Units Start Your Engines
The Race to Scouting has a Green Flag....
On May 21st, 50 Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leaders attended the preliminary membership kick-off heat and drove away with Fall Recruitment packets. The unit Membership chairs were greeted with the Official Wolves Racing Car sporting a BSA decal.
The evenings announcer, Marie Diffley, Vice President of Membership, related a story about the Value of Scouting and the opportunity ahead for this membership team; that of inviting youth of all ages to join our family of Scouting. The very core and essence of Membership begins with a promise of a program that is fun, exciting, and full of adventure while at the same time giving boys the opportunity to grow (achievements, electives), teaching values through Characters Connections, the Scout Oath and Law, giving them tools to make decisions and guiding them to be leaders (Denners, Assistant Denners, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders). All of which happens in a safe environment led and mentored by adults and just as importantly offering camping opportunities and activities with their families, the memories of which last a lifetime. Marie commented Sometimes...membership is about numbers...but to me and our entire team...those numbers are the face of each youth we recruit and retain in this Scouting movement...each Scout that races off to learn, do, grow...begins with the vital work that each of you do....what youre here for tonight.
This years Racing Team were introduced: Pit Crew: Ted Begley- Blackhawk, Jim Ray- Northwoods, Laura Camiliere- Pathfinder, and Lori Motisi- Signal Hill (though absent); Crew Chief: Advisor and Assistant Scout Executive Randy Toland; Experienced Pit Crew Advisor: Don Hough, Central Region OA (Order of the Arrow) Chief; Race Officials: District Executives: Derek Hartley-Blackhawk, Jon Wilson-North woods, Dan Gatica-Pathfinder, and Frank Chlebek-Signal Hill.
Once again Chevrolet is sponsoring BSAs effort to bring Scouting to the youth of our communities. The Chicago Wolves continue to sponsor the Northwest News and Scout Night with the Wolves. We sincerely appreciate the recognition and support that Chevrolet and the Wolves give to the Boy Scouts of America and to our Council, NWSC said Rich Politowicz, Council President, but were especially grateful for your efforts in recruiting the boys and their families to join in this exciting and worthwhile program.
Rick Romani, Council Commissioner, spoke about the entire Commissioner staff ready to offer support and service to the Chairpersons and the units in their recruitment efforts. He also reminded all that although an emphasis is placed on Spring and Fall Recruitment drives, recruitment is year-round and no better time to kick-off the drives than right now when Scouts can attend summer camp and take part in summertime activities almost immediately following their joining.
Membership recruitment materials were available and leaders were able to tap the knowledge and experience of the District Chairs and District Executives. Taking advantage of the 20 minute pit-stop, leaders reviewed the membership plan and began formulating their units approach. One leader was overheard saying this evenings been fun and being totally new to this, I learned a lot about recruitment, got all this neat stuff to help me, and even learned about signing up for training. I feel like a scout at his first meeting, now I cant wait for camp.
Steve Taylor, Scout Executive, recapped NWSCs effort to bring Scouting to more youth in our communities. Steve shared the Councils recent successes and NWSCs standing in the Region for Membership Recruitment, Retention, and Unit Growth. He reiterated that The Race to Scouting is not just about tonight but about the future in this Council, in our communities, and in this great nation.
The evening was closed out with the following to the leaders....Tonights heat is over...the Race to Scouting begins...so tune your engines...Your tools are enthusiasm, promise, values, and fun...Your track is the seamless Scouting program from Tigers to Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts to Venturing/Exploring...Your laps run through the achievements, electives, activities and outdoor programs....Your cars...are your units...SO...the race is Yours to win...Recruit!
Recognition Dinner One of the Best
Camaraderie during Social Hour, happy conversations during a great dinner, dignity and appreciation during the award ceremony and a howling audience during the guest speaker speaker's presentation all combined to make the 2007 AnnualRecognition Dinner "one of the best."
The event took place on Friday, May 18, at the Cotillion in Palatine where 158 Scouters, families and professional staff gathered to honor Silver Beaver recipients, Units of Distinction, a William A Hornaday Award recipient, a Silver Antelope recipient and Scouters receiving the James E. West Fellowship Award.
Master of Ceremonies Paul Meincke introduced Guest Speaker Dr. Robert Payne as "a Washington insider" who served under 4 Presidents as the Director of Special Communications and Relationships for the Presidents Joint Task Force on Inter-Governmental Affairs and Public Policy, and a holder of multiple degrees from 3 universities.
But, Paul spoke with "forked tongue"' in cheek! Initially, the audience listened politely to "Dr. Payne's" interweaving of Washington bureaucratic workings. Snickers soon broke out and turned into roars of laughter as "Mr. Doubletalk" of national TV fame gently unleashed his confusing, oral barrage of comedy.
Getting his start on the old "Candid Camera" TV show, "Payne" is really Durwood Fincher who has been on the comedy speaker circuit for 26 years. A true Eagle Scout, he gave assurance to the Scout audience that the NWSC's Strategic Long Range Plan was valid, at least, until the end of May.
Capping his presentation was the projection of 1-on-1 video "surveys" with 8 unsuspecting Scouters who attempted to answer some complex, unintelligible questions about ?????. A big "Thank You" goes to Ken Becker, Lori Motisi, Patti Polities, Barb Rubenstein, Don Harris, Cindy Kunzer, Jay Haack and Brian Mulcrone for being such good sport interviewees.
The formal part of the evening followed with council Key 3 members, Council President Rich Politowicz, Council Commissioner Ray Okigawa and Council Scout Executive Steve Taylor making the presentations.
Highlighting the agenda was the awarding of a record 10 Silver Beaver Awards to: Ken Becker, Jay R. Haack, Bill Kaisling, David Kite, Bob Koscielniak, Lori Motisi, Tom Nelson, Joe Schluep, Tavis Tackett and Jim Tierney.
