Welcome to our September 9th, 2013 Monday Memo

2014 Membership Fee Increase

Scouting, through its various programs, provides year-round positive experiences, activities, and fellowship for youth ages 7 to 21. From education to high adventure, the Boy Scouts of America provides unique growth opportunities at a great value.

In order to support the delivery of the nation’s foremost youth development program, occasionally it is necessary for the organization to increase its membership fees to offset rising costs and prepare for the future. For this reason, the Boy Scouts of America is increasing its membership fee from $15 to $24 per year for all registered youth and adult leaders effective January 1, 2014.

Membership fees support the services that are necessary to provide Scouting to youth. Services include primary liability coverage for all volunteer leaders and chartered organizations, ongoing advances in technology, fundraising support, new program development and membership recruiting strategies, and support materials. In 2012 alone, the Boy Scouts of America served 2.6 million youth members through 280 local councils across the United States and its territories. With the help of all of our volunteers and Scouting parents, we will continue accomplishing incredible things for young people and the communities we serve.

Questions and Answers:

1.Why are you increasing the membership fee? What is the additional money from the fees going to be used for?

In order to deliver the Scouting program to our 2.6 million youth members, it is occasionally necessary for the organization to increase its membership fee to offset rising costs. One of the primary drivers of this increase is liability insurance costs. For this reason, and others, the Boy Scouts of America is increasing its membership fee from $15 to $24 annually, for all registered Scouts and adult members effective January 1, 2014.

Membership fees support the services that are necessary to provide Scouting programs to a growing number of youth. Services include ongoing advances in technology, council visits to assist in fundraising, program development and membership campaigns, liability insurance costs, and administrative costs. It is important that we continue to maintain a strong financial position in the future to support and grow Scouting.

2. What is directly contributing to the need for this increase?

There are a variety of factors taken into consideration, all of which have led to the increased cost of doing business. Other key drivers include enhancements to technology platforms, administration, and increased costs of criminal background checks.

3. When does the increase go into effect?

The membership fee will increase from $15 to $24 annually, for all registered youth and adult leaders effective January 1, 2014. For those who join after the beginning of the year, the fee will be prorated at $2 per month. This does include units with a December 31, 2013, expiration date, since the effective date of their renewed registration is January 1, 2014.

4. Does the BSA increase membership fees often?

There have been nine fee increases in the organization’s history. On average, the fee increase has been 68 percent. Since 1969, the BSA has increased its fee every two to eight years, but averaging every five years.

5. When was the last time the BSA increased membership fees?

The Boy Scouts of America last increased membership fees in 2010. When the fee was increased in 2010, the organization estimated that rising expenses would dictate a review and potential increase in the fee in three to five years. This change comes four years after the last increase.

6. Are you making this change because of the decision to change the membership standards policy?

Absolutely not. The National Executive Committee recommended increasing membership fees well before the decision was made to change the membership standards policy for youth. While the BSA reviews all business factors contributing to the membership fee increase, this was not the determining factor.

7. How much does it cost to be a Boy Scout?

All youth and adults who wish to become a member or leader of the Boy Scouts of America must pay the annual membership fee. Beyond that, families incur additional costs related to uniforms and the activities of their individual units.

8. Will the fee for Exploring increase as well?

The Learning for Life board of directors is meeting on September 8, 2013, to determine the fee for Exploring youth and adults. The decision will be communicated from Learning for Life as soon as possible.

9. Who gets the membership fee?

The local council collects, and forwards to the National Council, membership fees from each youth and adult who wishes to become a member of the Boy Scouts of America. The local council also pays an annual service fee to the national council, the basis for which has not been increased since 1993.

10. How is the National Council funded?

The National Council is funded through membership and service fees, investments, Boys’ Life magazine subscriptions, sale of uniforms and equipment, fees from national high-adventure bases, and contributions from individuals.

