Scouting… It’S an Investment in Character

Scouting… It’s an Investment in Character

Points of Contact for the Council President Awards & Recognition OA Advisor Karen Donnelly Esteban Fernandez Steve Whalen [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 561-806-3232 Council Commissioner Religious Emblem TK Committee Chair Ray Lynch Debbie McCabe Steve Jackson [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 954-471-6655 (text please) 561-329-6894 561-371-4959

Scout Executive/CEO Religious Coordinator Campmaster Chair Terrence Hamilton Carroll Brennan John Irvine [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 772-485-2005 561-762-4795 Membership Chair Susan Brokaw Health & Safety Director Aquatics Chair [email protected] Lee Mooty Tom Wilson [email protected] [email protected] VP of District Operations 772-359-0016 Nick Nickerson COPE & Climbing Chair [email protected] Health Officer Coordinator Stephen Peterson Len Fintzy [email protected] VP of Program [email protected] 561-427-5794 David Sunderman 561-254-0590 [email protected] SR-4-85-18 Shooting Sports Chair Wood Badge Course Director Training Chair Nelson Schad Harlan Pierce Rhonda Park [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 561-719-8560 561-723-5287 561-358-4612 Council Commodore Wood Badge Coordinator Activities Chair Chuck Haythorn Tom Peer Karen Helstrom [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 561-312-9652 President Gilwell Society Advancement Chair Venturing Chair David Pantone Glenda Sutterfield May Ellen Schad [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 561-767-6403 561-719-8561 (text please) Summer Camp Director Amanda Pantone NESA Chairman [email protected] Bill Snow 561-694-8585 [email protected]

Venturing Advancement Michael Brown [email protected] 561-271-7139

Camping Committee & Outdoors Program Liaison Tom Sutterfield [email protected] 561-239-4011

Advancement for Scouts with Special Needs Bob Katz [email protected] 561-848-5845

Valued Volunteer:

We are facing an exciting year with the advent of a new Scout Executive. With your help, we will continue pushing forward with the best quality program for our youth. I want to thank you for your dedication and personal commitment of time, talent and resources that make the Scouting programs in our communities deeply impactful for thousands of youth. Your sacrifice of time, energy and resources has been critical to fulfilling our collective mission: to prepare young people to make moral and ethical decisions in their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. This council has collaborated with chartered organizations and volunteers for many years to provide the highest quality programs and most unforgettable and life changing experiences that build character, develop leaders and create outstanding citizens and civic servants. We believe that our new Scout Executive will not only continue this collaboration, but strengthen it.

If you look only at the last year, our council:  Helped over 500 youth earn merit badges and advancement during summer camp  Provided over 1,000 youth with merit and activity badge opportunities during Scout Advancement Weekend which featured a total of 1365 participants and nearly 100 staffers.  Offered specific and supplement training during University of Scouting to over 400 participants—over 300 adults and nearly 100 youth. This premier training is regarded as the must-have course for the council!  Added 41 National Youth Leadership trained youth who came from as far away as South Dakota!  Added 48 Wood Badge trained leaders to help support and build our program.

The second year of the Gator Grind--the obstacle race at Tanah Keeta--sported over 300 racers and another 100 volunteers. This year the Gator Trail Hike will promote both the Veterans and support the Scouting for Food drive on the inaugural run on November 11, 2017. We also debuted two new and exciting fundraising events, the Builders Gala with Polynesian dancers and an auction and Law-la-Palooza, an attorney-based “Battle of the Bands” which works with the Bring Back the Music program in Lake Worth. In addition, FPL hosted Boomer Eisesen at the Pacesetter’s Luncheon to a sold out crowd. To further ensure that our council has the funding it needs, the North Area clays event had 74 shooters to augment our annual Clays Shoot in January which hosts nearly 200 shooters. Popcorn enjoyed a third year of increase in 2016 and the Popcorn Kernels are already planning events make it easier than ever to allow your scouts to support their own Ideal Year of Scouting.

This is how the Gulf Stream Council offers our families adventures that enhance leadership skills and develop positive ethical and moral decision making in their son or daughter. Youth will tell you our programs are exciting and FUN!

Some of the new and exciting improvements this year are: two new shower houses at Tanah Keeta Scout Reservation along with renovation of the dorms; Cub Scout Resident Camp is available for summer activities. We also are welcoming Lions to our Cub Scout program to enable youth to get an earlier start on the fun. Also, to help facilitate the registration portion, we engaged in National’s online registration to add convenience during School Night and other recruitment activities. Although currently, it is only available for new “paid” registrations, the future hopes to offer the program for renewals as well. On the horizon for next year, we are hoping to make a big splash with the pool.

This year we are again featuring incentives for those who participate in our Scouting for Food drives and Friends of Scouting campaigns. Please work with your district and council coordinators to ensure that you take advantage of the free camping opportunities these two programs provide.

I hope you use this guide to improve the quality of your unit’s programs, and if you have questions, don’t forget to contact your District Executive or commissioner who is always there to help answer questions and be an additional resource for training, advancement, program, camping, volunteer recruitment and any policy and procedures.

Again, thank you for being an important member of the Scouting family and an investor in the next generation of servant leaders who grow into men and women of unshakable character.

Karen Donnelly President, Gulf Stream Council, Boy Scouts of America

2017-2018 Gulf Stream Council Calendar and Planning Guide

Welcome to the 2017-2018 Program Planning Guide. It is our sincere hope this guide and web-based resources will be helpful in providing your Scouts and families with the best experience Scouting can offer. The Gulf Stream Council continually looks to improve the tools volunteers can access to better prepare adult leaders to deliver a program that progresses each year by taking the Journey to Excel- lence. Please involve your Unit Commissioner in the Program Planning process, as they have been trained to help you execute all steps necessary for a successful program year in Scouting! Table of Contents 2 Points of Contact for the Council 15 Advancement & Recognition Scoutbook: The Latest Mobile Advancement 3 Welcome & Table of Contents Tracking from National 4 Letter from the President 16 Merit Badges & Counselors 5 How to Plan Program for a Year of Scouting 17 Service Hours! Individual Scout Accounts Recording Service Hours 6 Gulf Stream Council on the Internet 18 2017-2018 Council Calendar My.Scouting.org: Valuable Resource Communications – Stay Connected! 22 Exploring Calendar and Info 7 Why Take the Journey to Excellence: 23 Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge Unit Benefits Venturing Sea Scouts 8 Guidelines for Unit Funds & Accounts Opening a Unit Checking Account 24 JTE Service Hours Checking Accounts and Reconciling Funds Good Turn For America Unit Accounts at the Service Center Scouting for Food 9 Fundraising 25 Friends of Scouting 10 Fall 2017 Popcorn Sale 26 TK Gator Grind & TK Gator Trail 11 Spring Camp Card Fundraiser 27 Tanah Keeta Summer 12 Rechartering Camp Staff Alumni Unit Membership Chair Responsibilities 28 Points of Contact 13 Membership Recruitment & Retention for the Districts 14 Online Registration

2017-2018 Program Planning resources for all units are available on the Council website at: www.GulfStreamCouncil.org.

How to Plan Program for a Year of Scouting The best way to achieve a successful year of Scouting is to first schedule time for a Program Planning meeting! A basic overview of the process should go like this: Setup the Program Planning Meeting:  Plan for the meeting to run about three hours to fully plan fun and meaningful events and activities that meet the needs of your scouting families.  Invite unit families to take part in planning the pack’s activities. The more personal the invite, the better. Planning for troops, crews, etc. should include the youth to ensure buy-in.  Attendees should include ALL registered unit leaders, the unit commissioner, and any parents interested in helping provide input about the year’s upcoming scouting activities. Troops and crews need to engage their youth members to participate in program planning.  Important materials to have on hand should include:  Council Calendar and Planning Guide  Laptop (and Projector, if possible)  NEW Cub Scout Adventure Meeting Guides for Packs OR Troop Program Features I, II, & III  Holiday and religious dates and any school and community calendars for the areas served by the unit.

