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

Moving Forward - Addressing Misinformation Regarding Membership Standards Policy

We are aware that some non-Scouting organizations are attempting to gain publicity by creating controversy over the BSA’s new policy.  Understanding this, we agree that it will be helpful for your volunteers and staffs to be able to clearly define the BSA’s policies and articulate the organization’s position as they talk with chartered organizations and parents.  Messages in this memo should help.

Since the BSA’s National Annual Meeting in May, where the volunteer voting members of the National Council approved a resolution to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone, some have taken this action to mean the BSA has made a fundamental shift in values.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Scouting maintains the core values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.  In short, the forthcoming change in policy simply allows more youth to benefit from Scouting.

The adult membership policy, which remains unchanged, states: “While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.”

The youth membership policy, which becomes effective Jan. 1, 2014, states: “Membership in any program of the Boy Scouts of America requires the youth member to (a) subscribe to and abide by the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law, (b) subscribe to and abide by the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and (c) demonstrate behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct and respect for others and is consistent at all times with the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”

While it can certainly be frustrating to hear naysayers misrepresent and criticize our great movement, it’s important to stay focused on the positive and not engage in debates of any kind when you hear supporters and detractors discuss Scouting.  In conversations with Scouting audiences, verbally share that they should keep in mind that very little about Scouting has changed, including:  

• The mission of the Boy Scouts of America remains the same, “to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”
• As it always has, the BSA handbook defines morally straight as, “Scouts should be clean in speech and actions and faithful in religious beliefs,” and a clean Scout as “someone who keeps his body and mind fit, chooses friends who also live by high standards, and helps keep his home and community clean.”
• Any sexual conduct, whether homosexual or heterosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting.  And, members must demonstrate behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct and respect for others and is consistent at all times with the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. 

While some desire to use this opportunity to divide Scouts and Scouters for their own gain, the only change in BSA policy is that a youth member simply stating he or she is attracted to the same sex, but not engaging in sexual activity, does not make him or her ineligible for membership.  Also, please keep in mind that BSA does not require any person to change their personal religious beliefs or convictions, and only asks its volunteer leaders to treat members the way they would want to be treated, and that is with respect, kindness, and dignity.  This is true even when the subject matter may be difficult and sensitive. 

The BSA is the same great youth organization it has always been, working with a variety of faith based and community organizations to serve youth and families. 

Ultimately, we believe that focusing on this single issue, on which some may not agree, rather than on the many benefits on which we do agree is detrimental to serving the youth of this nation.  Therefore, the BSA is focused on its mission and helping to accomplish great things for America’s youth.  That said, we encourage you to use this memo to address any questions about the BSA or its policies.     

For over 103 years Scouting has provided outdoor adventures and character development opportunities for America’s youth.  Today, Scouting is proud of its legacy of youth development and the unique opportunities it provides young people and their families.  While people have different opinions about one of the BSA’s policies, they all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting.

Thank you for all you do for Scouting and for the youth in your community.

Gary Butler, Assistant Chief Scout Executive - Operations

Arrowhead District Popcorn Kick Off

Arrowhead Distrcit held their Popcorn Kick Off at Roundtable on Thursday, August 1st 2013. There were over 100 people in attendance and 10 different units were represented! The District looks forward to having a great popcorn season and is excited to start selling.  

34th Anniversary C.I.E.C. Scout Memorabilia Auction & Trade-O-Ree

Friday Aug. 16th 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday Aug. 17th 9:00am - 4:00pm

Where: 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 in the SILENT auction the LIVE auction and the YOUTH LIVE auction.

$2.00 bidder numbers

$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    View Auction Items CLICK HERE

2013 IE Scouting Golf Classic The California Inland Empire Council – Boy Scouts of America would like to invite you to the Annual Scouting Golf Classic being held on Monday, September 23rd, at Sierra Lakes Golf Club in Fontana. Registration is $600 for a foursome. Registration contact is Jesse Lopez at the Jack Dembo Scout Service Center 909-793-2463 ext. 128. Click Here for Registration Flyer or to Register Online. Come play and help Scouting continue its great tradition of service to the youth of our community. Bring your friends and business associates for a day of fun, friends and prizes! This fundraising event is designed to allow you to join the California Inland Empire Council, to help insure that a quality Scouting program is delivered to all the youth in the Inland Empire by providing assisatance for registration, uniforms, books, training of adult volunteers and camperships.

