Breaking News...
Welcome to Savanna Brienza
I am pleased to announce that Savanna Brienza has officially stepped
into the role of Office Manager and Executive Assistant for the
Baden-Powell Council, Scouting America. In this dual role, Savanna will
provide critical support for our day-to-day operations and assist me in
managing administrative tasks, event coordination, and communications.
Savanna has already proven to be an invaluable member of our team,
bringing a strong work ethic, organizational skills, and a passion for
supporting the mission of Scouting. She will also be working closely with
many of you in preparation for our executive board and committee meetings,
ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that we remain aligned with our
strategic priorities.
Please join me in welcoming Savanna to her new position. I have no
doubt that her contributions will continue to positively impact our
Council and help us to grow and thrive.
If you have any questions or would like to connect with Savanna
directly, feel free to reach out to her at Savanna.Brienza@scouting.org
or by phone at 607-648-7888 ext 104
Thank you for your continued dedication and support.
Yours in Scouting,
Matthew Bull
Scout Executive
Scouting America - Baden-Powell Council
Announcing Cub Leader Training
October 19, 2024 8:30am to 12:30pm
at the Ellis Hollow Community Center in Ithaca, run by Liam Murphy.
Signups no later than October 15 - need at least 4
persons attend to make it worth proceeding. Contact liamgbmurphy@twcny.rr.com
2024-26 Program Planning Calendar
Now Available for Download
Has your unit planned out its calendar for the upcoming
Scouting year? If not, you should - "failing to plan is planning to
fail".
The Baden-Powell Council Planning Calendar for
2024-25 and 2025-26 Scouting Years is now available for download.
The calendar includes all National BSA, Baden-Powell Council and District
activities and events for the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 Scouting Years
(January 2024-June 2026), as well as religious and national holidays for
that period.
The planning calendar is a fillable PDF, so you can add
your own unit's dates to the calendar and print it or post it to your
unit's website or Facebook page for all of your unit's leaders, members
and parents to use.
While you're doing that, don't forget these other resources:
-
Taughannock District Calendar
page on this website - your resource for all local Scouting events
-
Baden-Powell
Council Calendar a/k/a "BlackPug" - most council events will be on the district
calendar already, but it can't hurt to check the council calendar
before you finalize yours. Also, this is where you can sign up for any
council-level events.
-
Need ideas for your Scouts BSA troop calendar? You can
download a
list of everything Troop 80 in Cortland did over twenty-plus years
from the 1980's to 2004. Of course, it's the Scouts who plan your
Troop Calendar, right? Of course, right - and this will give them some
ideas to help the troop try some new things. "It's a very fine
line between a groove and a rut..."
-
Looking for handouts for District and Council
activities which were handed out at Roundtable? See our Handouts
and Resources page.
-
The University of Scouting has held many courses
which touched on planning - not just unit calendars, but all sorts
of other things as well. You can find handouts and resources from the
courses on the University of Scouting
Resource page - check out these courses:
-
Plan
for Success - Explore your options for building an
exciting and challenging year of activities by incorporating local
and council resources in your annual plan.
-
Plan
an Expedition - What is an expedition and how does it
differ from a weekend trip ? What might you do and how do you
prepare? What logistics and transport requirements will surprise
you?
-
Plan
and Lead a Hike - Whether it's a one mile hike for your
Cub Pack or a twenty mile hike for Hiking Merit Badge, learn how
to properly plan and prepare your scouts to go take a hike. Nearly
200 miles of NY's famed Finger Lakes Trail passes through the
Baden-Powell Council, we’ll also discuss how to make use of this
great resource for your unit's hiking program.
-
Project Management for Youth and
Adults - Eating an
elephant and effective planning begin with little steps, but those steps
aren't obvious to everyone. This course is for older youth and adults
and will teach basic skills of organization that will serve in Scouting
and beyond.
-
Incorporating
Backpacking into your Unit Program - How do you plan a
Backpack Outing? What do you need to take? What about Logistics,
transport, and routing? Learn how to prepare your Unit to carry-in
ad carry-out in the great outdoors!
