Compass - Boy Scouts of America

The Western Massachusetts Council
Compass
Volume 2 No. 4
Serving Youth in the Four Counties of
Western Massachusetts
August 1, 2013
Cheryl Izyk
Council Commissioner
Joe Case
Council President
David Kruse
Scout Executive
Let’s Grow Scouting in
Western Massachusetts!
If you’re reading this, then you
probably already know the
incredible impact that Scouting has
on youth, their families, and the
community. It is up to every one
of us to make sure that every youth
has the opportunity to join
Scouting. In the last Compass
newsletter, there was an article on
fall recruitments, including best
practices and free resources
available.
Be sure to take
advantage of the resources
available to your unit, including
flyers, posters, yard signs, and
experienced people who are ready
to assist you at your sign-up night.
Packs – don’t forget to incorporate
the new Lions program in your
pack! Lion Cubs is our new
program for boys in kindergarten.
Packs that started a Lions Pride as
a part of their pack last fall now
have an established Tiger den for
new families to join this fall. The
boys will always be the best
recruiters so be sure to have them
invite one friend for special events.
Consider using an early fall event
like the space derby or rain gutter
regatta as a time to bring in new
boys. A 30 boy unit that grows by
10% adds 3 new boys, you can do
that!! One of the many keys to
success in recruiting new boys is to
continue to ask them and invite
them to join. Ask them in church,
ask them at school, ask them out in
town; let them know they can
come and check out an event to see
how much fun they and their
parents are certain to have.
As Jeff Glaze stated so well at a
recent Council meeting, we must
“Evangelize
Scouting”
by
preaching its merits. In addition to
all the great things you know about
the program, remember the cost of
joining is still very low and within
reach of many families in the
region.
As I take over the Compass from
long time writer-extraordinaire
John Willemain I promise to do
my best to keep this means of
communication
relevant
and
interesting to our readership inside
and outside the council. If you feel
I may serve this newsletter in any
other way, please let me know at
[email protected].
Going
forward, the membership and
recruiting section will be the first
part of the Compass-every boy in
our region should be asked to join
or invited to an event at least
THREE TIMES. 3 more members
in every unit is about 10% growthChallenge the boys.
Tips for a successful recruitment:
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2
4
5
6
8
9
11
12
13
15
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Recruiting is a year-round
function, not just spring and
fall. Every day is a good day
to join Scouts!
Plan an "ask a friend"
opportunity and communicate
that plan to the district
executive and membership
committee to get all resources
lined up - the best way for
Troops to recruit
Mini Scout Show anyone?
Pick a day and set up at the
chartering organization. Show
off the best Scout Skills and
fun activities possible, and
invite the neighborhood in
(flyers ahead of time?) to come
out
and
try
out
the
activities. Pick up "Join
Scouts" signs to make sure
everyone knows why the event
is going on
Follow UP!
The most
important step is follow up,
follow up, follow up! Return
that phone call, get that
application done, get that
family involved.
Directory
Scout Executive and President
Commissioner’s Corner
Sporting Clays, Popcorn
District Realignment, Hornaday
Award
Activities and Civic Service
Camping
Camp Maintenance
Advancement, Training
Appalachian Trail District
General Knox District
Updated Contact Information
1
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Paperwork . . . that new
member is not a member until
the application is in the service
center.
Go to the library - or any other
public place. Wearing a Scout
uniform and sitting down in a
public place is a good way to
get people talking and asking
about joining.
Just Be
Prepared with applications . . .
From the Scout Executive
Have You Seen Somebody?
Let me tell you a story about a Cub
Scout pack. It was August and the
pack was holding a parents
meeting to talk about the program
for the coming year. The pack has
30 Cub Scouts registered. For the
past five years Mr. Smith had
served as the Cubmaster.
About 20 parents showed up for
the meeting. As they talked about
activities for the year Mrs. Farmer
said, “Somebody should take the
boys to the Zoo.” Mr. Dixon said,
“I know, somebody can lead a
camping weekend at Chesterfield.”
Mr. Smith, the Cubmaster said, “I
need somebody to be the kernel for
the popcorn sale, and I also need
somebody to chair our Blue and
Gold Banquet.” Well said Mrs.
Jones, “my boy just isn’t earning
his rank advancement fast enough.
Surely there must be somebody
who can work with Jimmy on his
rank advancement?” Mr. Horn,
the
pack
committee
chair
mentioned that there are three dens
without a leader this year. Can
somebody be a den leader?
Mr. Smith looked at the 20 parents
who had gathered for the pack
planning meeting and asked if
somebody would help out with one
of the open positions. All the
parents looked at each other and
shared how busy they were and
they just didn’t have any time to
give to their son’s Scouting
program.
Mr. Smith ended the meeting
saying he hoped that somebody
would call him and volunteer for
the open positions. All the parents
in the room thought that somebody
would volunteer, but when it was
time for the first Pack meeting of
the new school year, nobody had
volunteered.
