September 2020 Roundtable Common Session

This is the Third Jersey Devil District Roundtable done On-Line. Hopefully, the restrictions that make this necessary will soon be lifted and we can get back to seeing each other’s happy faces again. The following sections are provided by the individual ‘subject area specialist’, as identified. Please feel free to provide additional information or suggestions at any time.

Commissioners Input (Duane Hunt) (Email ) Recruitment Idea Guides – available through Unit Commissioners

District Chair Input (Robert Krehely)

District Executive Input (Sharon McKenna) Change JDD Roundtable to 1st Wednesday ? 1st Thursday ?

OA Information (OA-Chief) (Ordeal Sep 19)

Activities (Cathy Gunsten)(JDD WEBELOS Woods Oct 2-3-4/OC Cub Camporee Oct-17/CSR Op-Hallloween Oct 23-24

District Committee meeting/Information On the Calendar for 21 September – Teleconference ?

Advancement (Roy Ringer)(Rod Grady) https://www.jerseyshorescouts.org/scoutingathome

New Eagles (North) (Rod Grady) New Eagles (South) (Roy Ringer)

FOS Updates (Todd Lund)

Camping and Summer Camp (Bill Zinky)(George Agin)

Training (Gretchen Tunison) (YPT in-person tomorrow at CSR) District Dinner Flyer

General Interest: (Anyone)

Monthly Themes: Cubs Scouts BSA September Trustworthy Nature / Environment https://troopleader.scouting.org/program-feature-nature-and-environment/ October Loyal Ethics https://troopleader.scouting.org/program-feature-ethics/

Philmont Cub Supplements – Ended with August 2020 – Start Over ?

New Member Coordinator: Does Your Unit Have one ? Success ? Problems ?

A New Jersey Devil Story – Was it real ?

Places to Go – Treasure Island 2021 – available weekends – FREE CAMPING !

Den Meeting Ideas – with resources Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) – 62nd JOTA – October 18-20, 2020 – arri.org/jamboree-on-the-air-jota And Scouting.org/international/jota-joti/jota

Every Unit Every Month – Unit Visitation Schedule September Membership The Recharter process should begin after recruitment is finished. It is important that newly registered adults are appropriately trained for their positions before the unit recharters. Council will be communicating with units and individuals in September regarding necessary training and resources. 1. Is the unit leadership familiar with the recharter process? Are they aware of the online rechartering tools? 2. Has the unit appointed a key individual to handle the process and streamlined work? 3. Is the unit familiar with the proper contacts in the Council office should they need assistance? Advancement It is important that the unit has an Advancement Chair to be responsible for recording and submitting all records of ranks, awards and Merit Badges. This individual should be both familiar with the program and responsible to stay current in their record keeping. 1. Is the current Advancement Chair familiar with the responsibilities and processes of the position? 2. Is the unit familiar with Internet Advancement offered through MyScouting.Org? 3. If the Advancement Chair is new to the position, has there been a transition period offered so the previous Advancement Chair can educate the current Chair and explain the position? Training Every March the Council holds University of Scouting, a one day event that offers several different training courses offered during various class periods. University of Scouting is a convenient way for leaders to receive necessary training and also participate in courses to expand their current knowledge set. 1. Is the unit aware of what training courses it’s leaders need? Do they know which are required for the top leader position? 2. Are they looking forward to leadership transitions and who will fill vacant roles? Are they familiar with the trainings required for those roles?

Upcoming Events: 1. Operation Halloween – Held at Citta Scout Reservation every year, this weekend draws thousands to a fun-filled and spooky haunted hay ride and amusements. Units are invited to sell tickets for this event and earn a commission!

Finance Has the unit held their popcorn kickoff? It is important to have a fun, exciting kickoff to sale to get scouts motivated to fundraise to support their Scouting activities.

