Taughannock District
Baden-Powell Council, BSA
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Advancement News - Activity and Program - Upcoming Events - District News - Council News - National News

Latest Announcements...

Our Website Has Moved

If you're reading this notice, you have an out-of-date bookmark.

While we have had the TompkinsCortlandScouts.org domain name for many years, we never really had a place to put the website. The domain was actually just an alias for some other website. So, every time you accessed TompkinsCortlandScouts.org, some other address appeared in your browser's address bar - mostly, home.htva.net/~wb2jwd/, which is the space my cable company gave me, but sometimes www.bpmlegal.com, my office website -  and if you bookmarked the site, you wound up bookmarking the actual address, not TompkinsCortlandScouts.org. Worse, htva.net only gave me 20MB of storage space, total, so we were very limited in how much we could post on that site.

Thanks to Mark Travis of Pack 197 and Good News Computing, the Taughannock District Website now has a real home, and oodles of space to live in (one "oodle" = several gigabytes). And, thanks to a suggestion from Oliver Habich of Troop 4, we also have a shorter, easier-to-type domain - TCScouts.org  - two names, the same website.

What this means to you is:

  • Old Bookmarks won't be right: If you have any bookmarks in your browser for any of the pages in the Taughannock District Website, they probably point to the actual site of the old page, not the new site. So, you'll need to...
  • Change your Bookmarks: At least in Firefox or IE, that means right-clicking on the bookmark, click on "Properties" and change the part of the address which says "home.htva.net/~wb2jwd/" or "www.bpmlegal.com" to --www.TCScouts.org-- or --www.TompkinsCortlandScouts.org-- (either will work, if you're lazy like me, use the shorter one). The rest of the address remains the same.
    So, "http://home.htva.net/~wb2jwd/announce.htm" becomes --http://www.TCScouts.org/announce.htm --
  • Or, save new bookmarks: If you don't want to edit your old bookmark, you can always follow one of these links http://www.TompkinsCortlandScouts.org or http://www.TCScouts.org , find the page you want, and save a new bookmark. 
  • The old website will be taken down after January 1st, and all of the pages will be set to redirect to the new server. So if you don't update your bookmarks now, now you can always follow the forwarding link and save a new bookmark later on.

Click Here to Access the New Web Site

Yrs. in Scouting,
Mike Brown
District Commissioner

Goodbye and Good Luck Bill...

It is with deep regret that I accept the resignation of William Albrecht effective November 30, 2011.

Bill received his Eagle Scout from Troop 30 in Newark Valley as a youth. He started his professional career in September of 2008. He has worked as a Professional Scouter for three years, first as a District Executive in the Delahanna District, and then, since February 2011, as a District Executive in the Taughannock District. Bill also gave outstanding leadership to the Council Popcorn sale, and did design work on the program calendar, Friends of Scouting brochures, past annual reports and many other promotional and marketing pieces the council produced.

Bill leaves a legacy of being an incredible mentor and resource to his district and unit volunteers. Bill could always be depended on to do his best and follow through. The districts in which he served have a solid foundation for success, and many Scouts and leaders have enjoyed a quality program as a result of Bill's efforts. He truly left the campsite better than he found it.

Bill leaves us to pursue a career and education outside the Scouting movement. His energy and his talents will be missed by the volunteers and staff of the Baden-Powell Council. All of the thoughts and prayers of the many friends Bill made in the last three years go with him as he moves forward into a successful future.

The search begins quickly to try and fill this critical position by January 15, 2012.

- Roger Hoyt, Council Scout Executive

Dear Taughannock District.

I want to thank you all for the past 9 months for your dedicated service to our district and to its youth. I want especially thank you all for your warm welcome and continued friendship during my tenure in the Taughannock District. I have truly enjoyed my position in the district because I was able to work with you and get to know each of you.

I look forward to continue working with all of you on a volunteer basis. Good luck and once again thank you for your tireless service to our scouts.