I bet you can guess the experience
the Cub Scouts had in this Cub
Scout pack? I share this story as a
reminder that the best time to
recruit additional volunteer help
is at the start of a new program
year when parents are bringing
their boys to join. I don’t know
about you, but when a parent signs
one of their children up for an
activity they expect to be asked to
help out in some way. If they are
not asked to help, no problem, they
move onto other activities.
I would venture that there is not a
Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop
or Venture crew that could not use
the help of additional adult
volunteers. Don’t miss your
chance this fall. Make the
expectation that at least one parent
of each Scout will be “somebody”
and help out.
As always, if you have any
questions, ideas, or concerns let
me know.
David Kruse
Scout Executive
President’s Report
At the Council’s annual meeting in
June,
I
outlined
some
accomplishments of the past year
and outlined some objectives for
the coming year.
Here’s a
summary of my remarks.
Governance and Administration
 We welcomed David Kruse as
Scout Executive on August 1.
He has brought new energy,
enthusiasm, and valuable
expertise to his work in the
Western
Massachusetts
Council.
 As part of the transition in
leadership, the BSA conducted
an administrative review of
our operations and program
and made recommendations
that we are in the process of
implementing. Among these
are a year-round functioning
nominating committee and
finishing
the
council’s
strategic plan.
 The Executive Board engaged
in a self-assessment in late
spring and reviewed findings
at a retreat in early June.
These included need for
improved communication at all
levels, broader diversity in the
board, and board members’
greater understanding of the
expectations for their role.
 In the districts, we need to
recruit more district committee
members
and
unit
commissioners and ensure that
there is depth in the working
committees of the district
committees.
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A strategic plan subcommittee
on camp properties has been
working a detailed assessment
of
our
two
properties,
including operating costs and
maintenance needs. In the
spring, the Council conducted
a series of listening sessions to
hear what leaders thought were
essential for year-round camp
opportunities. It is clear that
the Council cannot continue
the expense of operating two
properties. Hard decisions lie
ahead in determining a course
of action.
There must be new efforts in
communication,
marketing,
and public relations in the
coming year. New leadership,
analysis, and planning are
crucial as we move forward.
The Council website, Compass
newsletter, and support of
fund-raising, camp promotion,
and special events are all part
of the communication task.
In legal affairs, the Council
concluded sale of the former
Chicopee office and the
wilderness portion of the
Chesterfield
Scout
Reservation;
the
Risk
Management
Committee
reviewed compliance issues
concerning BSA procedures
and state statutes; and the
annual
meeting
adopted
updated bylaws.
Finance
 Tremendous strides have been
made in fiscal management in
the past year (with special
thanks to the work of Mike
DuBois and Mike Brennan),
part of the accounting function
has been outsourced, and new
BSA software has been
implemented.
 Although
our
financial
pressures have eased, we must
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
continue working to budget
carefully and monitor closely
our financial condition. In
future budgets, revenue should
not simply equal expenses, but
should exceed them so we can
begin reducing accumulated
debt. Provisions should also
be
made
for
property
maintenance and a reserve for
contingencies.
Fund development efforts,
under the guidance of Jeff
Glaze and David Kruse, have
provided
support
for
professional staff and a
growing number of volunteers.
The successful Friends of
Scouting
campaign
was
structured with district and
council teams of volunteers;
the number and kind of special
events have been rethought;
and innovations have included
camp cards, merit badge
sponsorships, and a new
popcorn vendor.
Last summer a BSA team
conducted a development
assessment of the Council.
We entered into a service level
agreement that includes a
thorough review of our fundraising and fund-development
efforts. Future tasks include
cultivating
new
donors,
growing the endowment, and
developing planned giving
efforts.
Membership
 BSA leaders call membership
“The Main Thing.” The future
of Scouting in Western
Massachusetts – and in the
nation
–
depends
on
recruitment and retention of
youth, addressing the changing
demographics of the youth
population, and reaching out in
our
urban
centers.
Membership
growth
also


entails
cultivating
new
chartered organization partners
and recruiting and training
adult leaders.
The Council’s innovative Lion
Cub program, organized under
Learning for Life, has proven
successful. The first group of
Lion Cubs will be making the
transition to Tiger Cubs this
summer and fall.
At the BSA national meeting
in May, membership policy for
youth was revised, effective
January 1, 2014, to remove
exclusion of youth on the basis
of sexual orientation. There
was no change in BSA policy
for adult leaders. The WMC
Executive Board has adopted a
statement
of
nondiscrimination, tolerance,
and inclusion.
Program
 Under the leadership of John
Willemain,
the
Council
coordinates a program of
activities,
training,
advancement, and camping
opportunities.