11. What does the National Council do for Scouting on the local level?

Simply put, the Boy Scouts of America National Council provides program materials and support for 280 local councils that administer the Scouting program, with each covering a specific geographic territory. The following are the key functions of the National Council:

• Provide training to local council volunteers and staff
• Maintain a national training center at Philmont
• Develop and maintain four year-round national high-adventure bases and execute national events (jamborees, National Eagle Scout Association and Order of the Arrow conferences, and National Council meetings)
• Continue our leadership role in protecting our youth by providing youth protection resources, training, and criminal background checks for all registered volunteers and staff
• Provide local councils with program as well as tools for camp and office planning and evaluation, extensive financial counseling, planned giving and fundraising information, and professional personnel support
• Coordinate a communications network through magazines and literature (handbooks, merit badge pamphlets, brochures, training materials, and professional development training), including providing Scouting magazine to all registered leaders
• Make available uniforms, equipment, and program supplies
• Maintain and develop new relationships with chartered organizations that use the Scouting program (religious institutions, civic organizations, labor unions, professional organizations, business, and industry)
• Serve in a leadership role with Scouting associations in other countries as a member of the World Scout Conference
• Set and maintain program standards (e.g., advancement, health and safety, etc.) to ensure consistency of the brand throughout councils across the country

12. With the increase in membership fees, is Scouting still a good value?

The BSA has always taken into consideration the cost of delivering the Scouting program and has worked to keep fees reasonable.

When you compare the BSA to other youth-serving organizations, the Boy Scouts of America provides unique growth opportunities at a great value. The following are costs associated with other youth activities:

• Tackle football, $140: In Plano, Texas, second- through sixth-graders who play tackle football pay $140 for a three-month season. That fee doesn’t include equipment.
• Youth orchestra, $1,000: Members of the prestigious Los Angeles Youth Orchestra pay $1,000 annually and must buy their own instruments.
• Select soccer, $400: In Cleveland, select youth soccer players ages 15 to 18 pay $400 a season, plus $135 for uniforms.
• Youth basketball, $500: In Queens, N.Y., boys ages 8 to 13 pay $500 a year, not including uniforms.
• 4-H program, $25: Participants of the 4-H program in College Station, Texas, pay $25 a year, not including fees for individual activities.

From education to high adventure, the Boy Scouts of America provides unique growth opportunities at a great value and we want all eligible youth to receive these benefits and participate in Scouting.

Remembering 9/11

Troop 652 Conquers Mt. Whitney

In August, 6 Eagle Scouts from Troop 652, along with their former Leaders, Christy & Donnie Eimen traveled to Lone Pine, Ca. to venture on a 22 mile backpack through the beautiful High Sierras to climb the  tallest mountain in the contiguous United States - Mt. Whitney (15, 508')!  Five of the Eagle Scouts (all 19 years old) are in their second year of College (5 different Colleges) and one (Kevin) is going into the Army.  These young men thought it would be fun to do a "Eagle Scout Reunion Hike"!  Tyler, Thomas, Travis and the Eimen's climbed Mt. Whitney in 2006, when the boys were just 12 years old.  Our trek this time around was a perfect weekend with good weather and we did some reminiscing of "Old Times" in Troop 652!  The Eagle Scouts are planning on an "Eagle Scout Reunion Hike #2" next Summer......(Photo #2, from left to right:  Austin Woolf, Travis Schmauss,Kevin Hickman, Tyler Eimen, Robin Riehn & Thomas Harper)

Nationwhide Scouting Open House Night

On October 29, 2013 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will host a nationwide Scouting Open House Night.

A CENTURY OF HONOR: CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE TO GOD AND COUNTRY, will be an 85 minute high-energy performance featuring original music and media, historical reenactments, and special guests honoring and celebrating the history and values that make us one. The production will originate from the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, in conjunction with the National and Regional Board and Committee Meetings, and will be broadcast to approximately 3,500 LDS church buildings across the nation. It will also be streaming live online.

On this evening, the LDS Church invites packs, troops, teams and crews to join them as they open their doors to tell the story of Scouting in our local communities. This is a unique opportunity to invite youth to join this life-changing program. Take advantage of this opportunity!

More information is available at www.scouts100.lds.org
 

STAMPEDE 2013! WATER PARK Available to First 1500 Registrations Stampede is our Annual Council campout - where Scouting comes alive! At Stampede you can participate in BB Guns, Archery, Climbing Walls, Canoeing, Campfires and much more! September 27-29, 2013  Glen Helen Regional Park, Devore, CA 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*! Click Here to Register Online Registration Form   Leaders Guide   T-Shirt Order Form

Stampede Pancake Breakfast

When? September 28, 2013, What Time? 7:00AM to 9:00AM

The Boy Scout’s Order of the Arrow will be hosting their annual pancake breakfast at Glen Helen Regional Park during the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Rodeo and Scouting Stampede. Come support our service oriented organization, so we may assist our local communities and scouting units to the best of our ability. They will be serving pancakes and sausage along with coffee, juice, and smiles all for just a $5.00 donation. From 7:00AM to 9:00AM Saturday morning before the fun & festivities kick off. Then after you enjoy the California Inland Empire OA’s famous pancakes you can partake in some great fun and games. There will be Shooting, Archery, Tomahawk throwing, fishing, Canoeing, Rockwall climbing, along with many more exciting activities and booths.

