Taughannock District, Baden-Powell Council, BSA
Announcements

Coming Soon and Virtual Scouting Events - Upcoming Merit Badge Sessions 
Advancement News - District News - Council News - National News - What's New?

Roundtable Handouts and Program Resources are available at https://www.TCScouts.org/roundtable.htm

Are you a member of the District Facebook Group? You should be!






















 

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.  

Download the Calender Here

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!

University of Scouting Resources

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/ 

© Copyright 2010-2024 Taughannock District BSA