 Last summer an in-council
camping program for Boy
Scouts was resurrected though
a volunteer-led effort (with
special thanks to Dan Shea,
John Willemain, and many
others).
This summer the
program is underway, with a
substantial increase in Boy
Scout
participation
and
innovations in programming,
including ATV’s.
 John prepared the Council’s
response to a new BSA
National
Camping
Accreditation Program, which
focuses not only on program
and on health and safety
concerns, but also on yearround camp operations and the
fiscal integrity of the camps.
3
The Council has received
approval for camp operations
in 2014 and 2015.
Unit Service
 Under Council Commissioner
Cheryl Izyk and the district
commissioners,
the
commissioner staff has been
growing and BSA’s Unit
Visitation Tracking System is
now used more widely for
reporting.
 The College of Commissioner
Science had a very successful
30th anniversary session last
December.
 Cheryl has led the effort to
collect e-mail addresses for
contacts in the BSA Voice of
the Scout on-line survey tools
for
assessing
consumer
opinion about the Council and
its program.
The past year has seen a change in
professional leadership, growth
and new vigor in program,
increased financial stability, and
broader volunteer engagement in
fund-raising. In the year ahead, we
must continue our fiscal vigilance,
undertake
new
efforts
in
communication, reverse the slide
in youth membership, make tough
decisions
about
our
camp
properties, and expand our incouncil Boy Scout residential
camping program.
We must be future-facing, positive
in attitude, and work together – as
a united Council – for the success
and vitality of our programs in
service to youth.
That’s the only reason for the
Council’s existence.
Joe P. Case
Council President
Commissioner’s
Corner
Welcome to our newest Unit
Commissioners: James Burke,
Aaron Clark, Connor Evans,
Robert Hackett, Kathy Krawczyk,
and Stephen Scannell. These six
experienced Scouters have joined
the Commissioner Corps to serve
units in their respective districts
and have been active this summer,
helping Scouts and Leaders enjoy
camp and unit activities.
In June, Commissioners across the
USA participated in an initiative to
visit every unit, and our Western
Massachusetts
Commissioners
received an enthusiastic “Thank
You” from Northeast Region
President Hab Butler for recording
their visits to a significant number
of Packs, Troops, and Crews.
Many other units have been
contacted by phone and email and
at Summer Camp. Continue to
invite your commissioners to your
unit events and meetings - we
thrive
on
seeing
Scouts
participating in fun events and
really enjoy sitting in on
committee meetings and planning
sessions. Let us know if we can
provide you any resources to help
you move your unit forward – our
goal is to provide friendly service
to help all Scouts and Leaders
succeed.
Very soon our hot and humid
summer days will pass. We will be
home from summer camp and
gearing up for fall. Traditionally
this is a prime time to recruit new
members to our units. Parents of
Cub Scout age youth are often
looking for activities for their sons
and are especially receptive to
joining a local Pack. This is also a
great time for Troops to hold an
Open House and for the Crew to
schedule a First Nighter. Your
Commissioner can assist you in
running an effective sign-up event.
We are happy to assist in filling
out the membership applications
for youth members and leaders and
will see that those applications and
the associated fees are promptly
submitted to the Council Office for
proper registration. I’ve already
heard from a Pack I commission
and have the recruitment night on
my calendar – I look forward to
helping the Cubmaster and Den
Leaders welcome new members to
the unit. The entire Commissioner
staff works closely with the
District
leadership
and
membership teams to help our
units grow – please let us assist
you.
Check the Council calendar and
your district page in this issue of
The Compass for information
about the monthly Roundtables
that will begin again in September
– participation in these lively
events will give you what you need
to deliver the Scouting promise to
youth and their families.
We
hope
to
see
every
Commissioner at the Annual
Commissioner Retreat to be held
on Saturday, August 24. Please
consult the Commissioner page of
the Council website for details –
and don’t forget to let us know you
are coming. The day will provide
Commissioners the opportunity to
become more familiar with the
many online tools and resources
available to assist units throughout
the year.
4
December 7, 2013, is the date of
our 31st College of Commissioner
Science and every Commissioner
should be planning to attend this
annual training event. Every
Commissioner
is
asked
to
complete the Personal College
Record and return it to College
Dean Peter Matrow as soon as
possible, whether 2013 will mark
your 1st or 31st College. The
course selection is great for every
participant and we are looking
forward to the opportunity to
reconnect
with
colleagues
returning from all over the
northeast as well as making new
friends of those who join us for the
first time.
See the Registration Form online
at the council website for
information
on
various
sponsorship opportunities.
For more information, contact:
David Kruse
(413) 594-9196
mailto:[email protected]
2013 Popcorn Sale
Sporting Clays Tournament Day
– Saturday, September 7
Western Massachusetts Bird
Dog Club
We will use NSCA registered
targets.
The mission of the Western Mass.
