The Informer The Official Voice of the Eight Councils of Area 6, Northeast Region,

Volume 5, Number 3 Area 6 website: http://ner6-bsa.org September/October 2015 President’s Message - Connect Outdoor Program Update Cliff Berg,[email protected] Earl Baker, [email protected] Ken Davis, [email protected] It is hard to believe October 31st - November 1st Outdoor programs that this summer The Area 6 from all eight of the is over and we are Venturing Officer’s Area 6 councils already into fall. A s s o c i a t i o n were successfully What a summer it welcomes Venture visited and was for ! adults and youth to assessed The World Camp Bashore for according to BSA , The national standards Order of the Connect! A new while they were IN Arrow Anniversary training initiative operation this summer. This annual Celebration, and the Boy Scouts of by the Area 6 VOA, “Assessment” phase requires that America’s change in Membership Connect is an interactive training all outdoor programs are reviewed Standards for adult leadership opportunity that offers sessions probably highlight the summer, but in networking, communication, by a team of trained assessors least we not forget, thousands of marketing, self-branding, and many from outside the council to ensure Scouts and Cub Scouts enjoyed a skills that are applicable not only adequate program and especially summer camp experience, many in Venturing but in life as well. Our health and safety of the facilities. for the first time. We constantly goal is to provide you with relevant All properties in operation were should remind ourselves of why we and fun information focusing on certified for operation and any serve this great movement, called the application of the skills taught suggested improvements were discussed with the council Scouting. in the Venturing Program along personnel during the visit. Area 6 I am happy to report that Barry with new skills being taught by continues to offer a large number of Williams, Baltimore Area Council the excellent staffers of Connect. high quality outdoor opportunities President, has agreed to serve Connect has been planned by for Cubs, Scouts and Venturers as the Area’s first Vice-President Venturers for Venturers, and we for Diversity. The Boy Scouts of and the variety available usually aim to demonstrate and present America has appointed its first Chief means some units will try camps to you a wide variety of ideas and Diversity Officer and we felt it was outside their own councils from examples that can help you serve important to lead the pack in this year to year. Many thanks to the the Venturing program in a manner important effort at all levels of our dozens of volunteers who annually that meets the needs of Venturing organization, District, Council, Area, take updated training and travel to Region and National to finally begin age youth, the BSA, and your local the camps to observe and assess to expand our leadership to reflect community. At Connect we will be the challenging programs that all the face of our community and to able to provide a more in depth and our councils offer. Many thanks, be all inclusive. This will allow us to personalized introduction on the as well, to Nick Adams, who led reach even more young people from following topics: our assessment efforts for three the diverse communities we serve. 1) Connecting the Dots years and is now assisting the A big thank you to all of our a) Introduction - Developing new Assessments Chairman, Camp Assessment Team for the Your Personal Elevator Speech Glenn Achey. Plans are under outstanding job they performed this b) Keeping Their Attention way to again offer two dates and summer in making shore our Council c) Maintaining a Lasting locations for camp assessment Camps were prepared to provide Connection training next spring. Questions the safest and best experience for 2) Social Media and suggestions can be directed our kids attending camp. a) Applications to Glenn at: glennachey@ Please put Saturday, November b) Differentiation comcast.net 14th on your calendar for our Fall Key Please see PRESIDENT, page 2 Please see VOA, page 2 Please see OUTDOOR, page 3 Area 6 Newsletter Area 6 website: http://ner6-bsa.org September/October 2015 Page 2 PRESIDENT, continued from page 1 VOA, continued from page 1 Marketing Report Leadership Forum at Cecil College c) Purpose, Place and Risk Jim Castanzo, [email protected] in Northeast, MD. This should be a 3) Event Planning Unit communication via the use of great opportunity for all Scouters to a) Advertizing social media, specifically Facebook experience a learning opportunity, b) Public Relations During the share ideas, and enjoy fellowship is growing in Event popularity. Unit with fellow Scouters from our Area 4) Real World Communications Councils. Registration forms and engagement is the a) Communication within Your use of social media details should follow shortly. VOA Here are some updates thru the is an excellent way b) Communication Between end of August for our Area: for units to increase VOAs Youth Protection Training - the membership and 5) Advisor Training Northeast Region and Area 6 lead retain members the country in leaders trained. a) Venture Advisor Specific – both youth and Chester County Council leads the Training adult volunteers. Northeast Region. Congratulations b) Crew Committee Challenge When using Facebook, units can Chester County for leading the c) Summit Board of Review create either Pages or Pages. Both way. Bruce Swayze, our Area YPT Process have their benefits. While a Group is Chairman, will be communicating d) Area VOA Panel an excellent tool for units to use to and sending to all of our Councils, a distribute internal communications, Youth Protection Pledge. I hope all of Registration: All persons attending event reminders, individual our Councils will join in committing this event MUST pre-register by recognition, etc. Following is a themselves to this pledge and October 23rd. Registrations will description from Facebook: closing the gap in achieving 100% not be taken after October 23rd, Pages allow real organizations, of our leaders being trained. please have all those in attendance businesses, celebrities and brands Membership - We are starting to register before the deadline. to communicate broadly with see the light at the end of the tunnel. Registrations may be completed The Area is