Strategic Plan Reviewed at Leadership Gathering.
Progress in attaining N.W.S.C.'s Strategic goals were reviewed on Jan. 30 at the Volunteer Service Center by over 90 volunteer Scout Leaders and Professional Staff during 2006's first Leadership Gathering.
Representing all council operating committees and the Commissioner staff, the attendees were presented with '2005 facts in review" from committee chairman and staffers in both general and committee break-out sessions. Both disappointing and encouraging facts emerged.
In his opening remarks, Council Executive Steve Taylor stated that three main areas of concern emerged from last year: traditional youth membership - a decrease of 7% (579 boys); camping --- an overall 18% drop in council camping programs, including Cub Day Camp, Webelos Weekend and local troop summer camp enrollment at Camp Napowan; and Friends of Scouting (FOS) family participation --- only 25% participation by registered families, averaged only $15.00 per youth member, down by a total of $36,000 from 2004. The cost to support a youth in Scouting is $170.00/year.
"Membership, especially in the Cub Scout area, camping and family FOS participation must improve in '06 if this Council is going to achieve its short term and Strategic Plan goals. All of us must address these problems to insure that Northwest Suburban Council is able to deliver an exciting and quality program for our youth," challenged Taylor.
Not everything in '05 was negative, however. Taylor, new Council President Rich Politowicz and other Council Vice Presidents reported many positive items, including:
78% of NWSC top unit leaders are trained (highest ranking among all BSA councils.)
NWSC had a 70% Leader retention, leading all Central Region councils
6 provisional Troops attended the National Jamboree, doubling the initial goal.
A total of 315,000 Scout service hours logged, an increase of +5% over '04.
An Endowment Fund growth to $1.l million, allowing interest use for program expenses. The $4.3 million dollar Capital Development Campaign, launched in last Sept. and aimed at improving council facilities and program, has now reached over $900,000 in donations and pledges.
A potential for establishing 52 new units exists within the council
68% of our registered youth subscribe to "Boys Life" (5th best record in the BSA)
A meeting highlight was an unexpected announcement that a grant to the Capital Development Campaign had just arrived via email. The Board of Directors of the Harris Foundation had just voted to approve a $50,000 gift to the campaign. Rising as one, the enthusiastic attendees broke into spontaneous applause in gratitude. A second Leadership Gathering Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, at the Volunteer Service Center. All registered Scouters, including Unit Leaders, are invited. Remember, a successful Scout program is not "you," "they," and "them"... it's "US."
Tis "Tradin Time!"
For all you collectors and traders (or just curious) Scouters, ye olde Scouters Swap Meet is scheduled for a two-day session on Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, at the Volunteer Service Center.
For the 2nd year, NWSC is hosting the fun event that lets you buy, sell, trade or just browse through some great Scout memorabilia, i.e., Jambo items, patches, old Scout books, photos, belts, buckles, neckerchiefs, mugs and even foreign Scout items.
An auction of donated Scout items will be held on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Donated items are tax deductible and receipts will be issued for such items.
The Saturday session will run from 9 AM to 5 PM while the Sunday hours are from 9 AM to 3 PM.
For information regarding table reservations or attendance, contact Randy Toland at 847-824-6859 (rtoland@bsamail.org) or Betty Wurster at 847-699-0449 or 847-989-3746.
Congratulations St George Award Winner
Two Scouters from the Northwest Suburban Council are among the recipients of this year's very prestigious St George Award -- presented by the Boy Scouts Catholic Committee on Scouting.The award winners are Kevin Chapman, an Eagle Scout who has trained countless Scouts in first aid over the years, and Zee Malinski who has devoted herself to training Scout leaders and directing a special Scouting program for disabled young women.Both Zee and Kevin are Silver Beaver winners.
KENTE CLOTH TRADITION CONTINUES
Three NWSC Scouters were presented a Kente cloth neckerchief recognizing their service "above and beyond the call of duty" to Scouting at the council's Annual Business Meeting.Recognized were Council Training Chairman Patty Polites, Council VP/Endowment Ron Schagrin, and Council VP/Capital Jim Tierney.
