 October, 2012 - Vol 6, Issue 10
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We Hear You!
Voice of the Scout Surveys Identifies Recharter, Communication & Roundtables as Areas for Focus
By Tim McCandless, Scout Executive
Last spring, more than 800 people completed the Voice of the Scout survey in our council to provide feedback on how we can make Scouting even better. This fall, Scouts, leaders and parents have another chance to complete the survey. You should have received the email link to the survey by now-if you didn't, check your spam filter or sign up for the surveys at www.nwscouts.org/vos.
3 key areas were identified last spring that our council can strengthen:
- The recharter process is too complicated. This summer, we organized a task force to review our recharter process and our council training policy to see how we can make the recharter process go smoother. Mike McGinnis, council commissioner, chaired this task force. Sevone McGinnis, the new Council Training Committee Chair, brought the training committee together to review the training policy. Result: the council has decided to separate the training policy from the recharter process. Leaders are still required to complete their necessary training within 6 months of registering (and must complete Youth Protection Training before registering) but this will not be tied to the recharter process. Instead, leaders will be recognized when their training is completed and units will be recognized when 100% of their leaders are trained.
- Communication and customer service needs to improve. People indicated that too frequently staff did not know the answers to their questions. What are we doing to improve this? We have implemented monthly training on customer service at our staff meetings, implemented a weekly conference call with all support staff to address questions that they receive so that they have the information necessary to answer customer's questions and issues, and redesigned our process to provide to all staff information on upcoming activities and programs so that staff are more knowledgeable on the many activities and programs across the council.
- Leader Roundtable Meetings Need to be Strengthened: Many leaders don't know about and have never attended the monthly leader roundtable in their district and are not aware of the benefit to attending roundtable. Some district roundtables are rated as excellent, but some district roundtables are found to be not very helpful. We are placing a major emphasis this year on making sure that (1) we better promote and explain the monthly roundtable meetings for leaders and (2) help districts make sure that the roundtable meetings are well-planned, well-run, and useful for our leaders. We are also working on putting together a training program for our roundtable leaders so that they have the support they need to deliver great roundtable meetings.
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Popcorn Campaign Update
Scouts are hitting the streets, standing in front of stores, finding mystery houses, creating on line accounts for the 40% commission and having a great time selling popcorn. Perhaps your Scouts are dreaming of being one of the top 10 sellers in the council that gets to sit on the Spokane Chiefs bench during warm-ups, seeing their name on the Jumbo Tron or maybe just claiming top seller bragging rights in their unit.
Whatever the motivation, Scouts are not just earning money for camp, but are creating sales skills, building confidence, managing money, setting and reaching goals, plus much more.
Click here to find out how to keep your sale from becoming stagnant.
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A great alternative for those easily frightened. This is a great event to bring your little ones and family in costume. Walk along our haunted trail where you will find games and prizes galore! At 3pm there will be a costume contest for youth 12 years old and under.
Where: Dishman Hills Park, 625 S. Sargent Rd, Spokane, WA
When: Saturday, October 27th 2pm - 4pm
Cost:$5 per person
Register online before October 24th to get $1 off admission.
Click here to get your tickets today!
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Voice of the Scout is how we will help guide our decision-making for our future programs and operational delivery. Please take a few minutes of your time to participate!
Update your current email address here so you can make your voice heard!
Lowe's Wants to Give you $100 for Your Eagle Scout Project! Free Money! 
ATTENTION ALL LIFE SCOUTS! Do you need a little extra money to help you with your Eagle Scout Project? Lowe's has given the council 33 $100 Discover Gift Cards to help you out. Apply for one now by going here. Offer only good on projects completed by the end of the year. The gift card can be used at any store.
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New Council Leadership
We are pleased to announce three new council committee chairs:
- Barry Rettkowski is the new Council Advancement & Recognition Committee Chair. This committee supports and oversees all advancement programs and promotes the recognition programs for youth and adults. The committee oversees the Eagle Scout process and board of review and reviews applications for the heroism awards. Each district has a volunteer representative on the committee. Special thanks to Tom Wilson who chaired this committee for three years.
- Mike Aageson is the new chairman of the Camp Easton Committee. This committee supports and coordinates improvement projects at Camp Easton, gives input into the camp strategic plan, promotes and coordinates the Adopt-A-Campsite program, and organizes and promotes work days at the camp. Special thanks to Paul Hoff who chaired this committee for many years prior to moving to Alaska.
- Sevone McGinnis is the new chairman of the Council Training Committee. This committee promotes and coordinates all volunteer training programs throughout the council. The committee oversees district and council training programs, including Leader Specific Training, National Youth Leader Training (NYLT), Wood Badge, Trainers' Edge, and more. Special thanks to Debby Ryan who chaired this committee for four years.