still down over last year in people who like them. Pages may at https://www.tentaroo.com/ only be created and managed by membership, but only 1.7%, which padutch/?sel&EventTypeID=461 ranks 7th in the country. Three of official representatives. Groups provide a space for people our Councils are showing growth. Earl W. Baker They being PA Dutch, Reading, and to communicate about shared NER A6VOA Advisor Baltimore. Congratulations to these interests. Groups can be created by H: 410-997-7046 Councils for an outstanding effort. anyone. Other differences include: C: 443-253-0323 Although a small number, Exploring Pages continues to show great growth. Privacy: Page information and I know many of our Councils are posts are public and generally excited about their fall recruiting available to everyone on Facebook. efforts and hope to show growth by Audience: Anyone can like a Page year end. to connect with it and get News Key Performance Indicators - Feed updates. There is no limit to Area 6 shows good performance in how many people can like a Page. all measurable categories compared Communication: People who to National and Northeast Region help manage a Page can publish and leads the region in most posts as the Page. Page posts categories. Congratulations to all and cultivate these relationships can appear in the News Feeds of of our Councils for continuing to as we move forward in serving people who like the Page. Page show progress in providing the best our young people. Fran Hensen, owners can also create customized Scouting experience for our young our Area’s Chartered Partner apps for their Page and check Page people. Relationship Chairperson, stands Just one final note, our Chartered ready to assist our Councils with Insights to track the Page’s growth Partner Relationships will become this important effort. and activity. an ever important relationship for us That’s all for now, see you in Groups in Scouting and I would encourage November at our Key Leadership Privacy: In addition to a public all of our Councils to pay attention Forum. Please see OUTDOOR, page 3 Area 6 Newsletter Area 6 website: http://ner6-bsa.org September/October 2015 Page 3 MARKETING, continued from page 2 OUTDOOR, continued from page 1 Leadership Forum setting, more privacy settings are In the ongoing National Camp Charlie Myhre, [email protected] available for groups. In secret and Accreditation Program (NCAP), closed groups, posts are only visible Dutch and National Yes School Night to group members. Capital Area Councils submitted for Scouting has Audience: You can adjust group applications for authorization to taken a hit in recent privacy to require members to be continue to operate camps for years. Chester approved or added by admins. the next five years. Baltimore County Council has When a group reaches a certain Area Council has begun the begun an initiative size, some features are limited. The NCAP process in order to request to make multiple most useful groups tend to be the accreditation by next spring. contacts with ones you create with small groups As with any new programs, school principals of people you know. NCAP continues to evolve as it and school administrators to Communication: In groups, is implemented and areas and resurrect the School Night concept. members receive notifications by regions assess its utility and We have had some success in default when any member posts how to make it serve councils. getting back into some schools in the group. Group members can The portion of the accreditation where we were previously denied participate in chats, upload photos program called Continuous Camp access. It seems to me a matter to shared albums, collaborate on Improvement is being revised and of building relationships with those group docs and invite members will be announced on the national at the schools. Most see the value who are friends to group events. website as soon as it is available in Scouting and we are hoping that Depending on your needs, you can (see www.scouting.org/NCAP). the revised membership policies will create a Page or create a group. Councils which have already lessen resistance to letting us in. Many units are already using social received initial accreditation for Success of this initiative will have media for both internal and external five years and are at the mid- to measured over the next several communications. Other units have point of that process are required recruiting seasons. not ventured into the social media to submit a mid-process analysis I am putting together an realm. Those units don’t know how about their outdoor programs, but advancement breakout session for to set it up nor do they understand the format for that process is not the 2015 Fall KLF. Depending on the value. Councils should consider yet been determined. Questions whether we are allowed 1 hour or conducting information sessions about NCAP can be addressed 1-1/2 hours we will try to address either at Roundtables or as a to Bill Evans at: wmcevans@att. the following subjects: separate event in order to educate net. General outdoor questions KLF Session Topics: units on the value of social media for can be sent to Ken Davis at: “Implementation of the new membership growth and retention. [email protected], or Dan Boy requirements for Jan 1, Recently, the Pennsylvania Dutch Palenscar at: danpalenscar@ 2016” Council conducted the first of a gmail.com. “How Scout Book will two-part social media workshop. affect advancement recording and The first session covered very reporting” rudimentary information about An open discussion on the Facebook. The turnout was very following council issues and good and the discussions was experiences: lively. The evaluations indicated the Advancement reporting information was very worthwhile. problems The second session scheduled for Eagle Scout projects October will cover more advanced including approvals, use of Eagle items related to Facebook. Project Coaches, etc. If you have any units in your Rank age extension districts or councils whom you think requests. are using social media effectively, General advancement send their information to me. I think issues and how other councils I would be very valuable to share have handled them. those results and findings with the rest of our Area. Area 6 Newsletter Area 6 website: http://ner6-bsa.org September/October 2015 Page 4

