Welcome to our December 17th, 2012 Monday Memo

The Tragedy in Connecticut

Since the tragedy in Connecticut, we have been asked by our  Scouters wanting to know how they can help the families affected and how they can offer their condolences.  Please read what the Connecticut Yankee Council has posted. We will send you updates as we know mor

Chase Kowalski & Benjamin Wheeler Tiger Cubs 12/14/2012

We all watched with horror the tragic shooting in Sandy Hook on Friday that claimed the life of 20 innocent children and 6 wonderful, heroic teachers.

It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that we share that two of the children lost were new Tiger Cubs in Cub Scout Pack 170: Chase Kowalski and Benjamin Wheeler. Three other families in the Pack lost children at the school, and Tiger Cub Den Leader Peter Baressi was a First Responder hero who stayed with the families throughout this ordeal. Victoria Soto, one of the hero teachers, was an Explorer as a youth in Stratford EMS Post 4911.

Chase and Benjamin, two would-be Eagle Scouts, and all those lost Friday will forever be in our hearts and prayers.

Scouting families across the Connecticut Yankee Council, across the country and even around the world are asking the same question everyone is: What can we do?

As a Scouting community, we come together especially in support of the Kowalski and Wheeler families. The Pack 170 leadership has asked that we set up a Memorial Fund to support the five families and donations can be made out to "Pack 170 Memorial Fund" c/o Connecticut Yankee Council, PO Box 32, Milford, CT 06461. We are working with Newtown Savings Bank to establish this fund.

In an effort to assist the families, we will collect cards and letters which can also be addressed to "Pack 170" c/o the Connecticut Yankee Council, PO Box 32, Milford, CT 06461.

Perhaps the most important thing we can do is to keep all these families in our thoughts and prayers and remember these brave children and heroic teachers.

On behalf of the entire Connecticut Yankee Council, Boy Scouts of America Board, staff, volunteers and families, we extend our sincerest condolences and heartfelt prayers to all those affected by this tragedy. 

A Message from the Chief Scout Executive: Adding Our Prayers and Assistance

To: National Board, Advisory Council, and our BSA family:

We are all struggling to come to grips with the tragic school shooting in Connecticut. I have the sad responsibility to report that this tragedy has also struck within the Scouting family.

We’ve been informed two of the young victims, 7-year-old Chase Kowalski and 6-year-old Benjamin Wheeler, were new Tiger Cub Scouts with Pack 170 in the Connecticut Yankee Council. In addition, three of the victims were siblings of other boys in Pack 170. Victoria Soto, one of the hero teachers, was an Explorer as a youth.

Please join me in remembering these victims and families in your prayers.

We have been in touch with council leadership. The National Council is offering any support possible during this difficult time. 

Working with the leadership of Pack 170, the Connecticut Yankee Council has established a memorial fund in support of the five families. If interested, donations, cards, and letters can be sent to the Pack 170 Memorial Fund, c/o Connecticut Yankee Council, P.O. Box 32, Milford, CT 06460

God bless everyone as we take a step back and think about the safety and well-being of our own families and loved ones in the midst of this national time of mourning.

Wayne Brock, Chief Scout Executive

Dealing With Tragedy

It was with profound heartache that we learned of the unthinkable tragedy in Newtown.

Being so close to home, S&S Worldwide feels this loss deeply. With heavy hearts, we extend our condolences to the Newtown community. We also understand that school children everywhere have been affected. As adults, the right things to say are not always clear. Here are some links on how to approach the subject and ways to help kids cope.

21st IEFEA Explorer Post 860 Academy

On Wednesday, November 14, 2012 approximately 160 Explorers from throughout the California Inland Empire Council began a 5 day intense training academy sponsored by the Fort Irwin Fire Department, Fort Irwin National Training Center and the Inland Empire Fire Explorer Association (Post 860). During those five days of training Explorers were exposed to firefighter safety and survival skills, flammable liquid and gas firefighting techniques, and structural firefighting. Explorers worked hard from 6:00am until 10:00pm each day rotating through different phases of training in each discipline. Explorers slept in military barracks, ate in the same dining facility as our soldiers and interacted with command staff at the Fort during training exercises. On Sunday November 18th parents, advisors and military personnel attended the graduation ceremony held at Army Field, Fort Irwin CA. For more information on Fire Service Exploring, please visit our website at www.iefea.net or contact your local fire department to get involved.

Chartered Organization Representative Training

The California Inland Empire Council presents Chartered Organization Representative Training.

When: Thursday, January 17, 2013 @ 5:00 - 6:50 PM

Where: Jack Dembo Scout Service Center 1230 Indiana Court Redlands, CA 92374

Chili Will Be Served!