October Finance The Popcorn Campaign is underway, and next year’s Family FOS Campaign is getting ready to begin. Discussion items may include: 1. Do you have enough materials for the Popcorn Campaign (e.g. order forms, etc.)? 2. Are you aware of Pickup Date, time and location? 3. Are you aware of the Friends of Scouting Campaign? Has your unit selected a Friends of Scouting Presentation date yet? If so, when? 4. Who is the person in your unit that coordinates Friends of Scouting? 5. If the unit does not have a history of participating, would it be okay if someone from our district contacts your unit’s coordinator to discuss it? Activities/Events In early November the Council sponsors its annual Scouting for Food Campaign and schedules the Scouters’ Recognition Dinner, where volunteers thank volunteers for their service to Scouting. Unit leaders will receive an announcement of this event as well as a form to nominate individuals for the Silver Beaver Award. 1. The district will distribute bags to the units. Is the unit aware of the scheduled pickup time for these bags and have they projected and informed the district of the number of bags needed to cover their pickup area? 2. Are local troops and packs pairing off (joining forces) for the Scouting for Food Campaign? This is a good way to develop a relationship between a pack and troop. 3. Has the unit committee been informed of the Recognition Dinner and that anyone can nominate a deserving Scouter for the Silver Beaver Award? Charter Renewal December is designated as charter renewal months for all units. All charter packets should be distributed the units during the month of October. There are preparations that need to be started 60-days and 45-days before that event. 1. Inform unit of district’s rechartering date. 2. 60-days before, the unit commissioner should review the charter packet with the unit and work with the unit committee to conduct a membership inventory of all youth and adults. 3. Inform the unit that only recharting will open November 1st. 4. 60-days before, the unit commissioner should review the JTE Unit form with unit leaders. 5. 45 days before, the unit commissioner and unit chairperson conduct a unit charter renewal meeting to complete all of the paper work. 6. The unit commissioner should, if possible, arrange to present the charter to the head of the chartered organization at a regular meeting or activity of the chartered organization. 7. All paperwork and monies should be turned in by December 1st. Upcoming Events: 1. Winter Thunder – Held each year during the week following Christmas, Operation Winter Thunder offers troops and crews the opportunity to embrace winter camping and participate in unique activities and competitions. 2. District Dinner- Annual District Dinners are held in each district in November or December. These events are the annual business meeting for the district as well an evening to recognize the efforts of the volunteers of the district.

Everything you need to know about the New Member Coordinator position September 25, 2019 Bryan Wendell Cub Scouts, Scouting Tips, Scouts BSA Joining a new Scout unit can be a little overwhelming at first. You’re presented with a calendar full of fun upcoming activities, but all the new people, places and things can seem like a lot to digest.

Fortunately there’s help. It comes in the form of a volunteer whose job is all about making new members feel right at home.

It’s called the New Member Coordinator, and it’s a position invented by volunteers in 2017 to help welcome new Scouting families to our life-changing, adventure-packed program.

In the Scouting spirit of friendliness and helpfulness, we kindly recommend that every Scout unit identify one or more volunteers to serve in this vital role. At what levels can New Member Coordinators serve?

There are New Member Coordinators at the unit level and — new in 2019 and beyond — at the district and council level, too. What does a unit-level New Member Coordinator do? The unit-level New Member Coordinator forms a connection with new members and their families. They are appointed by and report to the Unit Committee Chair.

Each unit should have one — or, ideally, more than one — New Member Coordinator.

In general, all unit-level New Member Coordinators:  Serve as welcoming ambassadors for the unit.  Work with the unit committee in developing and implementing the Unit Membership Plan.  Participate in New Member Coordinator training and collaborate with the district membership team.

“New Member Coordinators can be a game-changer for membership retention as well as recruitment,” says Linda Baker, chairwoman of the New Member Coordinator Task Force. “Having one or more NMCs in a unit can make everything easier and more fun.” What does a New Member Coordinator wear? In most cases, New Member Coordinators do not wear the Scout field uniform (unofficially known as the “Class A”). In an effort to make new Scouting families feel as comfortable as possible, New Member Coordinators dress like new members — not like longtime Scouting veterans. It makes sense.