Beat the rush and the line by pre-ordering your tickets from your OA Chapter or from Bob Stanley at grubmaster01@gmail.com

Philmont’s 2015 registration period opens Oct. 29; watch this new promo video while you wait

It seems like just about everyone wants to go (or go back) to Philmont. And so when it comes to the hiking mecca’s 12-day and seven-day summer expeditions, demand far exceeds supply.

That’s why Philmont Scout Ranch has in place a lottery system, giving interested Scout troops and Venturing crews a fair shot at scoring a spot at the New Mexico high-adventure base.

Mark your calendar now for when the 2015 lottery opens on Oct. 29, 2013. Entries will be taken online into November, and a random draw takes place in early December. You’ll find a registration packet online at Philmont’s official website by mid-October.

In the meantime, check out this terrific new promotional video, which features testimonials from Scouts, Scouters and Venturers fresh off a Philmont trek. The common theme in their comments: “This was one of the best experiences of my life.”

 

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.

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

Recruit Parents, Youth With New ‘Cub Hub’ Site  

You may have heard rumors or even seen the teasers on Facebook … and it’s all true! At long last, parents have one online source they can turn to that pulls together Cub Scout-related content and social media onto one site. Called “Cub Hub,” the new site gathers the very best ideas from the web to help maximize the Cub Scout experience.
More information about this fantastic new resource will be released soon. For now, however, please feel free to visit Cub Hub at cubscouts.org, poke around, and let us know what you think.
 

Get Ready for 2013 Jamboree-On-The-Air and -Internet!

Jamboree-on-the-Air and Jamboree-on-the-Internet will be held October 19 and 20, 2013. JOTA and JOTI are annual World Scouting events that provide an opportunity for Scouts to communicate with other Scouts from around the world! Visit JOTA’s webpage, www.scouting.org/jota, and JOTI’s webpage, www.scouting.org/joti, for how to participate, download participation certificates, order this year’s patches, and MUCH MORE! We hope you have lots of fun and success during these exciting events! These are the official BSA designs for the 56th Jamboree-on-the-Air and the 17th Jamboree-on-the-Internet:

New Troop Leader Guidebooks to Replace Scoutmaster Handbook

(Article adapted from Scouting magazine’s “Bryan on Scouting” blog.)

Later this year, the two-volume Troop Leader Guidebook will debut, replacing the Scoutmaster Handbook and offering helpful checklists, quick tips, and fresh ideas for both new troop leaders and veteran Scouters.

Vol. 1: For new troop leaders
Volume 1 focuses primarily on the needs of new or relatively inexperienced Boy Scout leaders who have been volunteers for up to three years, are likely assistant Scoutmasters, and probably recently crossed over from serving as a Webelos leader or parent.

As a result, Volume 1 assumes little or no prior knowledge of the Boy Scout program on the part of the reader. It presents a somewhat simplified picture of Boy Scouting that focuses on the short term—getting through this week’s troop meeting, this month’s outing, and this year’s planning conference—rather than the long term, such as planning for growth, establishing a troop vision, and measuring personal and troop success.

Given that its readers are mostly newcomers, this volume’s tone is similar to that used in a book for new parents.

Vol. 2: Advanced guidance for veteran Scouters
Volume 2 assumes its readers are ready for the next level. Here you’ll find info like high-adventure planning, working with Scouts with disabilities, conflict resolution, visioning, and more.

This volume is for more-seasoned leaders who need fresh ideas. It’s an advanced guidebook that will help leaders take their troop’s program and operations to a higher level. It will also help leaders keep an established program fresh and exciting so that troops don’t fall into the trap of doing the same things year after year.

Although an exact release date has not been published, look for both volumes to be released together later this year.
 