Council
Sporting
Clays
Tournament is to provide an
avenue for corporations and area
sportsmen to raise funds to support
Scouting programs, which ensure
that every youth has the
opportunity to participate in the
quality
character-education
program of the Boy Scouts of
America.
Computers Merit
Badge
Olen Bielski, Chairman
(508) 320-3824
[email protected]
Cheryl Izyk
Council Commissioner
2013 Sporting Clays
Tournament
 Spend all that money on a
great Scouting program
 Great NEW flavors from our
new vendor Pecatonica River!
 Unbeatable prize program
features, prizes and gift cards
 $600 in sales – 3 free ticket
Sports Pack
 Foam Dart Blaster - bonus
prize for selling $600
 Great bonus prize choices for
$2,500 sellers
For more information on the 2013
popcorn sale, go to
www.wmascouting.org and check
out the popcorn page which can be
found under the Volunteers tab.
Popcorn sale to-do list
 Sign up for the sale
 Assign unit kernel
 Set and plan an exciting Unit
Popcorn Kick-off
 Plan your unit super Saturday
 Order popcorn for Show and
Deliver
 SELL, SELL, SELL
 Order popcorn to fill Take
Orders
Mobius Works will be sponsoring
the Computers Merit Badge. The
next Clinic will be Saturday,
September 14 from 9:00 to around
4:00. Computers Merit Badge
clinics will be limited to 12 Scouts.
First come, first serve. Mobius
Works will provide lunch. Online
registration will be available soon.
Merit badge clinic dates for
2013:
September 14, 2013 - Register
here
November 9, 2013 - Register
here
Each clinic is limited to 12
Scouts. register for only one
clinic, as you should be able to
complete the merit badge in one
day.
Please bring:
 Signed permission slip
found HERE.
 Flash Drive to keep projects
which were completed
during the clinic.
 Notes on at least 3 Scouting
activities to put in blog for
requirement 7c
5
District Realignment
The professional staff and the
executive board of the Western
Massachusetts Council are
committed to providing the
necessary support to benefit our
existing units and to foster
growth
in
the
Scouting
movement. It is important to
regularly look at our current
structure to determine if it is the
best way to serve the youth in
our communities. After careful
consideration, it was determined
that our current structure has
not met our expectations to
provide program and support to
Scouting families in all of our
communities.
To better serve Scouting, the
council executive board has
passed a resolution to realign
our district structure. Here's
what you need to know:


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
Effective immediately, the
Western
Massachusetts
Council will have three
districts: Appalachian Trail,
General
Knox,
and
Metacomet.
The geographic service area of
Appalachian Trail District will
remain unchanged.
Holyoke will now fall under
the support of the Metacomet
District.
Chicopee, Springfield, and
West Springfield will now be
part of the General Knox
District.
The new, larger General Knox
District will be supported by
two Scouting professionals.
Joel Parker will remain as the
district executive, and a district
director will be named shortly.
The district leaders for the
affected districts have been
consulted, and we thank them
for their support during this
transition. We are confident that
this new structure will provide
us with better opportunities to
further strengthen our programs.
Fall is around the corner, and
unit leaders are preparing for
the
new
program
year,
recruitment nights, and the
popcorn sale. Until a district
director is named, unit leaders
of the former Chapweq District
should contact Assistant Scout
Executive, Bob D'Avignon, for
unit support. Any questions
regarding this new structure can
also be addressed to Bob at
413-594-9196
ext.7034
or
Bob.D'[email protected].
Thank you for your continued
support of Scouting in western
Massachusetts.
We
look
forward to growing Scouting
with you!
CONGRATULATIONS!
ROBERT J SOUSA,
Ph.D
At the most recent National Boy
Scout Jamboree at the Summit in
WV, Bob was awarded the
William T. Hornaday Gold Medal.
This
Medal
is
the
most
distinguished adult conservation
recognition bestowed by the Boy
Scouts of America.
The
Hornaday Gold Medal, first
granted in 1914, is the oldest
continuous conservation award by
any organization in the United
States.
Fewer than 100 Gold
Medals have been presented with
the likes of Aldo Leopold
receiving the second medal.
Recipients
must
demonstrate
unusual service to natural resource
conservation and environmental
improvement over a sustained
period exceeding 20 years.
Bob, a Vietnam war veteran, is a
Ph.D. fishery biologist and
Certified
Fisheries
Scientist
(American Fisheries Society). He
retired from an extensive and
productive career spanning more
than 30years with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service.
Here he
was instrumental in development
of the Wallop Breaux amendments
to the Sport Fish Restoration Act
that provides matching grant funds
to states for boating access and
fisheries enhancements.
He fly fishes in many countries
throughout the world and holds
several world records. His motto
is to try to fish every day! Without
a doubt, Bob is an international
subject expert in angling and
specifically fly fishing. He has
taught many thousands of scouts
how to cast a fly helping them
catch their first fish on a fly. His
enthusiasm for angling is very
catchy!