But that doesn’t mean the New Member Coordinator should attend meetings incognito. The Scout Shop offers an array of New Member Coordinator gear, including neckerchiefs, pins, hats, polos and T-shirts. https://www.scoutshop.org/catalogsearch/result/?q=%E2%80%9Cnew+member+coordinator%E2%80%9D How can someone register as a New Member Coordinator?

The easiest time to register someone as a New Member Coordinator is when your pack, troop or crew recharters.

The New Member Coordinator, which uses the registration code “NM,” is a member of the unit committee.

This role replaced the roles of Unit Membership Chair and Parent Coordinator, which are no longer available. What about the district-level New Member Coordinator?

In 2019, the BSA added a district-level New Member Coordinator.

This volunteer, appointed by the District Membership Chair, serves on the District Membership Committee.

Responsibilities include:  Serving as advocates, promoters, ambassadors, mentors, supporters, colleagues, champions and cheerleaders for unit-level New Member Coordinators.  Sharing the New Member Coordinator concept, ensuring widespread awareness of the benefits of units’ having one or more New Member Coordinators.  Shaping the role of New Member Coordinators in the district so that the district and units benefit from NMC engagement and so that New Member Coordinators are welcomed, trained and supported.

Interested in stepping up and serving in this role? Contact your District Membership Chair or District Executive. What about the council-level New Member Coordinator?

This position was added in 2019, as well.

The council-level New Member Coordinator is appointed by and reports to the Council Membership Vice President. They receive additional guidance and support from the Council Executive staff.

Responsibilities include:  Serving as advocates, promoters, ambassadors, mentors, supporters, colleagues, champions and cheerleaders for district- and unit-level New Member Coordinators.  Leading the council’s team effort to strengthen membership in the council through collaboration with New Member Coordinators at all levels.  Sharing the New Member Coordinator concept, ensuring councilwide awareness of the benefits of units’ having one or more New Member Coordinators  Shaping the role of New Member Coordinators in the council so that the district and units benefit from NMC engagement and so that New Member Coordinators are welcomed, trained and supported.

Think you have what it takes for this role? Contact your Council Membership Vice President or council office for more information. What other resources are available for New Member Coordinators?

Make this site your first stop. https://scoutingwire.org/marketing-and-membership-hub/councils-old/new- member-coordinator/

You’ll find training information, forms, printable brochures, videos, logos and much more. https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2019/09/25/new-member-coordinator

THE JERSEY DEVIL MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE EXISTED. HERE'S WHY

Unless you count the stars of the billion or so reality shows set in New Jersey, the Garden State's strangest and most famous creature is the Jersey Devil. As Benjamin Radford of Live Science tells us, tales of this legendary cryptid have been reported since the 18th century, and its origin story is the stuff of horror movies: supposedly, on the requisite dark and stormy night, a lady (and possible witch) known as Mother Leeds was giving birth to her thirteenth child. It was whispered that the baby's father was the devil himself, and the fact that the child soon sprouted wings and turned into a demonic creature certainly supported that theory. The newborn Jersey Devil slew its midwife, let out a horrible scream and flew into the woods of Pine Barrens, where it has been occasionally sighted and continues to haunt people's imagination even today.

Of course, historical sources make no mention of a screeching demon child flying around, except when recounting the legend. With no solid proof to support the story, we can probably assume that it has been at least somewhat embellished over time. After all, who could believe that Pine Barrens is actually haunted by a long-legged, cloven-hooved, bat-winged monster with a long, goat-like face and a body like a kangaroo?

Well, that's the thing. There's actually a chance that at least some version of the Jersey Devil might actually have existed. Here's why!

