C OM PA S S
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016
CHECK OUT THESE UPCOMING PROGRAMS!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW
TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO PAGES
TRAINING
5
ADVANCEMENT
7
CAMPING &
OUTDOOR
PROGRAM
9
MEMBERSHIP
MATTERS
11
DISTRICT NEWS
14
SUPPORTING
SCOUTING
PROGRAMS
17
COUNCIL
CONTACTS
20
SPECIAL
POINTS OF
INTEREST:
 2017 Summer
Camp
 2016 Popcorn
Dates
 Upcoming Events
 And more!
What A Great Fall For Cub Scouts!
Each District will be hosting a Cub Scout Fall Fun Day October 22
In Appalachian District Cub Scouts can experience a day of Magic at
Saint Marks School in Pittsfield. Participants will receive a Magic Kit.
More info HERE.
In General Knox District come and be a Viking for a
Day at the Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation.
There is also an option for your Pack or Den to stay overnight. More
info HERE
In Metacomet District come and join the Carnival at
Chesterfield Scout Reservation. Games – Games and More Games – A
Midway of FUN. More info HERE.
Opportunities ABOUND all over western Massachusetts!
Encourage your CUBS to experience the fun and excitement of Scouting
There’s no reason for the Cub Scouts to be bored this Fall. Cubs may attend any one of
the above, no matter where you live. Bring a friend who may be interested in joining
Scouts.
The Yukon Challenge is an exciting week-long experience that will help you develop skills that will
allow you to enjoy camping year-round. While winter camping has obstacles that must be dealt
with, once you learn how to overcome them, this time of year offers a widerange of activities that are unique to the season. Join us for the Yukon Challenge and you will be well on your way to being able to fully enjoy this season as much, if not more, than the other three seasons. Activities include
ice climbing, dog sledding, shelter building, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and
cross-country skiing.
Interested? Then plan to join us February 19 – 25, 2017 at the Moses Scout Reservation. This
program is offered to individual Scouts, so your unit does not need to attend. Register at
www.tentaroo.com/westernmass to reserve a spot by submitting a $50 deposit by December 1,
2016! The total fee is $370 if paid by January 15, 2017; $395 if paid after that date. Siblings
receive a $25 discount (one Scout pays the early bird or full fee, siblings pay the reduced fee).
Note: Attendance at the Yukon Challenge Week qualifies you for the Multiple Week Discount of
$50 for any additional weeks of camp at the Moses Scout Reservation in 2017.
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Page 2
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
JEFF GLAZE, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Our Legacy as Scouters
This was a great week for me – I was so proud to be at the kickoff of this year’s Wood
Badge Course, which included the honor of presenting Bob Walz with his 4 beads.
For those who may not know the significance of this, let me backtrack a bit…..When Baden
Powell knew that this ‘Scouting thing’ was going to take off, he assembled a training class
for adults, to pass on his view of how Scouting should carry on. When he finished this training, he wanted to give each learner something they could wear to show they had completed
this course. From his military days, he had a breastplate from a Zulu warrior, which had
been presented to Baden Powell honoring him for his heroism. This breastplate was made
of many small hard wooden beads, which he unstrung and presented on simple pieces of Jeff Glaze
Council President
leather string, hence the name “Wood Badge”.
Today, we only present 2 beads when the learner applies the skills taught in their Scouting
roles. When someone serves on staff they receive a third bead. Those who go on to direct a
Wood Badge course earn their 4th bead. The bittersweet part of this is once someone earns
a 4th bead, they need to step back and let others lead – one cannot repeat as a Course Director.
I was very proud because when Bob took Wood Badge, he was a learner on ‘my course’. Now
he has gone on to be invited back to serve on staff several times, and has been selected to
be a course director. His job is to recruit and train the staff, and really his job is done when the course starts –
because it’s time for his staff to do their job.
This is one of those special traditions in Scouting – which we all are passing on the special things we have
learned to others – creating our legacy in others.
This reminds me of another Wood Badge story. When I was selected to staff for the first time, we prepared for
our course under the direction of course director Jim Law. About 6 weeks before the course started, we had
72+ people signed up, and the decision was made to split the course into two – and the word went out to bring
back anyone they could find who was qualified to be Wood Badge staffers. Jack Leone was selected to lead
the second troop, and we had to scramble to put this all together.
During that course, I met a man named Bob Clark who had been Council President, and moved away to Michigan. He came back to work Wood Badge with me, and one night around a campfire Bob pulled me aside and
said ‘Jeff, one day you should be Council President’. I was 24 years old at the time, and the thought of being
Council President couldn’t have been further from my mind.
But now, as your Council President, I understand that Bob was right on target – he knew that the future of
Scouting comes from recruiting people to stretch themselves, take the training, learn how
Scouting works – and then let the new people move forward. Bob is likely not around anymore – in fact I never saw him after that course, but his words have inspired me for more
than 30 years.
Yours in Scouting,
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Page 3
COMMISSIONER CORNER
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
With the Back to School sales rapidly retreating in the rear view mirror, the 201617 Scouting season is in full swing and it’s time to start thinking about rechartering. To remain properly registered with national and the council, and also
properly insured and protected (not something that the Chartering Organization
wants you to ignore or overlook!), troops, crews, packs, units, etc. all need to recharter each year.
