December 2013
| Vol 6, Issue 10
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The Dispatch
Monthly News
for Marin Council Leaders
and Friends
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Opportunities abound for Scouting in December. As we wind up the year, completing rechartering and Journey to Excellence, we can look back at a year that has been full of fun and adventure.
Read through this Dispatch to find out what is going on, not only in the next few weeks, but after the first of the year. There are articles about:
- Journey to Excellence
- Scouting for Food
- World Jamboree in 2015
- Of the Year Recognition
- Camp Staff Opportunities
- And much more
As always, should you have questions, contact your commissioner or the council office for help.
We wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season!
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The Best Service Project Ever!
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Marin Council: You're Awesome!
 This year, you all again worked tirelessly for the Marin Food Bank and brought in a whopping 35,000 lbs of food! That is about 2500 lbs more than last year. Your efforts make a significant impact on what the Food Bank can do and on Marin County's families in need. The patches are ordered and should be in at the beginning of the year. Hopefully, we will be able to bring them to the January roundtable on January 8.
Thank you very much for your hard work!
Thanks also goes to Talako Lodge for again helping with unloading at the Food Bank. Their efforts helped traffic to keep moving and kept the lines short. If you see these Scouts and leaders, please thank them: Youth: Kenny Larsen (Lodge Chief), Karl Menzel (Vice Chief), Dylan Moynihan (Vice Chief), Ryan Moynihan, Ryan Ward (Lodge Secretary), Michael Kintscher (Section Chief), Zack Crosley (Section Vice Chief), James Barton (Section Secretary), Braulio Resendiz, Jorge Marquez, Daniel Geloso, Cole Cuthbert, Nate Gelbach, Tommy Young, Colin Daly, Danny Geitheim, Kevin Makens, Chris Vogt, Nathan Troup, Mark Otavka. Supporting adults were Chris Cardinal (Lodge Chief), Thomas Troup, Ed Vorous, Bob Del Secco, Matt Swalberg, Kenn Moynihan, Jeff Greendorfer.
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Are You Finished? The Clock is Ticking . . .
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 The recharter paperwork was due in our office on Monday, December 2. If you are not done, please let us know how we can help.
Some of the common issues we are finding as people are bringing in their paperwork:- Applications are not accompanying the paperwork for new adults or youth
- Applications are not signed properly (applicant and unit leader for youth and applicant, charter rep, and committee chair for adults)
- People are not adding the $3 per registration for insurance. This does not appear on the tally at the right-hand top of the roster. However, it is on the fee sheet we included in the packet.
If you have additional people who joined after you have submitted your work to BSA, then just bring the forms into the office, and we will enter them. |
Get Ready, Get Set, Roundtable!
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 The next roundtable is on Wednesday (tonight), December 4. Both Boy Scout and Cub Scout sessions begin at 7:30 p.m. Roundtable is held at the LDS Church, 220 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael, on the first Wednesday of most months through June. The January session will be on January 8. Make a note of this because it is not the first Wednesday of the month (that is New Year's Day). Anyone is welcome to attend. At least one person from each unit should come to stay up-to-date on what is happening around the council.
Here's an update from Cub Scout roundtable commissioner Ron Poggi: Greetings Cub Scout Leaders, For our December meeting, the theme is Lights, Camera, Action, and our core value is Positive Attitude. We will be making a special craft project where everyone will take home their very own unique creation. Join us during this holiday season as we talk about our Duty to God and the variety of religious awards your Cub Scouts can earn. This will be a special meeting that you will want to attend. And remember, bring another leader from your pack, and you just might take home Cubby!!! |
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Council Office and Tradin' Post December Hours
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 The Council office and Trading Post will be closed for the afternoon of December 20.
The Trading Post will be closed for inventory starting December 24 through January 2. Inventory only applies to the Trading Post; the Council office will be open. The Marin Council office will be closed for the holiday, December 24, beginning at noon as well as closed December 25 and January 1.