1. Leader Succession Inventory- Work with returning parents/leaders to identify and obtain commitments for future leaders. Ensure they register and complete Youth Protection and any other required training. 2. Brainstorming - Think outside the box! Use your program tools to select a mix of activities that will allow unit leaders and scout families to have the richest experience possible. Remember, Journey to Excellence is the bench- mark that every unit should strive for in order to create a complete program. 3. Calendar - Be sure to fill in your calendar with all the great activities you now have planned. 4. Budgeting Tool - Based on the unit calendar, match costs with your planned activities to determine the amount of total expenses the unit can expect AND fundraising revenue needed to be earned by each Scout to meet their needs for the year. Make sure you submit your budget and calendar to your district popcorn kernel to get an extra 2% popcorn commission. 5. “A Scout is Thrifty” Sales Goal - This is your guarantee families will not have to pay more for planned program. With the right plan and execution, all funds necessary for the unit to sustain and thrive can be achieved through council product sales—Popcorn in the fall and Camp Cards in the spring. Commit to them now! 6. Unit Incentives - Adopt a unit incentive program built to meet the needs of scouts, parents, and the unit. Consider family out-of-pocket costs, as scouting should not be a burden. This should include adopting a unit incentive program that allows youth to pay their own way while taking into consideration some different perspectives:  “Why kids participate” = For recognition items or to cover costs of big program experiences. These are frequently not the same thing when comparing young Cub Scout to Boy Scout/Venturer perspectives.  “Why parents participate” = To save on out-of-pocket expenses.  “What the unit needs to operate and fund for the entire scouting community.” 7. Communicate the Plan - It is critical to share the plan with your Scouts and parents. New families especially want to know “Who? What? When? And How Much?” The steps above help to outline these answers. Ask for help. Of- ten parents are willing to take on tasks to help with their son’s development, and may take on larger roles if they find success each step of the way. Having parents appropriately involved is the best way to keep Scouts interested in the program so they can get the most out of Scouting’s values. 8. Evaluate - Determine best methods and look for new opportunities as communities and leaders change. Please share successes with District/Council so we can share with others to help them grow their program. Individual Scout Accounts Unit fundraising designed to make Scouting affordable is a fundamental part of Scouts “earning their way.” Private benefit rules of the IRS prohibit those involved in nonprofit fundraising from receiving a substantial personal benefit for their efforts. Some practices where dollar for dollar credit is provided for the sole benefit of the person who sold product, based upon amount sold, could violate the private benefit prohibition. Funds raised by the unit from product sales belong to the unit. They may not be transferred to the Scout or another unit, but may be re-assigned to units sponsored by the same chartered organization. The committee is responsible for expenditures from unit funds for the benefit of the unit, which may be used to reduce the cost of participation, including the cost of attending camp or obtaining uniforms. They may be used to provide financial assistance or awards to individual Scouts based on their level of participation. Unit funds may be used to buy equipment for the unit or for any other legitimate need of the unit. 5

Gulf Stream Council on the Internet Keep your unit in the know with the valuable resources and links available on the council website: www.GulfStreamCouncil.org! The Council website is loaded with resources every unit leader needs to deliver a top- notch, safe, fun-filled program. Be sure to check out the “Training” calendar to augment your training needs. Remember, you are not restricted to any district to get the training you need to enhance your unit’s program. Also check your district’s webpage for upcoming trainings and events, and news you can use. You will also find special promotions for Scouting activities and other area events. “Camping” also has several pages dedicated to fun activities. Scouting Outings includes programs outside organizations offer for scouts.

More importantly, once you have found an event or facility you are interested in, you can register through the website. The unit leader has access to the unit’s roster to make it more convenient. At the top left, the help bar is filled with instructions to make signing up a breeze!

The National BSA website which can be found at Scouting.org offers resources like Program Updates, Membership Tools, The Guide to Safe Scouting, and other helpful tools to ensure a quality program through Journey to Excellence. The Gulf Stream Council links to many of these resources from National at www.GulfStreamCouncil.org. Don’t forget about us Facebook! Be sure to “Like” us and “Friend” us to help stay connected with Scouting locally and nationally!

My.Scouting.org: Valuable Resource To access your own personal profile, go to www.myScouting.org. Here you will be able to take important online training courses, validate and track leader training, report service hours, check rosters and print membership cards. Be sure to update your profile as soon as you create your account with your National ID number so that your records will link to the National BSA database. You can also link directly from this site over to www.My.Scouting.org which provides for some additional profile updates and reports to better empower units and help themselves succeed.

Communications– Stay Connected!

Keep everyone up to date with your Unit’s achievements and program by creating a unit website or Facebook page. It’s easy as 1, 2, 3, and your scout families will appreciate the consistency and accuracy of communications!

A Unit website is a fantastic resource for Scouts, leaders and families to see how great the Scouting program is. By creating a website or Facebook page, you can share your units achievements and activities in a public forum for members of the community to see. This can also be a great recruitment tool to use to keep your unit growing. It can also let the community know where to look for Scouts who might be interested in helping out with community projects.

If your unit does not have a website, a few tools have been developed to make creating a site very simple. Unit templates have been created utilizing a free service from Google called Google Sites. (Note: this service does not show any adver- tising). Just follow these three steps: 1. Create a Google account for your Pack, Troop, or Crew. Be sure to share the login information with another leader so it is not lost. 2. Go to Google Sites and select either the Pack, Troop, or Crew template. 3. Change the information to meet your units specifics.

Other units choose to use web-based resources like Scoutlander to assist with calendars and communications. The main thing is units determine and use the most productive communication outlets for their families.

Why Take the Journey to Excellence: Unit Benefits 1. A framework for planning the year. The Journey to Excellence standards are based on what successful units do to continually improve. If your unit plans to achieve gold or silver Journey to Excellence, you’ll have a strong and active program. 2. A method for evaluating your unit. Journey to Excellence provides tangible measurements based on things you are likely already tracking such as: how many campouts you have, how many youth are advancing, etc. It uses simple ways to calculate your performance. 3. Guidance in areas where you might do better. As you track your performance against the Journey to Excellence standards, you can easily see where you could do better. 4. Specific guidelines and standards of what is considered good performance. Journey to Excellence has specific, simple measures to help you. You can easily compare what you are doing against the standards. 5. Early warning of potential problem areas. You track any areas where your unit is not performing as you might like and have plenty of time to make corrections. 6. Recognition for good Scouting. Your unit can proudly receive a bronze, silver, or gold recognition for how well it has performed for the year. 7. Benchmarking to get ideas and tips from other good units. You can receive help and best practices in areas where other units have met the gold standard. In the areas where you are doing well, you can give help and ideas to other units.

Journey to Excellence Scorecards should be completed and turned in with the unit’s recharter. They can be found at Scouting.org along with other tracking tools to measure progress or on the Recharter resources on the Gulfstreamcouncil.org site.

JTE Measures the Following Key Components of a Quality Scouting Program (Across all levels of Scouting - Packs, Troops, Crews, and even Districts and the Council)  Calendar & Strategic Planning  Packs ensuring regular den meetings are scheduled for boys to earn recognition.  Troops using patrol method to progress on the trail to Eagle.  Crews offering exciting adventures.  Budgets—to support the unit’s program calendar and fund a youth’s experience.  Membership—includes inviting new youth, retain returning youth, and graduating boys to the next program experience.  Advancement & Recognition—to honor and keep youth motivated to succeed.  Regular Outdoor Programs and Summer Experiences—the “Outing” in Scouting.  Community Service Projects—like Adopt-A-School, Scouting for Food and supporting chartered partners.  Developing Leadership—through training and increasing parent engagement.