During last year’s re-chartering, the largest obstacle and most time-consuming for
the Commissioners to chase down, was ensuring that all of the registered leaders
were up-to-date with their Youth Protection Training. National requirements are for Sam Everett
all adult leaders to take YPT every two years, however there is nothing that prevents Council Commissioner
leaders from taking it annually. Furthermore, the YPT training is fairly short and can
be completed at a committee meeting, during a troop, pack, crew meeting, or online. Most Unit Commissioners have been trained to provide Youth Protection
Training to leaders, so please select a date now that works for the unit in order to
help avoid issues in January.
Here’s a quick outline of key “to dos” for Unit Commissioners in October:
Charter packages will be available at your District Roundtable, or be delivered by your
Unit Commissioner. Make sure you collect all membership and Boys Life fees, and that all new youth
and adult application forms are provided.
Critically important is for all adults to be up to date on their Youth Protection Training, so please
schedule dates/times to provide that training for each of your units.
This year’s re-chartering forms will again be due at the Council Office in early December, so we urge you
to plan accordingly.
As always, your Unit Commissioner or Roundtable Commissioner can help you with the process or
answer your questions ensure that you’re all set for 2017.
In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to call or email me if I can be of any assistance.
Yours in Scouting,
Sam Everett
Council Commissioner
Don’t miss our 34th
annual College of
Commissioner Science on Dec 3! Visit
our website for more
details.
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SCOUT EXECUTIVE’S MINUTE
DAVID KRUSE, SCOUT EXECUTIVE
Hopefully your Scouting year is off to a great start. During this time of year units are
kicking things into high gear. We are recruiting new Cub Scouts into packs, and
hopefully troops are recruiting their own new members, and helping their feeder
packs with recruitment. By this time you should have planned a full year of Scouting
program and have kicked off your popcorn sale to fund that program. New leaders
are joining and we need to get them trained to deliver the Scouting program at a
high level (see Mary’s article below). There is so much going on at this time of the
year that it may seem overwhelming. We can help! We can help with your recruiting
efforts, your popcorn sale, planning your program, and getting your leaders trained.
Just let your district executive, or one of your district or council volunteers know
David Kruse
what you need. That’s what we are here for.
Scout Executive
Scouts join Scouting for our fun programs, and we need to deliver. One great way to
get new Cub Scouts to experience Scouting soon after they join is at our Cub Scout
Fall Fun Days. We have put together three events spread around the council to enable new Cubs to participate in an outdoor program. Of course existing Scouts can
participate and are encouraged to bring a friend who might be interested in joining
Scouts. All three events will be help on October 22. For those that find Pittsfield the
most convenient, learn more HERE. If you would like to attend the event at Chesterfield Scout reservation, learn more HERE. Information on the event at Moses Scout
Reservation, can be found HERE.
On a different subject, we started holding “council-wide” meetings in October, 2012. These meeting
have sort of been a “state-of-the-council” meeting. This year, we will hold them in two locations, as you
can see below. We will update you on the fiscal situation of your council, provide information on the status of our council properties, make information available on upcoming programs, and answer any questions you may have. Please plan to join us at one of these meetings.
Yours in Scouting,
The next council-wide meetings are scheduled for October 26 at St. John’s Lutheran
Church, 60 Broad St. in Westfield, at 7pm, and October 27 at Lee Middle and High
School, 300 Greylock St., Lee at 7pm. All are welcome. Be sure to attend to get the
latest information on what’s going on in our council including the financial status of
the council.
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Page 5
TRAINING
Every now and then someone asks “if a leader took this training 10 years
ago, are they still considered trained”. It is a good question and depending
on the training course, the leader may still be trained.
We are all well aware that Youth Protection training is good for two years.
What other courses do you need to redo every two years? Climb on Safely,
Trek Safely, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, and Chain Saw Safety.
We have some trainings that are good for three years: Trainer’s EDGE, Paddle Craft Safety, BSA Lifeguard, and Swimming and Water Rescue.
What about the rest of the trainings you have taken during your Scouting career, you ask. The leader
specific trainings and BALOO have no expiration date. If you took BALOO 10 years ago, you are still BALOO trained, just as would be your Scoutmaster who did his training 20 years ago.
It is recommended that you consider re-taking the trainings that you may have taken years ago as an
update. You say you are already trained, well yes, you may be, but are you trained for the current Scouting program being offered at your level. The Cub Scout program especially has seen a dramatic overhaul over the last few years. Consider re-taking the training for the specific level you are currently serving.
The training committee supports multiple opportunities for training at the Cub Scout, Boy Scout and
Venturing levels. Please check the website Upcoming Training tab for the current trainings available. If
you do not see the training you are looking for, please feel free to utilize the training on request system.
Please keep in mind that there are some courses, such as the outdoor and weekend-long programs
which cannot be offered on request at a unit level.