Bob’s passion for fishing means
giving back. He has served on the
Board of the Future Fisherman
Foundation, is a Master Instructor
in
Massachusetts
Aquatic
Resources Education program, a
Certified Angler Instructor with
the International Game Fish
Association and is Vice Chair of
the Fishing Committee of Boy
Scouts of America.
6
Bob's latest book, 24 Greatest
Flies ...You Don't Leave Home
Without is available directly from
www.huskingbeebooks.com. His
goal is to simplify the lifetime
sport and encourage more people
to get out of doors and become
responsible stewards of our woods
and waters.
He continues to be active in
helping youth and adults learn the
concepts
of
fishing
and
conservation. In Boy Scouts, Bob
originated the Fly Fishing Merit
Badge, contributes editorially to
the Fishing Merit Badge, Wildlife
Management Merit Badge and
Ranger Fishing Awards. He leads
the fly fishing venue at National
Boy Scout Jamboree and has done
so for the past 6-7 Jamborees. He
has also participated in teaching
fly fishing at several National
Order of the Arrow Conferences.
Bob has been instrumental at
establishing fly fishing programs at
the Philmont Scout Ranch in New
Mexico, Northern Tier in Ely,
Minnesota and the Sea Base High
Adventure camp in Florida. He
initiated and teaches at BSA
Fishing Camp Schools throughout
the country.
Using his many years of teaching
fly fishing to many thousands of
people, his first non-BSA book,
Learn to Fly Fish in 24 Hours
(McGraw-Hill) was written to take
the intimidation factor out of
learning this life-long sport. His
latest book, 24 Greatest Flies You
Don't Leave Home Without,
picks up on the same simplicity
theme and describes how an angler
can catch most fish, most places,
most of the time with a few simple
fly patterns.
7
Activities and Civic Service
News and Notes
John Willemain
Chair
Staff Advisor
Park Hours: 10:30am – 9:00pm
Catholic Scout Retreat
MassJam Registration
Deadline
Unit registration is now open.
Registration is by unit (troop or
crew) only. Visit the official
MassJam
website
at
http://www.massjam.org to register
your unit.
September 27 – 29, 2013
Camp Holy Cross
Cost is $30 per person and
includes everything!
See the council web site for more
details. Registration deadline is
September 22.
When: October 12-14, 2013
Registration Closes: September
20, 2013
Cost: $30 per participant (Boy
Scouts, Webelos, Venturers, Adult
Leaders).
Deposit: $100 non-refundable
registration deposit per unit which
will be applied to your final
payment.
Six Flags Scout Day
You are invited to join us for Scout
Day at Six Flags on October
5. Enjoy our special discounted
rates listed below. When you're
there, be sure to come down to the
Picnic Grove and participate in fun
Scout activities for the whole
family.
Prices:
Catered Meal Package - $38.00
includes Admission, Parking,
Catered Meal consisting of all you
can eat hamburgers, hot dogs,
assorted side dishes, Soda, Dessert
Item
Non-Catered Package - $29.00
includes Admission only
Meal only - includes Catered meal
but
not
parking
or
admission. $15.24 pp (same menu
as above)
New Scouts - FREE!
New Scouts who sign up this
August and September will
receive a free admission pass for
Six Flags New England that can be
used on Oct. 5, 2013.
A new youth application must be
completed and submitted to the
council office along with any
applicable registration fees in
order to qualify.
To purchase tickets, visit the Six
Flags website at
www.sixflags.com/newengland
and enter the promo code:
WMSCOUT.
Faces from Cub Resident Camp 2013 – The Tournament of Thistles
8
Camping and Outdoor Program
News and Notes
Andrew Dufault
Chair
Steve Roberts
Staff Advisor
A Successful Summer Camp Season
This year’s summer camp season was again very successful, from Cub Day camp to Boy Scout Resident camp, Cub
Resident camp and AdVenture Week, fun was had by all. We saw tremendous growth in the number of troops and boys
attending Boy Scout resident camp this year (260 youth this year) which positions us well for expanding the number of
weeks of Boy Scout camp going forward. Some highlights of this year’s programs follow.
ATV Program at the Moses Scout Reservation
Shiny and New to the Left
Dirty and Muddy to the Right!!!
The ATV program was for boys 16 years and older and centered
on the skills needed to properly operate an ATV. Under the
supervision of our highly qualified staff, everyone came away
with a much safer and skilled level of operation upon completion
of the class. The Program met all of the requirements of the ATV
Safety Institute Training Course which includes safety
instruction and agility coursework for the first three days with an
hour-long trail ride on the fourth day. It was reported to be
EXTREMELY FUN. Even some of our adult volunteers were
able to participate in the program.
