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Super Scouter Saturday
It's new, it's exciting, and it's the biggest thing to hit the Northwest Suburbs since sliced bread. It is the ALL NEW, ALL PROGRAMS super event of 2003. If you have not yet guessed, it is: SUPER SCOUTER SATURDAY. Lets break the event down a little.
SUPER = Webster says it is “ above, greater, exceeding”. When it comes to the training that day, these are all words that will be used to describe what you, the leaders will get out of the day. The day is filled with training for everyone from Cubmasters to Crew advisors, from Den Leaders to Charter Organizations Representatives. There will be safety courses you and your unit need to be trained in. All this in one place at one time.
SCOUTER = You as a leaders are a Scouter, remember this event is for all Scouters. This event will be one of the few times Scouters from every aspect of our programs, be it Venturing, Cub Scouting, or Boy Scouting, will gather under one roof to train and learn together to better serve the scouts we serve.
SATURDAY = The event will be Saturday November 8th, 2003, and will be held at Christian Liberty Academy. Cost will be $25 for a whole day of training (6 sessions), and $15 for half day of training (3 sessions). Both options include lunch and access to the midway being run by our Council Commissioners.
This event promises to be THE EVENT to attend. Every leader should plan now to attend SUPER SCOUTER SATURDAY and to bring a friend. Actually, you should bring everyone from your Pack, Troop, and Crew. Be sure to stay tuned to updates at your local Roundtable and at www.nwsc.org.
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Membership – Choices for Life
New blood is vital to the enthusiasm of most organizations. Scouting is not an exception to this rule. In the B.S.A. program, this new blood keeps the program fresh and interesting and allows for continuation and growth of the unit.
Recruitment can seem overwhelming to an inexperienced leader. Some units will even risk not hosting a recruitment night simply because their unit does not have someone who feels comfortable at putting together a recruitment program. In order to eliminate this anxiety and doubt, the Council conducted recruitment training for the districts on May 20th. The intent of this training was to allow the districts to share this information with their units to encourage more recruitment sessions this fall.
While recruitment remains important to the success of the Scouting program, let's not lose sight that sustaining membership is also critical. One of our district membership leaders recently provided me with data on why some of our youth had dropped out of Scouting. The two most common reasons given: conflict with sports and lack of interest.
I believe we should consider educating parents on the benefits gained by having their youth stay in Scouting for the long-term. Parents are generally the most influential resource in helping young people make decisions. As such, parents need to realize that youth involvement, especially in leadership roles, is a key factor on both college and job applications. In your recruitment and retainment efforts, we must make sure that everyone -- parents, potential Scouts, and Scouts who may be wavering in their commitment -- understands the life-long benefits of Scouting as well as the more immediate rewards of outings and advancement.
Perhaps our best resource is the individual successes that we, as leaders, have witnessed. Share your unit's success stories at your Troop and Pack meetings. Consider inviting youth that have gone on to college or jobs to your meetings or recruitment sessions. Ask them to explain how they have benefited from Scouting and how they were afforded opportunities that they may not have experienced had they not been in Scouting. Younger Scouts will look up to them, older Scouts will understand them, and parents will see the end result of Scouting in a new light.
Remember, new blood and sustaining membership will keep our units healthy and growing.
Joe Trexler
V.P. of Membership / Relationships
Commissioners Column
The summer camping season has arrived. I hope everyone has a safe and exciting camping season. If you are not camping I hope your unit has a summer program in place.
The new climbing tower will be open in time for summer programs at Camp Lakota. Come out and enjoy this six sided, state of the art, tower that accommodates all ages of scouts and scouters.
Napowan Adventure Base will open with two latrine facilities featuring privacy and flush toilets. Please remind your youth that these facilities will remain open as long as they are taken care of. If they are subject to abuse such as flushing the roll of toilet paper, or excrement being smeared about, or anything else deemed unhealthy or unkempt, the facilities will be closed during that week of camp. Your cooperation and vigilance will be extremely appreciated.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to increase the level of citizen preparedness across the country. DHS has asked the Boy Scouts of America to build upon the foundation of the Ready campaign and to help citizens across the country to prepare for emergencies of all kinds. There is an Emergency Preparedness pin award available for all ages of scouts. Ask your unit Commissioner for more information, or go on line to http://www.scouting.org/pubs/emergency/index.html
Notice to all Unit Commissioners, Asst. District Commissioners, District Commissioners, and Council Commissioner Staff. Mark your calendars for JULY 28th. That evening will be the annual Commissioner Cookout at the Prospect Heights Park District, Gary Morava Park, which is the same location as last years cookout. This year we will have a revised format that will give you all of the information you need to help your Units in the next scouting year. I hope to see all of you at this important meeting.