As always, please feel free to contact myself or the training committee at [email protected]
Mary Benjamin
Training Committee Chairperson
Visit the BSA Online
Learning Center to access
many online training
courses
COUNCIL TRAINING CHAIRPERSON: MARY BENJAMIN - [email protected]
TRAINING STAFF ADVISOR: STEVEN ROBERTS
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Page 6
YOUTH PROTECTION
Now that fall is here and everybody is back to normal Scouting schedules,
it is important to check your leaders Youth Protection Status before starting the charter renewal process. Some Scouters Youth Protection may
have expired over the summer or will in the time or shortly after charter
packets are due in early December. Some of you may have received a reminder e-mail from National. DO NOT ignore it. If you do not renew your
Youth Protection Training after it expires, you may find yourself off your
unit’s roster. Now is the perfect time to re-new your Youth Protection training. Districts may be holding Youth Protection training at or before
Roundtables the next few months to help Scouters get their training updated. Or, Youth Protection can be taken online at anytime.
October is Bullying Prevention or Awareness Month. Here are suggestions that you can follow:
 Consider planning an anti-bullying event or meeting for parents, leaders, and youth.
 Review the Bullying Prevention Guide and share with leaders.
 Share articles on bullying with parents and leaders, from the ScoutingWire site: http://scoutingwire.org.
 Review the resources available in the “Bullying Awareness” section of BSA’s Youth Protection website.
 Review materials available at StopBullying.gov. BSA utilizes StopBullying.gov’s content in messaging and
training.
 Remember that bullying also includes cyberbullying. Information on cyberbullying is available on Stopbullying.gov, as well as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) NetSmartz program at
http://www.netsmartz.org/. NetSmartz has materials for parents, as well as age appropriate materials
for youth.
 Ask youth to read and discuss the following articles about cybersafety in Boys’ Life magazine: Discuss
with parents, leaders, and youth how the Scout Oath and Scout Law applies to Bullying Prevention
Month.
Now there is some good news. Youth Protection is teaming with the ScoutingWire Community of Social Media Communications. The frequency of communications with these weekly releases will get out Youth Protection articles and activities in a more timely fashion. So, sign up for the weekly releases at Scoutingwire.org under Stay Connected.
Although our Area 2 is last in the Northeast Region in Youth Protection, we as a council have stayed in the
90% range. In fact, we have increased our percentage over the summer to 92.12% at the end of August.
That’s good, but we can do better. For July and August, the Northeast Region remained on the top with percentages of 91.95 and 91.94 (the National overall percent is
88.69). Lets try to up our percentage closer to the goal of 100%
Youth Protection Trained.
Peter Izyk with
Remember – Youth Protection begins with YOU. Mike Johnson
and Jim Wilson at
the Youth ProtecPeter B. Izyk
tion Booth at the
Council Youth Protection Champion
National Annual
Meeting in San
Diego May, 2016
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Page 7
ADVANCEMENT
Greeting from Advancement and Recognition!
This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to venture out west and attend a training session at the
Philmont Training Center with my wife and two sons. It was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend
doing so, and soon!
While at Philmont I had the pleasure of meeting a number of Scouters from all over the United States as well
as from a number of foreign nations including Egypt and Japan. After seeing the various different uniforms
and knots I began to do some research. I learned a great deal, but there was one item in particular that I
wanted to share this time around.
In the 1970’s the Boy Scouts of America began the process of revamping their programs to include women.
With the introduction of “Cubbing,” later known as the Cub Scout program in the early 1930’s, women were
only allowed to be Den Mothers with the aid of a Den Chief and by the late 1960’s women could register as
Den Leaders. Recognition for Den Mother’s and later Den Leader’s was sparse. By the later 1960’s women
were allowed to earn the Scouter’s Training Award, but there was no higher recognition. The District Award of
Merit was not introduced until 1971 and the Silver Beaver Award was only awarded to men, so it was decided that something needed to be change.
Following a study done in 1969 about awards for women Scouters the National Council of the Boy Scouts of
America in 1971 introduced the Silver Fawn Award. This award was to be presented to a female Scouter for
outstanding service to youth within the Council she served and would consist of a small sterling silver fawn
suspended from a thin green and white ribbon. This award was to be of equal merit as the Silver Beaver
Award presented to male Scouters. Within the first year some 382 Silver Fawns were awarded. The number
grew from there. In the first six months of 1974 over 400 were awarded. It was at that point that the National
Council decided to discontinue the award and allow women to receive the Silver Beaver Award. Women who
received the Silver Fawn Award were given the choice to retain their original award or turn it in for a Silver
Beaver Award. Many chose to keep their Silver Fawn. The knot worn on their uniform, however, would be a
Silver Beaver Award knot. From 1971 to 1974 2,455 awards were presented to deserving women throughout the United States.
Within the Western Massachusetts Council there were a total of seven Silver Fawns:
1971 – Henrietta W. Crafts, Charlotte Robinson
1972 – Hazel Frappier, Elizabeth “Betty” Moynihan
1973 – Dorothy M. Giard, Jane E. Vear
1974 – Margaret Lavoie
In 1974, Mary Ott became the first women within our council to receive the Silver Beaver Award.
Yours in Scouting, Joshua Hall
COUNCIL ADVANCEMENT CHAIRMAN: JOSHUA HALL - [email protected]
ADVANCEMENT STAFF ADVISOR: STEVEN ROBERTS
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Fun times on the Aqua Park at Moses Scout Reservation.
