For 7 consecutive years, Troop 239 from the Iron Horse District has won the "Unit Challenge" award at the Annual ScoutReach Golf Tournament at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in Vallejo. In 2013, they challenge YOU!

We are asking all Packs, Troops, Teams, Crews and Ships to put together their winning foursome (both adults and youth are invited) and come participate in the 2013 tournament!

Who: All Packs, Troops, Teams, Crews and Ships

What: 8th Annual ScoutReach Golf Tournament

 When: June 28, 2013

Where: Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in Vallejo

       "An Arnold Palmer Signature Course"

Why: To support ScoutReach Programs in the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council

How Much: Foursome $500, Individual Golfer $150, Unit Tee/Green sponsor $100

For more information or to register:  

To Register Click Here!

In December of last year our Council established a Membership Standards Committee. The reason for the Committee was to survey our Scouting family and establish a consensus policy that would help with the tremendous pressure that our Council has been under concerning BSA's current membership policy. This pressure has been mounting from both inside our Scouting family and the greater Community that we serve.

Because of the diversity of our Council the Committee make up came from many geographical areas and beliefs within our Council. The Committee decided to conduct a survey from within our Council to provide the bedrock for any recommendations. The survey was emailed out to over 5,000 emails with a response percentage of 41%. We have attached the survey for your review and analysis. On Saturday March 16th at our Annual Business meeting the Committee's recommendations (Section 5) were adopted and are now the guiding principles for the Mount Diablo Silverado Council.

The data is overwhelming, 65% of respondents wanted the current policy changed; 81% of Scouts want LGBT individuals to be included in Scouting. It was not just the data that was so compelling, many of the responses got to the heart of this issue. As an example, respondent number 104: "We are so proud of everything scouting does for our sons and our community, but we are so ashamed of the national anti-gay policy. Please change the national policy, so that we do not have to apologize to our friends and family that our son is an Eagle Scout. "A respondent who is a middle school teacher said: "My son is in his first year as a tiger, the anti-gay sentiment honestly was one aspect that I struggled with when signing my son up." Additionally, respondent 55 summed up many comments: "I believe that your sexual orientation should not matter and should not even be a topic of debate as it is completely personal. Sex has no business in boy scouts."

Just as overwhelming is the response of our Community when as asked the question: "How likely would you recommend Scouting to a friend if the current LGBT policy does change." When you combine very likely respondents with likely to recommend respondents the percentages are 74%. This proves to us that the role that Scouting has in our Council cannot be held hostage by monolithic ideologies. These percentages along with the other data helped reinforce the recommendations that we have adopted as our principles.

I hope that you will take the time to review our data, read the comments and understand our recommendations. They will be our guiding principles as I head to the National meeting and beyond.  

Link to Survey Results 

The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council, Boy Scouts of America Annual Recognition Dinner was held this past Saturday, March 16th, at the Hilton Concord. The opening flag ceremony was presented by 2012 National Sea Scout Flagship, the S.S.S. Albatross, and the invocation was provided by Venturing Silver Award recipient, Ashley Belt. Sea Scout Quartermaster recipient, Ken Shupe, administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected Executive Board Members, Members-at-large, Council Officers, and National Representatives.  

Venturing Leadership Awards were presented to Ashley Belt, Alyssa Younger, and Emmalee Berryman-Maciel for their exceptional contributions to Venturing and exemplifying the Venturing Code and Oath.

Will Gittings of Troop 303 was presented the Heroism Award for his use of Scout skills and decisive actions in an emergency situation that helped save a young woman from losing functionality of her arm.

The Spirit of the Torch Award was presented to Sheila and Dave Rowntree for their outstanding service and leadership over a period of time to Scouts with disabilities. Their dedication and patience over the last 19 years has made a significant difference in the lives of the Scouts in Troop 1994.

Chuck Savage, presented awards of appreciation to the following program and activity chairs that were present at the dinner:

Chuck Savage - Camping Chair

Steve Israel - Las Aguilas Del Diablo Chair

John McBeth - Wilderness First Aid and CPR Training Coordinator

Paul Shimotake - International Committee Chair

Carol Wilson - National Leadership Training Course Director

Scott DeVenney - National Leadership Training Course Director

Jennifer Rupert - Jamboree Chair

Mary Chong - Order of the Arrow Lodge Advisor

Lillian Remer - Conservation Chair

John Ricketts - Venturing Leadership Association Chair

Donna Livingston-Fitch - Popcorn Kernel

Bart Gledhill - S.T.EM. Chair

Bill Phelon - Commissioner Training Chair

Three organizations that have formed relationships and partnerships with the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council and our communities in serving our youth were presented with the following awards:

The Civic Pride Award, which recognizes an organization that has worked with the Boy Scouts of America and has a reputation for the well-being of our communities as a whole, was presented to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council and the Food Bank have partnered for many years during the annual Scouting for Food Drive in November.

The Community Service Award, which recognizes an organization that provides service to the Boy Scouts of America and our communities, was presented to Con Way Western Express. The company and staff have donated their time, vehicles, and fuel to help transport food from the collection sites to the Food Bank during the annual Scouting for Food Drive in November.

The Partnership Award, which recognizes an organization for its partnership with the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council and in service to the youth of our communities, was presented to the Nuclear Science Division of Lawrence Berkeley Labs for their program support of the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics(S.T.E.M.) program  thru their very popular Nuclear Science Day.

Sue Rainey, Special Events Chair, was recognized for her efforts in ensuring there is funding for the Scouting program. Dave and Sheila Rowntree were acknowledged as Second Century donors to the endowment fund which will help ensure Scouting continues for future generations.

The highlight of the evening was the Silver Beaver Award presentation. The Silver Beaver is the highest recognition a Boy Scout council can bestow on a volunteer. It is given to select Scouters for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth. 

The following Scouters were awarded the 2012 Silver Beaver:

Mary Chong

Lance Elder

Dennis Gilreath

Wesley Hilton

Steve Israel

Jonnie Loughlin-Hagan

Michele Poloka

Jennifer Rupert

Peter Schakow

Suisei Heidebrecht

SAVE THE DATE

Patron Dinner

April 10, 2013

Blackhawk Museum

Guest Speaker:

Rear Admiral Thomas A. Cropper

President, California Maritime Academy

Eagle Scout

Dinner Chairman:

Chuck Smith

Retired CEO & President, AT&T West

Eagle Scout

In appreciation to contributors of $500+ to the 2013 Friends of Scouting campaign, the Patron Dinner is held to express the Council's appreciation of the donors support. For more information, please contact your District Executive or Chelsea McClain (chelsea.mcclain@scouting.org).