Thank you,
William Albrecht

Questions on Advancement Policy? 

National HQ has published a Guide to Advancement - see Advancement Page for details. 

Know a Scout seeking a little extra motivation to finish his Eagle requirements next year? I’ve got it.

Next year will mark 100 years since Arthur Rose Eldred became the BSA’s first Eagle. Since that date — Aug. 21, 1912 — more than 2 million outstanding young men have earned the award. To celebrate the centennial of Scouting’s top honor, all recipients of the Eagle Scout Award in the year 2012 will be eligible to wear a special version of the red, white, and blue badge, seen here.

The special-edition patch, available at local Scout Shops after the first of the year, will help make an already-special honor even more noteworthy.

Why the special patch? I’m told that after the overwhelming popularity of the 100th Anniversary of Scouting rank badges, Boy Scouts of America officials said it made sense to find a similarly unique way to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Eagle Scouts. A cool, new patch that will motivate Scouts? You won’t hear any complaints from me — or your guys!

- Bryan Wendell
http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2011/10/14/special-badge-for-scouts-who-earn-eagle-in-2012/

Promotion of Gary Decker to Director of Field Service 
in Seneca Waterways Council

Taughannock District bids farewell to Gary Decker. Gary has been promoted to the position of Director of Field Service in the Seneca Waterways Council in Rochester, New York effective October 24, 2011.

Gary grew up in our area, and received his Eagle Scout in Troop 80, Cortland. He started his professional Scouting career as a District Executive in the Taughannock District in December of 2004. Gary brought a wealth of experience to his new position having worked as a Grants Officer for Cornell University for two years, as a Director of Programs for another national non-profit based out of Washington D.C. for two years, and for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for five years.

Gary served as a District Executive in the Taughannock District from 2004-2007 before he was promoted to Program Director in August of 2007 and then to Field Director in July of 2008. In his new position as the Director of Field Service, Gary will be charged with giving leadership to all facets of field operations including membership and new unit growth, all district fundraising efforts, budgeting and fiscal management, the district nominating committee process and will serve as Staff Advisor to the Council Strategic Planning process. He will be responsible for a total staff of twenty two.

The Taughannock District and the Baden-Powell Council have both been strengthened by Gary's dedication to the Scouting movement, and we are proud to wish Gary, Lisa, Matthew and little Gary the best in this new and exciting opportunity to give further leadership to the Boy Scouts of America.

Please join me in wishing Gary and his family congratulations and best wishes for the future plus a big thank you for all he has done for scouting in our area over the years.

YIS,
Jim Graney
Taughanock District Chairman

Announcement of new Program Director

It is with great pleasure I announce the promotion of Nathan Boguhn to the position of Program Director for the Baden-Powell Council effective November 15, 2011.

Nathan began his professional scouting career as a District Executive in the Revolutionary Trails Council in Utica, New York in 2004. In 2006, he was promoted to Senior District Executive, because of his ability to engage new volunteers and increase Friends of Scouting, Popcorn, United Way and activity revenue. His record includes membership growth of 49% (1046 to 1567) and new unit growth of 5.7% between 2004 and 2008 in a declining TAY.

In 2008, Nathan was promoted to the position of District Director for the Longhouse Council in Syracuse, New York. Over the last three years, Nathan has been responsible for managing all aspects of Scouting for the city of Syracuse and southern Onondaga County including Emerging Markets (Scoutreach), recruiting and training adult and youth membership, financial support and fundraising through effective partnering with recognized community leaders and organizations. He was also responsible for mentoring and coaching multiple District Executives.

Nathan has served as a Resident Camp Director in two different councils and has received his National Camp School Management Certification. He has successfully instituted a new Cub Family Camp with a very successful program and high attendance. He has experience in developing and managing multiple budget cost centers while maintaining budgeted surpluses. He developed a monthly council e-newsletter, and while serving as editor and publisher, made it available through the council list serve, the Council Website, Twitter and Facebook. He served as the Council Systems Administrator, working with the Council Webmaster to design a new council website. In addition, he maintained all computer systems including updating and upgrading the current network infrastructure.

