Kirk Receives Scout Award The Northwest Suburban Council, Boy Scouts of America, honored Congressman Mark Kirk with its 2006 Distinguished Citizen Award on Thursday, Oct. 19, at its annual fundraising banquet held at Meridian Banquets in Rolling Meadows. Jim Tierney, Council Vice President for Capital Development, introduced Kirk to an audience comprised of over 100 local business and community leaders. In announcing the award, Tierney stated the Northwest Suburban Council recognized Kirk for his many years of supporting youth and the greater Chicago community. "He recently authored successful legislation regarding youth protection that became the law of our land," stated Tierney. Making the presentation were Council President Rich Politowicz and Scout Executive Steve Taylor. Kirk, in his third term as the Representative for Illinois' 10th District, is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and serves on three of its subcommittees: Foreign Operations; Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs; and Science, State, Justice and Commerce. In his acceptance remarks, Kirk recalled several humorous and happy memories as an Explorer Scout and as a Scout Leader, and how Scouting teaches life-long values and teamwork. He stated that, while serving as a Naval Intelligence Officer and flying combat missions over Kosovo in 1999, his aircrew grew together quickly as a team. "All of us had been Boy Scouts and we knew we could rely on each other to accomplish our mission," he said. "If we here today had the opportunity of getting all youth around the world to join Scouting, we would save lives," he said. "And it's because Scouting teaches respect for human values. It is a better path for youth to follow in the 21st Century." Following his acceptance remarks, Kirk held a question and answer session with the audience with topics ranging from the current North Korean nuclear situation to the ongoing war on terror around the world to Indian prominence as a growing democracy to US relations with China and their influence in regional as well as world political and economic affairs. The Council selects area leaders as "Distinguished Citizens" annually based on criteria of leadership, community involvement, and charitable services, consistent with Scouting's values. Past recipients have included: Robert Galvin from Motorola, Richard and David Pepper of Pepper Construction Company, Mt. Prospect National Bank President John Eilering, Chicago Wolves President Don Levin, and US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Spirit of the Eagle Buffalo Grove’s Troop 140 November 26th Eagle Court of Honor honored eight Eagle Scouts and was both an occasion of great joy and sorrow. During the ceremony the family of Eagle Scout, Corey Diamond, was presented with the "Spirit of the Eagle Award". The B.S.A. National Court of Honor bestows this honorary posthumous recognition as part of the celebration of experiences that the Scouting program made on a boy’s life. Corey, a popular Buffalo Grove High School student and talented musician died, when the car he was riding in was struck by a truck fleeing the police. He will always be remembered as Troop 140’s 100th Eagle Scout New Tax Law Makes Donations Easier The Pension Protection Act of August 17, 2006 opened a window of opportunity for 2006 and 2007 only, for making direct charitable gifts from an IRA to the Northwest Suburban Council. An individual age 70 ½ or older can now make a direct charitable gift (think Friends of Scouting, Capital Campaign or Endowment) from their IRA and not have to report the distribution as income. This is a tremendous window of opportunity to those who take the standard deduction and can not deduct their charitable contributions. If you would like to learn more about this or other ways to support the FOS, Capital Campaign and Endowment; please contact Finance Director Pete Stikovich (847-824-6910) or volunteers Jim Tierney – Capital (847-756-5424) or Ron Schagrin – Endowment (847-969-2531). Staff Promotions Scout Executive Steve Taylor announces the following staff promotions effective November 1, 2006: Program Director Randy Toland has been promoted to Assistant Scout Executive and will direct all field operations for the Northwest Suburban Council, supervise the daily work of the District Executives, and serve as staff advisor to the Council Fund Management Committee. His former Program Director duties will be divided amongst the professional staff and handled as council level functional assignments in addition to their regular District Executive duties. Former Assistant Scout Executive Jason Erpelding has decided to return to the financial services and stock brokerage industry and will be working for Northwestern Mutual in Crystal Lake. The best wishes of the Northwest Suburban Council go with Jason as he makes this career change. Signal Hill Senior District Executive Pete Stikovich has been promoted to Finance Director and will direct all operating and endowment fundraising activities