Leon Valley District Commissioner

November Roundtable Notes

I would like to ask for the contact information of Committee Chairs, Cub Masters, and one other leader of Packs, Troop’s, Crews, and Posts. This will allow me the opportunity to disseminate information to multiple personnel which in turn provides the unit with up-to-date information. Feel free to email me which in turn will give me your contact information.

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 in 2007 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. (This dollar value comes from the Mustang District Website.)  There is a 31 page Re-Charter Training paper within the files on my blog space.

Re-Charter Packets available for pick-up/delivery as of 13 November 2007:

Pack 253, Pack 242, Pack 239, Pack 244, Pack 241, Pack 201, Pack 222

Troop 244, Troop 242, Troop 222, Troop 243, Troop 239, Troop 238, Troop 241

The above are February 2008 Re-Charters

Training is an essential tool in preparing new leaders to become effective Den Leaders, Cub Masters, or Committee Members. A “trained” leader leads to a good program. A good program keeps the youth interested and challenged. Be sure to get your new leaders trained! The 17 November training in Austin is a great chance to better your skills with Pack/Den Management, District Committee Workshop, and Commissioner Science. This is only a one hour rider versus the 3 hour ride to Ft. Worth. Take advantage of this opportunity!

Roundtable is an important training tool, 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!!!

Need CS Meeting ideas? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cubscout_roundtable/

Important Dates:

16 November is “Food for Families” – We can use volunteers manning the Events Center, the two Commissaries on Fort Hood, and the HEB’s across the area. Schedule this with Clifton. I’ll be out of town on this day.

16-18 November 2007 – Wilderness First Aid Course --- Need for Philmont Trek (open to anyone over the age of 16 but one adult has to be certified)

01 December 2007, 09:00-4:00 – BALOO Training, Camp Tahuaya, Michelle Drake is POC 254-217-0361 or Belton177@aol.com –Each CS Pack must have at least “one” BALOO Trained leader in order to camp overnight.

01 December 2007 - OWL - Outdoor Webelos Leader --Camp Tahuaya -- Training runs Fri 6Pm to Sat 9PM Contact Bryan Johnson 254-947-1967 or johnsonbryan@otc.army.mil

26-30 December 2007 – Twin Arrows/National Youth Leader Training, Camp Tahuaya.

5 January 2008 – Cub-O, CS Holiday Adventure, Sid Richardson Scout Ranch

What is Cub-O?: Cub-O is a fun Orienteering competition for Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos held each year right after the holiday break. Over 2000 Cub Scouts, leaders and parents participate each year in the CUB-O orienteering competitions. The information packet is available on the Council Website.

17 February 2008, LHC Office, Hurst, 09:00-5:00pm – Trainer Development Conference, $5 pre-reg. or $ 7 at the door.

***Look at the District Calendar and Council Calendar for happenings.

****Cub Fish o’ Ree at Tahuaya have been put on hold due to the lack of sponsorship. Jeff Peters had told me things are being worked out and the 2008 events should be a go.

Know of anyone who may be a great fit for the District Committee or Commissioner Service? These people do not have to be “Scouters” to operate within these areas. If you know anyone, please contact the DE or myself. The more staff available makes for a better program, and a better program means the youth have a great time Scouting.

Administrative Notes:

Youth Advancement: Please be sure your Unit Leaders and Parents understand the Advancement Policies of BSA.

Den Leaders – Advancement should be presented as soon as possible after a boy completes the requirements and be done with a proper ceremony. Presentation of badges should be part of each monthly Pack Meeting. Do not hold onto a boy’s award in order for everyone in the den to complete the requirements. We all work at different levels and speeds.

Cub Master - Make certain the boys who have earned awards receive them at the next Pack Meeting. Don't let them get discouraged by having them wait for recognition. Follow-up with boys who are not advancing and find out why they not advancing. Boys sometimes develop behavior problems in seeking recognition. If they receive proper recognition, they may not need to do so many exasperating things trying to gain it.

Speed of Advancement - Boys should advance one rank per year which is age of grade level. If necessary, allow the boy an extra month or two to earn the badge. A Cub Scouts' advancement progress depends on his own motivation for learning new skills; on the encouragement and help he gets from his family, and on his need for recognition. Normally, it should take a boy about 6 months to complete the requirements for Wolf and Bear rank. There is NO hard and fast rule, but if a boy rushes through the requirements, it may be difficult to hold his interest with electives through the rest of the year. Example: If a boy becomes a Bear at the end of the school year (May) and begins to work towards his Bear rank immediately. If this boy attends Day Camp and works throughout the summer, he can receive the Bear Rank in November of that year.

Boy Scout Advancement: Much of the above does not apply for the Boy Scout Aged Youth. Due to the requirements for Merit Badges and the like, each youth earns Ranks and Merit Badges at different stages. Be sure to award the Rank or Merit Badge at the “next” Court of Honor.

Visit my MSN SPACES BLOG PAGE http://leonvalleydistrictcomm.spaces.live.com/

You’ll find different forms, applications, training, tools, etc... in the Public Folders. I am trying to make information accessible 24/7/365. There are 15 different folders with many files in each folder. Visit the LVD Website, click on District Commissioner to get there.

Robert Kratzer

LVD District Commissioner

“Serving Youth of the Greater Fort Hood Area”

13Nov2007/rck