Date: October 6, 2015 To: Council Key 3s and Area 6 Volunteers From: Cliff Berg, Area 6 President and Chuck Dobbins, Area 6 Director Subject: Area 6 Key Leadership Forum

You and your council’s key leadership are cordially invited to attend the next Area 6 Key Leadership Forum. Arrangements have been finalized and information about this Forum is included in this announcement.

Area 6 Key Leadership Forum Saturday, November 14, 2015 Cecil College, One Seahawk Drive, North East, Registration Opens at 7:30 AM Program Begins at 9:00 AM and Ends at 3:30 PM Cost: $40.00 per Person ($45.00 at the door)

The Purpose of the Area Meeting The Area 6 Committee was established and is organized under the format adopted by the BSA to better serve and support our Area 6 Councils. Although electronic communications are incredibly useful, there is no better way to share information and ideas than the occasional face-to-face meeting.

We know your time is valuable so we designed this meeting to provide useful and valuable information that you can use. The contacts you make and the resources you receive will help you provide better programs to the youth we serve. We arranged the facilities in as central location as possible. There will be a $40.00 registration fee to cover materials, snacks, beverages and box lunch.

The format of the meeting will include several topic-specific breakout sessions. We are very pleased that our own Gary Schroeder, Vice President, Marketing for the Northeast Region will be our keynote speaker. Gary is the architect of our current national marketing strategy related to membership and will speak in depth about Growing Scouting.

