Dear Scoutmasters and Troop Committee Chairs:
Welcome back to the new Scouting year! This is your monthly e-bulletin to all top Scout leaders in the Golden Arrow District.
********** ROUNDTABLE, DISTRICT, AND COUNCIL MESSAGES **********
1) AUGUST ROUNDTABLE: Thursday August 7 at 7:30 p.m. will be a cooking program, featuring fun, food and fellowship, and will be located on the grounds of St. John the Divine, rather than the usual location of the Scout room. (It will be in the field on the north side of the building near an Eagle sculpture.) Bring your cooking gear and prepare an outdoor favorite for sharing with your fellow Scouters. Set up from 6:30 p.m. Categories are main courses, desserts, breads, salad/veggies and breakfasts. Bring copies of your recipe to share and for posting on the GAD website.
The September 4th Boy Scout Roundtable at 7:30 p.m. at St. John the Divine Church will be the very popular annual summer camp and high adventure review. Attached are the annual survey forms to record your unit’s experiences this last summer. Come prepared to discuss your trip and to answer questions from your fellow Scouters. The results will be posted on the GAD website. Please send your completed forms to Jim Russell by Sunday, August 31 at jgrusse@earthlink.net.
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) YOUR TROOP PLANNING MEETING: When you complete your Troop planning before school starts, you can distribute your calendar to members and to prospective members at fall rally/recruiting events. Fill the calendar with Council and District events first, then the remaining dates with your own individual events. To see the Council and District calendar, visit: www.goldenarrow.org/calendar.html3) BACK-OFFICE JOBS: As you plan your 2008-2009 Scouting program, don't forget to name three volunteers for the fundraising jobs too: Popcorn in the fall, Friends of Scouting in the winter, and Scout Fair tickets in the spring. These are good roles for parents who do not want a full-year commitment but can do a diligent and organized job, maintain focused enthusiasm, and keep excellent financial records during a limited campaign.4) SCHEDULE YOUR FALL MEMBERSHIP RALLY (SCHOOL NIGHT TO JOIN SCOUTING, SNTJS): Please turn in the date, time, and location of your two Rally events, the Troop contact information for prospective members, and how many flyers you want printed, by August 7 Roundtable. HISD guarantees your local school’s cooperation on Tuesday September 9 or another date if necessary. For Troops not strongly tied to an HISD school, you are invited to have your event(s) between September 4-18. Email jeff.hutchinson@shac.org if you need any help whatsoever in organizing this. Please turn in any new applications you already have at Roundtable on Thursday September 4. http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Events1/SchoolNighttoJoinScout/5) SNTJS Training: At School Night to Join Scouting (Rally) training, your Troop will be able to pick up all the supplies and gifts you need for a smooth and successful event. Plan on bringing a big vehicle to the SNTJS training to haul off your loot! You will also get tips and tricks to hear what works and what doesn’t work.ACTION: Please recruit your Troop Rally Chair(s), and have him/her/them attend whichever date is most convenient: August 11, 12, or 13 at 7 p.m., St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 7200 Bellaire Blvd at SW Freeway. Questions: Contact Carol Clarkston at 713 385 6535 or cclarkston_51@yahoo.com for additional information.6) POPCORN CHAIR TRAINING: Your Popcorn Kernel’s training Orientation and Training is August 19 7 p.m., at St. Mark’s Episcopal in Hauser Hall, 3836 Bellaire Blvd. (Southside Place). The 2008 Trail's End popcorn sale is just about to begin. It will again feature a simplified product-pricing plan, with a straight percentage of the gross sales going back to your unit. SHAC will continue to provide new and exciting prizes and performance incentives, giving your unit the opportunity to increase your percentage of profit. Questions: Dale Fitz, email fitzkuah@aol.comNew this year: Each scout who fills out the order form with 25 unique customers gets a marshmallow blaster; and customers can send Boy Scout popcorn to military troops.7) FRIENDS OF SCOUTING FAMILY CAMPAIGN: We are done! UPDATED Click here to see your own Troop's statistics as of July 30: http://www.goldenarrow.org/news/fos-2008-Troops.pdf If your FOS Chair is holding pledges, has leftover thank-you premiums, or needs more premiums, please immediately send an email to claudia.hackbarth@shell.com8) TOP LEADERSHIP CHANGES: When 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. See next item regarding criminal background checks.9) ANY NEW LEADER: All new leaders must fill out a proper form and undergo a criminal background check. New forms are just now coming off the presses authorizing this – be sure you are using the brand new one, or else ask for the supplement sheet for this required authorization.10) SUMMER MOVES OR PHONE NUMBER CHANGES: If you, your leaders, or your families move, remember to phone in any address and telephone updates to the Scout Office. If you phone in these changes as you learn about them, you save yourself a chore at rechartering time, and the families continue to get Boy’s Life