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Boston Museum of Science
Sunday, January 15 - 2017
Monday, January 16, 2017
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Boston, Massachusetts
THE BOSTON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE OVER NIGHT
PROGRAM
Is one of the most talked about events for Cub Scouts AND Webelos each year.
This year there are ONLY spots for 500 Cub Scouts from the
Western Massachusetts Council to participate in this fun-filled
overnight experience.
The cost is $65.00 per participant {After Nov. 1, 2016}
$60.00 If Paid by November , 2016.
Registration Forms On Line: http://www.wmascouting.org/activities/
Boston_Science_Museum.html
Don’t miss out - Don’t miss the discount
FULL PAYMENT IS REQUIRED TO GUARANTEE A
SPOT
Tour Plan required for this event
Siblings will be allowed based on space available – Ages 6 – 10 Only
Visit this link to find out more - http://www.mos.org/overnights
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Page 10
TRIBUTE FUND–
SUMMER 2016
Eagles Nest
In Memory of Mark Abert:
Heidi and Bonnie Atanian
Joe Case
Jane Condon
Pocumtuc Lodge, WMC
In Memory of James Grimsley:
George C. Baumann
In Memory of Eleanor Kidd:
Steven J. Penniman
In Memory of Charles E. Russis, Sr.
Pack 164
In Memory of Gene Pike (Manor
House Fund):
Robert and Jeanne King
Linda and Walter LaKota
George and Anetia Nay
In Honor of Ted Addis:
Eva Schocken and the 2016
Hill Institute Boat Building Class
In Memory of Eathan Piaggi-Cornell:
H. Jackson, Universal Primary
Care
Jackson D. Rhine
Ryan E. McGrath
Owen G. King
Connor G. Pfalzgraf
Kamran Noori Sharazi
Matthew J. Parent
Daniel M. James
Charles J. Weyer
Joshua F. Guntly
Ethan M. McKeever
Thomas J. Perkins
10
Troop 104
Troop 103
Troop 103
Troop 179
Troop 90
Troop 303
Troop 131
Troop 90
Troop 131
Troop 303
Troop 500
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CAMPING & OUTDOOR PROGRAM
BUILD YOUR ADVENTURE!
Scouting is a game with a purpose; for each Scout to learn skills, have fun and challenge themselves. One of the best places to make it all happen is at day camp or overnight camp. Join us for a week or more and build YOUR adventure during summer
camp.
Fees for summer camp in 2017 include modest increases around 5%.
Cub Day Camp: $175 early bird/$200 full fee/$50 staff child
Cub Resident Camp Full Week: $330 early bird/$355 full fee/$90 adult/den chief
Cub Resident Camp Short Week: $195 early bird/$215 full fee/$60 adult/den chief
Boy Scout Resident Camp/NYLT: $370 early bird/$395 full fee/$100 adults/CITs
Additional discounts apply for siblings and multiple weeks of camp. Details of all the fees will be available on the council website in late August.
John Willemain
Camp Director
Moses Scout Reservation
[email protected]
[email protected]
2017 WEEK-LONG CAMPI NG
OPPORTUNITIES
For Boy Scouts and Venturers:
Yukon Challenge: Feb. 19-25
National Youth Leader Training (NYLT): June 24-June 30
Boy Scout Resident Camp:
Week 1: July 2-8 (Note: This is new in 2017!)
Week 2: July 9-15 (Was Week 1)
Week 3: July 16-22 (Was Week 2)
Week 4: July 23-29 (Was Week 3)
The above programs take place at H.A. Moses Scout Reservation
Don’t miss out on the ATV Weekends at Moses
Scout Reservation! New opportunities have been
added for this fall! For more information and to
register, click on the Activities tab of the council
website.
For Cub Scouts:
Cub Scout Resident Camp:
Short Week: July 30-August 2
Full Week: July 30-August 4
Cub Scout Day Camp:
Week 1 at Moses: June 26-30
Week 2 at St. Marks, Pittsfield: July 10-14
Week 3 at Chicopee Sportsmans Club, Granby: July 17-21
Week 4 at 1st Baptist Church, East Longmeadow: July 24-28
VICE PRESIDENT FOR PROGRAM: JOHN WILLEMAIN - [email protected]
PROGRAM STAFF ADVISOR: STEVEN ROBERTS
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Page 12
NEW WEEK-LONG PROGRAM FOR BOY SCOUTS AND
VENTURERS IN 2017
MOSES ADVENTURERS CLUB
Are you a Boy Scout 14 years or older or a Venturer?
Are you interested in an extra week at Scout camp but don’t want to focus
on merit badges?
Are you looking for a different summer camping experience?
Then we have just the program for you! During any of the four weeks of
Boy Scout summer camp, you can join the Moses Adventurers Club. We
will have opportunities for you to travel outside of camp to participate in
adventures such as caving, rock-face climbing, river canoeing (short trips and 50-miler), bike touring, backpacking
(short trips and 50-miler), fly-fishing, SCUBA diving and more.