-
Leading
a Successful High Adventure Activity - High Adventure is
whatever you and your older Scouts define it to be. It can have
many venues which will be discussed in this course. We will also
cover the basics of what you need to know to lead a successful
high adventure program -- planning, training, organizing a
cooperative group, discipline, and physical preparation.
-
Take
your unit on a Touring Trip - A touring trip can be the
highlight of your unit's year, but there's a lot to think about
before you head off on that week on the road! Think BIG - how
about a trip to Europe for your Venturing crew or a special event?
Learn how to plan touring trips, locally or across the globe.
-
Den & Pack
Meeting Resource Guide
-
Planning Pack
Events - Pack activities and the Blue & Gold Banquet -
learn how to "pack in" more program without straining
your pack's resources. Make your pack more dynamic by planning
great pack activities and taking advantage of District and Council
events.
-
Year Round Pack
Program - How to keep your Cub Scouts active and happy all
year along. We will discuss summertime activities, the National
Summertime Pack Award and the Centennial Quality Unit Award.
-
Venture
Program Planning - Learn how to set up a crew program for
the entire year that will excite the youth members and keep them
interested!
-
Multi-Unit
Event Leadership Have you ever wanted to run a district or
council camporee, or maybe a Cub Scout event with another pack or
two joining yours?
National Fees Change
Effective April 1, 2024
Effective April 1st 2024 the National Membership Fee
for youth and adult members in traditional programs (Cubs, Scouts, Sea
Scouts, Venturing) will increase by $5 per year. Registration fees for
Exploring are not changing. The local insurance fee of $6 remains
unchanged, as does the annual unit charter fee.
Merit Badge Counselors not
already registered in another scouting position (Unit, District or
Council) are
required to pay a national annual fee of $25, plus the $6 local insurance
fee, for a total of $31.
In the "good news" column, the National one-time
new member joining fee of $25 has been eliminated. New members joining
after April 1st will pay the same annual registration fee as current
participants.
Download a
copy of the graphic above in PDF format
It is important to note the national membership fee and
the unit recharter fee are all national BSA fees and none
of these funds stay with our local scouting program in the Baden-Powell
Council. These fees are a direct pass-though to the National Council to
cover such items as enhanced General Liability Insurance, Criminal
Background checks on all Adults, and investments in BSA safety resources.
Staff Changes at Baden-Powell Council
The B-P Council has announced some changes to the
Council staff. "Congratulations" to those who moved up to
greater responsibilities, and "Welcome" to our new staff member.
The changes are as follows:
-
Program Director: John Babbage (former Hiawatha
DE) - responsible for program at the council level.
-
Development Director: Kellie Amlin (former
Chenango/Delahanna DE) - responsible for fundraising at the council
level.
-
District Director: Our District Executive,
Stacy Hall, has been promoted to District Director. There won't be any
major changes for us, but the Program Specialists will now report to
her and she will have additional responsibilities at the council
level.
-
Hiawatha DE: Michael Taylor will be replacing
John Babbage as DE for Hiwatha District.
-
Hiawatha District Membership Impact Specialist: Peter
Mattice (as of February 19, 2024)
-
Chenango/Delahanna DE: Vicki Collazo replaced
Kellie Amlin.
-
Vacant position: There is still an opening for
a Field Director/Assistant Council Exec
2024 Advancement Changes for
Scouts BSA
National has announced advancement changes for Scouts
BSA, effective in 2024.
For details, see the Advancement Page
New Advancement Program for Cub
Scout Program
Effective June 1, 2024
It’s official! The Cub Scout program will be updated for the 2024-25
program year. Over the past several years the National Cub Scouting
Committee under the leadership of past chair Lisa Wylie and current chair
Audrey Oakes has identified four areas to improve the Cub Scout program to
ensure that it is fun, simple, and easy.
Over the past five years the National Cub Scouting has been working on
these updates. These updates are based on feedback from over 23,000
parents and Cub Scout leaders through various surveys and data. Listening
to and identify the key opportunities to improve the program the National
Cub Scout committee is excited to finally reveal these improvements. Over
the past year these improvements have been socialized to thousands of
individuals with overwhelming support.
The four areas of improvement are the Bobcat badge, Cub Scout
Adventures, Webelos, and Cub Scout Awards.