without interruption. The direct phone of the Council registration desk is 713 756-3328.11) TAX-FREE PURCHASES: The Scout Shops are required to check that each purchaser who claims tax-exempt status has a letter showing this on file. You are exempt from sales tax on your purchases only if you are chartered by an organization that is exempt from sales tax. (Think of it this way: your Pack, Troop, or Crew is "owned" by your Chartering organization. Their tax status = your tax status.)To download a convenient letter you can give vendors, click here: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/01-3392.pdfTo read the rules on what constitutes a tax-exempt Chartering Organization in the State of Texas, click here: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/sales/faq_exempt.html#exemptP.S. There is no such thing as a "Tax Exempt number" so don't drive yourself crazy trying to find one!12) INSURANCE COVERAGE INFORMATION: The contact person for unit insurance, certificates of insurance, proof of insurance is Pearl Suggs. Her direct number is 713-865-9123. The fax number is 713-865-9199, and her email address is pearl.suggs@shac.org. Click here to read the exhaustive and clear info on this subject: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/AboutSHAC/Resources/VolunteerInsurance/13) RELIGION AND SCOUTING: The Boy Scouts of America is non-sectarian. P.R.A.Y. is an independent non-profit organization that encourages and supports all youth to learn about their personal religion and strengthen their faith. Their learning incentive programs lead to a medal plus the familiar "knot patch" for the boy's Scout uniform. The P.R.A.Y. e-newsletter will inform you about ways to promote religious emblems and how to use religious emblems as a membership tool to increase BSA membership in faith communities. To sign up click here:14) CHANGE IN DISTRICT LEADERSHIP: Our wonderful District Executive Shannon Harlan has elected to leave Scouts for personal reasons. Please wish her well in her future endeavors at this month’s Roundtable.15) NEW LOCAL TOUR PERMIT: Please note that a new Local Tour Permit has been posted to the SHAC web site (under Forms):Expiration dates for training are asked for, as appropriate for that activity: Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Youth Protection Training, CPR, Hazardous Weather Training - 2 years********** ADULT TRAINING ********
16) TRAINER DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR: Every Unit is supposed to have trained Trainer(s), people who can onboard new Leaders. We would also love to have you join our District Training Team and teach Scoutmaster Fundamentals, IOLS, Merit Badge Counselor, whatever! On Saturday August 16 at the Cockrell Scout Center from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., all volunteers with any interest in learning how to be better teachers/ trainers are invited to the semi-annual Trainer Development Seminar. The cost of $11 includes lunch and materials, click here: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/TrainerDevelopmentSemi/ Registration by August 13 is strongly encouraged.
17) EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING AWARD: In our drive towards 100% trained leaders, SHAC will award a ribbon streamer each 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. Read about it and download an application: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/ExcellenceinTrainingAw/
18) TRAINING OVERVIEW: Our goal is 100% trained leaders. This consists of a "Fast Start" online training, then online Youth Protection Training followed by live training "Scoutmaster Fundamentals”. Finally, outdoor skills are taught at IOLS. Other Districts also offer these trainings; a list of training opportunities around the Council is available on the SHAC website.19) ONLINE WATER SAFETY TRAINING: Click here to take Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat: http://olc.scouting.org/20) ONLINE HAZARDOUS WEATHER TRAINING: Beginning January 1, 2009, Planning & Preparing for Hazardous Weather Training must be completed by at least one adult prior to any activity requiring a tour permit. http://www.scouting.org/Applications/MyScoutingFull.aspx
21) 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.
22) NEW LEADER ESSENTIALS: This first module, which is for all volunteers in any role, will next be offered on Saturday August 23 and again on September 20, during the first two hours of Cub leader training starting at 8 a.m. The location is <TBA>. Contact Mary Farley 281-649-3349 or mfarley@hbu.edu Click here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/adult-pack.html
23) 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 is Saturday October 4 at <TBA>. There is no charge and no pre-registration requirement, but an email to the instructor would be appreciated to ensure sufficient materials. For information, email or call Fritz Maxwell: fritz.maxwell@sbcglobal.net and 281-238-4438 (H) http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/adult-troop.html
24) VENTURE LEADER SPECIFIC TRAINING: On Saturday September 6, you can get cross-trained as a Venturing adult leader. Please contact the instructor before September 1 because the class will only be run if at least 5 people commit: Kelia Ballou at kelia@ballou.cx or 713-661-1309 (H).