Have a safe and wonderful time outdoors this month.
Council Commissioner
Rich Politowicz
2003 Scouting for Food Report
Our 2003 Food Drive totals are yet to be tallied. The post offices, troops and packs worked in concert to successfully complete the Largest One Day Food Drive in the Nation! Last year we heard that even one additional can of food made a difference, this year your many cans of food made a difference! More Post Offices have accepted our partnership, some councils have followed in our foot steps, and other Councils are interested in joining forces with NWSC in this most worthwhile service project.
This year the usual excitement occurred: a few missed pick-ups, some late food drops and the weather. The Northwest Suburban Council turf faired pretty well. Our neighbors to the south in the Des Plaines Valley Council enjoyed our experience of last year – wet, rainy and windy camping weather. A project of this size and scope has a life of its own, once the momentum of the day starts, there's no stopping it. Through rain and wind and snow…the food will be picked up and delivered!
Tom Skilling returned this year; his Honor helped us out with the weather. Professor Skilling wants everyone to know what a wonderful and worthwhile project he feels this is. “It's folks like you working on such important community projects, tirelessly supporting the less fortunate, that make Scouting such a valuable program.” We in scouting have to agree. The fine example of selfless effort this project presents to our communities is invaluable. It is truly our best Community Service project, one that grows stronger every year.
A special Thank you to the Tigers, Wolfs, Bears, Webelos, Boy Scouts, Leaders, Mom's & Dad's, Grand parents, District Food Drive Chairs, Postal Workers, fellow councils, and of course Professor Skilling! Your quiet determination and support of this great project make it a wonderful success. We stand together in a special cause, asking what we can do for our communities.
For all those you have helped feed this week, and for many to come..
Thank you!
NWSC Scouting for Food Chair
Jay Kleeman
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Camp season is here. Stop in the Scout Shop and receive 10% off all uniform shorts and socks.
Beginning June 10 through August 19, the Scout Shop will be closed on Tuesdays so that we can support the camp trading posts. Please visit us at one of the camp trading posts.
Receive 10% off all uniform shorts and socks.
COMMISSIONER COOKOUT
If you're a commissioner you will not want to miss this year's
Commissioners Cookout. It will be held at the Prospect Heights Park District's Gary Morava Recreational Center on Camp McDonald Road in Prospect Heights on Monday, July 28th 2003. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm and the program will follow. There is no set fee for the dinner but we will ask for donations to cover the cost of the meal and materials. This will be an Old Fashioned Cookout with Brats, Burgers, Potato Salad, Drinks and Dessert. The Grill master will be on hand to professionally cook this fine meal. Please respond by July 24, 2003 to Kathy Juliussen: Phone: 847-824-6880; Fax: 847-824-6925 or e-mail: kjuliuss@bsamail.org , Attn: Kathy Juliussen Northwest Suburban Council 600 Wheeling Road, Mt. Prospect, Il 60056
Volunteer Check Out Procedure
When checking out videos, Eagle banners, buntings, keys to camps, TV/VCR's or anything else from the council, the following deposits will apply:
Eagle Banners, buntings: $10.00
Videos / CD's $10.00
Keys to Camp: $10.00
TV/VCR: See Below
Deposits will be returned once the item is returned to Council.
Fees do not apply if a D.E. takes something out themselves, but items that are not returned within one week (arrangements can be made if needed longer), your event may be charged.
Only D.E.'s can sign out the TV/VCR or any large equipment (coolers, coffee pots, extension cords, tables, projectors).
If these items are not returned in a timely manner, again, the event the item is used for will be charged. Any damaged items that are returned will be dealt with on case by case basis.
All items shall be checked in and out at the Front Counter, through the Customer Service Rep., the Registrar, or the Office Manager.
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