Guidelines for Unit Funds and Accounts Frequently asked questions are answered at www.gulfstreamcouncil.org/scouts-accounts including: unit fundraising guidelines, how to file for EINs, open bank accounts, Opening a Unit Checking Account Every unit needs to have a checking account. Sometimes this gets confusing for the newly organized unit because banks demand a federal tax number to open an account. Do not use your social security number because all financial transactions are attributed to that individual unit leader and this could pose problems with taxes among other things. The council’s Federal Tax ID is not available but here are two approaches. Plan A Plan B If your chartered partner is a business, public school or This is the best plan to follow when you are faced with the PTO, go straight to plan B. need for a checking account (the bank needs a federal tax Due to the charter agreement and tax laws, units are number and your chartered partner doesn’t feel they can “subordinate” to the chartered partner. Some chartered help you accomplish the task). Simply fill out the Applica- partners allow units to use their tax number so their unit tion for Employer Identification Number (EIN) form for will be able to obtain a checking account. This is perfectly the IRS. Instructions are provided under Resources and legal, but some chartered partners have concerns. If the Unit Fundraising. Just click on Unit Checking Accounts for chartered partner does not feel they can help you in this step-by-step instructions. fashion, go to Plan B. We have the EIN - are we ready to go to the bank? Once equipped with your EIN you are well on your way to getting a checking account established, but the bank will want some additional documents like minutes from your committee meeting showing who was voted to accept the role of treasurer and who has signatory authority. Other items include a copy of your charter and an official print out of adults. The EIN, charter, minutes and roster are the items most frequently presented to the person establishing new accounts. Banks offer commercial accounts and individual accounts. Your unit account is a commercial account. Alt- hough the bank employee setting up your account is probably accustomed to commercial accounts, unit accounts are different. They will often request articles of incorporation, bylaws, officers, DBA and a host of other paperwork that you do not have. Don't worry. Explain that this is a unit account for Scouts and most banks accept those items discussed in the first paragraph of this segment. If your explanation is not accepted, please ask to speak with the branch manager or officer within the bank that can help render a decision. Checking Accounts and Reconciling Funds National suggests that unit funds should be deposited in a checking account that requires two signatures on every check. Same-family members must not approve payment or be the second signatory. The unit leader (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Advisor) can be one of the signers, but it is recommended that it be a committee member. Unit leaders might have a petty cash fund (with a limit set by the unit committee) which is accounted for with receipts each month. The chartered organization should audit the unit finances annually and make this data available to the membership of the chartered organization. All funds and materials are property of the Chartered Organization and should be in their name. Units need to submit Unit Money Earning Applications when appropriate.

Unit Accounts at the Service Center All units can maintain a Unit Registration Account at the Gulf Stream Council Service Center to pay for new youth/adult registration, re-chartering, Boys’ Life subscriptions and insurance. Please try to keep these balanc- es to a minimum. Please note: in reference to refunds/payments to the unit, all checks will be mailed to the committee chair on file at the Council Service Center. Please make sure that you keep our records up to date when changes in leadership occur.

Fundraising The Gulf Stream Council sponsors two fundraisers each year that are pre-approved for all Scouting units (Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Venturing crews, Explorer posts). Popcorn Sale (Fall) Camp Cards Sale (Spring) These are the only two fundraisers that units may participate in that require neither a Unit Money Earning Application or prior approval for Scouts to wear their uniforms. Scouting units planning to hold other fundraisers need to be aware of the following items:

1. All unit fundraisers outside of those sponsored by the local council must be approved in writing. Please submit a completely filled out Unit Money-Earning Application to your District Executive two weeks before needed. Please note that all requests are not automatically approved. Properly filled out applications are reviewed by your district professional and the development director. The leaders noted on the application will be notified with the decision. 2. If a unit’s fundraiser is NOT approved, all participants (Scouts, leaders and parents) who continue to take part are NOT insured by the Boy Scouts of America’s national liability insurance program. The unit fundraiser must also NOT be promoted as a “Boy Scouts of America” event / fundraiser on any materials. 3. Participation in the two council-sponsored fundraisers—Popcorn and Camp Cards—offers all Scouting units:  Automatic approval and insurance under the national liability insurance program.  Scouts are permitted to wear their Boy Scouts of America uniforms, making them more recognizable to the general public, which in turn, will increase their sales potential.  The Gulf Stream Council supports these two unit fundraisers with manpower, materials, training, prizes, online ordering, web tools, etc. Dos and Don’ts of Unit Fundraising Unit money-earning projects play an important role in enabling the unit to obtain new equipment, go on camping trips, and participate in other activities and events. Scouts are not permitted to wear the Boy Scouts of America uniform un- less approved by the local council. More important, the way a unit earns money is of great importance in the education of youth members. Usually, these projects fall into one of three groups: 1. Service projects - car washes 2. Sale of commercial product - candy, Christmas trees, first-aid kits and popcorn 3. Activities involving parents - bake sales, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners Units are responsible for keeping policies concerning unit finance and for getting approval for the unit money-earning projects. The following BSA policies are designed to protect both the unit and the good reputation of Scouting: 1. No direct solicitation by units is permitted—this includes asking for items as well as money. 2. The unit committee is the custodian of all funds. 3. All units must submit the Unit Money Earning Application to the council for approval. Such approval is con- tingent on prior approval of the unit committee and chartered organization. www.gulfstreamcouncil.org/ scouts-accounts General Guidelines for Unit Money-Earning Projects:  Allow two weeks to get council approval for your project.  Do not allow gambling or conflict with local ordinances.  Ensure your project provides a value worthy of the money spent on the project.  Respect the territorial rights of other units or communicate with them directly.  Do not conflict with goods or services offered by established merchants or workmen. Do not schedule a project that conflicts with established dates of money-earning in the chartered organization, council, or community.  Protect the name and goodwill of the Boy Scouts of America.  Do not enter a contract that may bind the BSA, either locally or nationally.  Consider money-earning projects that serve a dual purpose of conservation and money earning.

Fall 2017 Popcorn Sale Please visit GulfStreamCouncil.org for more detailed information about the 2017 Popcorn Sale

Sell popcorn and fund your best year of Scouting ever! Units can earn up to 36% commission on all sales!

Key 2017 Popcorn Dates: May 16: Trails-End University Also offered 6/5; 6/8; 6/19; 6/21 and 6/26 August 5: August Kickoff:Units earn an additional 2% commission for attending both the training and the kick-off. August 5: Provide Calendar and Budget for 2% Commission increase. September 6: Show and Sell orders due (submit through www.scouting.trails- end.com.) September 15: Submit Unit calendar, budget and proof of kick off to District Kernel for an extra 2% commission. September 28-29: Show and Sell orders distributed to units. October 8: “Celebrity First Sale” video/photos due by midnight October 8-15: Trade-o-Rama! Contact your District Kernel to swap corn. October 23-30: Units may return 10% unsold whole cases to District Kernel. Pay- ment for show ‘n’ sell is due. October 30: Final Day of Sale. November 8: Take orders, prize orders and top sellers list due by midnight. November 15-16: Take orders distributed to units. All payments are due. Best Ways to Sell Popcorn Take Order This is the most traditional way to sell; going door-to-door with the take order form or your hand-held mobile device. Your customer chooses the product(s) he or she wishes to buy. You deliver the product to your customers a few weeks later. Show and Sell Your den, pack, or troop gets permission to sell in front of a retail store or in the local mall. (Your Dis- trict Popcorn Kernel may have already procured approval for dates and location for Show and Sell, so please work with them to get the best options.) You set up a display with products for people to purchase as they walk by. Have plenty of products on display for people to buy. Show and Deliver This method is similar to Take Order, except you carry Trail's End products with you to show to your customers as you visit them. The customer is able to select the products he or she wishes to buy from your product selection. You then hand over the product and collect the money right then and there. Selling Online This is the best way to sell to your friends and family who live out of town. You can send emails to your customers asking them to purchase Trail's End products online. Your customers click on the link in your email and can begin shopping right away. They order products online and pay with a credit card, and Trail's End ships the products directly to your customers.

Rechartering Prior to the unit expiring on January 31st, Rechartering is the annual process of: 1. Renewing the relationship between the Chartered Organization and the local council. 2. Confirming registration and updating contact information for youth and adult participants, along with submitting national registration fees for the new year. 3. Completing the Journey to Excellence Scorecard.