Bobcat will no longer be a badge that is earned once when a Cub Scout
joins. It will become a required Adventure for each rank and earned each
year. The requirements for the Bobcat Adventure are different for each
grade to make them age-appropriate.
Cub Scout Adventures have been improved to make it easier to deliver
the program to multi-rank dens or as a Pack. To earn each rank in Cub
Scouting will require a Cub Scout to earn the six required Adventures and
two elective Adventures. Required Adventures reflect the aims and focus
areas of the BSA. The number of elective Adventures increases.
Webelos and Arrow of Light will be separated. Webelos becomes the
4th-grade program in Cub Scouting. Arrow of Light becomes a stand-alone
badge of rank for 5th graders and will no longer be associated with. Arrow
of Light will be the program that prepares Cub Scouts to join Scouts BSA.
Cub Scouts Awards will be reimagined as Cub Scout Adventures. Topics
like camping, STEM, and range and target sports will remain and are
reimagined into elective Adventures that can be used towards earning a
badge of rank.
The changes will take effect officially on June 1, 2024.
To read the full announcement, with graphics, see Cub
Scout Program Updates Announced | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)
To keep up to date with the latest changes to Cub Scouts, see Cub
Scouts Program Updates Archives | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Every Cub and Scout deserves a trained leader. The
Baden-Powell Council and Taughannock District present training events all
year to help you get the training you need and want. Here are the next
upcoming training events for you:
See the Training Page or the Baden-Powell
Council calendar webpage for details on all training events
Have
you heard about the new Messengers of Peace program?
The enhanced Messengers of Peace BSA program launched this
summer! The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) created
Messengers of Peace in 2011, to encourage Scouts around the world to step
up and do what they can to make the world a little better. The MoP program
falls under WOSM’s Better World Framework.
Messengers of Peace aims to promote a culture of peace and dialogue for
mutual understanding, promote service initiatives led by Scouts, support
the development of young people affected by conflict situations, provide
further connection to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and connect
Scouts around the world in a global network of 20 million Messengers of
Peace.
WOSM has defined Three Dimensions within which we can build a culture
of peace and create positive change in our world today:
- Personal
- Community Based
- Collective Results
This page has an introduction to the Messengers of Peace Program (MOP) https://www.scouting.org/international/messengers-of-peace/
Scout Life Article on BSA MOP - https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2023/09/14/getting-to-know-the-enhanced-messengers-of-peace-recognition-program/
BSA MOP Program Guide https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mnaFC33Hn1XMhcynUgvllGNLaEsALIso/view
Cub Scout packs can camp up to
two consecutive nights
Effective September 1, 2023
Effective Sept. 1, 2023, Cub Scout packs who are conducting their own
overnight camping activities may now camp up to two consecutive nights.
This is a change from the earlier policy on pack unit-coordinated camping,
which was previously limited to single overnight experiences. The updated
policy also applies to Webelos and Arrow of Light dens, who can now
conduct campouts for up to two consecutive nights.
Here’s what you need to know:
- What does unit-coordinated camping mean? A unit-coordinated
campout is one that is entirely planned and executed by the leaders
and parents in a Cub Scout pack, and not by the unit’s district or
council. That means the pack or unit adults are solely responsible for
organizing transportation and activities at the campout, and ensuring
that all BSA rules are followed. This includes having at least one
registered adult leader trained in Basic Adult Leader Outdoor
Orientation (BALOO) who oversees the planning and is in attendance for
the pack campout.
- What is BALOO? BALOO is a 1½-day course designed to be an
introduction to the Cub Scout outdoor program. It consists of an
online pre-requisite component in addition to an overnight hands-on
event. Participants will learn BSA’s Cub Scout-level camping
policies along with the necessary tools to help units carry out a
successful camping experience. While only one adult at minimum needs
BALOO, it’s a great idea to have multiple adults take it. The more
adults who know BALOO, the better!
- Note: Baden-Powell Council will be offering BALOO training on
October 28-29 at Camp Barton and April 20-21 at Camp Tuscarora
- What else do I need to do as I plan a unit-coordinated campout? Make
sure the location where you will be camping is approved by your local
council. If you’re camping at a popular park or public camping area,
chances are it’s already approved, but you should check with your
local council to be sure.