Receiving the 2006 Unit of Distinction Awards by district were 79 units:
Blackhawk: Packs 14, 24, 46, 55, 74, 85, 105, 151, 154, 173, 201, 222, 228, 263, and 997. Troops 1, 6, 22, 38, 50, 84, 160, and 175.
North Woods: Packs 37, 39, 43, 118, 119, 129, 130, 140, 161, 235, and 336. Troops 32, 149, 159, 161, 270, and 468.
Pathfinder: Packs 100, 194, 195, 196, 199, 290, 293, 294, 297, 392, 493, and 496. Troops 193, 194, 196, 198, 290, 295, 297, 392, 399, and 497.
Signal Hill Packs 59, 91, 92, 209, 237, 239, 282, 286, 309, 335, and 348. Troops 92, 96, 168, 209, and 335.
To receive this Council Award, a unit must: Earn the National Quality Unit Award, have youth membership growth, participate in the current Friends of Scouting campaign, participate in at least one of the two Council Product Sales, participate in Council and District activities, and attend our Council Camps.
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3 Months of Council-related events
July
Napowan Week #3
1-- 7
Cub Day Camp, Week 2
.2 8
Independence Day (Office Closed)
4
Cub Resident Camp, Session 2
5 8
Pro Staff Meeting
6
Napowan Week #4
.. 8 -- 14
NWSC Golf Classic
.. 9
Council Key 3
. 9
Cub Day Camp, Week 3
.. 9 - 15
Cub Resident Camp, Session 3
. 12 15
Napowan Week #5
15 -- 21
Cub Day Camp, Week 4
..16 22
Napowan Week #5
. 22 -- 28
Council Executive Committee
.
18
Everybody Wins Committee
...
.
18
Cub Resident Camp, Session 4
. 19 -- 22
Napowan Week #6
22 -- 28
WB Staff Development #3
..
. 23
Scout Night With the Flyers
. 24
Council Executive Board
... 25
Popcorn Sale Committee
.
.. 25
Cub Resident Camp, Session 5
.. 26 29
Venturing Weekend
27 -- 29
Napowan Week #7
29 Aug 1
August
Pro Staff Meeting
. 3
Council Key 3
. 6
WB Staff Development #4
.. 9
Webelos Weekend Lakota
..
10 12
Council Executive Committee
. 15
Popcorn Sale Committee
22
Endowment Committee
.. 23
Wood Badge Session #1
.. 24 28
Family Camping Napawan
.. 31 Sept. 4
September
Labor Day (Office Closed)
. 3
New Unit Blitz
..
...5-6
Pro Staff Meeting
.
7
Popcorn Consignment Orders Due
.
7
OA Fall Fellowship Weekend (Lakota)
7 9
Council Key 3
.
..10
NWSC Ask Event
.
12
Rosh Hashanah
..
... 12- 13
Wood Badge Session #2
.
14 16
Executive Committee Mtg.
..
.. 19
Popcorn Consignment Re-orders
.. 21
Popcorn Consignment Order Pick-up
21 - 22
Yom Kippur
..
.. 21 22
Executive Board Mtg
...
... 26
Heritage Society Event
..
. 27
Popcorn Consignment Re-order Pick-up 28
Our Newest Eagles
Daniel Bergren Troop 50
Luke Burns Troop 149
Cullom Cahill Troop 235
John Knoepfle Troop 32
Andrew Kowalewski Troop 493
Kenneth Lobacz Troop 38
James Toland Crew 477
Edward Tolle Troop 10
Spring Fellowship
The Annual Spring Fellowship held at Camp Napowan in May was one of the most productive in the history of the Council. Nearly 400 Scouts and volunteers gathered to help repair the camp from the damages of the winter and to ready the camp for the start of summer camp.
Scores of projects were identified ranging from simple repairs to a major construction effort of replacing the porch on the Trading Post. Coordination of these tasks was performed admirably by Tavis Tackett who secured volunteers, arranged for supplies, and coordinated the on-site efforts.
Combined with the repairs, the Lakota Lodge co-hosted the event as the Spring Fellowship where nearly 100 Ordeal Candidates joined the Lodge and more than 50 earned their Brotherhood honor. The following Lodge members were announced as having been selected to receive the Vigil honor at one of two upcoming Fellowships:
Matthew Cottrell, John Emigh, Thomas Jung, John Kowols, Robert Moore, Scott Paczosa, Tony Pierucci, Eric Poczatek, Eric Rodriguez, Jeffrey Schneider, Steven Treutler and Anthony Stiava. Adult selectees included Charles Aldridge, Dennis Bohm, Kevin Cutts, Dick EnGbrecht, William Hogan, Cindy Kunzer, Elaine Masciale, Ray Okigawa, Glenn Peters, H. Ronald Shagrin and Michael Stanbary.
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Attention Venturers! Are you a survivor?
Then join us for a Napowan Venturing Weekend
Our annual weekend of fun at Camp Napowan is rapidly approaching. Its set for Friday July 27th to Sunday July 29th, 2007. This years theme will have you going Tribal! Be prepared to race in a variety of challenging completions. No one will be voted off, but you will have to wait until Saturday night to find out who will survive. The fees will include camp fee, tribal memorabilia, all meals for Saturday as well as breakfast on Sunday.
Bring a tent, a sleeping bag and your bathing suit for a great weekend.Additional information and registration forms are available at http://venturing.nwsc.org/forms/NVW2007.doc
Questions: Dominick Nudo, VAC President 847-923-5264 or nudedo83@comcast.net or Joanne Bilas, Adult Coordinator 847-991-0704 or purplejobo22@yahoo.com
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