As a Chartered Organization Representative, you hold a key position in Scouting! Please join us for a great training, Chili and attend the 2013 Annual Business meeting starting @ 7:00 PM.

Please RSVP to Michelle Brown at 909-793-2463 Ext. 121 or micbrown@bsamail.org

Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner

Congratulations to the following Scouting volunteers who have been selected to receive the California Empire Council's highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award.
They will be honored at the Council's Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on February 2, 2013. The dinner will be held at the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center. You're invited to attend and help recognize these and other deserving Scouting volunteers. Click to Register Online

Name District Name District Michael Adcock Mt. Rubidoux Kathleen Hartman Mt. Rubidoux Keith Banks Mt. Rubidoux Jon Kantola Mt. Rubidoux Matthew Barth Mt. Rubidoux Greg Lundeen High Desert Randy Bennett Grayback Robin Lund Sunrise Kenneth Bennion Arrowhead Lawrence Nemelka Three Peaks Kathryn Fabos Old Baldy Michael Poore Temescal Nancy Fassbender Tahquitz Charles Royas Old Baldy John Gonering Arrowhead Helen Sahli Temescal Beverly Gruendner Tahquitz Leanne Schock Sunrise Frank Gruendner Tahquitz Jeffrey Smith Tahquitz

The Cahuilla Lodge Vigil Chief, guided by Mr. Rick Pohlers and Mrs. Judy Graeber, the Lodge’s 2012 Indian Affairs Coordinators, worked earnestly to prepare for Cahuilla’s 2012 Vigil Honor Ceremony.  For those on-site at camp and attending this year’s Vigil, the Ceremony took on a ceremonial environment more common to the Northwest Coast Indians.  Making this ceremony more special for our Vigil Honor Members was the effort and work that went into the authenticity of the Chief’s regalia design, that of his Guide and Meteu as well as the Lodge décor itself.

The regalia is based on the Tlingit Indians of Southeastern Alaska, 1860 to about 1900. The images represent animals that the clan was entitled to display, in this case the eagle as represented on the back drop. The helmet our Vigil Chief, John Garcia, wore represents the killer whale and is based on a helmet that the famous Tlingit Chief, Chief Shakes, of Wrangell AK wore.  The Vigil Chiefs "button blanket" called by the Tlingit’s, a Robe of Power, represents a split eagle possibly inspired by the Russian Romanov eagle. 

The back drop was designed by Leo Jacobs of Haines AK, a little known Tlingit artist, now gone.  It was made by the Tahquitz Lodge dance team in 1972 with funds from a Corona Cub Scout Pack. This Tlingit Dance Team preformed for countless Blue & Gold Dinners, two National Order of the Arrow Conferences, many Section Conclaves , Comporee’s and even the Indio Date Fest.  The team supported the ceremony team with regalia, drumming and singing.  The backdrop was designed for ceremonies.  These were awe inspiring ceremonies at Camp Emerson, heavily attended by the Lodge Members of the day and who supported their Lodge and camp by well versed thespian trained boys; this time period enjoyed a high point of scouting and the OA in the decades of the 70s and early 80s.

Our Vigil Adviser, Mr. Rick Pohlers, received his training from the Chilkat Dancers of Haines AK headed up by Maj. Carl Heinmiller, a long time scouter, Silver Beaver and Vigil member.

The Cahuilla Lodge extends a huge thank you to Mr. Pohlers and Mrs. Judy Graeber for their efforts working with our Lodge Vigil Chief, John Garcia, and the outstanding authentic regalia and Lodge design that helped to make our 2012 Vigil Honor Ceremony extra special.

FOOTNOTE: Mr. Rick Pohlers has been given permission to use the Leo Jacobs design; ownership of these designs are taken very seriously and protected.

Tim Purvis, 2012 Adviser to the Chief

Cahuilla Lodge Year-end Close

The Cahuilla Lodge has officially closed their statistical year with the submittal of their 2013 Lodge Re-charter application to National.  The Lodge closed 2012 on a “high note” and is pleased to announce that the official re-charter indicates a 2012 year closing having  667 paid Lodge Members as follows:

351 Ordeal Members, Inducted 240 new Ordeal Members
227 Brotherhood Members, Inducted 50 new Brotherhood Members/ 31% Conversion
89 Vigil Members, Inducted 16 new Vigil Honor Members

Total Cahuilla Lodge Members for 2012 = 667

Although the Cahuilla Lodge records indicates many more members, the reported numbers above represent PAID members in good standing for the fiscal year 2012. 