for the Northwest Suburban Council including the Friends of Scouting Campaign and its Leadership Breakfast, the council's Golf Outing, the Distinguished Citizens Banquet, the Popcorn/Wreath Sales Campaign, United Way relationships, foundation grants, and serve as staff advisor to the Council Fund Raising Committee as well as the Council Endowment Committee. Former Finance Director Darwin Walk resigned to pursue other career interests. Best wishes go with Darwin as he searches for new career opportunities. A regional search through the BSA human resources system is now being conducted to replace Pete Stikovich as the Signal Hill District Executive. In the interim, Rick Ryan (a seasoned Scouting volunteer from Lake Zurich) will be filling in to help out during the transition. Randy Toland will also be assisting Signal Hill District in his field operations role. OA Banquet – December 28th Order of the Arrow members are encouraged to support the Lakota Lodge by attending the 2006 Winter Banquet at the Cotillion Banquet facility in Palatine. This annual event celebrates the accomplishments and successes of the Lodge during the year. It also provides a forum for presenting the Lodge program for 2007. This banquet is for all Arrowmen registered in the Lodge to show their support of their brothers in the order. A special surprise guest will be in attendance at the banquet for your entertainment. Register before December 21st to attend this great evening of fellowship, fun, entertainment and food. You will also receive a special lodge patch for attending!   View this edition in PDF Scout Executive's Minute Explorer of the Month 3 Months of Council-related events DECEMBER Professional Staff Mtg. Dec. 1 Popcorn Take Order Payment Due Dec. 1-2 Okpik Session #4 Dec. 10 Executive Committee Meeting Dec. 13 Hanukkah Starts Dec. 16 CPR/First Aid Dec. 16 Executive Board Meeting Dec. 20 Venture Activities Committee Dec. 21 Hanukkah Ends Dec. 23 Christmas (Service Center/Scout Shop Closed) Dec. 25 Service Center Closed Dec. 26 Eagle Scout Breakfast Dec. 27 Order of the Arrow Banquet Dec. 28 JANUARY (Sv. Ctr/Scout Shop Closed) ……………. Jan. 1 CPR/1st Aid ………………………………. Jan. 6 Council Key 3 Mtg ………………………. Jan. 8 Okpik Camping Weekend …………..Jan. 13-14 (Service Center Closed) ……………….. Jan.15 NWSC Annual Meeting ………………… Jan. 24 Pro Staff Conference ………..………. Jan. 24-26 February Pro Staff Mtg ……………………………... Feb. 2 FOS Leadership Breakfast ……………...Feb. 2 CPR/1st Aid Trng. ……………..…….…… Feb. 3 Scout Week ………………………….. Feb. 4 – 10 Scout Sunday ……… Feb. 4 BSA's 96th Birthday ………. Feb. 8 Scout Sabbath …………………………… Feb. 10 Lincoln's Birthday……………………….. Feb. 12 Council Key 3 Mtg. ……………………. . Feb. 12 Valentine's Day ………Feb. 14 Presidents' Day ……… Feb. 19 Executive Committee Mtg. ……………. Feb. 21 Ash Wednesday .. Feb. 21 Washington's Birthday ... Feb. 22 Cool Outing -- Iditarod Set Boy Scouts will test their winter camping skills January 19-21 at Camp Lakota in a Council wide Iditarod Challenge. Events scheduled for The Iditarod include: Fire Building, Snow Blind, Big Foot, Search & Rescue, Shelter Building and Snow Snakes. Patrols will trek from town to town on the Iditarod trail. A “Wilderness Sled Run” is also planned to determine the fastest patrol sled in the Council. Overnight camping is encouraged and Patrol Flags for the event are a must. This is a Boy Scout only event. Sorry no Webelos will be allowed. Check you Roundtables for more details as the registration deadline is rapidly approaching. Come meeting challenges of the Iditarod. This event will occur is the Sun, Rain, Snow or Mud so be prepared! Eagle Scouts to Gather To honor those Scouts who earned the rank of Eagle Scout during 2006 the Northwest Suburban Council is pleased to announce a “Gathering of Eagles” on Wednesday, December 27, 2006. This Gathering will include a breakfast buffet with the families of the Eagle Scout honorees invited to attend. Also invited are Scout Masters and other interested Scouters who wish to honor the NWSC Eagle Class of 2006. Also to be honored during this Gathering of Eagles is Eagle Scout John Frieburg, III who served as NWSC President during 2004 and 2005. He is currently serving the Council as its Past President. Register by December 17 to attend this Gathering to be held at the Cotillion Banquets off of Northwest Highway in Palatine by contacting the Council Office at 847-824-6880. Cub Scout Camp Kickoff Announcements concerning major changes to the Cub Scout Day Camp Cub Scout Resident Camp and Family Camp programs will be announced at the Camp Kickoff scheduled for Saturday, January 20th at the Northwest Suburban Council Service Center in Mt. Prospect. All Cub Scout Pack Camping coordinators, Cub Masters and interested adults should attend this informative meeting. Enhancements to all the Cub Scout Camping programs will be discussed. To ensure adequate materials are available please call the Council Service Center at 847-635-9404 or email to rtoland@bsamail.org to register your Pack for the Kickoff.