Leon Valley's District Commissioner's Page

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”

 

Attached is a copy of the Guide for completing the 2009 Quality Unit Form. Remember, this form is a Jan 01 2009 through Dec 31 2009 form. This procedure is NO LONGER part of the re-charter process. Please take time to complete this form and get it back to either Clifton or myself before 31 Jan 2009.
 
You can bring this completed form in "TRIPLICATE" to the Jan 09 Roundtable. Triplicate allows your Unit, the District, and the Council a copy for filing.

 

This file can be found in the Downloadable files on the "Right Margin" of the spaces page.

Hello Fellow Commissioners
 
 
I have a new way for BSA to account for  Unit Visits. Also there is an On-Line UC Fast Start! Please take time and go to this link:
 
http://www.scouting.org/commissioners.aspx
 
 
Afterwards, for Unit Visit info, click this link:
  
http://www.scouting.org/commissioners/unitvisittrackingsystem.aspx
  
You have to register with the site and complete your portion.
 
We'll go over this site at our Dist. Commissioner Mtg being held 10 Jan 2009 @ 09:00, Immanuel Lutheran. I'll bring drinks and doughnuts. Please bring your thoughts so I can take them to the Council Commisioner Cabient with me 22 Jan 09

Leon Valley District Commissioner

December 08 Roundtable Notes

 

 

Greetings Fellow Scouters! The Council Camporee was a success with 7,000 participants. It was cold and very windy! Leon Valley had great representation and I would like to thank you for attending this event. Hopefully the next Council Camporee Leon Valley will have greater representation.

 

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.

 

The District is recruiting a CS Roundtable Commissioner. This is a very important training role because this is the one time per month where leaders can find new ideas for their den meetings and pack meetings. 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. I would like to thank Homer Casto for stepping forward to take on the BS Roundtable Commissioner position.

 

Here is the email I had sent out regarding training:

 

The five "Southern District" are trying to put together joint training sessions. Each District would like to put together a list of possible trainers to support the training sessions. At the present time, Carol Beckom is serving as the Training Chair. If you can help with training, please let Carol, Clifton, Gordon, or myself know. You do not have to have Woodbadge to become a trainer!
 
WOODBAGERS, this would be a great opportunity to give back to Scouting! I look forward to seeing your names on the list.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Money Earning Projects:

 

When your Units want to conduct a "Money Earning Project" please be sure to:
 
Complete the "Unit Money-Earning Application" which must be turned into the Council Office. This can be completed by giving the application to the DE if need be.
 
When having such a project on Fort Hood, contact MWR for authorization to use any facility for such a project.

When you are using the Commissary(s) or PX(s) on Fort Hood, be sure to ask for permission from the Manager of the appropriate facility.

 

Future Activities:

 

US Cavalry Camp, Winter Camp, Twin Arrows NYLT: Dec. 27-31

 

Cub O (Orienteering) 2009: Jan 03, 2009 @ Sid Richardson, $15 by 30 Dec.

$20 afterwards.

 

Cub Scout Trout O’ Ree: Jan 17 & 31 at Camp T, $26 per person.

 

Boy Scout & Venturing Trout Tournament: Feb 7 at Camp T, $26 per person.

 

Webelos Woods: Feb 21-22 at Camp T, $20 per person

 

Klondike Derby 2009: 28 Feb Camp T

 

OA

 

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.

 

Don't forget dues are due 31 Dec of each year. Contact Mike Harrison for an application, to renew your membership p, or provide him with your e-mail address!

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS! PLEASE STAY SAFE ON YOUR HOLIDAY TRAVELS.

 

Robert Kratzer

LVD District Commissioner

“Serving Youth of the Greater Fort Hood Area”