Nathan will be charged with giving leadership to the Tuscarora Scout Reservation and Camp Barton resident camping operations and all programs that those properties support. He will publish "The Voice" and maintain the Council Website, while giving leadership as the staff advisor to multiple council committees. Nathan is an Eagle Scout and a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. Please welcome Nathan to the Baden-Powell Council team.

- Roger Hoyt, Scout Executive

Your Scouts, Explorers and Venturers, 14 years old and older,
can earn the Duke of Edinburgh Award!

See our Advancement Page for details

"Tour Plan" has replaced Tour Permits

Effective March 1, 2011, a new form - the Tour Plan - replaced the old Local Tour Permit and National Tour Permit forms as well as the on-line tour permit process at myscouting.org. The new form, a fillable PDF, can be downloaded from the National Website. 

Recent District Doings...

 


Do you need some neat recruiting material?

Check out National's "Words to Live By" marketing website for a selection of great color recruiting flyers, posters and ads for every Scouting program. You can download and print the posters and personalize them for your unit's contact and meeting information. There are even e-mail templates for mailing invitations to prospective members. 

Download posters material for:

Advancement and Recognition News

  • Cub Advancement News: See our Advancement page for more information. 
  • Scout Advancement News: See our Advancement page for more information.
    • Life to Eagle Training will be offered at several roundtables throughout the year. The first session will be at the October roundtable. See the Advancement Page for details.  
    • Merit Badge Counselor List: Download the latest list from the Advancement page. 
    • Attention Merit Badge Counselors! The Advancement Committee will be contacting all Merit Badge Counselors over the summer and fall of 2012 to make sure all Counselors are registered and trained. Please be sure to return your paperwork ASAP when you get it!
    • Merit Badge Counselor Form: there's a new form as of June 2011 - be sure to use it instead of the National form or older local forms. You can download it here, and see the Advancement page for registration instructions for Merit Badge Counselors. 
    • BSA introduced a number of new merit badges for 2010-11:

New Award Recognizes Active Alumni
(updated 2/21/11)

In the coming months, a new patch, the BSA Alumni Award knot, will begin appearing on some Scouting volunteers’ uniforms. The red, blue, and gold square knot will designate its wearer as a Scouting alumnus who has helped other Scouting alumni reconnect with the program. (A lapel pin is also available for civilian wear.)

Developed by the national Alumni Relations Committee, the award recognizes accomplishments in four areas:  Alumni Identification/Promotion (any 3 of 5 requirements), Alumni Engagement (4 requirements), Personal Participation (4 requirements) and Personal Education (any 1 of 3 requirements). Specific requirements include doing things such as helping to plan an alumni event, convincing unregistered alumni to register with Scouting, and completing online alumni training.

“The requirements are tough—and that’s by design,” said Bill Steele, the BSA’s director of Alumni Relations. “We expect these folks to work just as hard as alumni as they did as Scouts and Scout volunteers.”

Requirements for the award have been announced and are listed on the alumni knot page on the US Scouting Service Project website. All requirements must have been completed after June 1, 2009. Applicants must be currently registered with the BSA, and their award applications must be approved by the local council Scout executive and alumni committee chairperson, along with the national Alumni Relations Committee.

Note that this new knot is not the same as the 2010 Centennial Award. If you have earned that patch using the Alumni requirements, you wear the 2010 Patch, not the new knot. 

By the way, what is an "Alumni"? According to Myscouting.org, "The definition of a BSA Alumni is a former Scout, a current or former Scout leader, family members of current or former Scouts, and anyone who is supportive of the Scouting program and would like to be connected." Yes, I know "Alumni" is plural, and the correct singular term is "Alumnus" or, if you really want to be pedantic, "Alumna" for females. Complaints may be referred to the BSA Latin Nouns Committee.