SCOUTING FOR FOOD 2017
Every unit is encouraged to participate in a Scouting for Food drive.
This is a great way to:
Increase your Unit’s visibility in your community, Help other
people, Earn Service Hours, Meet Journey to Excellence goals, Invite
others to join Scouting!
General Unit guidelines for Scouting for Food program:
 Determine the dates for delivery of Information Sheets and Door Hangers as well as your pick-up date
~ mark Pick-up date & Unit information on Information Sheets
 Determine how many Scouts will participate and how many adults will be available to drive when picking up food
 Notify your LOCAL food bank of the event and its dates, establishing a contact person, date and time
for food delivery
 Contact local media informing them of the dates and times and asking for coverage of the event
 Work in buddy teams visiting homes in your neighborhoods explaining Scouting for food and delivering a Door Hanger. If no one is home, leave the informational sheet & Door Hanger.
 Create posters for placement in area businesses and if allowed, set a collection box at this location
 Ask your church to post the event in its weekly bulletin
 On a city map, mark out what area your unit will cover
 Divide the area into smaller sections for teams to choose
 Make maps and sign-up sheet available at unit meetings prior to event
 Distribute Informational Sheet and Door Hangers to scouts before event - scouts should staple Informational Sheet to Door Hangers
 On the second weekend, revisit homes collecting the donated food
 Record service hours for both youth and adults & amount of food collected. Enter service hours into
Journey to Excellence.
 Contact your LOCAL food bank and arrange for delivery
Watch the Web Site for more information
The collection date this year is scheduled for November 12, 2016
Door Hangers will be Available Soon.
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Page 13
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
LET’S GROW IN 2016!
Thank you to all the Packs, Troops, Crews and Posts who have
planned and conducted effective sign-up events this fall. By inviting
and registering new Scouts and Scouters you are providing a valuable service in your home community and making Scouting more fun
for all of us. We have some outstanding fall activities for all experienced and new Scouts to enjoy including Cub Fun Days and Boy Scout Camporees. We know that when
we get our new Scouts outdoors within a few weeks of joining, they stay involved and more active
throughout the year. Individual Packs, Troops and Crews are also holding some great outdoor activities
that immediately engage families in Scouting adventures – hay rides and apple picking, hikes and fishing,
short trips and camping opportunities. Share photos of your adventures with family and
friends on social media and invite more families to join. Every unit has a parent or leader who can get a few pictures accompanied by a caption and a short message into the
local paper – don’t miss the opportunity to let the public know what your Scouts are
doing.
We are keeping the Hooked on Scouting theme going all year long. Contact your District
Key 3 to borrow the Backyard Bass kits to use at a Pack or Den meeting and stay in practice for the next
big fishing day. Adults – do you want to become better fishermen or even a Certified Angler Instructor?
Look for a course to be held locally in 2017. Contact WMC Fishing Committee Chair Tim Vogel for full information on this national level course that will be available in our own council.
A few pictures from our fishing event on September 10 at Moses Scout Reservation
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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS C ONTINUED
Scouts, prospective Scouts and their families
participated in a successful Hooked on Scouting
Fishing Event at Moses Scout Reservation on
Saturday Sept 10. We learned a bit about fish,
how to rig a rod and use bait, and how to cast to
catch fish. Participants could board Bass Pro Bill
Decoteau’s bass boat and learn to tie a fly with
Dr. Bob Sousa. Sixteen lucky youth went home
with new fishing gear thanks to some generous
donors including Jim Legacy from MassWildLife.
A huge thank you to the Western MA Council
Fishing Committee – their love of teaching fishing was evident to all participants, young and older.
If you are curious about our recent recruitment efforts we started the season with 2,652 registered
Scouts – but that is only about 4% of the youth in western MA who are eligible to join. We have lots of
room for growth this fall. We’ve done a pretty good job of registering our youngest members – Lion
and Tiger membership is the highest in our Area and close to the top in the Northeast Region.
Look for more info coming soon about Scouts as Recruiters – there’s a patch for that and your Scout
can earn it by helping a new youth join Scouting now.
WMC is a BETA Online Registration Council
A Scout is Helpful – That applies to Unit Leaders as well as the Scouts. In Western Massachsetts
Council our Key 3 leaders are being very helpful by learning and testing the use of the BETA Online
Registration application that rolled out in August. By learning the ins-and-out and roundabouts of the
online process and providing feedback when we are asked, we are helping the BSA eliminate the
problems that crop up in any new electronic program.
At signup events we’ve all had parents fuss about paper applications, and they ask if the application
can be done online. Now we can tell them “Yes”. Parents can use a computer or mobile device to file
an online application to register their child in a Pack, Troop or Crew, and that application can be reviewed and accepted/approved by the Cubmaster/Scoutmaster/ Advisor using a computer or mobile
device without any paper copy needed. Units must collect the fees and submit payment to the Service
Center so the application can be posted by our Registrar, completing the registration. Follow up with
your new member so the family attends your next meeting.
To take advantage of this streamlined registration, please review your unit roster and be certain that
all leaders, and especially your unit Key 3 are registered in their correct positions. It is important that
all email addresses for the Key 3 are accurate and active – advise leaders to pay attention to emails
from BSA. Continued….