Merit Badge Partials Day – September 14
On Saturday, September 14, we will be offering an opportunity for Scouts who were unable to complete a merit badge at
camp to come to the Moses Scout Reservation to finish their work. Watch the council web site for more information.
Human Foosball, Tetherball and the 9–Hole Disc Golf Course
The new human foosball court and 9–hole disc golf course that were set up for the camping season along with the repaired
tetherball poles proved to be very popular. Each of these games was in constant use from the moment campers arrived
until the last Cub Scout departed on Friday the 9th of August. The foosball court was so well received it was used as soon
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as Leone’s Laborers placed the last board into position. (I am proud to be a 1979 Leone Laborer.) Play at the foosball
court and the tetherball poles continued well past sunset when the flood light was turned on each evening.
Tetherball poles were always in use
The new Human Foosball court was very popular
Tomahawk throwing, kayaking and blacksmithing were just some of the many popular programs at camp.
Rifle Shooting, Climbing and Robotics were some of the merit badges offered at camp.
The new Welding merit badge proved to be very popular with many Scouts participating in the program.
Cub Resident Camp was filled with Medieval Fun!
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Camp Maintenance
News and Notes
Steve Kenniston
Chair
Steve Roberts
Staff Advisor
Beaver Day at Moses Scout Reservation
When: September 14, 2013
Where: Meet at the Parade Field Pavilion
8:30 a.m. Coffee and Safety Brief
9:00 am Start Working
1:00 pm Lunch Provided at Nunes Building
Pre- Register for Lunch with Jack Leone: [email protected]
4:00 pm Finish our Cheerful Service and Fellowship
ALL ARE WLCOME-NEW AND OLD-FRIENDS AND FAMILY-FULL OR HALF DAY
*Project list:
 Finish climbing tower.
 Power wash buildings.
 Stain and paint buildings.
 Remove trees.
 Paint inside buildings.
 Repair doors and sills.
*Bring your tools; hammer, saws, power washer, paint
sprayer, weed whacker, etc.*
*If you know anyone that can donate any of the
following items, it would be appreciated:
 5/4 pressure treated decking.
 Exterior doors.
 Lumber of all sizes and types.
 Cement.
 Roofing shingles.
 Dumpsters.
*Do you know someone with a backhoe? We have work for them too!*
Adults and other Scouts can do work projects while Scouts are finishing merit badges as part of Partials Day!
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Advancement and Recognition
News and Notes
Joshua Hall
Chair
Staff Advisor
Recent Religious Awards
01/01/2013 - 6/30/2013
Date of Award
Name of Award
Scout
City
Unit
02-Jan-13
GOD AND LIFE
Christopher Clark
Chicopee
Troop
02-Jan-13
GOD AND LIFE
Justin Sanchez
Ludlow
Troop
15-Apr-13
GOD AND FAMILY
David Clark
Pittsfield
Pack
30-Apr-13
CHI-RHO
Evan Manioudakis
Belchertown
Pack
17-Jun-13
GOD AND CHURCH
Noah Scott
Brimfield
Troop
19-Jun-13
GOD AND ME
Nathan Brown
Hinsdale
Pack
19-Jun-13
GOD AND FAMILY
Carlton Brooks
Peru
Troop
19-Jun-13
GOD AND CHURCH
Logan Brooks
Peru
Troop
Congratulations to the above boys. Your commitment to earning a Religious Award is most admirable and
determination and commitment to Scouting’s Principle of Duty to God. Well done!
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4057
164
3021
1021
1021
evidence of
Training
News and Notes
Peter Izyk
Chair
Hunter McCormick
Staff Advisor
Remember, as summer winds down and before the Scouting year starts up in September everyone should check out your
training profile. Make sure all the issues have been resolved if you are one of those who had taken a number of the online courses before receiving your BSA identification number. If you have not taken steps to merge your different
accounts, some of the training you have taken will not appear on your profile or in Training Reports. So, check it out and
see where you stand. It will be a good time to check out the new updates to the MyScouting Tools portal.
While you are checking out your training records, it would also be the time to check if you need to retake any of the
courses. Some of the current training courses have an expiration date, especially if your certifications are going to be used
on Tour Plans for upcoming unit trips. An example of this is the Youth Protection training. You have to take this course
every two years to remain current and stay registered. Below are some of the training courses that have expiration dates
and need to be retaken to be valid:
Youth Protection – every two years
Safe Swim Defense – every two years
Safety Afloat – every two years
Trainer’s EDGE - every three years
Hazardous Weather - every two years
Climb On Safely – every two years
Physical Wellness – every two years
Trek Safely - every two years
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Appalachian Trail District
News and Notes
Vicki Kornacki
District Commissioner
Jon Giracca
District Chair
Message from the District
Commissioner
We hope you are all enjoying
your summer!! You all know
that Scouting is a year-round
program. Besides getting your
scouts to camp, the summer is a
great time to be gearing up for
the fall. Here are some ways
that the Commissioner Staff can
help:
1)
Ask
your
Unit
Commissioner to review your
Journey to Excellence progress
with you. This will give you
the opportunity to see where
you are headed for the end of
the year, and make a plan to
reach your desired level.