Merit Badge Class Saturday, September 21st Old Baldy Scout Shop MERIT BADGE CLASS 11AM – 3PM, REGISTRATION FEE $5.00 Limited class size BLUE CARD, A-CLASS UNIFORM REQUIRED, BRING YOU OWN SNACK (OPTIONAL) Info: Call Herlinda Blair @ 909-625-4534 Scout Shop

Eagle Scout Says Rank ‘More of a Launchpad Than a Final Destination'

Ever heard of a Scout “Eagling out”? That’s the unofficial term for a young man earning Boy Scouting’s highest rank and leaving the program shortly after.

Well, that idea’s lost on newly minted Eagle Scout Andrew Arnold from Monterey, Calif. Not only is he planning to stay involved in Scouting after his Eagle Scout Court of Honor last month, he also sees the Eagle journey as a process that will “flow on indefinitely past Eagle and even past the age of 18.”

Andrew, a member of Troop 43 in Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council, shared his view of the journey to the Scouting’s summit — and beyond — in a speech at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor in August. Based on this speech, you’ll see Andrew has wisdom beyond his years and has a bright future in writing, public speaking, law, politics or pretty much anywhere he wants to go.

A Scouter in his troop, Mike Djubasak, said I could share Andrew’s speech with you. Take a look:

Despite what the presence of ranks may lead one to believe, the Boy Scout’s career is certainly not a stratified process that is undertaken in large blocks: it is a gradual, sloping one that never really plateaus. Ranks may represent static, concrete tiers of growth, but they are simply markers, data points that attempt to illustrate the curve of maturation that the Scout undergoes.

So why does it all end with Eagle?

It doesn’t. Well, the ranks do, though palms offer further quarry for the ambitious and prolific Scout, but the process doesn’t. That slow, gradual process continues to flow on indefinitely past Eagle and even past the age of 18, without nominal ranks to mark the progress.

Eagle Rank simply represents the point by which the Scout has proven that he is not only a leader, but that he has particular ambitions and goals that he is willing to pursue, with the leadership he has developed proving to be a vital asset towards these ends. What separates the Eagle Rank from those of Star and Life, besides the more rigorous Board of Review, is that Eagle requires that the Scout must complete a service project that he decides upon and fleshes out in complete detail, necessitating resourcefulness, foresight, and creativity.

This requirement is unique in its asking for the Scout to elect a cause that he deems important and in the level of problem-solving that it demands. Just as achieving First Class reveals that the Scout has acquired a sufficient repertoire of Scouting basics, and just as the preceding ranks of Star and Life mark the growth of the Scout as a leader who has seen both failure and success, improving from each, Eagle Scout Rank shows that the Scout has become an individual who not only leads others, but one who can lead himself towards a goal that he has selected while leading others.

This is true leadership: autonomous and passionate. If the Scout’s goal is noble, then others will follow his leadership, for he has the knowledge, skill, and vision to achieve success.

Ranks are important in their ability to roughly show what talents and abilities the Scout has honed up to that point. Yet, there is vast knowledge beyond what is required to achieve First Class, and perfect leadership and foresight, being naturally impossible to acquire, will always remain beckoning goals on the horizon.

The ranks reveal clearly what may be expected of the Scout, but they certainly aren’t endpoints: a true Scout will exceed the expectations of the rank, even those of Eagle, and continue to grow and learn indefinitely. In this way, Eagle is more of a launchpad than a final destination: with the skills that the Scout has proven, the true destination could reside anywhere he chooses.
 

“Are You Faster Than A Boy Scout?” Supporting the Local USO and Friends of Scouting Date : Sunday, October 6th 2013 Location : Heritage Park 5546 Beryl St. , Rancho Cucamonga Check In Time : 6:30am to 7:15am | Race Time: 7:30 am This will be an exciting cross?country style course featuring hills, dirt, equestrian trail and uneven ground Join Troop 720 for our post race Pancake Breakfast Celebration. Breakfast will include “Volunteer Fireman Griddled” pancakes, tasty sausage links, fresh orange juice or hot tea and coffee. $5 Per Person and is open to all family and friends. Additional Information  Register Online

Preventing Bullying and Helping Kids Cope

Bullying can be an unfortunate part of growing up. And the prevalence of bullying among children and teenagers is shocking. Consider these bullying statistics:

• More than 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year.
• 71 percent of students report incidents of bullying as a problem at their school.
• One in 10 students drop out of school because of repeated bullying.

