Council and Three Districts Achieve Quality Status
Following a major year long effort to ensure quality programming, balanced membership growth and a balanced budget the Northwest Suburban Council achieved the "National Quality Council Award" for the second time in three years. The Council was one of only four Scout Councils in its Area to achieve Quality status for its programs and activities in 2006. For more details on the Council success this year please the Message from the Scout Executive on Page 2.
In addition, three of our Scouting Districts; Blackhawk, Scoutreach/Aquila and our Learning for Life/Exploring Districts achieved Quality District status. These Districts also exhibited balance membership growth, quality Scouting Units, new Scouting Units and significantly more to achieve this award.
Nearly 65% of our Scouting Packs, Troops, Crews and Groups achieved Quality Unit Status during the course of 2006.
Commenting on the National Quality Council Award and the Quality District and Quality Unit awards Council President Rich Politowicz stated These awards are a true reflection of the dedication of the Councils Volunteers and Staff to the overall success of the Scouting program in their hometowns. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to ensure a Scouting program that is consistently among the best in the country.
Don Hough Elected to National OA Office
Congratulations to Don Hough who on December 27th was elected to the position of Central Region Chief for the Order of the Arrow. Don is one of six Order of the Arrow national officers. There are three other Regional Chiefs as well as a National Chief and Vice-Chief. He is the first arrowman from Northwest Suburban Council to be elected to a national office. The election occurred at the National Order of the Arrow Planning Meeting where 47 Section Chiefs were gathered to plan the 2007 Program of Emphasis that is the National Leadership and Conservation Summit and to elect national officers.
Don will be responsible for the overall management of the OA operations in the Central Region and serves as the third person responsible for the overall OA Program nationwide. To fulfill his responsibilities Don will travel across the United States meeting arrowmen at the National Leadership Seminar, Section Conclaves and Lodge Events. With meetings and travel already scheduled for 45 out the next 52 weekends Don will be extremely busy during 2007.
When asked, Don indicated that he is very thankful to everyone in Northwest Suburban Council for all their support over my years in scouting. Don said that "Mike O'Malley, Lenny Wade, Marty Schultz and Bob Carlson have been some of the biggest influences of my life, inside and outside of scouting. I would like to thank all the youth of the Lakota Lodge for giving me the opportunity to work with you and for your support when I served as Lodge Chief. Your faith in me has given me the foundation to be able to assume this new responsibility."
Chlebek Named District Executive
Frank Chlebek of Chicago began as our Senior District Executive for Signal Hill District on January 1, 2007.Prior to Franks official start date he attended the Eagle Scout Breakfast and Order of the Arrow Banquet in an attempt to get a fast start on his new position
Frank is an Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, Wood Badger, Regional Camp Visitation Team, National Jamboree Staffer (4 times), and National Camp School Staff.He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University in forest resource management.He has previously served BSA councils in Waukesha and Menasha, Wisconsin and Munster, Indianawell asDirector of Program with the Hugh O'BrienYouth Foundation (HOBY).He is an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 609 in the Chicago Area Council where his son is a Scout, was Treasurer for the Biennial Conference of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, and Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Southwest Chicago.
Please welcome Frank to the NWSC team!
Lord Baden-Powell University March 16-18
Located this year at the Wonderland Camp in Camp Lake, WI the Lord Baden-Powell University (LBPU) offers a number of courses designed to assist Den and Webelos Leaders and their assistants, Cub and Boy Scout Masters and their assistants, Unit Commissions and Committee Members, Charter Organization representatives, District and Council and OA volunteers. If you are an adult Scouter this University is for you.
LBPU has approximately 75 courses for you to choose from. Scouters from more than 20 Scout Councils will be attending the University. This cooperative effort is in its 18th year of providing excellence in training by volunteers for volunteers.
Register now for this exciting event. For more information on this weekend of training visit the LBPU website at www.lbpuniv.org for instant, up-to-date information, a downloadable catalog and the 2007 registration form. Overnight lodging, meals and more are available to accommodate your training needs.
