Picture this... you are out to dinner with friends and family, enjoying fellowship & food.  The next thing you know, someone at the dinner table is coughing, choking & struggling to breathe. 

Would you know what to do?  Gavin, a nine year-old Webelos Scout, knew exactly what to do & took action!

Once he noticed his friend was choking on a piece of food, Gavin immediately maneuvered behind his friend and positioned himself in order to apply the Heimlich maneuver, which his Cub Scout Pack had recently reviewed.  After several thrusts the food was discharged and his friend survived the incident.  Many adults were present at the time and prepared to assist if necessary, but Gavin had taken all necessary quick, deliberate, & appropriate action!

Gavin used all of his Scout training and observations in the successful attempt to save the life of his friend.  And, because he performed an act of service of rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others, he will be recognized with the Boy Scouts of America Medal of Merit.

We are all very proud of Gavin for using his Scout skills and reacting quickly to help his friend.  Gavin stated, "I was so happy to save my friend Christopher.  He is one of my good soccer buddies."  The Heimlich maneuver is just one of the many skills our Scouts learn every day.  Way to go Gavin!

The Holidays are over, the New Year has started - It's a New Start, but it's time to keep giving gifts - Give the Gift of Scouting to every youth. You as a Scouting Adult Volunteer have the ability, can obtain the knowledge needed, and know it's a great opportunity for every youth to be part of the BSA Mission.

As a Scouting Adult Volunteer your opportunities to promote and grow the BSA Mission are limitless. Be part of your Unit's Leadership, be part of your District's Leadership, or become part of the Council's Leadership. Your role can be working directly with the Scouts or you may choose to be part of the planning and develop of the Scouting Program.

Being a Scouting Adult Volunteer working directly with the Scouts includes positions such as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Assistant Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Merit Badge Counselor. When you are part of the planning and development of the Scouting Program you can be involved in Membership, Finance, Camping, Training, Activities, and Advancement.

Whatever your choice as your role as a Scouting Adult Volunteer - You will Make a Difference. You will be part of the Excitement and Fun for both you and our Scouts. A gift of your time is worth it to create our Youth's futures, our Scouts futures.

Help keep the Celebration Going Strong - One Mission, One BSA - United We Grow! 

The 2014 Friends of Scouting Campaign is off and running ...

In the next few months a Scouting representative will visit your Pack, Troop or Crew and give you an opportunity to invest in the future of Scouting here in Central Florida.

Funds raised in our 2014 Friends of Scouting campaign will help pay for unit service, leader training, youth scholarships, recruitment efforts, program development, program support, camping and much more.

Your gift is important.

Please make plans to participate at your next Blue & Gold or Court of Honor.

If you are unable to attend your Blue & Gold or Court of Honor, please help your unit achieve 100% family participation by making a donation using this link: http://support.cflscouting.org

On behalf of the over 25,000 Scouts here in Central Florida, thank you for being a part of this important campaign!!  Thank you for helping our Scouts be Prepared of Life!!

MyScouting Tools

This summer some new tools were added to MyScouting Tools. In August, under  Training Manager, unit and district Key 3 administrators began to be able to access a dashboard view of position trained leader status and Youth Protection Training status by organization level. With this tool, training can be added (not just YPT), and training certificates printed. As of 10/17/2013, the latest enhancements to MyScouting Tools were released and includes:

• Members' My Profile and unit/district rosters show a "Trained" icon next to positions to indicate member is position-trained.
• Training Manager (for Key 3)
• Youth Protection Training Report has been moved from the Search Training screen and placed on the YPT dashboard for quicker view.
• A new "Trained Leaders Report" is available and an icon placed on the Trained Leaders dashboard for printing.  This report lists those who are not position-trained, along with additional training needed to be position-trained in the position(s) they currently hold.  The report also lists those who are position-trained.

To view support materials for training features available to the unit Key 3, click on this link:  Training Manager.  For now, only unit, district, and council Key-3s have access to most of the tools. Soon they'll be able to grant administrator rights to others in their unit/service areas.

Cub Scout Leader Specifics Training

Earlier this year a new Den Leader Position-Specific Training course syllabus for Tiger Cub, Wolf, and Bear den leaders was released. The content of the course was developed based on the results of extensive surveys of den leaders in 2006 and 2011, Voice of the Scout feedback, and a den leader "competency" study in 2012. A new specifics course for Webelos den leaders, built on the same research, is in final editing and will be released this fall. These new courses are intended to provide den leaders with

the experience, basic information, and resources they need to conduct successful den meetings. Their design also addresses some of the primary skills den leaders need. The national training team is developing new courses for other pack leadership roles.

Venturing Training

After countless hours of research and work, the Venturing sub-committee of the National Strategic Plan's 4.1.1 task force, has made its recommendations for updates in the Venturing program. These proposed program enhancements will take effect in May of 2014. In the meantime, they are  busy writing new training to match the changes. Be on the lookout for a new and unique training for Crew Committee members, entitled... The Crew Committee Challenge. In addition, a much needed facelift to the current Venturing Leader Specific Training will be given. Four new youth training components including "Mentoring Others," "Goal Setting," and "Project Management" are being written. Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews is being updated to be more relevant to the Crews of today.

"Fully Trained"

We often fall into the trap of calling a Scouter "fully trained" when they complete "basic" training. It leads some to think that they have done all of the training they can.

Of course, no person is ever "fully trained." Once basic leader training is completed, advanced training from Wood Badge, Powder Horn, or Seabadge courses is encouraged. Supplemental training from the BSA MyScouting E-Learning center, Roundtable, University of Scouting, and the national training centers at Philmont Scout Ranch and Sea Base can be taken whether basic leader training has been completed or not. We all benefit from life-long learning - including training outside of what is offered by BSA.

The Boy Scout Golden Eagle Dinner (or Luncheon) is an opportunity for us to recognize the good works of our community leaders & share the story of Scouting throughout Central Florida.  We will host 11 events through the months of March, April & May and we invite you to find one near you to attend! 

Check out the dates & details below.  To find out how you can participate as a Corporate Sponsor or attend with your friends, contact Nancy.Freeman@scouting.org.

As we begin this New Year, I would like to first start by saying thank you to our Scouters for their dedication to the Scouting program here in Central Florida. The Central Florida Council serves over 25,000 Scouts in our traditional uniformed program and this could not be possible without the devotion and dedication of our 7,632 Scouters and over 7,000 community investment partners.

Allow me to take a moment to call your attention to just a few of our many successes from 2013. As previously reported the construction of the new Brown and Brown Insurance Aquatics Center broke ground in December 2013 through a magnificent gift from Hyatt and Cici Brown and Brown & Brown Insurance. This second pool will enhance the programs we offer to Scouts who attend our camp. In 2013, over 12,000 Cub Scouts and their families attended our Cub Scout adventure weekends at our camp. This past summer more than 5,700 Boy Scouts attended a long term summer camp or high adventure experience and over 320 Scouts and Scouters from our Council attended the 2013 National Jamboree.

Our Council's largest training event the 2014 University of Scouting held at East River High School on January 25th is right around the corner. The University of Scouting is offering over 160 different classes and seminars developed to provide adult leaders of our Council to provide bring great Scouting programs for our youth. In addition a presentation on the BSA's new High Adventure Base "The Summit" by one of the Summit Directors.

Yours in Scouting,

Robert Utsey

Council President