Patty Polites significantly increased the number of volunteer leaders completing training for their specific position and increased the number of "Top Leaders Trained" making it the highest rating in the BSA by providing leadership to the council training team.
Ron Schagrin significantly increased the number of people becoming endowment donors to the council while developing an investment/spending policy, securing two corporate trustees, and expanding volunteer involvement in the council budgeting process.
Jim Tierney provided direct leadership to the capital development campaign, personally solicited many corporations, businesses, and foundations resulting in $1 Million being raised for capital improvements --- triple of what has ever been raised before. This particular type of African Kente cloth that was awarded is historically presented to kings, queens, and other dignitaries orwarriors who had been victorious in the face of great adversity.Legend has it that this type of cloth was presented to warriors who had captured a leopard alive.
Joining theseScouters were last year's honorees, Marie Diffley and Joe Trexler who had assisted in the ceremonial presentation.Only five Scouters in NWSC history have been so honored with the very colorful Kente cloth neckerchief.
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3 Month Memo for Council Events
MARCH
Ash Wednesday
..
..
... Mar. 1
Blackhawk District Dinner
.. Mar. 3
Executive Committee Mtg.
.
...
. Mar. 8
Swap Meet
....
...
.. Mar. 11
Executive Board Mtg.
..
. Mar. 15
Lord Baden Powell U. of Scouting .Mar. 17 19
Wood Badge Dinner
Mar. 25
APRIL:
Palm Sunday
.. . Apr. 9
Executive Committee Mtg.
...
.. Apr. 12
Passover
... Apr. 13
Good Friday (Scout Shop open till noon) Apr. 14
Easter
.
. Apr. 16
MAY:
Council Annual (Silver Beaver) Dinner
.. May 5
Executive Committee Mtg .
May 10
Endowment Art Tour
. May 11
CPR/1st Aid Trng
.. May 13
Mother's Day
.
. May 14
Executive Board Mtg .
.
May 17
Fall Recruiting Kick-off
. May 18
OA Spring Fellowship (Napowan) May 19 21
Family Camping (Camp Napowan) . May 26 29
Memorial Day (Sv. Ctr. & Scout Shop closed).. 29
PACK 91 BECOMES FIRST CAPITAL UNIT DONOR
Cub Scout Pack 91, chartered by the Saint Theresa School Board in Palatine became the first local unit of the NWSC to make a donation to the council's "Building a Legacy" Capital Development Campaign.
Jim Emigh of Pack 91 commented that funds for this contribution were generated from the Pack's very successful popcorn sales efforts.The Pack Committee was unanimous in support of this contribution and it builds upon the Pack's history of supporting the sponsoring organization and giving back to the community.
Pack 91 donated $500 to the NWSC's Capital Development Campaign and challenges other local Scouting Units to match or exceed this contribution to continue to build Scouting's future in northwest suburbs.
National Catholic Committee on Scouting Biennial Leadership Conference
The Northwest Suburban Council is the host Council of this years National Catholic Committee on Scoutings Biennial Leadership conference. The conference is set for Monday April 24th through Saturday April 29th at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg. Workshops in several areas are being offered among them Scouting as a Youth Ministry: Were do we fit in?.
Speakers during the conference include Reverend Dan Coughlin, Chaplain US House of Representatives, Robert J Mazzuca, Office of the Assistant Chief Scout Executive, Brian R. Gray, Director Philmont Training center, Chris Bury, Nightline Correspondent and Eagle Scout, Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger, NCCS Episcopal Liaison among others. A complete schedule of event can be found on the Northwoods Website (http://northwoods.nwsc.org/)
The conference is looking for volunteers. Volunteer applications can be found on the Northwoods Website as well or you may contact Jeff Zondlo, Chairmen Host Committee at nccsvolunteer@comcast.net to have your name placed on a list. Please remember the number of Volunteers many times exceeds the Volunteer opportunities, so contact Jeff now.
High Adventure Ahead
Reservations are now being accepted for the NWSC contingent trip to Philmont in the summer of 2007.If you're interested in going sooner, the 2006 contingent currently has 5 openings for our trek which leaves for Philmont July 8th.
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