What can be expected for 2018 Rechartering during fall 2017:  October Roundtables: Recharter Packets will be distributed in-person by Commissioners and Recharter Training will be offered.  October and November: Work Nights to help leaders with the online process will be offered by Commissioners.  December: Scheduled Turn-In Nights to Commissioners will be held to ensure all recharter packets are complete and turned in before December 31st.  December: Prior to the late December holiday season, all recharter paperwork will be reviewed and processed by Council staff in order to complete the National Rechartering Process by the registrars in January.  After January 31st: units without complete, defective-free recharters in the Council Service Center are considered “Dropped Units” and are no longer chartered with the BSA which includes losing all insurance coverages and membership privileges. There is no longer a “Lapsed” period until March. Recharters are due prior to December 31st to allow for complete verification before January 31st expiration.

Training Requirements for Rechartering:  Youth Protection Training for every adult (18 and up) must be renewed within a 2-year period per National requirements, plus any state required trainings and background checks.  Based on the Council Strategic Plan, units rechartering in 2018 must have the following leaders trained:  All cubmasters, pack committee members and all varieties of den leaders and assistant den leaders must be trained for their position in Cub Scout Leader Specific Training (available online or in person).  All scoutmasters and their assistants must have Scoutmaster/ASM Specific Training AND Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (both are in-person training sessions). Troop committee members must complete Troop Committee Chal- lenge (available online).  Units with adult leaders missing any of these trainings will be considered defective and NOT be able to recharter. Please note: if you are a merit badge counselor, district or council committee member, or commissioner of any level, your membership will expire December 31. You must notify the council that you wish to renew your memberships and pay your renewal (no charge for MBC) prior to December 31 to ensure that you maintain those registrations. Youth Protection and specifics for your registration needs to be maintained as well. Unit Membership Chair Responsibilities  Meet with the unit leaders and committee monthly to discuss membership goals and retention.  Have your unit participate in a fall and spring recruitment plan by conducting at least two recruitment/Scouting promotion events per year to ensure unit growth.  Access parent engagement and peer-to-peer recruitment methods to promote Scouting to other families.  Distribute membership fliers to schools and churches in the unit's area.  Conduct Scouting rallies and boy talks in schools, leveraging council support when needed.  Attend district's membership chair training sessions which focus on Council membership plans and best practices.  Work with the unit committee to ensure the unit reaches Scouting's Journey to Excellence gold status in the membership category.  Have your unit be involved in the required amount of Adopt-a-School service or community service projects needed for Scouting's Journey to Excellence score.  Ensure that new youth and adult applications (complete with signatures), along with registration fees, are completed and turned into the Council Service Center within a week after receipt of the applications.  Update the unit's BeAScout pin online and follow up on new member leads.  Work with leadership in multiple units to encourage youth to transition to the age-appropriate program as they grow older (Webelos-to-Scout).  Assist Committee with successfully processing the Unit Recharter. Keep in mind that Membership has as much to do with retaining the parent as it does to retaining the youth member. Parent’s are the decision makers, and when they say “Yes” to join Scouting and stay involved, then the boy often does too!

Membership Recruitment & Retention Membership Recruiting is a YEAR ROUND process of community awareness and engagement. Some of the more prominent ways and best methods to successfully recruit include the following:  Community Events: Participate in local activities such Spring Recruitment: as parades, or local fairs and festivals.  Hold in April/May, so applications can be processed be-  Social Media, Emails, and School Directories: Face- fore Day Camp. book, Twitter or other social media sites, along with other  Great time to invite boys completing Kindergarten. personal contact methods are a great way for parents to  New kids can still go to summer activities. share the Scouting experience.  Units use summer to prep parents and involve  School/Community Marquees & Media them in Program Planning, especially new Tiger Outlets: Promote upcoming events, Den Leaders. like Scout registration nights, as well  Ideally, units hold summer events like as achievements to showcase all the picnics, hikes, ball games, parades, swim good Scouting brings to kids in parties and summer or day camp. addition to local newspapers and church bulletins. Fall Recruitment:  Hold in Aug/Sept prior to the start  Adopt A School: School Ac- of Popcorn Sale. cess is extremely significant to  Inventory returning Scouts and sharing the Scouting opportuni- share program calendar.  New families may have moved to ty with families, so providing a the area in summer. service project for area schools  Kids are excited to see friends back is a great way to develop the at school; they need to connect outside relationship with school adminis- the classroom in a fun, family-friendly trators. Parents of children should environment that Scouting offers. be able to interface with their Webelos-to-Scout Transition: child’s school administrators about Boys moving from Pack to Troop are a key what’s important to build the whole retention factor. Over 90% of the boys who student, which includes Scouting’s citi- join a Troop were Cub Scouts. Webelos-to-Scout zenship, character education, and providing Transition best methods include: community service projects (to schools).  Den Chiefs: Boys in Troop attend Den/Pack meetings.  Curriculum Nights & Back to School Events: Create  “Pack Mentor”: Troops might consider having an adult an exciting display with pictures and examples of activi- serve as mentor for a Pack. Perhaps someone previously ties, or use a looping slide show on a laptop. Have an in- involved with the Pack to serve as a Commissioner. terest sign up sheet and be sure to follow-up with interest-  Webelos Den Visits: Go to the Webelos Dens; don’t just ed families within 24-48 hours. have them come to the Troop meetings/outings.  Peer-to-Peer Recruitment or Invite-A-Friend: Boys  Crossover: Conduct a Bridging Ceremony for Arrow of can invite their non-Scout buddies to an upcoming fun Light boys during Pack’s Blue and Gold in Feb/March. activity. Every event/activity should be a recruiting op-  Bear Den Visit: In Mar/Apr visit a Bear Den Meeting to portunity to invite new friends. help these families understand Webelos and Troop.  Boy Talks: A brief, 5-7 minute, high-energy presentation  Spring Camping: Help eliminate homesickness issues at at the schools promoting the fun and adventure of Scout- long-term summer camp with weekend camping. ing to kids. They are particularly effective for boys able  Troop Open House: Rallies for 5th-8th graders to promote to join Cub Scouts. the fun and adventures of outdoors. Boys should complete  Scout Recruitment Night: This is a Scout registration an interest survey. Follow-up with personal phone calls to night, with a brief overview and time to fill out paper- invite them to a Troop Open House. work, so about 30 minutes. It should include an invite to Crew Open House: Personal invitation night filled with the next step of a more thorough Parent Orientation meet- fun (and food) to get high schoolers out to consider joining a ing. Crew, while offering their parent’s the information they need  Parent Orientation: A more detailed presentation of to approve of their young adult joining the program. Scouting for parents following a registration night. This Membership Inventories: Call families who haven’t at- may be a prime time to ask them to fill supporting roles as tended Scouting recently to personally invite them back. assistants to someone who already has a lead position in Guide them to another Scouting option if schedule changes, or the unit. They can help on one project, and may be will- other scenarios are keeping them from attending. ing to help more in the future. Who can help? Reach out to your District Membership Spring and Fall Recruitment: EVERY unit is urged to Chairs or contact your District Professional. make a push during these key times to recruit.

Online Registration Scouting families and prospective Scouting families have asked for it, and now it is here! The traditional paper registration method isn’t the only way to join Scouting. The Boy Scouts of America will offer online registration for completing the entire registration process for youth members and adult leaders more efficiently.

This is a giant leap forward in allowing new members and leaders to register in a way that's convenient for them, and it creates a more efficient and user-friendly registration experience for units, districts, and councils.

Please make sure you use the latest version of the recommended Browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari (Your last choice would be either Internet Explorer v11 or Edge.) Before you get started, you will want to clear your browser history/cashe to make sure you are using the most recent version of the tools.

This system is a fully integrated, real-time process with access for the parent/applicant/unit leadership/district & council personnel. It is all based out of my.Scouting.org. Step by step instructions are available at www.scouting.org/OnlineRegistration with a Guidebook for units to facilitate the process.

