) SCOUTMASTER SPECIFIC MODULES 1, 2, 3: Adults who wish to be Assistant Scoutmasters or Scoutmasters should take Scoutmaster Specific training, modules I, II, and III . The next scheduled series in our District will be in Fall 2008. For information, email or call Fritz Maxwell: fritz.maxwell@sbcglobal.net and 281-238-4438 (H) http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/adult-troop.html
18) IOLS (Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills): IOLS is the hands-on module leading to full training in the Boy Scout Leader sequence. Learn what you need to successfully teach your boys their various rank advancements, and practice the Patrol Method yourself. This class consists of a weeknight orientation followed by a weekend campout. No advance registration is required and cost is usually about $35 including food costs. www.goldenarrow.org/training/outdoorskills.html For questions, email or call Fritz Maxwell: fritzmaxwell@msn.com and 281-238-4438 (H) The next upcoming dates are an orientation on April 2 2008 at location St. Paul Presbyterian, 7200 Bellaire Blvd just inside US 59. The weekend campout will be on April 12-13.
19) MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR: A simple evening class will equip you to be successful as a Merit Badge Counselor. This covers the official paperwork, philosophy, tips and tricks, and registration requirements of BSA, but not the specific requirements of any given badge. Please send anyone and everyone who might volunteer later at one of our District Merit Badge Fairs! The next upcoming class is April 15 at 7:30 p.m., at St. Paul Presbyterian, Bellaire Blvd just inside US59 at Sharpstown.. See www.goldenarrow.org/training/adult-troop.html for details.
20) POWDER HORN: This activity training for Scout and Venturing leaders is like "day camp for big people" where you get to sample a bit of many exciting physical sports and challenges. The next SHAC Powder Horn is being targeted for three, two-day weekends in Spring 2009. The course director is Bill Berry Jr, for more information and an application form check the SHAC website http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/PowderHorn/ Bill can be contacted at scoutmaster@SR637.org
21) VENTURE LEADER SPECIFIC TRAINING: Adults who wish to be Associate Advisers or Advisors should sign up for Venturing Leader Specific Training. The next opportunity in the Golden Arrow District is not yet scheduled. All adults who are involved with a Venturing crew, or who are interested in Venturing, should take this training. For more information please contact Kelia Ballou (713-661-1309 or keliascout@ballou.cx).
22) WOOD BADGE: Wood Badge is a mentally-intense 6-day leadership course designed for all adult Scouters. It is hoped that every Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leader, as well as Council and District leaders and professionals, will take it to help you focus on your responsibilities, identify a goal, help you work toward that goal -- and give you the personal tools to reach it. For more information and applications go to: http://www.shac.org/Home/Training/WoodBadge/
SR-920 April 4-6 & April 25-27, 2008 (begins Friday at 7:30 AM, ends Sunday at 5:00 PM)
SR-921 September 26-28 & October 10-12, 2008 (begins Friday at 7:30 AM, ends Sunday at 5:00 PM)
SR-922 October 9-11 & November 13-15, 2008 (begins Thursday at 7:30 AM, ends Saturday at 5:00 PM)23) CANOE TRAINING: Prepare for adventure safely by training all your adult volunteers with these classes: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Camping/Activities/CanoeProgram/
************ EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES **********
24) SCOUT FAIR: This family fun fest is Saturday April 19 at Reliant Arena, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Games, puzzles, skills, crafts, and demonstrations, with one $10 ticket giving entrance to the whole family. Scouts from Tiger Cubs to Eagle Scouts will have a fabulous, fun-filled day mingling with thousands of other Scouts and their families, participating in hundreds of hands-on activities (e.g., climbing walls, craft booths, monkey bridges, rubber band guns, making Gak, meeting astronauts), tasting gourmet camp-fare cooked by Scouts (e.g., cobbler, chili, turkey, bread), and taking home treasured bits of memorabilia at Reliant Arena. See: https://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events/ScoutFair/
25) SPRING MERIT BADGE FAIR: Our District's fabulous bi-annual MB Fair is set for Paul Revere Middle School on Saturday April 26. Sign ups are first-come first -served, so hurry! Full information and forms are posted now at http://www.goldenarrow.org/events/meritfair-08-04.html
********** COOL WEBSITES **********
26) ANIMATED KNOT TYING: www.animatedknots.com/indexscouting.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Websi
********** IN CLOSING **********
27) POSITIVE PRESS: More often than not, when the BSA is in the press, it's negative. The only way to combat that is with positive stories that showcase what Scouting is really about ... making a difference in the lives of kids. You can help. Take lots of pictures at your events. Your members will get a thrill seeing their name or picture in the newspaper and your unit can earn the "Scouting in the News" award by submitting one article per month or twelve per year to a newspaper, church bulletin, or community newsletter. The more we let others know about Scouting, the greater the community support! Bring your articles to Roundtable or turn them in Jeff Hutchinson or Shannon Harlan at the Council office. Also see www.shac.org/home/districtsites/PRinNewsAward
28) You can contact your Golden Arrow District staff by email:
Jeff Hutchinson, District Director jeff.hutchinson@shac.org or 713-756-3337
Shannon Harlan, District Executive shannon.harlan@shac.org or 713-756-3338
The mailing address for the Scout Office is P.O. Box 924528, zip 7729229) Thanks to our dedicated webmaster James Cauble, the Golden Arrow District website has a wealth of information: www.goldenarrow.org
April showers bring May mosquitoes,
Claudia Hackbarth - Golden Arrow District Troop e-bulletin Editor - SR-446
"The information presented here is not an official document of the Boy Scouts of America, but is solely my volunteer work and responsibility."