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2015 World Jamboree Introductory Meeting
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 When: January 8 Time: 7:30PM Where: LDS Church, 220 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael Come learn about the World Jamboree on Wednesday, January 8, and find out why this event--similar to attaining Eagle Scout or Ranger/Silver/Quartermaster awards--will be the one of the pinnacles of your Scouting career. The World Jamboree to be held in Japan in 2015 will be a very special experience, and is only open to Boy Scout and Venturing youth ages 14-17. Who should attend: Boy Scouts and Venturers who will be of age 14-17 by July 2015, parents, Scoutmasters, Advisors, assistant Scoutmasters, and associate Advisors. Join us to find out about more in a short, casual meeting; you'll hear from former World Jamboree Scouts and leaders about this wonderful once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. |
Opportunity to Recognize Youth and Adults
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 Many years ago, the Marin Council started the Of the Year recognition program to identify and applaud Scouts and leaders that stand out. While there are certainly many of those people, and it is indeed a difficult decision, both youth and adults appreciate the time we take to give them a pat on the back, and encouraging word, and recognition for their achievements.
Make sure you take the time to select a youth or adult using the Of the Year forms found on our web site by clicking this link. The process is very simple. We suggest you form a small committee of people that can identify your candidates--both youth and adults. Once you identify youth candidates for your unit, your selection will be interviewed by a group of volunteers to select the council-level recognition recipient. (Only youth are interviewed.) The deadline for your selections to be submitted to the council office is January 10. The interviews will take place on January 30. All youth and adults will be recognized at the annual Marin Council Recognition Dinner on March 10.
You can also nominate one adult volunteer from each unit as your Volunteer of the Year. Also available are nominations for Award of Merit and Silver Beaver. These last two are awarded to adults for exceptional service to youth at many levels over an extended period of time.
Contact our office if you have any questions.
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It's Not Too Early to Be Thinking about Camp Staff.
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 It is not too early to be thinking about having your Scouts or adults participate on camp staff next summer. The two camps we have are gems, and the programs we run there are priceless in effecting growth in our Scouts.
There are three Cub Scout day camps at Tamarancho next summer and six weeks of Boy Scout resident camp at Marin Sierra. Both are opportunities to give back to camp, grow in leadership and people skills, develop a strong work ethic, and earn some money. Along with that, the experience often reignites a Scout's interest in Scouting, and it is common for staff members to form life-long friendships with the people they work with. You can believe that the difference they make in the lives of the Scouts they teach and work with at the camps leaves a legacy in those Scouts lives.
We'd love to come to speak with troops or crews about staffing at camp to generate interest and answer questions. Give us a call or email us to let us know when we can come. Applications for Boy Scout resident camp can be downloaded by clicking this link. Cub Scout day camp applications are available here. Also you can email Chris Wells about Cub Scout camp or Tim Wells about Boy Scout camp with any questions.
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Exceptional Camping Opportunities!!!
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 It's not too early to plan for the 2014 camping season. So for those looking for outstanding high adventure camps throughout the U.S., please send an email for a spreadsheet of about 75 (yes, 75) such opportunities.
Add to your pack, troop, and crew calendars the work parties that desperately need help from you all to maintain our highly-valued and heavily-used Camp Marin Sierra. These are on the coming 2014 Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. There is lots of important work to do, but also lots of food and fun! For more information about those, email Tim Wells. In addition to Tamarancho and Marin Sierra, remember that we have our very own remote high adventure camp for Leave No Trace camping just a few hours away. Anyone interested in a weekend at Slanes Flat, an amazing site, should contact the council office. |
Properties Important Reminder
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Things are happening in all our properties. Read the December report from our VP or Properties, John Pope, by clicking this link. Work Parties
Many times, we hear people say: "If we had known about your work parties, we would have helped." Well, here is your opportunity to put them on your calendars:
The first Saturday of every month: Work party at Tamarancho, 9:00-Noon. Bring your lunch if you wish, gloves, enthusiasm, and a friend. There is always work to be done at Camp!
Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends: Every year for years and years at Marin Sierra there have been work parties on these weekends to de-winterize/open and winterize/close camp respectively. Because we have snow for 6 months of the year, effort goes into transforming camp from summer to winter use and back every year. Plus, there are always tons of maintenance projects. We house and feed you for the weekend. What could be better?