Utilizing the BeAScout website, prospective Scouts will be able to actually register online as well as find out more information about the unit. If you have not already done so, please go online to the my.scouting website and update your pin under the Unit Pin Management tab to read what your scouting family will see when they select your unit’s pin on the map. Please make sure that this is the most up-to-date information about your unit.

In addition, potential members can be sent a direct link to your unit’s BeAScout site with Invitation Manager or you can copy and email the Unit’s URL.

This is going to make your next recruiting event easy! No more taking applications and money to the council; lost applications; or delays. You are in control!

Advancement & Recognition

Reporting advancement is a requirement of the Boy Scouts of America. Internet Advancement makes this a simple process.

Youth earn recognitions and ranks along their journey in Scouting, so it is extremely important to keep member records up to date. Submitting an advancement report assures that records are maintained and awards can be purchased from the Scout Shop, not to mention it assists with a unit’s Journey to Excellence.

Internet Advancement is a convenient way to assist unit leaders with recording awards, ranks, and merit badges earned by Scouts from any online location. It also makes it easier to confirm existing ranks and awards, should a boy’s progress need to be checked. All units are required to use Internet Advancement to complete reporting. Should you need assistance/support, your District’s Advancement Chair can help you get setup.

SCOUTBOOK The Latest Mobile Advancement Tracking from National BSA National has acquired Scoutbook, a web application designed for mobile devices. Scoutbook delivers a suite of easy-to-use web-based tools that are helpful to Scouts, parents, and unit leaders. It enables units to better communicate, update records, track advancement and manage activities. Current programs that Scoutbook supports are Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing units. Unit leaders can see Scout advancement information as well as training data on other unit volunteers all from this resource.

Although any adult leader or Scout can register to use Scoutbook, it is designed specifically for registered unit leaders, registered Scouts, and parent or guardians of registered Scouts. New subscribers are currently being recruited and you can sign up at www.Scoutbook.com.

Scoutbook will be made available to all units, but units may continue to choose other third-party applications to use to track progress. However, Scoutbook will be the only unit-management system fully integrated with the BSA database. Because of this, there will be no need to port data from other third-party vendors, so it’s worth checking into.

Utilizing Scoutbook will not have any affect on utilizing Commissioner Tools. Commissioners will continue to use Commissioner Tools to monitor the health of their units, but should expect the data to become more robust as more Scouts and unit leaders engage with Scoutbook.

More information can be found at http://Scoutingwire.org/Scouting-goes- mobile-with-Scoutbook/

PLEASE NOTE: In order to purchase advancement awards at the M.E. Rinker Scout Shop, an advancement form must be submitted. This form is produced using the Internet Advancement system at https://scoutnet.scouting.org/iadv/UI/home/default.aspx A list of Unit IDs is available at: https://www.gulfstreamcouncil.org/files/6669/Unit-IDs-for-All-Purposes This policy is in effect for all advancement including Cub Scout ranks, Boy Scout ranks, Boy Scout merit badges and Venturing and Sea Scout recognition. Please plan ahead when preparing for your award presentations. 15

Merit Badges & Counselors

Become a Counselor:  All merit badge counselors must take:  Youth Protection Training (required every two years) and  Merit Badge Counselor Orientation (required once)  If you are a new counselor (have never registered as a counselor or have let your merit badge counselor registration lapse for one year or more) you will need to submit the following:  BSA Adult Application (even if you are a registered leader you must fill out the adult application to become a merit badge counselor – position code is 042) and  Merit Badge Counselor Application - list all information requested and make sure to explain why you are qualified to teach the merit badge(s) you have listed.  Once all of the above have been completed, make a copy of everything and send the originals to the council office. (Orientation training should be completed within the first 30 days after registering.)  Council will review everything and make sure all training is current. If not, you will be contacted via email. If everything is complete and current you will not hear from council. Consider your- self a merit badge counselor! And thanks!!  Your status as a merit badge counselor is from January 1 – December 31. If you wish to remain a merit badge counselor, you must re-register each year:  Review your Merit Badge Counselor Application in December, make any changes, and submit electronically to council for the upcoming year and  Review training/certification requirements and make sure they are current.  If you are a renewing counselor you may resend the original form or renew online at the gulfstreamcouncil.org website. Please remember, we cannot renew you if your Youth Protection Training is not current or if you have specific badges requiring certifications that have expired or have not been provided.

Accessing the Merit Badge Counselor List:  Currently, the list is sorted by district into an excel spreadsheet at the council office. It is updated on a continuing basis so it is constantly changing.  The first business day of every month the spreadsheets are emailed to the Council Advancement Chair, who reviews it then emails it to the District Advancement Chair in each district.  The District Advancement Chair is responsible for sending the information to their units – usually Unit Leader and Troop Advancement Chair.

Working to serve you better!  The Advancement Committee is committed to finding better ways to providing this essential information to the unit leaders. We are researching Scoutbook alternatives that would allow access to Unit Leaders and Advancement Chairs.

If you are not on the current list, do not worry!  Call or email the council office and ask if they have your paperwork.  If no, email it to them.  If yes, ask if anything is missing or will it be on the next month’s list.

Thank you for giving your time and talents to our Scouts! We really appreciate it!

Questions? Contact your District Advancement Chair— they are listed on the back of this booklet!

Service Hours!

Part of you Journey to Excellence goals includes service. The Gulf Stream Council also has goals. Your service makes a difference in how we are perceived by the community, donors and sponsors. In turn, their support, makes a difference in the programs and opportunities we can provide.

Please record your service hours! Trouble getting started?

Recording Service Hours Login in at https://servicehours.scouting.org/UI/Security/Login.aspx or go to the council website: www.gulfstreamcouncil.org; select “Resources” from the top bar and then “Service Hours Re- porting”

If you have never logged in before, click the New Users Click Here button and agree to the Confidentiality Statement.

You will need your Unit ID (if you don’t know it, it can be found on the Resources page of the Gulf Stream Council website entitled “Unit IDs for All Purposes” https:// www.gulfstreamcouncil.org/files/6669/Unit-IDs- for-All-Purposes) Select the Unit Type from the drop down, then the four-digit local unit number from the Unit IDs for All Purposes. Fill in the rest of the information. Occasionally another may have already used the username and you will get an error. Simply choose another.

Click “Register” You are now ready to record service hours!

You can even review previously recorded projects. There are many types of service projects. Select the type best reflecting what your unit and their families did. Remember, the service is not just what is accom- plished by Scouts and Scouters. People outside of Scouting are brought in to help with service projects. Please give them the appropriate credit too! Make sure you save your entry once done. (It might say “submit” but it will be at the bottom of the page. You will know you are done when it gives you a confirmation page.

John Vincent Giordano Bronze Adams Award Winner for Eagle Scout Project of the Year in 2017 17