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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS C ONTINUED
It is important to update your BeAScout pins to ensure families looking for a local unit can find your Pack/
Troop/Crew and can contact a leader who will answer questions and issue an invitation to join. Including
information about your unit and a link to your unit website is a good idea. When you update the unit
BeAScout pin, activate the “Apply Now” button so families can access the application to join your unit.
Every unit has a specific QR Code that can be printed and given to potential members to help them immediately access an application to the unit. You may want to consider using this feature. Information and
istructions for these procedures and options is available at http://www.scouting.org/
onlineregistration.aspx. Unit Commissioners can assist you when questions arise.
For now the online registration is avilable only for youth members. Online application may become available for adults in the future.
We understand that participation in the BETA Online Registration has involved learning new tools and the
need to be more attentive to email notices and quick responses. Several of us are participating in weekly
conference calls with staff at the national office during which we can bring up pressing questions or cite
problems to be resolved and get upates on issues. The national staff extend their thanks to the leaders
participating in this BETA test phase.
Once the system is functioning efficiently, it will be released to all councils across the country and YOU will
have helped make that happen.
Let’s go and grow Scouting!
Cheryl D. Izyk
Vice President Membership
From time to time we get the question, of what office supplies can you use, we would like to make a donation. Here is a partial list of office supplies we regularly use:
Toners: HP80A, HP85A, Ricoh 1170d/s15/ld015; Ink Cartridges: Brother LC75 HY, HP 21/22; Copy
Paper 8 ½ x 11; Hanging File folders; Manila folders; 2-pocket folders; Envelopes: Padded mailers all
sizes: 5x7, 6 ½ x 9 ½, 8 ½ x 11, 9/12, 11 ½ x 14 ½, 12 x 15 ½; Address labels; Sticky notes; Metal
binder clips: small, medium, Large, X-large; Paper clips; Pens.
Contact Bev if you have something like this to donate.
Thank you!
Send us your photos!
Email photos of your Scouts in action, along with a description of the activity, and you may see them in
the next Compass. Email to: [email protected]
15
DISTRICT NEWS
Page 16
APPALACHIAN TRAIL DI STRICT
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Congrats to the new Animal Care and Studies Post through the Berkshire
Humane Society that started on September 1. There are five new registered youth with more to join soon! There is currently a planned schedule
of events and the post is ready to hit the ground running. If you or someone you know is interested in joining this post and missed the open
house on September 1 there is still time to join! Feel free to contact Humane Educator Lizzy Brown at [email protected] or
Ruthann Eagen at [email protected]
October:
3 District Commissioner’s Meeting
– 6pm at 99 North Street, Pittsfield
in the Community Room
3 District Committee Meeting –
7pm at 99 North Street, Pittsfield in
the Community Room
15 Berkshire Habitat for Humanity
Build Day – Location TBA, but need
a team of 10 adults and youth to
assist that day.
If interested,
please call or email Ruthann Eagen
as soon as possible!
17 Roundtable – 7pm at FUMC,
55 Fenn Street, Pittsfield in Room
401
22 A Magical Day for Cub Scouts
Fall Fun Day – 9am to 3pm at St.
Mark’s Parish Center, 400 Columbus Avenue Ext., Pittsfield
27 Council Wide Meeting – 7pm to
8:30pm at Lee Middle and High
School
29 Berkshire Habitat for Humanity
Build Day – Location TBA, but need
a team of 10 adults and youth to
assist that day.
If interested,
please call or email Ruthann Eagen
as soon as possible!
November:
5 AT District Training Day – 9am to
4pm at St. Joseph’s High School,
22 Maplewood Avenue, Pittsfield
7 District Commissioner’s Meeting
– 6pm at 99 North Street, Pittsfield
in the Community Room
7 District Committee Meeting –
7pm at 99 North Street, Pittsfield in
the Community Room
17 Council Goods and Service’s
Auction - Chez Josef - 176 Shoemaker Ln, Agawam, MA 01001
Thank you to all the units that took part in recruitment nights and school
open houses – based off the unit open houses so far this year we have
had great attendance and interest and definitely an increase in our district membership! We even had three youth attend our Hooked on Scouting Fishing Event at Moses! This is great for our district and let’s keep
this going to grow membership today and going forward!
Popcorn has begun! If your unit needs assistance with a unit kickoff,
needs additional popcorn materials, or have any questions please do not
hesitate to contact Ruthann Eagen with any questions!
We ask that your Pack, Troop or Crew help support our Friends of Scouting campaign, we ask that you please sign up early so we can schedule a
presenter for your unit as soon as possible. In addition, normally these
presentations are done at a Pack’s Blue and Gold ceremony in February
and at a Troop’s Court of Honor in the early spring. The FOS presentations will be no longer than 5-10 minutes. To schedule your FOS presentation for early next year, please contact Ruthann Eagen via call or email
with a date, time and location of the meeting.
Save the Dates!!