Camp Staff Positions Available
Scouts and adults interested in serving as Camp counselors this summer should call the Council office to schedule interviews. Positions are still available for Cub Scout Day Camp, Cub Scout Resident and Boy Scout Camp counselors. We are looking for motivated counselors who can relate well with both the youth and adult volunteers. Call now as positions are filling rapidly.
Adventurous?
Do your Scouts want to experience the trip of a lifetime? There are still several openings for the 2007 Philmont Treks sponsored by the Council. Call the Council office or visit the Council Web Site for more information on how to register for Philmont. The treks are scheduled to depart July 6th and return July 21st. Don't miss this opportunity to experience Scouting at its best at Philmont this summer.
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3 Months of Council-related events
February
Community 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
Pro Staff Mtg
..(8:30 AM)
.
.
.Feb. 9
Scout Sabbath
.Feb. 10
Lincoln's Birthday
... Feb. 12
Council Key 3 Mtg.
..
..Feb. 12
Valentine's Day
...Feb. 14
Presidents' Day (SC Closed
...Feb. 19
Council Fund Management Mtg.
.Feb. 21
Council Exec Committee Mtg
.
...Feb. 21
Ash Wednesday
... Feb. 21
Washington's Birthday
..
...Feb. 22
March
Pro Staff Mtg
(8:30 AM)
...Mar. 2
CPR/1st Aid Trng
.Mar. 3
Roman Catholic Counselor Trng
... ...Mar. 10
Council Key 3
(12:00 Noon)
...Mar. 12
Lord Baden-Powell University ..
Mar. 16 18
Council Fund Management Meeting
. Mar. 21
Council Exec Comm Meeting
...... Mar. 21
Great STARTS Trng.
..
Mar. 24
Executive Board Mtg.
.
Mar. 28
April
Pro Staff Mtg
..
..
.. April 6
Council Key 3
...
.. April 9
Napowan Leader Orientation
April 14
Wilderness 1st Aid
.. April 14 15
FOS Committee Mtg.
April 17
Council Executive Committee
...
.. April 18
I.O.L.S. Patrol Mtg.
..
...
. April 18
Signal Hill Spring COR
..... April 20 - 22
Wood Badge Staff Develop #1
.. April 23
I.O.L.S. - Camp Lakota
... April 28 - 29
2007 NWSC Officers Elected
Volunteers elected to serve as Council officers at the recently conducted Annual Meeting were:
President - Rich Politowicz
Commissioner - Rick Romani
Treasurer - Al Knox
Vice Presidents:
Membership - Marie Diffley
Program - Bob Carlson
Marketing - Jim Emigh
Education/LFL - Anna Klimkowicz
District Operations - Ray Okigawa
Legal Affairs - Paul Pinderski
Scoutreach - Shah Quaiyoom
Finance - Ernesto Soler
Capital Development - Jim Tierney
Strategic Planning - Don Harris
Signal Hill District Award of Merit
Honored at the Signal Hill District Annual Recognition Dinner were numerous volunteers for their roles in ensuring a quality Scouting program on the Unit and District levels. A special presentation was made to honor the contributions of former Senior District Executive Pete Stikovich.
Ryan Julian and Dick Lanier were awarded the District Award of Merit for their leadership and contributions to the success of the District and its programs over the past years. Congratulations and thank you Ryan and Dick.
Shamrox Sponsor NW News
Thank you to the Chicago Shamrox for sponsoring the publication of the Februrary through April issues of the NW News!
Join the Shamrox during their inaugural season playing indoor lacrosse at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. Check the link on the Council website for information on Shamrox Scout day on Sunday March 25th when they play the New York Titans.
Thank you Shamrox!
In Sympathy
The Northwest Suburban Council expresses it regrets to the family of Private First Class Will Newgard, U.S. Army who recently died in Iraq.
Will had been a Cub Scout in Pack 269 earning the Arrow of Light Award and a Boy Scout with Troop 34.
Scout Shop Scoop
Happy Birthday Boy Scouts! It's that time of year again. Time for Scout Sunday observations, Blue and Gold banquets and Courts of Honor. The Scout Shop has the supplies to meet all of your needs for any of these occasions.
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