2017-2018 Council Calendar: May 2017-November 2018 This calendar includes Committee Meetings, Popcorn, Training, Camping and Special Activity dates. Please refer to Gulf Stream Council website for specifics on locations and times. Although all dates were correct at time of print, they may be subject to change. Please check the Gulf Stream Council website to ensure that no changes have occurred since printing. May 2017 June 2017 (Continued) 1 SF District Committee Meeting 12 IR District Committee Meeting TC 2017 Tijuana Flats Night IR Eagle Boards TC District Committee Meeting 12-16 EG Day Camp EG District Committee Meeting TC Day Camp 2 NESA Luncheon 15 TC Eagle Boards 3 Commissioner Cabinet Sea Scout Committee Meeting 5-7 OA Summer Gathering 18-24 Week 1 TK Summer Camp 6 Oklawaha Conservation Day 19 IR Kernel Training Annual Howard Elkins Memorial Fishing Clinic Merit Badge Counselor Orientation 7 National Jamboree Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction 21 ‘SUP Training 8 VOA & Venturing Roundtable LH Kernel Training IR District Committee Meeting Merit Badge Counselor Orientation EG Roundtable 25-7/1 Week 2 TK Summer Camp IR Eagle Boards 26 EG Kernel Training SF Roundtable 28 Merit Badge Counselor Orientation 11 TC Roundtable July 2017 13 Firematics 2-9 Week 3 TK Summer Camp TC Sea Scout Fun Day 3 TC District Committee Meeting Council Pinewood Derby EG District Committee Meeting 15 IR Roundtable EG Commissioners Meeting LH Committee Meeting 4 Independence Day LH Eagle Boards 5 NESA Luncheon July 16 Popcorn Unit Kernel Training (Central) MB Counselor Training 17 LH Roundtable 9-15 2017 Boy Scout Summer Camp Eagle Clinic 18 TC Eagle Boards 13-16 2017 Cub Scout Resident Camp Sea Scout Wardroom Meeting 15 EG Skate Night 19-21 TK Staff Training 16-22 Tanah Keeta Hosts the Navy Junior ROTC Program. National Jamboree Shakedown Weekend Camp Is Unavailable for Other Campers. 20 Level 1 Archery Certification 17-21 Sailfish/Lighthouse Day Camp College of Commissioner 17-28 2017 National Jamboree TC Tiger Growl 20 TC Eagle Board Bacon Fest Sea Scout Wardroom Meeting Downtown Showdown 23-29 Law Enforcement Explorer Academy 20-21 Scout Night with the St. Lucie Mets 29 TC 2017 Waterway Cleanup 21 Cub Scout Range Certification August 2017 22 IR OA Meeting 1 NESA Luncheon August 26 IR Historical Trails Hike Popcorn Sale Begins! 26-29 Memorial Day Weekend 5 Popcorn Unit 29 IR Memorial Day Celebration Kickoff SF Stuart Memorial Day Parade 6 2017 TKSC 31-6/17 Army Junior ROTC Staff June Banquet 3 Jim Eckler Memorial at TK BALOO 5 TC District Committee Meeting EG District Committee Meeting EG Commissioners Meeting Popcorn Unit Kernel Training (TC) 5-9 IR Day Camp 8 Popcorn Unit Kernel Training (SF)

2017-2018 Council Calendar: May 2017-November 2018 This calendar includes Committee Meetings, Popcorn, Training, Camping and Special Activity dates. Please refer to Gulf Stream Council website for specifics on locations and times. Although all dates were correct at time of print, they may be subject to change. Please check the Gulf Stream Council website to ensure that no changes have occurred since printing. August 2017 (Continued) September 2017 (Continued) 7 TC Committee Meeting 21 TC Eagle Board EG District Committee Meeting Sea Scout Wardroom Meeting EG Commissioners Meeting 23 University of Scouting 10 SF Roundtable Kickoff Honor Flight TC Roundtable 25 LH Committee Meeting 28 Popcorn Sales Begins! 12 OA LEC Retreat 29-30 Yom Kippur 14 IR District Committee Meeting 30 Oklawaha Conservation Day IR Eagle Boards October 2017 EG Roundtable 2 TC Committee Meeting IR Roundtable EG District Committee Meeting 16 LH Roundtable EG Commissioners Meeting 17 TC Eagle Board 3 NESA Luncheon October Sea Scout Committee Meeting 6-8 Everglades Fall Family Campout 19 Campmaster Training 2017 6-8 IR Meet The Troops 19-20 OA LEC Retreat Introduction To Outdoor Leader Skills 21 LH Eagle Boards 7 TC E-Prep Day 24 School Night for Scouting (Tent) 9 Columbus Day Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training EG Roundtable IR Roundtable 26 OA LLD 2017 12 SF Roundtable 28 LH Committee Meeting TC Roundtable September 2017 13-15 Trails Association 2 Fundamentals of Training 14 TC American Heritage MB Day 4 Labor Day Wood Badge Staff 2 TC Committee Meeting 16 LH Eagle Boards EG District Committee Meeting 18 LH Roundtable EG Commissioners Meeting 19 TC Eagle Board 5 NESA Luncheon September Sea Scout Committee Meeting 20-22 Jamboree On The Air 7 School Night for Scouting Back-up Spooklawaha (2017 Tentative) 8-10 OA NLS 23 LH Committee Meeting 9 Shooting Sports Merit Badge Weekend 27-29 SF Spookoree LH Critter Prowl IR Spooklawaha BALOO @ TK TC Fall Cub-O-Ree 2017 Trainers' Edge 28 Honor Flight - October Wood Badge Staff 1 November 2017 11 EG Roundtable 1 Council Award Nominations due 3-5 Cat’s Point Regatta @ Boca Ciega, St. Pete IR Roundtable 4 Scouting For Food - Bags Out 14 SF Roundtable Septem- 6 TC Committee Meeting ber EG District Committee Meeting 15-17 OA Fall Festival EG Commissioners Meeting 16 National MIA/POW 7 NESA Luncheon November Remembrance Day 9 SF Roundtable November TC 2017 Rain Gutter TC Roundtable Regatta 10 Veterans Day (Observed) Stuart Veterans Day Parade SF Beach Cleanup 10-12 OA Section Leadership Summit EG Presents Claw 11 Scouting For Food - Bags In 18 LH Eagle Boards Gator Trail Run 20 LH Roundtable Wood Badge Staff 3 20-22 Rosh Hashanah 12 SF Roundtable October

November 2017 (Continued) January 2018 13 EG Roundtable 1 EG District Committee Meeting IR Roundtable EG Commissioners Meeting 15 LH Roundtable 2 NESA Luncheon January 16 TC Eagle Board 6 OA Banquet 2018 Sea Scout Wardroom Meeting 8 EG Roundtable 17-19 Scout Advancement Weekend (SAW) IR Roundtable 18 OA SAW Service 11 SF Just Desserts And Roundtable 20 LH Eagle Boards TC Roundtable 23-26 Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend 12-14 TC Eagle MB Event 27 LH Committee Meeting 15 Martin Luther King Day December 2017 17 LH Just Desserts @ Roundtable 1 Stuart Holiday Parade 19-21 SF Klondike Derby 1-3 OA Winter Fellowship Webelos Winter Wonderland (tent) 2 TC Fish-O-Ree 20 TC CS Space Derby 4 TC Committee Meeting TKSC Staff Tryouts EG District Committee Meeting 22 LH Committee Meeting EG Commissioners Meeting LH Eagle Boards 5 NESA Luncheon December 26 BSA Sporting Clays Fun Shoot 7 TC Roundtable 26-28 LH Mosquitoree SF Roundtable February 2018 8-10 OA Winter Fellowship 5 EG District Committee Meeting 9 Wood Badge Staff 4 EG Commissioners Meeting 11 EG Roundtable 8 SF Roundtable IR Roundtable 10 OA Service Day 12-20 Chanukah 12 EG Roundtable 14 TC Roundtable IR Roundtable 15-17 TC 2017 Meet The Troops 8 TC Roundtable 16 TKSC Staff Xmas 9-11 TC Klondike Derby 18 LH Eagle Boards Wood Badge Practice Weekend LH Committee Meeting 10 Scout Shabbot Youth Law MB Day 20 LH Roundtable OA-TK Conclave 21 TC Eagle Board 11 Scout Sunday Sea Scout Committee Meeting 14 Ash Wednesday & Valentine’s Day 25 Christmas 16-18 Wood Badge S4-85-18 27-1/1 National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) 19 President's Day 31 New Year's 21 LH Roundtable 23-25 IR Cub Scout Family Campout TKSC Staff Training 1 26 LH Committee Meeting LH Eagle Boards March 2018 2-4 TC 2018 Camporee/Crossover OA Spring 2018 5 EG District Committee Meeting EG Commissioners Meeting 7 Council Recognition Banquet 8 SF Roundtable TC Roundtable