- Mike Brown

Venturing and Exploring Volunteers - your Youth Protection Training (YPT) requirement is changing!

The "regular" YPT course will no longer be accepted for adults registered in the Venturing and Exploring programs.  Venturing and Exploring volunteers who only took the "regular" YPT course Y01 should plan to take Venturing Y02 or Exploring Y03 (whichever applies), in order to remain current.  

See the Training Page for more information. 

Activity and Program News

See the Activities Page for information on upcoming events. 

Cub Scout Bowling Afternoon
January 14th

See the Activities Page for details and a flyer

2013 National Scout Jamboree
Now open to Venturers!
Summer 2013

The Baden-Powell Council is now starting to organize a Boy Scout contingent and Venture Crew for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, which will be held at the new Summit Base in West Virginia during the summer of 2013. 

This is one of the most significant events in a Scout’s career, joining the 45,000 Scouts from the United States and foreign countries. This announcement is to promote the Jamboree and invite expressions of interest from youth and adults who would like to attend the 2013 event. Planning is underway and we are initiating the process of selecting leaders and establishing Scout Troops and Venturing Crews that will begin to operate in early 2012. Click Here if you would like to download an application to be considered for a spot.

There are plans to have the Contingent stop along the way at historic Gettysburg, PA before continuing on to West Virginia to join the Jamboree for 10 days and stopping on the way back at Hershey Park in Hershey, PA. Our contingent will include one Troop comprised of 36 Scouts and 4 Scouters and one Venturing patrol comprising of either eight youth (if male and female mix) and two adult leaders (one male and one female); or nine youth (same gender) and one leader (same gender). Boy Scouts must be 1st Class and 12 years of age by July 15, 2013, but not have reached their 18th birthday by July 24, 2013. Venturing Scouts must be 14 years of age by July 15, 2013, but not have reached their 21st birthday by July 24. Troops/Crews will form in early-2012 and begin operations including development of adult leadership, youth leadership, committee support, fund raising, planning, fellowship and great Scouting! The cost of this event will be $1,400 per Scout/Venturer. Scholarship support may be available on an individual situation basis.

For information, see the Council website

District News

  • Help Wanted - Experienced Scouters wanted for Taughannock District Committee positions. Openings in Activities (Cub, Scout and Venturing), Advancement (Cub and Scout), Finance, Membership and Commissioner Corps. Long hours, no pay, great job satisfaction. This opportunity won't come again (until next week), so act NOW! Contact the District Executive or District Commissioner, or e-mail to info@TompkinsCortlandScouts.org 

Council News

  • Council Website - The Baden-Powell Council has launched its new and improved website.  This website incorporates the latest in branding and formatting to standardize information that you will find throughout the Boy Scouts of America.  This is a new tool for us, and we are still learning all of the features and capabilities associated with it, so we apologize in advance for any bad links or formatting issues.  This is a work in progress and we hope to bring you and the Scouting community the best online experience possible to support your Scouting program.

National News

Boy Scouts of America and American Radio Relay League 
Team Up to Help Scouts Learn Communications Skills

February 3, 2011 - After working together for nearly a century to provide Scouts with the ability to learn radio communication skills, Boy Scouts of America and the ARRL have officially teamed up by signing a memorandum of understanding. This MOU designates the ARRL as a key resource for K2BSA and Radio Merit Badge training at the BSA National Scout Jamboree and establishes the ARRL as the go-to source for Scouts interested in learning about and becoming involved in radio communication.

“Throughout the years, going all the way back to the Wireless Merit Badge in 1918, the ARRL has worked hand-in-hand with Boy Scouts of America to help teach Scouts the skills and joys of radio communication,” said Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca. “Today, we are making official a relationship that has been beneficial for both of our organizations for nearly a century.”

For more information, and the complete Memorandum of Understanding, see the ARRL Website. 

 

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