National Annual Meeting - May 28, 2010

The master of ceremonies for the Americanism Breakfast was Theodore Roosevelt reinactor Joe Wiegand to did a fantastic job of not only playing TR, but working in a number or relationships with the BSA.

The speaker at the breakfast was Steve Holcomb, Eagle Scout and Olympic Gold Medal driver of the Night Train, USA 1 Bobsled.

Some other information from the meeting:

- There have been questions about how to register 18-20 year olds in a troop with the upcoming training requirements.  There is a registration category of "College Reserve" that can be used for those new adults that does not have particular training requirements.

- A new "Be A Scout" program will be rolled out this summer which works with Google to put a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, or Venturing logo for a pin on Google Maps so someone looking for a unit in your area can find out where all the units are in the area.

- I heard that the Scouting Community is no longer working on any updates or modifications.  Nothing on what the future plans are.

- A new quality program is being developed for next year that should be out this fall.  It will take the place of the Centennial Quality program which ends this year.

- The national strategic plan was presented.  The plan has seven pillars with objectives under each and goals under each objective.  The seven pillars are: Impact & Participation, Resources & Finances, Building our  Brand, Dynamic & Relevant, Innovation & Technology, Advocacy & Relationships, and Leadership & Culture.

Rockford Sporting Clays

This weekend is the Rockford Sporting Clays. Any shooters interested in participating can still join in.

Last weekend was the McHenry County Sporting Clays.

How many new scouts did you recruit this week?

Recruit, Recruit, Recruit

This time of year is our biggest recruiting season. Every unit can use some help. I spent the last two evenings at one of the elementary schools helping to recruit Cub Scouts. We got five new names and contact information and several others that took information. If they all show up with a couple of friends that could be 15 new scouts.

Boys' Life, Join Scouting Video Contest

Boys' Life magazine is holding a contest to who can create the best promotional video about joining scouting. Videos have to be uploaded by September 15, 2009. They will be voted on from September 16, 2009 through September 30, 2009. The prizes include three Grand Prizes of a 13" MacBook laptop computer.

Many of you already have promotional videos for your units. Now is your opportunity to show them off to the scouting community.

Details, including the rules and regulations of the contest, are available at www.boyslife.org.

Tiger Registration

Has your pack registered your new Tiger Cubs yet? Now is the best time of year to register new scouts. They can participate in your unit's summer activities and be ready to join dens in the fall. It also gives new parents a chance to see how your pack operates and make them more comfortable in agreeing to help when you ask them in the fall. Don't forget to turn in those registrations so the new cubs will be official and can qualify for things like the summertime award program.