2017-2018 Council Calendar: May 2017-November 2018 This calendar includes Committee Meetings, Popcorn, Training, Camping and Special Activity dates. Please refer to Gulf Stream Council website for specifics on locations and times. Although all dates were correct at time of print, they may be subject to change. Please check the Gulf Stream Council website to ensure that no changes have occurred since printing. March 2018 (Continued) June 2018 (Continued) 9-11 IR Boy Scout Campout 4 EG District Committee Meeting 10 TK Gator Grind EG Commissioners Meeting 12 EG Roundtable 4-8 IR Cub Scout Day Camp IR Roundtable TC Cub Scout Day Camp 16-18 Wood Badge Sr-85-18 Weekend 2 11-18 EG Cub Scout Day Camp 17 Spring Scouting for Food (Bags out) 17-23 TK Summer Camp Week 1 Inaugural OA Scouting Corps 24-29 TK Summer Camp Week 2 19 LH Eagle Boards July 2018 21 LH Roundtable 1-7 TK Summer Camp Week 3 23-25 TKSC Staff Training 2 2 EG District Committee Meeting 24 TC Annual Calendar Planning 2 EG Commissioners Meeting Dutch Oven Cook-off for Scouting for Food 8-11 Eagle Clinic Spring Scouting for Food (Bags collected) 12-15 Cub Scout Resident Camp 26 LH Committee Meeting 16-20 LH Cub Scout Day Camp 30-4/1 Good Friday And Easter 30-8/4 OA NOAC 2018 30-4/7 Passover August 2018 April 2018 6 EG District Committee Meeting 2 EG District Committee Meeting 6 EG Commissioners Meeting EG Commissioners Meeting 13 EG Roundtable 6-8 Spring Everglades Family Campout 15 LH Roundtable 7 TC Swim Tests 20 LH Eagle Boards 9 EG Roundtable 13 IR Roundtable IR Roundtable 24-25 OA LLD 2018 12 SF Roundtable April 27 LH Committee Meeting TC Roundtable September 2018 13-15 2018 Section Conference 7-9 OA Fall Ordeal Introduction To Outdoor Leader Skills 8-9 Shooting Sports MB Weekend 14 TC District Pinewood Derby 10 Rosh Hashana 16 LH Eagle Boards 15 Shabbat Shuva 18 LH Roundtable 19 Yom Kippur 20-22 River Raft Regatta 2018 October 2018 23 LH Committee Meeting 5-8 Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills 27-29 TKSC Staff Training 3 19-21 JOTA & STEM May 2018 4-6 OA Summer Gathering November 2018 5 TC Adult Awards Event 4 Scouting For Food - Bags Out 7 EG District Committee Meeting 7 NESA Luncheon November EG Commissioners Meeting 10 SF Roundtable TC Roundtable 12 Council Pinewood Derby TC Mother/Son Dinner Oklawaha Conservation Day 14 EG Roundtable IR Roundtable 16 LH Roundtable 18-20 TKSC Staff Training 4 21 LH Eagle Boards 28 Memorial Day Weekend 28 Stuart Memorial Day Parade June 2018 Ship 501 from Vero Beach took 3rd Place Overall at 1-16 JROTC 2018 the 29th Annual Tampa Bay Sea Scout Regatta 21

2017 Exploring Calendar 2018 Exploring Calendar May 13 Firematics April Law Enforcement Challenge July 23 - 29 Law Enforcement Explorer Academy May Law Enforcement Exploring Recognition Luncheon November Fire Explorer Challenge May Firematics November Law Enforcement Explorer Leadership Weekend July 22 - 28 Law Enforcement Explorer Academy (Tent) November Fire Explorer Challenge November Law Enforcement Explorer Leadership Weekend

Career Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women aged 14 (and completed the 8th grade) through 20 years old. The purpose of the Exploring program is to provide real world career experiences and develop other critical skills necessary for success in a college and a career including:  Leadership Development  Social & Professional Networking  Character Development  Community Service

Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic youth pursue their special interests, grow, relationship between youth and the organi- and develop. zations in their communities. Businesses We work with businesses, public agencies and community organizations initiate a and other organizations to deliver the Ca- specific Career Explorer post by matching reer Exploring program. Career Exploring their people and program resources to the posts have been successfully established interests of youth in the community. The representing over 100 different career result is a program of activities that helps fields.

Middle School Explorer Clubs same real-world career experiences as Learning for Life's newest program, Middle their older counterparts, but in a more age School Explorer Clubs reaches out to 6th-8th -appropriate setting. graders. These students benefit from the

Student Benefits:  Character Development  Unique career experiences, networking  Build self-confidence & internships  Leadership development  Volunteer community service  Social development  Group collaboration and teamwork

Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge Venturing Order of the Arrow Dates Venturing is the co-ed youth development The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society program of the BSA geared for young men and and recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the women ages 14-20, and maintains the purpose of Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. providing positive experiences to help young Visit the lodge’s website at http://aal-pa-tah237.org or check us people mature and preparing them to become re- out on Facebook. sponsible, caring adults. It’s also pretty cool that May 5-7, 2017 Summer Gathering they often take some pretty incredible high August 19-20, 2017 LEC Retreat adventure trips and cultivate leadership through August 26, 2017 LLD fun, challenging adventures. Find out more September 15-17, 2017 Fall Ordeal about Venturing and the flexibility of this October 1, 2017 Elections kick-off! exciting program at Scouting.org. November 10-12 Section Leadership Summit November 18, 2017 SAW Service Venturing Huddles are scheduled for the first December, 8-10 2017 Winter Fellowship Thursday of each month. Venturing Officer As- December 31, 2017 All Elections must be complete and sociation meets on the second Monday of the paperwork submitted for 2017 month. January 6, 2018 Lodge Banquet Or Contact the Council Venturing Chair: February 10, 2018 TK Conclave March 2-4, 2018 Spring Ordeal May Ellen Schad March 17, 2018 Inaugural APT Scouting Corps [email protected] or 561-719-8561 April 13-15, 2018 Section Conference

Sea Scouts High Adventure on the water. Adventure: Whether it’s a weekend outing or a weeklong cruise, Sea Scouting provides the opportunity to make lifelong memories out on the water. Service: Scouts will learn to lead others and give back while serving the community, nation, and fellow Scouts because service is a core principal of Sea Scouting. Friendship: When asked, most Sea Scouts say the best part of Sea Scouting was the friends they made, from crewmates they saw regularly, to competitors from rendezvous, to foreign Scouts they met at regattas. Future: No matter a Sea Scouts draw to the water, a future career in the military, the marine industry, or a lifelong hob- by, Sea Scouting will provide them the opportunity to choose their path and forge their future.

May 18, 2017 Wardroom Meeting September 23, 2017 University of Scouting June 15, 2017 Sea Scout Committee Meeting October 19, 2017 Sea Scout Committee Meeting July 20, 2017 Wardroom Meeting November 3-5 Cat’s Point Regatta August 17, 2017 Sea Scout Committee Meeting November 16, 2017 Wardroom Meeting August 24, 2017 Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training November 18, 2017 SAW September 21, 2017 Wardroom Meeting December 21, 2017 Sea Scout Committee Meeting

JTE Service Hours Every unit provides community service, whether they realize it or not. Many participate in an annual clean-up or provide a service project for their charter organization or local schools. They also may participate in community parades or festivals which contribute to the positive, character building principal of citizenship, not to mention food, blood, or clothing drives they support. Even those camp service projects count, and the camp rangers at Tanah Keeta and Oklawaha both appreciate the help, so don’t hesitate to check in with them about upcoming projects or other opportunities. The Gulf Stream Council offers several service projects as over- viewed below to help support units and communities in their service needs.

Ultimately, the Council is interested in seeing all those hours tracked through the JTE Service Hour portal on Scouting.org. This information is helpful in communicating to government leaders, school administrators, Scouting donors, and the general public about the good Scouting brings to communities. Community service does make a difference, as the value of a service hour has been estimated at over $20/hour/volunteer.

So don’t keep your unit’s service a secret. As part of Scouting's Journey to Excellence, units must enter their own service hours at the site, but doing so only takes a couple of minutes, so please log them. You will need a code to enter your hours which can be obtained from your District Good Turn for America Chair.

Good Turn For America All Scouts and families throughout the Council are asked to participate in the annual Good Turn for America program. This program is part of the Boy Scouts of America’s nationwide call to service.

