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  Sign Up for Monday Memo

BSA Membership Standards update: LDS Church Statement

Church Issues Statement on Boy Scouts of America

Salt Lake City —
For 100 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has enjoyed a strong, rewarding relationship with Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

Recently, BSA has been reviewing a possible policy change in its standards for membership and leadership. Now that BSA has finished its review process and has proposed a resolution for consideration, the Church has issued the following statement:

“Over the past several weeks BSA has undertaken the difficult task of reviewing its membership standards policy. In their own words, this undertaking has been 'the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history.'

"While the Church has not launched any campaign either to effect or prevent a policy change we have followed the discussion and are satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain 'among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.'

"The current BSA proposal constructively addresses a number of important issues that have been part of the on-going dialogue including consistent standards for all BSA partners, recognition that Scouting exists to serve and benefit youth rather than Scout leaders, a single standard of moral purity for youth in the program, and a renewed emphasis for Scouts to honor their duty to God.

"We are grateful to BSA for their careful consideration of these issues. We appreciate the positive things contained in this current proposal that will help build and strengthen the moral character and leadership skills of youth as we work together in the future.”

NCCS Statement on the BSA Membership Standards Resolution

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting is fully aligned with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Our position on the BSA Membership Standards Resolution is reflected in the February 8, 2013 statement from Bishop Robert Guglielmone. For more information on the Church's teachings on homosexuality, please refer to the following sources:

• www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/homosexuality/
• www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm (Search for: homosexuality) 

Pledge of Allegiance

The Tiger Den from Pack 703 (Lead by Michael Wyant and Troy Haun) had the opportunity to visit KSGN radio in Redlands, CA on Thursday, April 25th.  They were honored to get to do the Pledge of Allegiance as well as dedicate it to several men and women of our armed services; This aired on the radio the next day.

34th Annual Scout Memorabilia Auction & Trade-O-Ree

Friday, August 16th, 2013, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday, August 17th, 2013, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Email bids will be taken until Fri. August 16th @ Midnight West Coast Time @ mkb969@verizon.net Live Items can be viewed on the CIEC WEB PAGE: www.bsa-ciec.org

The California Inland Empire Council, B.S.A. Welcomes you to our 34th Annual Boy Scout Memorabilia Auction & Trade-O-Ree (TOR)

Location:
Immanuel Lutheran Church
5545 Alessandro Blvd Riverside, CA 92506

There will be 100’s of items, including CSP’s, OA Flaps, Books, Mugs, Uniforms, Pins, Jamboree, Philmont and other BSA related items to bid on! LIVE, SILENT & YOUTH Auctions!

$2.00 bidder numbers (Free to Scouts &Scouters in Uniform)
$6.00 Lunch Meal (Please RSVP – Troop Fund Raiser)
$15.00 Tables, which includes Table, Bid Number & Lunch!! (Tables are limited).

Come and see what this exciting hobby of collecting scout memorabilia is all about.

For more information and to find out about donating or consigning memorabilia please contact Matt Brandt @951-992-9438 or email@ mkb969@verizon.net  Click Here for Flyer

Memorial Day Service Project Duty   Honor   Country Please join in honoring Our Veterans by placing flags at gravesites or memorial markers Riverside National Cemetery I215/VanBuren Exit Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 9 am We will meet at the Memorial Circle straight down the main street from the entrance We will pick up the flags on Tuesday May 28 beginning at 2:30 pm until completed

Pack 226 "God and Me" Class Completion

Congratulations to Grayback District Pack 226, who earlier this month had six Cub Scouts complete the God and Me class at Immanuel Baptist Church. They are:

They will be presented with their metals at next month’s Pack meeting. The instructor was Michael Cronin who is a leader in our Troop.  

New Troop 720 Attends Camporee "We would like to welcome Old Baldy District's newest unit, Troop 720 of Alta Loma.  This troop worked as a team and was fully up and running in only two weeks time. With their motto "Live The Adventure" Troop 720 made it a goal to attend the 2013 Old Baldy Council Camporee at Guasti Park in Rancho Cucamonga.  720's scouts participated in every event with spirit and creativity and had over 19 scouts and 12 parents attend the annual event.  "As the first Scoutmaster of a new troop, I can not be more humbled by the scouts and parents that made this troop come together so quickly.  I am incredibly proud of our scouts and their accomplishments at Camporee and we are looking forward to a fantastic rest of 2013!"  - Allen Greenstein, Scoutmaster Troop 720.