January 14, 2017 – Cabin Fever Paint and Sip Night Out – 6pm at 305
North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
March 11, 2017 – Spring Cleaning Clothing Donation Day – 10 -2pm at
Berkshire Service Center Store
DISTRICT CHAIRMAN: MARK WOJTKOWIAK
DISTRICT COMMISSIONER: JOSHUA HALL
DISTRICT EXECUTIVE: RUTHANN EAGEN
16
DISTRICT NEWS
GENERAL KNOX DISTRICT
Contact Dave Waris, the event
chair at gkactivities@wmascouting
with any questions or to volunteer
for this event.
Klondike Derby – January 21, 2017
is just around the corner. Now is
your chance to get in on the ground
floor in being a part of this event!!
Scouting For Food
Don’t forget Scouting for Food in
November. More information will be
available at the October Roundtable.
If your unit is interested in
participating in the District Scouting
for food but doesn’t have a drop off
location, we have chartering
organizations that have their own
open pantries or soup kitchens that
we would like to support. You can
contact
programaide@wmascouting,org if you
would like your donations to go to
one of our chartering organizations.
Program! Program! Program!
The first annual Hikin’ Dave’s Knox
Cannon 5K took place on
September 18th at the Moses Scout
Reservation. There were runners
from as far away as Maine that
participated in this inaugural event!!
Award ceremony
Medals were awarded to the top 3
male and female runners. The
overall winner was Jack Davis from
Southwick with a time of 20:53.
Elizabeth Sauriol took first place for
the female category. Thank you to
the 5K committee and all our
sponsors that made this event a
success!! Everyone had a great
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Elizabeth Sauriol
time Check out the District pages
on the website to see the full
results and more!!
Fall camporee - Join us October
14-16. Don’t forget to register for
the Fall Camporee or Cub Scout
Fall Fun Day!! Registration for all
activities can be found on
Tentaroo. Each unit has it’s own
ID and Password. If you are new
to Tentaroo, or you need help,
contact Alicia Garcia for
assistance,
Cub Fall Fun Day - Hey Cub
Scouts!! Remember all the fun
you had last year at this event?
This year the event will take place
on October 22nd and will again
have an overnight option!! Get
ready for this Viking themed
event. If you are able to assist, or
need more information about this
event, contact Kathy Ronaldson,
the
event
chair
at
[email protected]
Yukon Derby – Planning is well
under way for the Winter Carnival
Yukon Derby January 28, 2017.
October:
3 Roundtable
8-10 Wood Badge
Session 2
11 District Committee
Commisssioner Staff
11 Eagle Board of
Review/Project Review
14-16 Fall Camporee
22-23 Cub Scout Fall
Fun Day
27 Council-Wide
Information Meeting
November:
5 Cub Scout Pow Wow
7 Roundtable
8 Eagle Board of
Review/Project Review
14 District Committee
Commisssioner Staff
17 Goods and Services
Auction
December:
3 College of
Commissioner Science
5 Roundtable
12 District Committee
Commisssioner Staff
13 Eagle Board of
Review/Project Review
DISTRICT GOALS
HOW ARE WE DOING
Membership Goal
Actual
Youth
DISTRICT CHAIRMAN: VICKI KORNACKI
DISTRICT COMMISSIONER: JOHN BENJAMIN
1705
FOS = 82.2%
DISTRICT EXECUTIVE: ALICIA GARCIA
17
1328
DISTRICT NEWS
METACOMET DISTRICT
Membership in Metacomet
Open houses have been wonderful and a great step into getting
the word out about your unit.
Having a night dedicated to introducing new Scouts and potential
new Scouts is beneficial for both you and the new Scout’s family.
Recruiting is an all-year adventure!!
Roundtables
Why go to roundtable??
Roundtable is a way to gather information for your unit and also a
way to learn new skills to bring back to your unit!
Roundtable is held the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Hadley
Senior Center 46 Middle St, Hadley MA.
Fall Camporee
Come on out to the Metacomet Fall Camporee, Oct.14-16 Cowles
Eve, Tree Farm, South Deerfield, $10 per person. Early registration is needed by 9/30.
Theme for this year’s camporee is Woodsman Weekend. Activities
will include, chopping techniques, axe and knife sharpening, fire
building, cord stacking and so much more!!! For more information,
email Mike Zlogar at [email protected].
Early registration is a must for this event!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
October
4 District Committee Meeting
13 Commissioner Meeting
13 Roundtable
14-16 Camporee
22 Cub Scout Fun Days at Chesterfield
Scout Reservation and Moses
Scout Reservation
November
5 Pow Wow
5 Scouting for food; door hanger day
7 District Committee Meeting
10 Commissioner Meeting
10 Roundtable
12 Scouting for food; food pick up day
14 Eagle Seminar
December
6 District Committee Meeting
8 Commissioner Meeting
8 Roundtable
CUB SCOUT FALL FUN DAY
Adventure Day!!
October 22, 10-2:30, Chesterfield Scout Reservation, $5 per person includes patch and refreshments.
Come out for a day of ADVENTURE!!!!
For more information; contact Julia Mawson at [email protected].
POW WOW!!
Pow Wow is a day full of training, cub scout spirit and scouting calibration!
November 5, 9:30 Granby High School.
Scouting for Food!!
Do A Good Turn Daily.