Who Should Attend  Council Key 3s and District Key 3s  Assistant Council Commissioners and Council Vice Presidents of Operations, Program, Outdoor Program, Marketing, Finance and Endowment, Membership, Administration, Journey to Excellence, Voice of the Scout and  Council Training and Advancement Chairs  Exploring Chairs  District committee chairmen for program, activities, membership, fund development, training, advancement etc.  Venturing Chairs  All Council and District key volunteers who might benefit

What You Can Expect  Receive updates, information, and materials produced by our National BSA Office.  Discuss your Council’s most pressing needs and develop ways in which your Area’s committees can better serve you.  Discover what we can learn from each other by sharing both our challenges and successes.  Share good fellowship and network with your peers from other councils.

Please refer to the enclosed Conference schedule/agenda for more detailed information.

What to Wear Scout uniform is requested.

Area 6 Newsletter Area 6 website: http://ner6-bsa.org September/October 2015 Page 5 Location Cecil College, North East Campus, One Seahawk Drive, North East, Maryland http://www.cecil.edu/Pages/default.aspx

Directions

From the north: I-95 to North East, Exit 100. Bear right on to Rt. 272 N. At first light turn right. From the south: I-95 to North East, Exit 100. Bear left on Rt. 272 N. At next light turn right.

Overnight Accommodations

Lodging is available for those arriving Friday night or planning on staying over Saturday night at the Best Western, (directly across Rt 272 from the College) rate is $94.00 for a standard and $109 for mini-suite. Room rates are based on availability, call 410-287-5450 and request Boy Scout rate. Best Western 39 Elwood Road North East, MD 21901 410-287-5450

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time. Contact information is listed below. We are looking forward to seeing you at our Key Leadership Forum on November 14.

Regards,

Cliff Berg Chuck Dobbins Area 6 President Area 6 Director [email protected] [email protected] 630-957-7940

Enclosures: Registration Form and link, Conference Schedule and Agenda, Map

Area 6 Newsletter Area 6 website: http://ner6-bsa.org September/October 2015 Page 6

Area 6 Key Leadership Forum

Looking Forward: The Journey Continues

Register On–Line click here or use link below:

https://reservations.scouting.org/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x49800699dREGISTRATION DEADLINE is November 10, 2014

Registration Fee $40.00

If you are not registering$45.00 aton th-line,e door please complete the REGISTRATION FORM BELOW ___ Yes, I plan to attend our Area 6 Leadership Forum. Registration fee $40.00 or $45.00 at the door.

First Name______Last Name______Council ______Scouting Position ______Address ______City ______State ______Zip ______Phone No.: ______Email Address ______Name Tag: ______

Payment Information: ____ Check is Enclosed. Make check payable to: BSA Mail this completed registration form and fees to: Myla Epley, Sum 424 Northeast Region, BSA 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane Irving, TX 75038

A morning snack, refreshments and box lunch will be provided. If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will try to accommodate your needs. ______

So that we can insure adequate room for each session, please check the sessions you plan on attending. For a brief description of the topics, refer to the enclosed Conference Schedule and Agenda.

Time Breakout Session Topic I Will Attend____

10:30am – 11:40am Commissioners - Why So Many Changes? / 2016 JTE changes

President’s & Scout Executives

Training: for the next Generation

Venturing: Social Media Applications

Advancement—Implementation of the new Boy Scout Requirements

12:50pm – 2:00pm Camp Assessments

Training: Adventure & the new Cub Scout Training

Growing Scouting

Venturing: Social Media Purpose & Place: Buyer Beware

Commissioners – Improving Roundtables / The My.Scouting Tools Millionaire’s Game

Advancement - How Scout Book will affect advancement recording and reporting

2:15pm – 3:25pm Outdoor Program Updates – NCAP

Council Advancement – Open discussion

Training - What’s coming in Boy Scouts and the New SM position specific training

Commissioners - Improving Commissioner Contacts in the District

Exploring Explosion

Area 6 Newsletter Area 6 website: http://ner6-bsa.org September/October 2015 Page 7

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE / AGENDA TIME ITEM/TOPIC PRESENTER ROOM