International Scouting

At the most recent Arrowhead District monthly roundtable, Scouter Erick Reyes, Cub Master of Pack 588 in Fontana, along with his son Ryan( 1^st class scout of Troop 2) in Riverside made a presentation to promote International Scouting. Mr. Reyes is a member of the CIEC International Scouting Committee (ISC).  He and his son discussed upcoming international events including Jamboree-On-The-Air (JOTA) / Jamboree-On-The-Internet (JOTI), and the World Scout Fund. Imagine 50,000 Scouts, Venturers, and Scouters attending the National Jamboree which will include delegations and opportunities from/with Scouting organizations around the world.  Imagine the 2015 and 2019 World Jamborees (Japan;  Click here: 23rd World Scout Jamboree  and United States, respectively).  The Reyes father and son combo encouraged those in attendance to actively participate in international scouting.   

The weekend of May 4 & 5 Ryan enjoyed a weekend with his (yes …  his) Scout de Mexico group #25, Kumiai Ti’ilak of Tijuana in a campout near Tecate, Mexico.  Ryan is currently a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America, Asociación de Scouts de México, A.C (one of the co-hosts for the 2019 World Jamboree to be held in the United States), and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

To learn more about the ISC and International scouting visit the CIEC ISC web page.

The 1st World Scout Education Congress

The World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) will be putting on a new international event (The 1st World Scout Education Congress). It will take place in Hong Kong 11/22-24/13. Scouts and Scouters around the world can participate via an 'on-line' presence. This will be another way for CIEC Scouts and Scouters to participate in an international event. Any Scout or Scouter who has an interest in International Scouting should open the link, get involved and participate as guided by the WOSM information.

Mike Goldware, CIEC IR, CIEC ISC Chair
 

The 2013 Popcorn Campaign Is HERE!!

Earn 2% Bonus Commission by attending one of the CIEC Popcorn Trainings! Learn our 2013 Product Lineup Hear about our new prize incentive program Set your 2013 unit popcorn goal Learn best practices on how to improve your sale and reach your goal Get your questions answered Have your unit kernel attend any of the trainings and increase your base commission from 28% to 30%! You kernel can attend ANY of our 6 available trainings:

RSVP with your District Kernel. Questions? Contact Deanna Storer, Council Popcorn Kernel Phone: 208-794-4504 or Email: drstorer@hotmail.com

Click Here for Unit Commitment Card

National Youth Leadership Training NYLT – National Youth Leadership Training – is pure scouting where Youth Leaders teach youth to be leaders, in a fun and safe environment.  Scouts are placed in teams of 6 to learn and put into practice all aspects of Leadership and Team Development. By Building a Campsite together, Cooking together, Cleaning together, Scouts and Venturers internalize the skills necessary to build and develop leaders in their home troop and crews, in their school work groups, sports teams, church groups, and home life.   Your scouts have the choice of attending Week 1 June 10-15 (co-ed Venturing Course), or Week 2 June 17-22.  Register before May 9 to avoid late fees. Click Here Course Orientation for participants and parents is this Thursday May 9, from 6:30 to 8 PM at LDS Church, 350 Wabash Ave., Redlands, CA.  For addition information see the registration web page for NYLT Flyer or call Week 1 Course Director Monica Zollinger hm 909-798-9519 cell 909-809-7452; or Week 2 Course Director Bill Peck hm 951-245-7625, cell 951-283-5946.

Old Baldy Scout Shop Cook Off Winners

Congratulations to our first Old Baldy Scout Shop Cooking Contest Winners

Ask the Expert: Are blood drives and other drives acceptable Eagle projects?

When tragedies strike — be it a major accident, natural disaster, or act of violence — Scouts quickly answer the call to respond. It’s in our DNA. That often manifests itself in drives for clothing, blood, and/or supplies. Nobody questions the value of these drives, but Scouters often wonder whether they’re acceptable as Eagle Scout service projects. Take this email received yesterday from a Scouter who will remain anonymous:

A council has long-held that “drives” in general and blood drives in particular are verboten as Eagle service projects. The usual argument supporting this ban is that “other people do most of the work, including the leadership” and/or “there’s no way the Scout can ‘guarantee’ a particular outcome (e.g., a specific number of books collected, clothing collected, etc.).” Does the BSA have a written position on drives and their appropriateness as service projects for Eagle rank?

Great question. As usual, we turn to Advancement Team Leader Christopher Hunt for the official response. Chris says:

The Guide to Advancement [link opens PDF] directly addresses this in topic 9.0.2.3 beginning on page 52. The following is at the top of page 53:

It is important not to categorically reject projects that, on the surface, may not seem to require enough planning and development. Consider, for example, a blood drive. Often rejected out of hand, this project, if done properly, could be acceptable. Few would question the beneficiary. Blood banks save lives—thousands of them: maybe yours, maybe that of a loved one. If the candidate proposes to use a set of “canned” instructions from the bank, implemented with no further planning, the planning effort would not meet the test. On the other hand, there are councils in which Scouts and advancement committees have met with blood bank officials and worked out approaches that can comply.
Typically these involve developing marketing plans and considering logistics. People successful in business know how important these skills are. Some blood banks will also set a minimum for blood collected as a measure of a successful plan. To provide another valuable lesson, they may require the candidate to keep at it until he’s met this goal.
A good test of any project is to evaluate its complexity. In the case of a blood drive, for example, elements of challenge and complexity can be added so there is a clear demonstration of planning, development, and leadership.