Marin Council, let's take the ownership of our camps to heart and help maintain them. Plan to come to each camp once or twice a year. You won't regret it! Contact John Pope or the council office to find out how you can help.
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Rechartering and Journey to Excellence
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 It's that time of the Scouting year again! We're looking for on time rechartering (by December 2) and GOLD units! Your commissioner is ready to help you accomplish both actions. So don't wait! If your unit commissioner hasn't contacted you, reach out and contact him or her! With data in hand from your rechartering package and your unit's experiences in 2013 the following four-step process can be completed in under an hour! Read more . . .
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| Introducing the Cub Hub |
The Cub Hub is the new online gateway into the world of Cub Scouting.  Cub Scouting goes beyond the uniform. It's about fun and doing your best. And the Cub Hub is all about showing that through vivid pictures, videos, and stories. We're always searching far and wide for the best of Cub Scouting on the Web and elsewhere. Think of it like a giant idea factory! Here, you'll find amazing and creative ideas to bring more fun to your pack. -
Ideas to put a little zing in your meetings
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Sweet contests
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Super fun projects for parents and Cub Scouts
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Amazing images and videos sure to get you and your Scout fired up
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And some just plain cool Cub Scout-related content from all over the Web
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Links to everywhere Cub Scouts are on the Web! You can connect with your fellow Scout leaders and parents on the Cub Scout social channel of your choice - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or Pinterest.
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Basic information including guidelines and how-tos to help parents and leaders do their best.
The new home of the Cub Scouts. You can find it online by clicking this link. Check it out now! Don't forget to tell family and friends so they can join in the fun, too! |
Distinguished Citizens
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We are pleased to announce our 2013 Distinguished Citizen Honorees, recognizing two outstanding Marin leaders, both of whom have displayed exceptional service to youth in our community over many years.   David Hellman
Marin County Office of Education Trustee, Rotarian, Past President Marin County Bar Association, and supporter / advisor to a number of Marin County non-profits. Mary Jane Burke Superintendent of Schools Marin County Office of Education, Dominican University Board of Trustees, and recognized leader in education and public service. David and Mary Jane will be honored at the Marin Council Distinguished Citizen Dinner on Thursday, December 12, 2013. If you wish to attend, contact Michael Dybeck. |
What's Tradin' at the Tradin' Post
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 Come on in to the Tradin' Post to find some gifts for your Scout or your Scout leader. You can find our holiday hours in the article above. We hope you have a great December and a wonderful holiday season! |
Other Important News
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The Shooting Sports Committee would like more volunteers to help. This is a wonderful opportunity to participate with the youth in something they love and educate them in safety and proper use of firearms. The committee meets on the third Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m., at council office. Rifle, BB, and archery range staff positions are available for qualified safety-minded volunteers. Range staff training is ongoing. Check the council calendar for training dates and events or call or email the office for information. --------------------------  The Oakland A's are happy to announce that the A's Scout Day event will be back for the 2014 season! This year's event is scheduled for Sunday, June 1, vs. the LA Angels. Once again, the event will feature a special pregame festival, parade, and a Scout day patch.
Group tickets are now on-sale. To reserve a group, all that is required is a 10% deposit. Call or email Mason Snyder directly at 510-563-2373 to get started! --------------------------  For those interested in Geology programs for Webelos, click this link to find out how you can participate in a geology program at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch.
-------------------------- By clicking this link, you will find a great BSA resource for membership. Take a look through the sight, and see what is available for packs, troops, and crews to recruit. |
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A Scout is Thrifty!
 With that in mind, it might be time to start thinking about your end of the year tax liabilities. Since the markets are at new highs, gifts of appreciated securities can be very beneficial not only to your charity of choice but also for your own tax purposes. In most cases you'll receive the full market value charitable deduction as well as avoid capital gains taxes on the appreciated value. Contact Michael Dybeck to find out more about giving options.
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Marin Council, Boy Scouts of America
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