Scouting’s values make it clear that bullying is not tolerated – both inside and outside of our organization. Our position on bullying – coupled with our commitment to serving America’s youth with a quality Scouting experience – provides Scout leaders a unique opportunity to teach respect and acceptance of others.

Included in our training are tips for Scout leaders and parents for bullying intervention. These practices are designed to create an anti-bullying culture that empowers Scouts to assist victims of bullying whenever and wherever it occurs.

Youth leaders both inside and outside of Scouting should be armed with the right information to help kids cope with bullying. Here are some sample tips from the BSA’s required training that can help adults assist bullying victims:

Take victims of bullying seriously.

• If victims gather the courage to talk to you about being bullied, be aware that they might be very upset even though they may not show it on the outside.
• Talk with victims where others can’t hear the conversation – they need to know that you take the problem seriously and will take action.

Help victims of bullying communicate with others and seek additional help.

• Encourage victims to talk to their parents and offer to speak to their parents with them if they want you to.

Help victims of bullying develop some strategies to cope with bullying situations that may come up in the future, but emphasize that it is not their fault that they are being bullied, even if these strategies don’t work.

• Recommend victims to use the buddy system – walk with a friend or group – to avoid being alone around the bully.
• Encourage victims to ignore or walk away from the bullying person, when possible.
• If victims are in danger of physical assault, remind the victims to take a deep breath, try to stay calm, get away if at all possible, and remember as much as they can to report to adults who can help.

Recognize some of the red flags that a child may be a victim of bullying:

• Frequent absences from school and other activities, such as troop meetings
• Avoidance of peers, especially in less-supervised situations
• Nervousness around certain peers
• Increased anger and resentment with no apparent cause
• Complaints of feeling sick to avoid activities
• Avoidance of group restrooms
• Physical marks such as cuts or bruises

Our training also focuses on the impact of cyberbullying, which is bullying another person using the Internet, texts or other “online” forms of communication.  Again, the research is troubling:

• Nearly 43 percent of kids have been bullied online. One in four has had it happen more than once.
• 70 percent of students report seeing frequent bullying online.
• 68 percent of teens agree that cyber bullying is a serious problem.

If a young person tells you they are the victim of cyberbullying:

• Reassure victims that it is not their fault that they are a victim of cyberbullying and that they did the right thing to tell you. Communicate that your primary concern is their safety and emotional well-being.
• Understand that many young people do not tell their parents that they have been victimized for fear that they will lose their Internet privileges. Encourage them to talk to their parents. If they are not comfortable doing that, offer talk to their parents with them.
• Parents should encourage Scouts to block bullying messages or delete those messages without reading them. (In some situations, however, it may be helpful to keep a record of incidents in case the cyberbullying escalates.)
• Parents and Scouts can also report incidents of cyberbullying to Internet service providers.
• If the cyberbullying involves threats, parents should call the police to ensure the Scout’s safety.

With another school year getting underway, it is vital that we all focus on the welfare of our young people as they rejoin their peers in the classroom, participating in school sports and other activities inside and outside the school schedule, as well as Scouting events.

What steps are you taking to be on the watch for bullying – and what steps do you take to create an anti-bullying environment?
 

News & Tidbits

• Bass Pro Shops Online Toolkit An online toolkit is available that includes sample emails, letters, and fliers you can use to help promote your participation for the entire month of September at www.scouting.org/BassProShops
• Fishing & Boating check out this website for plenty of information on boating & fishing Click Here
• The Advisor is the monthly newsletter for Venturing Crews/Ships in the California Inland Empire Council published and written under the guidance of Ryan Kleinvachter and the CIEC Venturing Committee Click Here

Friends Of Scouting Report

Positive Quote & Prayer
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"Leaders are not born. They are made. They are made just like anything else. . . through hard work. That's the price we have to pay to achieve that goal or any goal."

    ~  Vince Lombardi
 

Qualities of a Leader

Blessed is the leader who knows where to go, why it matters and how to get there.
Blessed is the leader who knows no discouragement, who presents no alibi.
Blessed is the leader who knows how to lead without being dictorial.
Blessed is the leader who leads for the good of the most concerned, and not for personal gratification.
Blessed is the leader who develops leaders while leading.
Blessed is the leader whose head is in the clouds but whose feet are on the ground.
Blessed is the leader who considers leadership an opportunity for service.

    ~  The Christophers

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