So the by-the-book, official answer is that no council should reject all drives sight unseen. The goal, as with any Eagle project, is for a Scout to use skills in planning, leadership, and execution to make a difference in his community.

More thoughts

Here’s more on the topic from Chris. I’ve added bold for emphasis:

This question often comes up. Every project should be reviewed individually. Categorically excluding drives is not appropriate. There are thousands of impactful Eagle Scout service projects out there, but blood drives save lives. How many other projects do that? And what about drives for the people effected by the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, or the recent storm damage in the northeast? Would we pass on them too? The key is to work with the Scout and help him figure out a way to bring up the level of complexity somewhat so there is sufficient planning and leadership.

Experience tells us that trying to bring all Eagle Scout projects to a standard level for all Scouts is unproductive. Different Scouts have different needs and capabilities, and Eagles soar at different heights. The project is not a master’s thesis or an Eagle Scout final exam. It’s just one requirement of 80-plus requirements on the trail to Eagle, which all combined, have tremendous effect on character, personal fitness, and citizenship. We need to keep the focus on those stated aims and keep the service project in perspective.

Well said. Thanks to Chris for the response and to our anonymous Scouter for the question. Keep these “Ask the Expert” questions coming to scoutingmag@gmail.com, and I’ll select a few to send to Chris and post here.
 
 

Literacy Matters: Tips for Promoting Literacy Among Scouts

The BSA’s mission to help boys be “Prepared. For Life.^®” is directly correlated with the need for literacy in America and precisely why the BSA incorporates literacy into so much of our program.

Reading, writing, and speaking intersect with everything in life: character development, emotional intelligence, and physical fitness. Reading is essential for successful brain development in children, and stories help build character and emotional development.

To help shed some light on this important cause, Michael Gurian—the New York Times bestselling author of 26 books on a range of developmental topics, and co-founder of The Gurian Institute—has penned an article about the literacy challenge facing boys.

Tips for promoting literacy among Scouts (from Kent York, Northern Lights Council):

• Conduct a major push on the Reading merit badge (maybe some special patch/merit badge design during the Scouting literacy campaign that would result in increased activity like the Eagle Scout centennial did).
• Involve older Scouts in taking on service projects that would have them reading/mentoring other Scouts and/or school students in earlier grades.
• Incorporate reading/literacy into Scouting program elements such as the Scoutmaster’s minute at the end of each troop meeting. What if he/she read a short story or serial story?
• Incorporate reading more into the meetings themselves by asking Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts to bring a favorite book to a meeting, giving them time to hold it up and tell why others may want to read it (or even a lending library within the troop beyond merit badge books).
• Have Scouting leaders do the same with a favorite book they enjoyed when they were growing up.
• Have a portion of an exciting short story read at each meeting.
• Book drives are popular projects, but in addition to encouraging collecting books for those who can’t afford them, perhaps they could go beyond that to work with/for schools whose budgets have been cut for libraries and youth books.
• Remember that e-books are a good way for kids to spend quality screen time. Maybe have e-readers available within the units that could be borrowed, loading them with good books for our Scouts (resources, nonfiction, and fiction).

Resources

• Article: “A Crisis of Confidence to Succeed: The Literacy Challenge Facing Boys,” by Michael Gurian
• Gurian Institute literacy quiz
• Boys’ Life “Literacy Matters” page

CAMP WILEY 2013!

There is still space open in ALL sessions of Camp Wiley. Sign up today before they fill up!

Hiking, Swimming, Boating, Rifles, Bows and so much more! Don't miss out on an Adventure of a lifetime.

New Units for 2013

Camp Wiley Registration

Camp Emerson Registration

Friends Of Scouting Report

Positive Quote & Prayer
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"There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit."

    ~  Ronald Reagan

God is My Light

Lord, You're my light in the darkness
You're my guide through the storm
My hope for new beginnings
You help keep me from harm.

You're my source, You're my power.
On You, I can rely
to help me focus on blessings
more than reasons to cry.

Close to You, all good is possible
better days filled with hope.
With strength from You, I've a future
Love sent from You helps me cope.

Light my way to remembering
how Your grace got me through
challenges in my past;
I've overcome all with You.

So, be with me now, Lord
Shine Your love, light the way
Help me, daily, draw near You
So in hope, I may stay.

With You, all things are possible.
Thank You, God, Amen.

    ~  The Christophers