Leon Valley District Commissioner

January 2009 Roundtable Notes

It’s that time of the year! This is the time of the year when we have the largest amount of Re-Charters. Re-Charters are an important of your yearly planning. If your time is approaching, please be sure your Committee follows the guidelines as closely as possible to insure a timely turn-in date. To insure your paperwork is correct, have your Unit Commissioner, an Assistant District Commissioner, or the District Commissioner review the packet for completeness one week before turning the packet over to a Council Representative. This will allow you to gain the needed signature to qualify for "On-Time" Re-Charter and the Commissioners Award. One of the benefits of being a Commissioner's Award unit is that your unit gets $1.40 per re-chartered registered youth credited to the Scout Shop Scout Bucks. These "bucks" can be used to buy Scout rank/awards. There is a Re-Charter Training paper within the files on my blog space.

"OA ELECTIONS ARE HERE" - HAVE YOU TROOPS CONTACT MIKE HARRISON @ mhwbbear@vvm.com or 289-3516.

 
Scout Master and Senior Patrol Leaders, Each Troop should have at least one representative at the monthly OA Meeting. Here is your guideline for that:
 
The Order of the Arrow Troop Representative or Team Representative is a youth liaison serving between the local OA lodge or chapter and his unit. In his unit, he will serve as a communication and programmatic link to and from Arrowmen, adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the Order. He will do this in a fashion that strengthens the mission of the lodge, purpose of the Order and the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. By setting a good example, he will enhance the image of the Order as a service arm to his unit.

We now have 2 CS RT Commissioners – Lynn Klein a former leader in the District and Kathy Hefner. I am sure CS RT will become a great training tool for leaders in our District. I would like to thank those leaders who are currently serving as the CS RT Staff. Roundtable is an important facet of the training tools, especially for new leaders. This monthly meeting should have splits for the different level of leaders. The Cub Scout RT requires a staff of 5-6. Being fully staffed allows splits for Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Leaders. There should also be a split for Cub Masters and Committee Members. This split allows for the “administrative” training for leaders.  Do not forget the Boy Scout side of the house during RT!!!

Boy Scouts of America celebrates another birthday next month (2/8/2009)and that means it “Blue & Gold” time for Cub Scouts!  The purpose of the blue and gold banquet is to celebrate the pack's anniversary, recognize pack leaders and other adults who have been instrumental in the pack's success, and inspire the leaders, Scouts, and parents.

FOS is coming too! Be sure to contact the DE and Dist. Chairman to schedule a visit to either a Pack Meeting, Blue and Gold, or Court of Honor.  

Retention Tips:

1. Be Active – Do not be passive in your meetings approach.
2. Field Trips/Outings
3. Outdoor Focus – Outdoor Focus for both Cubs, Troops, and Crews
4. Stay in Touch -- Communication
5. Summer Activities – Day Camp or Summer Camp
6. Schedule/Calendar
7. Appeal – Keep the Program activities age related

Happenings:

17 & 31 January:  Cub Trout-O-Ree at Camp Tahuaya

24 January: University of Scouting at St. Edwards University, Austin (http://www.bsacac.org/)

Take advantage of this great opportunity to receive a complete day of training.

7 February: Boy Scout and Venturing Trout Tournament

21 February: Webelos Woods at Camp Tahuaya

28 February: Klondike Derby at Camp Tahuaya

**Note:

The LVD District Dinner is approaching. Nominations for awards are due 10 February 2009.

Robert Kratzer

LVD District Commissioner

“Serving Youth of the Greater Fort Hood Area”