THE JERSEY DEVIL MIGHT BE A HAMMERHEAD BAT OR A SANDHILL CRANE

Much like the Chupacabra, the Mothman, and even the Hydra, the Jersey Devil's true origins may be found in the animal kingdom. According to Cape Bay Magazine, skeptic, author and Skeptoid producer Brian Dunning certainly believes this: "In most cases like this, some of the sightings turn out to be mistaken identifications of everyday animals or something else," he has said. Dunning notes that there's one particular animal in the New Jersey area that might be responsible for at least a few Jersey Devil stories: the sandhill crane. While this bird might not be a particularly horrifying sight, it does tick all the usual Jersey Devil boxes with its long head, thin, long legs and massive wings that could seem a bit bat-like when the bird spreads them and stands tall.

As Dan Evon of Snopes reports, though, there's another possible culprit for Jersey Devil sightings. Some have suggested that the strange-looking, long-faced hammerhead bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus), which can have a wingspan of almost 40 inches, looks a lot like the traditional depiction of the cryptid. Of course, there's the minor issue that the hammerhead bat is native to Africa, not North America. But hey, who knows where these guys or their cousins hung out a few centuries ago?

QUAKERS, FEUDS AND BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

The Jersey Devil sightings might be cranes and whatnot, but where did the legend come from in the first place?

As Cape Bay Magazine explains, it may have its roots in a simple historical feud. In the early 18th century, a New Jersey Quaker called Daniel Leeds started drifting away from local Quaker leaders, who disliked his political views. Allegedly, Leeds was also a big mysticism guy, and had published a text called The Temple of Wisdom, where he discussed things like sorcery and devils. Leeds eventually converted to the Anglican Church, and the Quakers reacted to this affront by labeling him evil and releasing an official anti-Leeds tract called Satan's Harbinger Encountered. Ouch.

In 1718, Leeds retired and his son, the amazingly named Titan Leeds, took over both the family affairs and their penchant for feuding. He doubled down on their street cred by redesigning the Leeds family crest to include monsters that looked suspiciously like the future Jersey Devil. Leeds, meanwhile, published an almanac which directly competed with the one published by Benjamin Franklin: the future founding father was all-too-aware of the Leeds family's reputation, and started insinuating that the very much alive Titan was actually a ghost that was haunting Franklin from beyond the grave.

It's probably just a coincidence that the Jersey Devil story started going around at that exact time, and that it was originally known as the Leeds Devil. Probably juuuust a coincidence.

https://www.grunge.com/216014/the-legend-of-the-jersey-devil-explained/

Places to Go – Treasure Island

2021 FTI Scouts BSA Weekend Camping and Workdays Schedule: All of these weekends are open for no cost camping in 2021. Make reservations on our website: www.friendsoftreasureisland.org. All Dates are Subject to Change due to River Conditions. 26 - 28 March - Camping Weekend (*) 9 - 11 April - Camping Weekend (*) 23 - 25 April - Camping Weekend (*) 7 - 9 May - Camping Weekend (*) 21 - 23 May - Camping Weekend 22 May – FTI Open House 10 - 12 September - Camping Weekend (*) 24 - 26 September - Camping Weekend (*) FTI (Friends of Treasure Island) is shifting its focus from work projects to conservation projects (*). If you have Scouts who need to complete conservation projects for rank advancement or merit badge work please let us know. We have plenty of work in that area. Subscribe to their "Email Blast" at http://www.friendsoftreasureisland.org/about/ and follow them on Facebook at “Friends of Treasure Island” and “Treasure Island Archive”. Excerpted from Henry R. Wiese email – 24AUG2020 09:20 Riddle: I am the first on Earth, the second in heaven. I appear two times in a week but you can only see once in a year. Although I am in the middle of the sea, I am not found in month, but I am in February, June, September, October, November & December. What am I ? The Letter e

Creative Den Meeting Ideas

Key Points to remember while planning your den meetings Keep it simple, make it fun. Get those scouts moving until you are done!  Keeping scouts active and occupied helps keep them on task and engaged. Change things up!  Do not be afraid to change things on the fly or move to a different task if things are not working out. Let the guide, guide you!  Use the leaders guide as a plan for your meeting, its one of your best resources, but just use it as a guide, make things your own. Make it fun!  Be silly, connect with your scouts, do not be afraid to be a child too.