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Announcing our 2013 Camp Leadership
We are pleased to announce our camp directors for 2013:
Jacob Garretson will be the director of Camp Grizzly. Jacob served successfully as the business manager for Cam p Grizzly in 2012. Jacob is a senior at Eastern Washington University studying Outdoor Recreation.
 Bill Beaumont will be the director of Camp Easton. Bill is a district director with the council and served successfully as director of Cub Country the last 2 years. Bill is an Eagle Scout and has a BS in Recreation and Masters in Elementary Education.
Josh Paparazzo will be the director of Cub Country at Cowles Scout Reservation. Josh is a senior district executive with the council and served successfully as the Camp Grizzly director the last 3 years. Josh works with the Latah District and Exploring programs. Josh has a BS in Recreation and Masters in Sports & Facilities Management
Marlene Schaefer, district director serving the Lewis-Clark Trails District, will direct the North Idaho High Adventure Base which operates our whitewater rafting programs on the Salmon River.
Let's get all Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to camp in 2013!
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New Council Strip Announced
Dominick Rahn Designs New Council Strip
This spring, the council held a design contest for a new council shoulder patch. The existing patch has been in use for nearly 20 years. Dominick Rahn, Eagle Scout from Troop 218 in Thunderbird District, submitted the winning design. In recognition of his design work, Dominick received a $100 gift card to the Scout Shop and was recognized at our September executive board meeting. The new council patch is on order and will be available in our Scout Shops shortly. Watch also for a limited-edition, numbered series of the patches for early buyers.
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On the Horizon
Upcoming Events
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Gonzaga University
October 27th & November 17th
More than 20 Merit Badges to be Offered!
Registration has already begun for one hottest events of the fall. Registration is pouring in! You must act now to get into the STEM Merit Badge University taking place at Gonzaga University on October 27th and November 17th. Since there are only 350 spots available for the first year at the Merit Badge University, the best way to register for this event is online. That way you get immediate feedback about your registration. Classes are limited to 20 students. Don't delay, register today!!!
Register at www.nwscouts.org/STEM
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It's the Area's Largest Service Project: Scouting for Food.
Are You A Part of It?
Saturday, November 10th
It's time to go Scouting for Food! This is the Inland Northwest Council's annual "Good Turn" event! Thank you to Rosauers for making the event possible through their generous sponsorship.
Help us continue the tradition of performing a Good Turn by collecting 200,000 pounds of food this fall! Units have two options in how to participate in Scouting for Food: the two day plan or the one day "walk & knock". Scouts and volunteers will walk their assigned neighborhoods and pass out of 300,000 specially prepared bags and have the homeowner fill their bag. We hope to cover as many homes as possible throughout Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Please contact your local Scouting for Food district coordinator for more details and to pick your collection area. To sign up online to participate in this year's Scouting for Food drive in your local area, click here.
All food contributions collected should be returned to one of the drop off locations listed on the council website at www.NWScouts.org. Bags for Scouting for Food will be distributed at your local October roundtable meeting.
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Save the Date! The Journey to Excellence Conference is coming!
Saturday, December 1, 2012 is our Journey to Excellence Conference (JTEC). JTEC (jay-tech) is a one-day supplemental Scout leader training extravaganza! It goes beyond Basic Training for all Scouting adults, providing ideas and how-tos in a wide variety of topics. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend this premier Scouting workshop!
The Journey to Excellence Conference is the event of the year to renew knowledge, learn current policies, and share experiences in Scouting. All Scouting adults are invited and encouraged to attend. There will be something for everyone at this, the biggest Scout training event of the year!
This event will be held at University High School in Spokane Valley. A great line-up of classes will be finalized in just a couple weeks. Look for JTEC registration forms at your October district roundtable or plan to register online at www.NWScouts.org. Questions? Contact George Thompson, course director.
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Takin' Care of Business!
Adult Leader Training Opportunities and Recharter Information
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Adult Leader Training
Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader
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Recharter and Training Policy Update
A special task force was convened over the summer to review the council's recharter process and training policy in order to make the recharter process easier and to help all volunteer leaders receive the training that will help them do their jobs well.
The task force recommended and the council approved continuing our training policy, but separating it from recharter. Leaders still need to complete their training within 6 months of taking a position (Youth Protection Training must be completed immediately before registering). This requirement, however, will not be tied to the recharter process. Instead, leaders will be recognized with a special patch when they complete their required training and units will be recognized when 100% of their leaders are trained.
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Twelve Steps to Get Your Unit Charter Done With Ease
Follow these key steps to renewing your charter quickly and easily. It all starts with making sure all youth and adult applications are turned into the office. This will cut down your data entry time and provide fewer opportunities for errors. While the council training policy has not changed, it is no longer tied to the charter renewal process. This means your charter will not be put on hold or deemed unfinished due to training requirements not being met. Charters will still need required Institutional Head and Unit Leader signatures, payment and any attached applications of new youth and adults.