- How do councils decide which locations are approved? By using
the Pack
Overnight Campout Site Appraisal Form. Completion of this form
helps your council ensure that the location has appropriate facilities
for Cub Scout camping. Units are not allowed to do their own site
appraisals. However, if you have a site in mind that is not on your
council’s list of approved sites, you can reach out to them and
request an appraisal.
- From Scouting Magazine Blog
https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2023/08/03/coming-soon-cub-scout-packs-can-camp-up-to-two-consecutive-nights/
Scouting is a uniformed organization… Do you need a
uniform?
We can help. The Taughannock District currently
has several experienced men's uniform shirts available for purchase.
Reserve one now, and pick it up at Roundtable.
Suggested price: $10 per shirt (new are $30-40) All
proceeds go to the District New Scout Fund.
Contact Mike Homrighaus at mhomrigh@twcny.rr.com
Scouts BSA Advancement
Requirements Updated
See Advancement News below for
details
Looking for Recruiting Materials?
Check out https://www.scouting.org/recruitment/
Give to Baden-Powell Council while you shop!
AmazonSmile
is a program that donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases on
Amazon to a charity of your choice. All you need to do is start
your shopping at smile.amazon.com. The donation will be made
at no extra cost to you
Silver Beaver, Venturing & Sea Scout Leadership,
Light of Scouting & Fretwell Awards
Scout Volunteers and Community Members,
The Baden-Powell Council recognizes the efforts and dedication our
volunteers provide creating a quality program for our area youth. Please
recognize the tireless efforts of our distinguished volunteers.
The Silver Beaver Award is to recognize registered Scouters of
exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a
council. Introduced in 1931 the award is bestowed upon volunteers who
consistently go above and beyond providing exceptional service not only to
scouting but to their community.
The Venturing Leadership Award is used In order to recognize
Venturing Scouts and Venturing Advisors who have made exceptional
contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law. To
qualify for the award the venturing scouter or venturing advisor should
demonstrate outstanding service to both the venturing program and our
venturing scouts.
The purpose of the Sea Scout Leadership Award is to recognize
Sea Scouts and Sea Scouters who have made exceptional contributions to Sea
Scouting. To qualify for the award Qualification to be registered and
involved as a Sea Scout or Sea Scouter for at least one year, hold a
leadership position or an office at the unit, district, or council level,
and show exceptional dedication and give outstanding leadership and
service to Sea Scouting and to Sea Scouts.
Named after a Columbia University education professor (who also
happened to be the BSA's second Chief Scout Executive), the Elbert K.
Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award is presented to those who work in
education and who follow the BSA's mission "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."
Brand New: The Light of Scouting Award. Do you know someone who
went above and beyond to keep the light of scouting going during the
Coronavirus Pandemic? Someone who improvised, adapted and overcame the
difficulty of finding ways to keep the Scouts active? Please consider
nominating them for this new Baden-Powell Council award.
Please return all nominations to Baden Powell Council. Please send to
the attention of Stacy Hall, Staff Advisor: stacy.hall@scouting.org
Coming soon...
Watch the District
Facebook group, Council Website
and Council Facebook Page.
Upcoming Merit Badge
Sessions
Watch this page and the Baden-Powell
Council Calendar for more badges as they are added to the
schedule.
What's new?
Roundtable Handouts and Resources are now available online
Check out our Handouts and Resources page on
this website!
Presentations and handouts from the Baden-Powell
Council's University of Scouting over the years are now available on
an on-line resource
page. Check it out!
The link to the resources can always be found on our Training
page and also on the Council
website training page.
Take a look at the Taughannock District Virtual Patch Collection!
Lots of Scouts and Scouters collect patches - your
Webmaster is no exception.
So, I've started to put up a Virtual Patch Collection
for the district.
It's a work in progress, and will by no means be exhaustive, but it's
what I've got.
Click here to get
started - or look for the "Virtual Patch Collection"
button on the left.
- Mike Brown
Does your Unit have a website or Facebook group/page?