Additionally, Ian McLeod, Cahuilla Lodge Chief, and Tim Purvis, Cahuilla Lodge Adviser, are pleased to announce that it appears that the Lodge achieved GOLD for the Scouting’s Journey to Excellence Criteria for the 2012 OA lodge Performance Recognition Program by a comfortable margin of 1850 points exceeding the required 1400 points needed.

Congratulations Cahuilla Lodge #127 of the California Inland Empire Council!

Tim Purvis, 2012 Adviser to the Chief

BSA Racing - Team SLR Wishes Scouting the Best in 2013!

Dear Scouts and Scouters, With just a few weeks to go in 2012, the folks at Team SLR of the NASCAR Nationwide Series want to wish everyone in our council a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Safe New Year! Attached is a short note from Scott Lagasse, Jr., driver of the HybridLight BSA #8 car. The note includes a short recap of BSA Racing this past fall and a sneak peak of the proposed 2013 NASCAR Nationwide racing schedule with the proposed BSA Racing events highlighted in yellow. Also, check out this nice piece in Boys’ Life about the Drive a Scout to School program referenced in the attached note. Team SLR will be offering this program next year as well  Click Here. Thank you for all you do for Scouting and all of us at our council would like to wish you a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year as well! Yours in Scouting, Joseph Daniszewski, Scout Executive/ CEO

Pinewood Derby Proving Grounds Event Racing in a Cub Scout derby is great fun. You'll get to design your racing vehicle, work with a parent to build it, and see it perform on race day. Win or lose, you'll take pride in having done your best. When you race in a Cub Scout derby, you learn craft skills, the rules of fair play, and good sportsmanship—things you will remember all your life. Pinewood Derby The pinewood derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Cub Scouting. Pinewood derby cars are small wooden models that Cub Scouts make with help from their families. Then they race the cars in competition. The cars are powered by gravity and run down a track. Most packs have a pinewood derby every year. It can be run indoors or outdoors. Every boy can design and build his own "grand prix" car to enter in the race. The Scout Shops are holding a Pinewood Derby Proving Grounds Event Anyone wishing to come measure, weigh, and test their car before the big race can come join us on January 12, 2013.  Jack Dembo Scout Center in Redlands  10am – 2:30pm Old Baldy Scout Center in Montclair  9am – 2pm

Jeff Loefke's last day with our Council as Ranger was November 15, 2012. We wish him and his family all the best.

Please welcome Nancy Matson as the Interim Ranger at Boseker Scout Reservation. 

Over the past three years Nancy has served as the Caretaker for Oso Lake Scout Camp with Orange County Council. In her capacity at Oso Lake she was responsible for the security, operated the camp trading post, built retaining walls, landscaping and general upkeep of the property as well as acted as Camp Host to the many units that utilized the camp each weekend.

Nancy has already started the process of sorting and cleaning the maintenance areas of Boseker Scout Reservation and will be doing a complete inventory of the area over the next few weeks.

Josh Fisher recently joined the staff of the California Inland Empire Council as the Program Director. Josh was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout earning both the Arrow of Light and Eagle Rank.

He started professionally with the Boy Scouts in 1996 with the Old Baldy Council as a District Executive. He then went on to serve as a Senior District Executive in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Program Director in Tucson, Arizona and most recently as Director of Camping for the Orange County Council.

Josh is a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow, has served on staff for two Wood Badge Courses as well as National Camp School staff six times.

 

News & Tidbits

• November Journey To Excellence Tracker Click Here to View
• Youth Protection: It really does begin with YOU! You might not enjoy reading this. But it could be the most important thing you’ll read today. As stated in The Boy Scout Handbook, “Child abuse is a serious problem in our society, and unfortunately, it can occur anywhere, even in Scouting.  Youth safety is Scouting’s No. 1 concern.”
  Child abusers are out there. They come in all shapes and sizes. That’s not meant as a tabloid-style scare tactic. It’s just the truth. Read More.... 
   

Friends Of Scouting Report

 
Positive Quote
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“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”     ~  Fred Rogers

Joe Daniszewski Scout Executive/CEO California Inland Empire Council, BSA PO Box 8910 1230 Indiana Court Redlands, CA 92374 909.793.2463, Ext. 120 877.732.1450 909.793.0306 Fax

Monday Memo is from Scout Executive Joe Daniszewski and contains his reflection on what is happening within the Council. The purpose of Monday Memo is to communicate information about the week ahead, to acknowledge the good things happening around the Council and to address specific issues that the Scout Executive wants to bring to your attention. Joe welcomes any comments, suggestions or recommendations on how to make this memo as helpful as possible. If you have something you want publicized in the Monday Memo, please send it to his attention c/o Monday Memo: Joseph.Daniszewski@scouting.org for Monday Memo Archives Click Here