Hi -- here are my notes from the Colonial District
Round Table meeting December 8:
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Scouting for Food: Colonial District
collected an estimated 53,000 pounds of food; National Capital Area Council
collected 842,000 pounds. All who participated--pat on back.
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MB Jamboree is Saturday February 19.
All Scouts should have been signed up by December 8.
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Tom Libby again asked for troop rosters
(Troop 680 was among those listed as already submitted)
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Also requested was updated info about
adult leader training--theoretically that info is coordinated by the Unit
Commissioner, Dick Bowman, who in turn will forward it to Tom Libby.
To be honest, it is unclear to me whether NCAC or District wants this info
(maybe both); apparently all registered adults in NCAC are listed as not-trained
because someone (or some "process" or lack thereof?) lost that information.
It was stated that a full-time person is working to collect, fix and keep
this info for the future. The best place for your adult leader training
info is the Troop database--send the info to Chris McCormack, mailto:c.mccormack@ieee.org,
and he can enter it then print out a report for you.
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Bob Keegan, Cubmaster for Pack 680,
needs Den Chiefs-if interested, talk with Scoutmaster Wade Harvey for approval,
then contact Bob. This is an excellent position of responsibility
for First Class and Star (and Life) Scouts. It has several advantages including
helping the Pack, providing a role model for the Cub Scouts, helping make
a smooth transition to Boy Scouts, and leadership for the individual Boy
Scout, of course. Remember Pack 680 bridges on Friday March 18 at 7:00
p.m. at McClunn Hall and Troop 680 Jump Start is the next day on Saturday
March 19, 2005.
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Want to work on amateur radio--and get
your Technicial Class License from FCC? Sign up for 4 Saturdays (Jan
15, 22, 29 and Feb 5). Cost $20. Contact by January 4, 2005 by email
mailto:vcrew80@yahoo.com,
phone 703-960-9301 from 7-9pm. Cash collected at registration at
first session on January 15. Send your questions via email mailto:vcrew80@yahoo.com
or call any of the following:
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Demi Pulas, K4BSA, 703-820-2534
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Bill Stewart, W2BSA, 703-642-8942
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Dick Harman, WA4USB, 703-971-5477
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Bill Schmitt, KD4CNS, 703-960-9301
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Just fyi, some Colonial District contacts:
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Boy Scout specific session was about
Boards of Review led by Scott Hammell.
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What are appropriate questions for members
of Boards of Review to ask Scouts?
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See the web for many suggestions
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Scott had a list of 12 questions that
we reviewed in small groups -- Scott, could you email those to me
and I will get them posted to our Troop 680 web site and give a copy to
Advancement Chair, etc.
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Can/should have Boards of Review for
those Scouts who are NOT advancing also--some units at the
meeting do that.
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Questions are usually about current
and next rank (plans for).
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Board of Review is not a testing process,
but a review for the Scout and of troop activity, etc.
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Important that there is a clear process
to get advancement info from Board directly, accurately and expeditiously
to the advancement database. Board of Review also signs the Scout's handbook
so he has a record. But don't rely on that as the only record--back
it up with the troop database (ours is Troopmaster) and with a periodically
updated printed advancement summary copy for each Scout, and another copy
kept in a notebook.
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When do you have Boards? Some
troops have them whenever asked. Others monthly, or 2-3 times per year.
Most say none can occur in the 2 weeks before a Court of Honor, thus giving
one week for SM Conferences and one week to submit troop advancement report
and get the advancement cards, patches, pins, etc.
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One Scout, perhaps in addition to the
Troop Scribe, could be appointed as "Service Coordinator." This Scout could
track all service project records (who spent how many hours) and insure
this information goes to the troop database (again via Chris McCormack,
mailto:c.mccormack@ieee.org).
This same Scout could help with advancement records in general, e.g., Scout
book is signed, Troopmaster database coordinator gets info, printed info
via database coordinator to Scouts periodically, copy of same updated to
troop notebook which would be kept in troop locker, help to advancement
committee (Rita Trimarchi and Pam Johnson, currently) to maintain troop
cards (merit badges) possibly best organized in baseball plastic sheets.
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All Scouts should appear in Class A
uniform for every Board of Review.
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Some troops ask the SPL to introduce
the Scout to the Board of Review--good idea.
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There is a Transatlantic Council Contingent
to the National Jamboree and they need equipment for two patrols; they
cannot afford to bring the equipment nor can they afford to buy it. I have
a one-page list of quartermaster needs that I will give to Wade Harvey.
If interested in loaning equipment or helping in any way, contact Dominic
Caridi or Mike Crane.
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There was a "Calling All Scouts" handout
from Ski Liberty Mountain. Scout weekend dates were listed with costs ranging
from $38 (Sunday lift only) to $71 (Saturday "all mountain" lift ticket,
rental equipment and free lesson). I will give the handout to Carol
Shaffer or Mary Martin. Troop 680 had the Ski Liberty staff person
presentation at our December 7 meeting.
Thanks.
John Millikin