This year the Western Massachusetts Council will be participating in the Scouting for Food campaign. On
November 5, Scouts will be putting out a door hanger asking neighbors to donate food for the local food
pantries. On November 12 Scouts will return to pick up bags of food to donate to the local food pantries.
For more information and further details contact Lesley Birk at [email protected]
DISTRICT CHAIRMAN: ROBERT REGAN
DISTRICT COMMISSIONER: DAVID LAVIGNE
DISTRICT EXECUTIVE: LESLEY BIRK
18
COMPASS
SUPPORT SCOUTING PROGRAMS
FRIENDS OF SCOUTING
THANK YOU, to all of our Friends of Scouting supporters and to our packs,
troops, and crews that have held or scheduled a 2016 Friends of Scouting
presentation at a unit meeting or event. Scouting in western Massachusetts
could not continue without your support!
To learn more or to schedule a presentation, contact your district executive.
To view the 2016 FOS brochure or to make a gift to Scouting, visit our website.
We will begin scheduling 2017 presentation later in this fall.
Moses Work Days:
October 15
November 19
All work days start at 9:00am
at the shop. Lunch is provided. We need both skilled
workers as well as those who
can do other projects. Help
make Moses the camp our
Scouts deserve.
19
COMPASS
2016 POPCORN SALE
It’s not too late for your pack, troop, or crew to sell popcorn. We can help you fund your entire program
for the year. Contact your district executive or a popcorn kernel to start selling popcorn and raise all the
money you need to provide a year full of great Scouting programs.
2016 Key Sale Dates






Friday, October 28 - Show n’ Deliver Returns and Payments Due to Council Service Center
Friday, October 28 - Unit Take Order Orders Due Online
Friday, November 18, 8am-11pm - Take Order Distribution @ Crane & Co Warehouse in Pittsfield
Saturday, November 19, 8am-11pm - Take Order Distribution @ Sulco Warehouse in Springfield
Friday, December 2 - Final Popcorn Payment Due to Council Service Center
Friday, December 2 - Unit Prize Orders Due Online (Prizes will not be approved until final payment is
made to the Council)
Council CONTACT INFORMATION
Western Massachusetts Council
Council Kernel: Jessica Jubinville
Popcorn Consultant: Hunter McCormick
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 413-297-2088
Phone: 413-429-6934
20
COMPASS
YOUR WMC TRADING POSTS
Get everything you need at our local Trading Posts! From uniforms, handbooks, leader books, awards,
and gifts, this is the place for all your Scouting needs. Don't see what you're looking for? We can order
special or custom items and have them sent right to you.
HOURS:
The Westfield Trading Post is open Monday and Wednesday 9am to 7pm, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
9am to 4pm, and Saturday from 10am to 2pm.
The Berkshire Trading Post is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm,
Tuesday 8:30am to 7pm, and Saturday 10am to 2pm We will be closed on major holidays.
Contact us at [email protected] or (413) 594-9196. Click here for more information.
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Professional Staff
David Kruse
Scout Executive and CEO
[email protected]
x 7002
Vacant
Assistant Scout Executive/COO
[email protected]
x 7002
Steven Roberts
Program Director
[email protected]
x 7004
Alicia Garcia
District Executive
General Knox District
[email protected]
x 7031
Lesley Birk
District Executive
Metacomet District
[email protected]
x 7014
Ruthann Eagen
District Executive
Appalachian Trail District
[email protected]
x 7032
Council Locations
Council Officers
Westfield Service Center
1 Arch Road, Suite 5
Westfield, MA 01085
Open Mon.-Fri. 9AM-4PM,
Office: (413) 594-9196
Toll-Free (800) 649-1735
Fax: (413) 562-1041
Jeffrey Glaze
President
[email protected]
Trading Post
Westfield Service Center
Open Mon. & Wed. 9AM-7PM,
Tues., Thurs., & Fri. 9AM-4PM
Sat 10AM-2PM
[email protected]
x 7005
Joe Case
V. P. Administration
[email protected]
Pittsfield Service Center
2 South Street, Suite 125
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Open Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri.
8:30AM – 3:30 PM,
Tues. 8:30AM-7PM, and Sat.
10AM-2PM
Office: (413) 594-9196
Toll-Free (800) 649-1735
Fax: (413) 236-0902
Michael Dubois
V. P. Finance
[email protected]
Gail Wojtkowiak
Council Registrar & Office Manager
Pittsfield Service Center
[email protected]
x 7018
Mike Brennan
Business Manager & Accountant
[email protected]
x 7001
Chesterfield Scout Reservation
22 Sugar Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Beverly Pond
Accounting Assistant
[email protected]
X 7036
H. A. Moses Scout Reservation
310 Birch Hill Road
Russell, MA 01071
Phone: (413) 568-0211
Samuel Everett
Council Commissioner
[email protected]
Robert M. Dwyer
Treasurer
[email protected]
Benjamin Coyle
V. P. Fund Development
[email protected]
Cheryl Izyk
V. P. Membership
[email protected]
John Willemain
V. P. Program
[email protected]
Steve Kenniston
V. P. Properties
[email protected]
Join
Council Website:
www.wmascouting.org
our
Council Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/wmascouting
list!
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email