A service project is a special Good Turn that puts Scout spirit into action: Helping out after floods or other disasters, recycling community trash, working on conservation projects, cutting back brush that is blocking a sign. Anyone can get involved in a Good Turn. If you are participat- ing in a service project to benefit your community, please log your hours at https://servicehours.scouting.org/ UI/Security/Login.aspx. Your unit IDs are always available on the council website.

Scouting for Food Responding to studies that show that more than 20 million Americans, including four million children, go hun- gry at some time every month, the Boy Scouts of America decided to do something about it: Scouting For Food. Last year the Scouts in the Gulf Stream Council collected roughly 70,000 pounds of food. We have made a difference in our community and they count on us. But our annual food drive is very important to both the council and the community. So, we are upping the ante. This year, as an added incentive, if you register your Scouting For Food Chair by September 1 with your district Scouting for Food chair and collect your unit’s goal, your unit can earn a free weekend of camping at any of our council camps!

To ensure that you have ample opportunities to collect, we are offering two chances: The first is the traditional November dates. The bags/hangers should be delivered to the homes on the first Saturday in November. These hangers explain the collection and ask that food items be donated. On the second Saturday, Scouts return to homes where hangers were left and collect donations. The second set of dates are March 17 and March 24, 2018. If your unit meets their goal, then a camping certificate will be issued. Because the spring collection is needed even more urgently than the fall, the spring collection will be weighted to provide a stronger incentive to the unit.

More information such as drop off locations and territories will be available at the October roundtables, but mark your calendars now and plan for a great service opportunity!

Friends of Scouting "“An Investment in Character"

It is through caring "Friends of Scouting" that the Gulf Stream Council is able to fulfill its mission to bring Scouting to the seven counties here in southeastern Florida: Indian River, St Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Okeechobee, Glades and Hendry.

The Gulf Stream Council operations of camp and program are supported by corporations, businesses, grants and product sales (popcorn and camp cards). Each year after these major forms of contributions, the Gulf Stream Council needs additional funds to maintain camp operations and offset costs. These dollars are in addition to what the unit raises to carry on the program and activities for their Scouts.

By using the search engine: www.goodsearch.com, when using the Internet, you can designate dollars to come to the "Boy Scouts of America - Gulf Stream Council (Palm Beach Gardens, FL). Many corporations match gifts made by their employees to the Boy Scouts. Some companies give financial contributions on behalf of the time you give as a volunteer. In addition, you can increase your dona- tion with Dollars for Doers. Your service to Boy Scouts can add to your contributions. FPL and NextEra Energy Chevron Starbucks Boeing Best Buy Allstate Apple Verizon Disney Microsoft Sikorsky Cargil United Health Group Coca-Cola If your company is not listed, please contact the human resources department of your company for more information about their matching gifts program.

This year, if you schedule your Unit FOS presentation before December 15, 2017 and hold it before June 30, 2018 — and make your goal — your unit will get a free weekend of camping at the camp that your funds directly support!

Goal is traditionally number of families within the unit times $60. Contact your FOS Chair or your District Professional for more information!

Points of Contact for the Districts EVERGLADES LIGHTHOUSE INDIAN RIVER TREASURE COAST SAILFISH District Chairman District Chairman Program Chair/Day Camp Training Chair District Chairman Hugo Nunez Steve Alexander Website/Advancement Beverly Brown Jeff Atlas [email protected] [email protected] David Carlson 772-342-7622 [email protected] 561-901-2147 561-433-2355 [email protected] 772-486-3605 772-453-9069 Advancement Program Chair Training/PW Derby Chair Marc Galen Training Chair Joanne Moniger Abbie Rosemeyer Training Chair / BS RT [email protected] David Traill [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Commissioner 772-618-0176 561-779-2990 Laurie Beckett Advancement /Eagle Chair Training Chair [email protected] Advancement Eagle Chair Mikel Spraker Krissy Buzen 772-913-3695 Ralph Cessna [email protected] [email protected] Richard Bache [email protected] [email protected] 772-463-0882 561-523-1282 MB Counselor Trainer 772-342-3752 561-743-7653 Tom Pendergast NOVA Counselor Mentor MB Counselor Trainer MB Counselor Trainer [email protected] Membership / Day Camp Lindsey Bond Michael Tessler Jyl Mayall Scouting for Food [email protected] 561-358-2025 MB Counselor Trainer Amy Johnson 561-818-3782 Eagle Projects [email protected] [email protected] Patty Poysell [email protected] [email protected] 561-234-0496 Gene Van Curen Advancement Eagle Chair [email protected] Tom Sasser 772-692-0493 Glenn Alexander Eagle Chair Pinewood Derby Chair 561-281-5611 [email protected] Chas Carlson Vanessa McGaw Camping/Cub Scout RT [email protected] 561-575-2489 [email protected] [email protected] Cara Gabrielson 772-713-0153 954-650-2754 [email protected] Eagle Chair Camping Chair (772) 634-1210 Fred Danaher Stan Oblaczynski [email protected] Scouting for Food Chair Popcorn Chair / Camp [email protected] Patience Thomas Card / Finance Chair Day Camp 561-309-9605 561-262-1614 Glorianna Black [email protected] Chrissy Dixon Membership/Day Camp/ 772-332-3778 [email protected] [email protected] Religious Emblems Critter Prowl 772-353-0870 772-341-5008 Debbie McCabe John Krayeski Pinewood Derby Chair Membership [email protected] [email protected] Ben Goss Website [email protected] Jamie Weisse 561-706-3981 Brian Mulrooney [email protected] Camping Chair/ Day Camp 386-562-4228 [email protected] (772) 233-0862 Kris Hansen River Raft Regatta/STEM [email protected] Craig Dufresne Membership District Commissioner Disability Awareness Chair 561-951-7002 [email protected] Paul Giordano Gregg Dixon Timothy Marshall 561-951-5582 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Family Camp Chair 772-581-9045 772-528-0455 Richard Sampieri Service Recruitment Chair [email protected] Renee Fuchs Popcorn Chair CS RT Commissioner Judy Dye 561-654-9056 [email protected] Nicole Lucker [email protected] 561-714-5568 Teresa Ford Smith [email protected] [email protected] (772) 287-1992

District Commissioner Finance 772-559-1829 772-971-5469 Susie Metzler Religious Coordinator Brad Vialpando MB Counselor Trainer [email protected] [email protected] Camp Card 561-252-3471 David Legault Carroll Brennan 561-275-8985  [email protected] [email protected] 772-485-2005 Activities Chair Family (FOS) 772-321-5322 Karen Helstrom Kathy Hul Pinewood Derby Chair [email protected] [email protected] Melissa Shasteen 561-523-1282 Indian River/Treasure Coast District Professional 561-694-2270 Cory Harp [email protected]

Popcorn Chair / Camp Card [email protected] 561-723-1775 Pinewood Derby Chair 904-501-4165 John Quarquesso Christina Wilson Finance (FOS) [email protected] [email protected] Scott MacDonald 561-753-3211 [email protected]

BS RT Commissioner District Commissioner 772-286-1763 Bruce Ratoff Steve Mitchell Popcorn Chair [email protected] [email protected] Nancy Holberger 561-324-3769 [email protected] CS RT Commissioner/MB 772-215-0664 Counselor Trainer CS RT Commissioner Sam Wilfond Barbie Mayer District Commissioner [email protected] [email protected] Kathy Boucher 561-792-0564 [email protected] Website/Popcorn 772-220-8363 Kimberly Schoolcraft BS RT Commissioner BIG LAKE [email protected] Jason Rosemeyer Eagle Chair Popcorn Chair BS RT Commissioner [email protected] Ray Worley Johanis Blair Bob Harding District Professional Website [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Peter Thate Karen Goswell 863-447-1114 561-261-0015 (772) 260-9171 [email protected] [email protected]    561-694-8585x221 District Professional Big Lake/Sailfish District Professional  Jeff Snow Evan Reif [email protected] [email protected] 561-248-3303 561-201-9803