2)
Have
your
Unit
Commissioner attend your
program planning session in
August.
They can provide
guidance or be a sounding
board on the how, where and
what needs to be done to
accomplish all that is on your
agenda.
3)
Your
Unit
Commissioner can help make
sure your unit service hours are
logged properly, and that your
BeAScout pin is updated
properly.
4)
Your
Unit
Commissioner can help you get
ready for your fall recruitment
and assist in getting training for
your new leaders (even before
the recruitment) so that you are
ready to go in the fall.
Hunter McCormick
Staff Advisor
These are just a few ways in
which your Unit Commissioner
can help prepare you for the
fall. Feel free to contact your
Unit Commissioner or me
[email protected]
for any of your needs over the
summer months. We are here
to help you!! Enjoy the rest of
your summer!!!
-Vicki Kornacki
District Commissioner
4th of July Parade
For those of you in the Pittsfield
area, you are probably aware of
the importance of the 4th of
July
parade
to
the
community. This year there
were
60,000
people
in
attendance. Pack 5 in Pittsfield,
under
the
direction
of
Cubmaster Becky Caropreso,
built a float to enter in the
parade this year.
Pathfinder Award
More kudos in the Appalachian
Trail District!!! What great feat
have we accomplished now you
ask? Well, we will be the
recipient of the Pathfinder
award!
This
award
is
recognition for having an
increase in Cub packs over the
previous June. It demonstrates
that the volunteers are running
programs to retain the youth
while
providing
more
opportunities for boys to have
the Scouting experience in their
neighborhood. Thank you for
your hard work.
National Jamboree 2013
Greetings
from
THE
SUMMIT!!
This is your
opportunity to hear about life at
the summit from the staff
perspective...from your very
own District Commissioner and
Senior District Executive who
spent two weeks on site. Let's
start with living quarters...this is
a picture of the staff camp site
at Base Camp Echo.
Their efforts paid off...as they
won the most outstanding
(grand
prize)
for
their
entry!! Be sure to congratulate
Becky and the rest of Pack 5 for
their achievement!! Great job
guys!!
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There are 4 people to a tent and
ambient water showers but there
are flush toilets (luxury at its
finest), and plenty of choices for
food. We even found a place
to get Starbucks coffee and ice
cream! You can even have
Granny do your laundry...who
said camping is not a vacation!
Next, let’s talk about the great
exercise program that they
offer. Most companies do not
provide this perk! Yeah it is a
lot of walking...but just look at
the great scenery you get to see,
and how great the trails are!
There’s nothing like a good,
invigorating walk to start and
end each day. We are hoping to
shave some time off of the hour
walk for Vicki to her Trading
Post at Action Point and forty
five minutes for Hunter to his
Trading Post at Boulder Cove
from Echo before the end of the
Jamboree!!
Take a look at the presently
empty sub camp...imagine that
this will soon be a sea of
tents.
We are looking forward to
seeing the excitement of all the
youth that will soon have the
opportunity to experience this
great place!
Here is a list of the
representatives
of
the
Appalachian Trail District that
are at the Summit:
Staff:
Joshua
Hendrix
(Retail
Operations)
Jordan Kornacki (OA Service
Corps)
Vicki
Kornacki
(Retail
Operations)
Hunter McCormick (Retail
Operations
Contingent:
Mike Cunningham – Troop 93
Quincy Heon – Troop 93
Alex Johnson (PL) – Troop 3
Devon Katt – Troop 3
Tyler Kornacki (SPL) –T 112
Cameron Taylor – Troop 93
Quincy – Troop 93
Roundtable will be starting on
September 9. The roundtable staff
has been working hard to create a
great program this year! There
Fall Recruitment
It is almost that time of year again!
Just a reminder to all unit leaders
that if you have not yet scheduled
your recruitment…please start
thinking about it. Please make
sure that you get the date of your
recruitment to Hunter McCormick
as soon as you know it. It is also
important to make sure that your
request for flyers and other
materials gets submitted in a
timely manner in order to make
sure that you receive everything
that you need…when you need it!!
Thank you in advance for your
cooperation
and
HAPPY
RECRUITING!!!
Upcoming Events
Roundtable Update
will be new features and a few
twists that will be incorporated
into the format. Come check it
out!
If you have any ideas of
what you would like to see at
roundtable, contact Laurie Hendrix
(ADC for Roundtable), Joshua
Morse (Boy Scout Roundtable), or
Pam
Burton
(Cub
Scout
Roundtable). They are always
looking for input…let them know
what you want to know about!!!
August
8 – Commissioners Workshop
September
3 – District Committee Mtg.