25) 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. See the SHAC website http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/PowderHorn/ The Chair can be contacted at scoutmaster@SR637.org
You also might consider a course at Bear Creek Scout Reservation (near Kerrville), Sept. 19-21 and October 3-5. More info is available at <http://www.alamopowderhorn.org/>
You can register online at <http://www.alamopowderhorn.org/register.php>
26) 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-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)
27) CANOE TRAINING: Prepare for adventure safely by training all your adult volunteers with these classes: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Camping/Activities/CanoeProgram/
28) NRA SHOOTING INSTRUCTOR: This comprehensive class starts with two, 3-hour evening sessions Aug. 11 and Aug. 13 at the Cockrell Scout Center with how to organize an event, publicity, etc, etc. and then on to Camp Strake September 20 and 27 for Rifle and Shotgun hands-on training, respectively. Contact Bruce Robinson at boss@kingwoodcable.com
********** EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES **********
29) DEN CHIEF TRAINING: Send your Scouts who are working on leadership skills and credits to take this training on Saturday August 23 at St. John the Divine, River Oaks Blvd at Westheimer. After taking this class, boys will be better prepared to work with Cub patrols, potentially helping your Troop by lining them up for future recruitment. See http://www.goldenarrow.org/training/den-chief-training-2008.html30) AQUATICS DAY: This popular day to earn either Swimming or LifeSaving merit badges (only for boys who can ALREADY SWIM WELL) is Sept. 6, with a registration deadline of Aug. 29. Click here: http://www.goldenarrow.org/events/meritfair-aquatics-08-09.html
PREVENT EMBARRASSMENT - DO NOT ALLOW WEAK SWIMMERS TO SIGN UP! THIS IS NOT A LEARN-TO-SWIM CLASS!
31) AGGIE EAGLES WEEKEND: Twice a year, the Texas A&M Corps holds a recruiting weekend for academically qualified junior and senior high school Scouts (Eagles or near-Eagles) on their campus. For 2008, the next date is September 19-20. Click here: http://www.aggiecorps.org/home/AggieEagles/
32) Crews and Ships from all over SHAC will meet for a weekend of camping, small boat sailing, swimming, hand gun shooting, archery, volleyball, limbo, great food, a dance, Guitar Hero Rock Off and more. Date is September 19-20 and location is Bovay Scout Camp. The cost is $25 and includes 3 meals. For more information, contact Traci Talley at (713-491-6020).
33) GEOLOGY MERIT BADGE : Activities leading to partial completion will be offered at the Houston Gem, Jewelry, Mineral, and Fossil Show on the weekend of September 27-28 at the Humble Civic Center, on an advance sign-up basis. The class is free with $4 student admission. Navigate to the flyer from this home page: http://www.hgms.org/
34) WEBELOS WOODS: Hold the date for this annual campout to show off your Troop to Webelos and parents, as a recruiting tool: October 3-5 at Challenger 7 Park in Webster, near NASA. Forms will be available on the Golden Arrow District website in mid-August with registration required by about mid-September. At this campout, area Troops each put on a 30-minute activity for the Webelos and give flyers to their parents on location, meeting night, main activities, contact for more info, etc.35) WIN A BACKPACK: The Osprey Pack Co. is running a monthly contest open to kids ages six to 16. In 250-500 words, contestants are asked to tell about a place they have hiked or backpacked that was especially memorable. Why is it special? Was there a special encounter with an animal? Mother Nature? Was the area threatened? Was it well taken care of? Last but NOT least, contestants should pick one of the Leave No Trace principles and tell how it applied to the adventure. Entrants are also welcome (but not required) to include a photo. For more information and contest rules, please visit the Osprey website at http://www.ospreypacks.com/OspreyLifestyle/KidsEssayContest/Learn about Leave No Trace: http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles.php
36) RAILROAD MERIT BADGE: The Galveston Railroad Museum (409-765-5700, www.galvestonrrmuseum.com)runs a 1-day program for Railroading Merit Badge. They will do this by appointment with reasonable flexibility to meet a troop's desired schedule.If you want to stay down there without camping, Moody Memorial Methodist Church (409-744-4526, www.moody.org) has a youth facility with a room upstairs for your cots or sleeping pads. Downstairs, they have an activity room with a full kitchen and eating area, foosball, ping pong, pool, and air hockey tables and a 20 ft movie screen with a VCR and DVD system in a corner with stadium-style pit seating. All of this for $7 per person per night. If they don't have a church activity on a given night, they are happy to let scout groups use it. <Thanks to David Coughlen for this tip!>
********** TECH CORNER *********
37) ONLINE MERIT BADGE CHANGE: www.meritbadge.com is switching over to www.meritbadge.org. The Boy Scout Merit Badge Worksheets are at: http://meritbadge.org/index.php?title=Merit_Badge_Worksheets********** IN CLOSING **********
38) You can contact your Golden Arrow District staff by email:
Jeff Hutchinson, District Director jeff.hutchinson@shac.org or 713-756-3337
The mailing address for the Scout Office is P.O. Box 924528, zip 77292
39) Thanks to our dedicated webmaster James Cauble, the Golden Arrow District website has a wealth of information: www.goldenarrow.org
Enjoy your last weeks of summer vacation,
Claudia Hackbarth - Golden Arrow District Troop e-bulletin Editor - SR-446
"The information presented here is not an official communication of the Boy Scouts of America, but is solely my volunteer work and responsibility."