If so, check out the Cub, Scout
or Venture/Explorer web page on this site, and
if there's no link to your page please
send our webmaster an e-mail so we can let the world know. The
more links to your social media, the more likely it is that you'll pick
up new members from it!
Advancement and Recognition
News
For the most up-to-date Advancement information see our Advancement
Page
District News
-
Help Wanted - Experienced Scouters wanted for
Taughannock District Committee positions. Long hours, no pay, great job
satisfaction. This opportunity won't come again (until next week),
so act NOW! Openings in:
-
Activities
(Cub, Scout and Venturing)
-
Advancement (Cub and Scout)
-
Finance
-
Membership
-
Training
-
Commissioner Corps - we can use several Unit
Commissioners, also New
Unit Commissioners are needed to make a three-year commitment to
help newly formed units succeed. We're also looking for someone
who would be willing to take on the District Commissioner role -
if you're interested, but not yet ready, you can sign up as an Assistant DC now, and move up
in a year or two.
For more information, and a list of available
positions, see our "Help Wanted"
page!
Contact the District
Key 3 if you're interested or know someone who would be
interested!
Council News
See the Council Website at https://www.bpcouncil.org
National and
International News
Boy Scouts of America Selects
Roger Krone
as New President and CEO
Irving, Texas (November 3, 2023) — Following an extensive
selection process, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has chosen Roger A.
Krone to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Krone
recently retired as the Chairman and CEO of Leidos, a $15 billion Fortune
250 government technology solutions firm where, in nine years of
leadership, he and his team nearly tripled revenue and more than doubled
the workforce.
An Eagle Scout who spent summers at Scout camp and Philmont Scout
Ranch, Krone regularly applied the lessons he learned in Scouting during
an engineering and aerospace career spanning more than 45 years.
“As a life-long Scout, the opportunity to lead the Scouting movement
represents the perfect capstone to a long and fruitful career and a chance
to give back,” said Krone. “The program was a big part of my life and
the lives of my children. I want to make sure every child has an
opportunity to have that same amazing experience.”
Prior to his work at Leidos, he held leadership roles at some of the
most prominent aerospace companies in the world, including serving as
President of Network and Space Systems at Boeing. An inspiring leader with
a passion for people, Krone has a strong track record of uniting teams
under a shared vision to achieve operational excellence – even amidst
organizational challenges and societal change.
“Roger Krone has spent his entire career transforming complex
businesses and preparing them for what lies ahead,” said Brad Tilden,
who serves as the BSA’s National Chair. “His experience, combined with
his personal passion for Scouting, will enable him to look at a familiar
organization in new ways and find innovative approaches to welcoming more
youth into the adventure of Scouting. Our movement could not be more
excited to welcome him as our new leader.”
Krone earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the
Georgia Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in aerospace
engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Master of
Business Administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Business. A
Six Sigma Green Belt, he is both a licensed commercial pilot and a
certified public accountant. He is also a Fellow of the American Institute
of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a member of the National Academy of
Engineering.
The BSA’s CEO search process began in the spring of 2023 with the
selection of global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry, which used
a robust and inclusive process involving a range of BSA stakeholders. This
group, which included representatives from throughout our movement
including youth, Scout executives, and BSA alumni, was tasked with
providing feedback to inform the search. In late October, the CEO
Selection Committee unanimously selected Krone to present to the BSA’s
National Executive Committee and National Board.
Krone, Tilden and National Commissioner W. Scott Sorrels will work
together as the BSA’s “National Key 3.” The trio, consisting of two
volunteers and one professional, make up the organization’s highest
level of leadership at the national level.
Krone follows Roger C. Mosby as the 113-year-old organization’s top
administrator. Mosby, who was appointed in December 2019, recently
announced his retirement, effective November 8, 2023.
“On behalf of the entire Scouting movement, we want to extend our
heartfelt appreciation to Roger Mosby,” said Tilden. “Leading the
restructuring process was exceptionally challenging, and Roger
demonstrated unwavering determination and resolve throughout. We will
never be able thank him enough for what he’s done for Scouting.”
BSA Bankruptcy Plan has been approved
For the most up-to-date information, see https://www.bsarestructuring.org/
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