9 – Roundtable
12 – Commissioner Meeting
October
7 – District Committee
10 – Commissioner’s Meeting
12-14 – MassJam
21 - Roundtable
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General Knox District
News and Notes
John Benjamin
District Commissioner
Paul Zielinski
District Chair
Joel Parker
Staff Advisor
Connor Gottzmann, Anthony Martin, Robert Moore,
Brandon Simmons, Tim Ronaldson.
Longmeadow's own Boy Scout Troop 90 was invited
to Gettysburg, PA, as an honor troop to help with the
150th anniversary of the Battle by the National
Gettysburg Foundation and the US National Park
Service. They helped set-up and light the 3,500
luminaries marking the graves of the soldiers killed in
the Battle of Gettysburg. The illumination ceremony
was held at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at
Gettysburg which was dedicated by Abraham Lincoln's
famous Gettysburg Address speech. Troop 90
represented Massachusetts and worked for hours with
troops from other states that had veterans buried there.
Group Picture (in front of lighted luminaries in the
Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg):
Group Picture (taken in front of the Gettysburg National
Military Park Museum and Visitor Center):
Front Row (from left): Nicholas Komaiszko, Ben
White, Billy Martin, Mike Hanson, Asa MacCormick,
Nate Anderson, Dan Moore, Lachlan Berry, Luke
Gottzmann.
Front row (from left) Mike Kirby, Jeff Minardi, Jerry
Martin, Steve Anderson,Dave Ronaldson.
Middle row: Josh Minardi, Michele Moore, Petra
Gottzmann, Lachlan Berry, Atilla Troy, Ben White, Nate
Anderson, Mark Melchionna, Marie Holmes, Michael
Beaulieu, Luke Gottzmann, Asa MacCormick, Luke
Martin, Nicholas Komaiszko, Robert Anderson, Dan
Moore.
Back Row: Jerry Martin, John Hanson, Anthony Martin,
Robert Paprocki, Jimmy O’Donnell, Brad Staples, Tim
Ronaldson, James MacCormick, Mike Kirby, Andreas
Gottzmann, Mark Melchionna, Michael Beaulieu, Steve
Troy, Atilla Troy, Brandon Simmons, Luke Martin,
Robert Moore, Connor Gottzmann, Robert Anderson,
Michele Moore, Petra Gottzmann, Marie Holmes, Steve
Anderson.
Troop 90 Scout helping to set up luminary:
Anderson.
Nate
Photographs by: Steve Anderson.
Back row: Jan Komaiszko, Andreas Gottzmann, Mike
Hanson, Steve Troy, Brad Staples, Jimmy O’Donnell,
Robert Paprocki, John Hanson, James MacCormick,
15
Western Massachusetts Council
Contact Us!
Professional Staff
Council Locations
Council Officers
David Kruse
Scout Executive and CEO
[email protected]
x - 7002
Joe P. Case
President
[email protected]
Bob D’Avignon
Assistant Scout Executive
Bob.D’[email protected]
x – 7034
Westfield Service Center
1 Arch Road, Suite 5
Westfield, MA 01085
Open Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 4:00
PM,
Trading Post – Mon until 7:00 PM
Office: (413) 594-9196
Toll-Free (800) 649-1735
Fax: (413) 562-1041
Hunter McCormick
Sr. District Executive
Appalachian Trail District
[email protected]
x – 7033
Sherry Bowden
Trading Post Manager
Westfield Service Center
[email protected]
x – 7005
Steve Roberts
Sr. District Executive
Metacomet District
[email protected]
x – 7014
Pittsfield Service Center
2 South Street, Suite 125
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Open Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Office: (413) 594-9196
Toll-Free (800) 649-1735
Fax: (413) 236-0902
Philip Brodeur
V. P. Administration
[email protected]
Gail Wojtkowiak
Council Registrar & Office
Manager – Pittsfield Service
Center
[email protected]
x – 7018
Bob Walz
V. P. District Operations
[email protected]
Joel Parker
District Executive
General Knox District
[email protected]
x – 7031
Mike Brennan
Business Manager & Accountant
[email protected]
x – 7001
Beverly Pond
Accounting Assistant
[email protected]
x-7001
Cheryl Izyk
Council Commissioner
[email protected]
Jeffrey Glaze
Executive Vice President/
V. P. Fund Development
[email protected]
Robert M. Dwyer
Treasurer
[email protected]
Chesterfield Scout Reservation
22 Sugar Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Phone: (413) 296-4248
H. A. Moses Scout Reservation
310 Birch Hill Road
Russell, MA 01071
Phone: (413) 568-0211
Michael Dubois
V. P. Finance
[email protected]
John Willemain
V. P. Program
[email protected]
Stephen McGovern
V. P. Membership
[email protected]
Neil A. Daboul
V. P. Communication
[email protected]
Council Web site:
www.wmascouting.org
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