Get your twelve step charter renewal program here.
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Along the Trail
Camping Activities
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Trailblazer Days Get Cub Scouts, Families on the Right Path to Adventure!
Trailblazer Day is a special one-day event for all Cub Scouts and their families to kick-off a great program for the fall. Trailblazer Days are sponsored by the U.S. Sportsman Alliance and will feature activities put on by local volunteers from various outdoor groups and Inland Northwest Council districts. There are three Trailblazer Day events so choose the day and location that works for you. This is a wonderful way to introduce new Cub Scouts and their parents to the adventure that is Scouting! Make your reservation today. You can register by submitting a completed reservation form with payment to any of the three council service centers.
- Click here for information on dates, costs, for on-line registration, for the registration form or the informational flyer.
Quick Links to more Camping Opportunities
North Idaho High Adventure Base
Camp Easton
Camp Grizzly
Cub Country
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JamboRally Coming Soon! Save the Date!
Did you know that the Inland Northwest Council is sending a troop to the 2013 National Jamboree? If you had heard this and still don't know much about the jamboree and the tour of our nation's capital that is part of the trip then save the date of October 20th on your calendars and come to the JamboRally. It will be a fun event, with games, drawings for Summit/Jamboree gear, and of course food. This is also a reunion for anyone who has ever attended a National or World Jamboree. The location is yet to be determined, but stay tuned. There are only 20 spots left to be part of the first troop to attend the jamboree at its new home, the Summit. Click here to get more information about the Jamboree and the Summit and plan on attending the JamboRally to learn more of our council's plans for a once in a lifetime adventure!!! I CAN'T WAIT! For more information contact shaun.bawden@scouting.org
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 Are you ready for the zombie apocalypse? Will you be one who dares enter this year's 7th Annual Haunted Hike? This event is sure to be a scary fun time. If you love scary movies or things that go bump in the night, you do not want to miss this:
Where:
Dishman Hills Park, 625 S. Sargent Rd, Spokane, WA
When:
Friday, October 26th 7pm - 10pm & Saturday, October 27th 5pm - 10pm
Cost:
$6 per person
Register online before October 24th to get $1 off admission.
Get your Haunted Hike tickets today!
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Your Neck of the Woods
District News
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Chief Kamiakin District
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DeAnne Heflin, District Executive
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Whitman & Latah Counties
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Calendar
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Newsletter
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Chinook District
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Ashley Sinner, Senior District Executive
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Spokane's South Hill, West Plains & Lincoln County
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Calendar
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Newsletter
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David Thompson District
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Katie Wood, District Executive
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Bonners & Boundary Counties
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Calendar
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Newsletter
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Exploring & Latah District
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Josh Paparazzo, Senior District Executive
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Career & Workforce Development
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Calendar
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Grizzly District
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Dale Peters, Senior District Executive
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Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Freeman
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Calendar
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Newsletter
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Lewis Clark Trails District
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Marlene Schaefer, District Director
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Asotin, Clearwater, Idaho, Nez Perce Counties
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Calendar
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Newsletter
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Old Missions District
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Chris Petersen, District Director
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Kootenai, Benewah & Shoshone Counties
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Calendar
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Newsletter
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Stevens District
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Gary Roach, District Coordinator
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Stevens County, North Spokane
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Calendar
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Newsletter
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Thunderbird District
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Bill Beaumont, Senior District Executive
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North Spokane & Spokane County
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Calendar
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Newsletter
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- Volunteer to be a merit badge counselor in your vocation or avocation. Contact Dayna Reffner, Program Support Secretary, at 1-800-945-4390.
- Volunteer on a district or council committee. Contact Gerry Granum, Director of Field Service, at 1-800-945-4390.
- Send a Scout to camp by donating a campership. Click this link to make an online donation or mail your gift to Campership Fund, 411 W Boy Scout Way, Spokane, WA 99201.
- Donate gently used uniforms to our uniform bank so that we can provide uniforms to families with financial hardships. Drop off at any of our three Scout Service Centers.
- Support One Scout for One Year as part of our iSupport1 Campaign. Click this link to support one or more Scouts this year for $175 each. Your gift will provide volunteer training, programs and activities, camps, leader support and more for one or more Scouts in 2012.
- Donate your Car to Support Scouting-whether it runs or not! We'll even haul it away-click the link for details.
- Support the future of Scouting with a gift to the Inland Northwest Council Endowment Foundation. Make a Memorial Gift in memory of a friend or family member, a Tribute gift in honor of an Eagle Scout or other outstanding individual or join the James E. West Society with a gift of $1,000 or more.
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Print Your Coupons Here
at the Spokane Scout Shop
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