7:30-9:00 AM REGISTRATION / CHECK-IN

9:00-9:10 AM WELCOME Cliff Berg, Area 6 President OPENING CEREMONY INTRODUCTION OF PRESENTORS

AREA PRESIDENT’S OPENING REMARKS

9:10-9:15 AM AREA DIRECTOR’S OPENING REMARKS Chuck Dobbins, Area Director

9:15-10:15AM KEYNOTE SPEAKER Gary Schroeder, VP Marketing - NER

10:15-10:30AM TRANSITION/BREAK

10:30-11:40AM Commissioners: Why So Many Changes? Charlie Morgan, Area 6 Commissioner and 2016 JTE Changes Ed Yarbrough, Area 6 Asst. Commissioner

President’s & Scout Executives Cliff Berg, Chuck Dobbins

Training: Wood Badge for the next Generation Julia Farr, Training Chair

Venturing: Social Media Applications VOA Youth

Advancement—Implementation of the new Boy Charlie Myhre, Advancement Chair Scout Requirements for 1/1/16 11:40AM-12:40PM LUNCH

12:40-12:50 PM TRANSITION / BREAK

12:50-2:00 PM Camp Assessments Glenn Achey, Camp Assessment

Training: Cub Scout Adventure & the new Cub Julia Farr Scout Training

Growing Scouting Gary Schroeder & Jim Castanzo, Area VP Marketing

Venturing: Social Media Purpose & Place: Buyer VOA Youth Beware

Commissioners: Improving Roundtables and George Costigan, ACC, Roundtables The My.Scouting Tools Millionaire’s Game National Capital Area Council Burt Marsh, Baltimore Area Council Commissioner

Advancement—How Scout Book will affect Charlie Myhre advancement recording and reporting

2:00-2:15PM TRANSITION / BREAK

2:15-3:25PM Outdoor Program Updates--NCAP Bill Evans, NCAP Chair

Council Advancement —Open discussion Charlie Myhre

Training: What’s coming in Boy Scouts and the New Julia Farr SM position specific training

Commissioners: Improving Commissioner Jae Engelbrecht, District Commissioner, Patriot Contacts in the District District, NCAC and Commissioner Discussions Charlie Morgan, Ed Yarbrough & Dave Short, Area 6 Asst. Commissioner

Exploring Explosion TBD

3:30 Adjourn – (NO FORMAL CLOSNG)

Thanks for attending

Area 6 Newsletter Area 6 website: http://ner6-bsa.org September/October 2015 Page 8 Hold the Date!! Paul Ware, [email protected] 2015 Thurs-Fri, Nov 5-6--NER Board Meeting, New Haven, CT Sat, Nov 14--Area 6 Key Leadership Forum--site TBD 2016 Sat, Feb 27--Area 6 Workshop -- site TBD Thurs-Fri, Mar 3-4--NER Board Meeting,--site TBD Fri-Sun, May 20-22--NE- 6A Conclave, Goshen Camp Reservation Fri-Sun, June 3-5--NE-6A Conclave, Camp Tuckahoe

The Informer Fred Joost Area 6 President Pennsylvania Dutch Council Charlie Morgan Area 6 Commissioner National Capital Area Council Chuck Dobbins Area 6 Director Northeast Region, BSA Kenneth Kulakowsky Area 6 Newsletter Editor Pennsylvania Dutch Council

Submissions for this newsletter or questions about its content should be sent to Ken Kulakowsky at kkulakowsky@ netzero.com.

This newsletter is published four times a year: after the spring Regional Board Meeting in March, after the annual BSA meeting in May, at the end of the summer prior to fall Scouting events and after the Regional Board Meeting in November. This electronic newsletter will be sent to all Area 6 officers, committee members, council Key Three leaders and other interested Scouters who ask to be placed on the mailing list. Additions or corrections to the email address list should be sent to Myla Epley at Myla.Epley@ Scouting.org.