Troop 652 Trek On Sunday, July 28, 2013, 15 scouts and 11 adults from Troop 652, Rancho Cucamonga, trekked the 9 mile round trip hike to the Bridge to Nowhere in Azusa Canyon. Boys worked on rank advancement to identify 10 native plants. In addition, those who have already completed Second Class rank also worked to identify 10 native plants for a log to earn the Native Plants Hiking Activity Award. Blessings, Cathy Johanson Hayes

Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting Fall Retreat

September 21, 2013 9:00 am – 3:30 pm with check-in at 8:30 am

St. Joseph The Worker Community Church
10816 Mountain View Ave.,
Loma Linda, CA 92354

Cost - $15.00 per person, Price increases to $20.00 per person after Sept. 9th

Retreat for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers; Girl Scouts (all levels); Middle School and High School Youth Ministries
Bring a can food item for food bank

* Religious Emblem Counselor Training will be available for participating adults Click Here for Registration Form

NOVA Activity Day

C.I.E.C. Redlands Scout invites everyone to attend and learn about this new exciting program for Scouts.

August 17th, 2013 10am - 12noon 1230 Indiana Court, Redlands, CA 92374

We will hold a mixed-age class with some activities from the 5 program areas of focus to get you started on your way to thinking more like a scientist and technology savvy!

For additional information call 909-307-3950

Stampede 2013 September 27-29, 2013  Glen Helen Regional Park, Devore, CA The IE Stampede 2013: “Scouting the Future” at Glen Helen Regional Park is a great event for the whole family. Package #1 - Stampede Camporee & Scout Show only $18.00*!                                    Includes camping Friday – Sunday, patch, Scout Show & events Package #2 – Saturday only includes patch, Scout Show & events for only $15.00*! *Early bird fee. After August 31, 2013 the fee increases $5.00 per person. Click Here to Register Online Registration Form   Leaders Guide   T-Shirt Order Form

Scout Shop Blow Out Sales

The Unit Religious Emblems Position Patch is Now Available!

The new patch for the UNIT Religious Emblems Coordinator (UREC) is now available from www.ScoutStuff.org. This UNIT patch completes the three-tiered REC team. Here are the SKU numbers for all three positions:

SKU #614660 COUNCIL Religious Emblems Coordinator Patch
SKU #614645 DISTRICT Religious Emblems Coordinator Patch
SKU #618744 UNIT Religious Coordinator Patch

Need a reminder of what the responsibilities are for the UNIT Religious Emblems Coordinator? Click here for a summary handout. http://www.praypub.org/pdf_docs/UREC_handout.pdf

For a series of Religious Emblems Coordinator webinars please check the link below.
http://www.praypub.org/LearningCenter/webinars.htm

For additional REC resources please click on this link. http://www.praypub.org/REC

Area 4 Workbook

Please find attached the Area 4 Training Events Calendar for August 2013. Please share with those in your councils who can use this information
 

Memorial and Tribute Gifts

Your gift to the Memorial and Tribute Fund is a way for you to recognize a special occasion and/or person. It can be a job promotion, presentation of the Eagle Scout Award or the Adult Volunteer Leader Scouting Awards, a birthday or anniversary, a Bar Mitzvah or Confirmation, or to honor the memory of a friend or family member.

Upon receipt of your gift, you will receive an acknowledgement card for tax purposes. The person or family receives a card in your name from the California Inland Empire Council, BSA with no amount mentioned. In addition the memorial or tribute will appear as part of the Monday Memo on the council’s website.

To make a contribution to the California Inland Empire Council Memorial and Tribute Fund, fill out the gift form, and mail the form to California Inland Empire Council, BSA, PO BOX 8910, Redlands, CA 92375-2110. If you have any questions you may contact Joe Daniszewski, Scout Executive at 909-793-2463 ext. 120 or e-mail: joseph.daniszewski@scouting.org. Click Here for Tribute Form

Friends Of Scouting Report

Positive Quote & Prayer
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"The unfortunate need people who will be kind to them; the prosperous need people to be kind to."

    ~  Aristotle

Gracious Spirit, use my words to help and heal.
Use my actions, bold and meek, to speak for You.
May you be pleased to reveal
Your life to others through mine.