Helpful Resources https://www.simplemost.com/free-digital-escape-rooms/ Virtual Escape Rooms https://www.facebook.com/CubScoutIdeas/ https://cubscoutideas.com/ General ideas for activities https://myfreebingocards.com/virtual-bingo Customizable virtual bingo http://thedenleader.com/ blog for den leaders https://lookwiderstill.home.blog/2020/03/15/cub-scout-activities-adventuring-from-home-rank-challenges/ Virtual scouting ideas https://boyscouttrail.com/skits.asp comedy skits https://www.scouting.org/cubhub/5-awesome-cub-scout-meeting-activities/ den meeting ideas https://lookwiderstill.home.blog/2020/06/15/scouting-activities-scoutergories-zoom-game/ scout game https://lookwiderstill.home.blog/2020/05/21/scouting-tech-using-zoom-breakout-rooms-for-survival-situation-games/ scout game News Releases from Headquarters

EPA, Boy Scouts Announce Collaboration on Environmental Education Award Program and Special Award

08/17/2020 Contact Information: EPA Press Office ([email protected]) WASHINGTON (August 17, 2020) – Today U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Boy Scouts of America (BSA) CEO and President Roger C. Mosby signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the creation of an EPA/BSA special award to be awarded as part of a new environmental education awards and recognition program.

“I was an Eagle Scout growing up in Ohio, and I can definitely say scouting is where I learned to love the environment,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “This award program challenges Scouts to earn multiple environment-related merit badges in the areas of animal study, outdoor activity, Earth science, and Public Health, and increases awareness of EPA’s accomplishments during its first 50 years.”

“Since the very beginning of the Boy Scouts of America, conservation and environmental studies have been an integral part of our program. Scouts have provided service to their communities and to our country by helping to conserve wildlife, energy, forests, soil and water,” said Boy Scouts of America President and CEO Roger C. Mosby. “We are proud to sign the first-ever Memorandum of Understanding with the Environmental Protection Agency so that we can continue to challenge and empower Scouts to learn more about and care for the world around them.”

“For 110 years, the Boy Scouts of America have used the outdoors as a classroom to educate youth and adults on the importance of being good stewards of our natural resources. This partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency will have a positive impact on thousands of youth and our environment," said Boy Scouts of America National Capital Area Council Scout Executive & CEO Craig Poland.

Aligned with EPA’s 50th Anniversary Commemoration, the program includes several activities that help to fulfill EPA’s obligations under the 1990 National Environmental Education Act to promote environmental education and to provide national leadership to increase environmental literacy.

The EPA-sponsored award will challenge Scouts to learn about, explore, and conserve the world around them as part of an awareness campaign to educate the public about EPA’s accomplishment during its first 50 years and develop the vision for the next 50 years. The program will also provide EPA with opportunities to educate BSA member councils and leadership about priority initiatives including Trash Free Waters, Winning on Reducing Food Waste, and Healthy Schools.

The program will introduce Scouts to the breadth of EPA’s involvement in environmental protection and conservation, combining a variety of disciplines including earth sciences, animal studies, outdoor activities, and public health. To receive the EPA award, Scouts must first receive merit badges in each of these four areas and participate in an environmental/public health community service project, totaling at least six hours, as part of an approved Scouting program. Scouts may complete required steps to earn the award between April 22, 2020 and December 31, 2021, at which time the MOU may be extended.

The Boy Scouts of America is the largest Scouting organization and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 2.1 million youth participants and about 1 million adult volunteers. The BSA was founded in 1910, and since then, about 110 million Americans have participated in BSA programs. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-boy-scouts-announce-collaboration-environmental-education-award- program-and-special