The Guide Council Newsletter: September 18, 2020

From the Council President – Rod Goldhahn

As of this writing, we just ended our September Executive Committee meeting. While challenges still abound, we had some very promising results. Our recruiting ads are just starting to hit the airwaves, and units have begun their join-up events. Even with the horrible weather last week, we are signing up new Scouts! Compared to National and Area numbers, we are doing better than the pack.

We need to keep the energy and focus on bringing new families into Scouting. Units are very appreciative that we worked hard to open our camps in a very safe manner. Many councils chose not to do that.   

You’ll begin to see popcorn sales going on in public venues, as well as online options to buy. Anecdotal feedback is people are yearning for safe group activities and Scouting is here to answer that call!

Financially, we are still struggling with the aspects of Covid, but through sound financial management, dedicated financial contributors, and just plain hard work, our losses are far less than anticipated as recently as a couple of months ago. Robust popcorn sales will be critical to our success. If you are connected to a unit, please   make sure you are doing all you can to encourage your Scouts to sell. And, be a great consumer! As the weather gets colder, there’s nothing better than to curl up next to a fireplace, watch a family movie, and gorge on Scout popcorn! It’s even good around an outdoor firepit, and if you spill, the squirrels will clean it up.  

The other area where you can help financially is to encourage friends, neighbors, and business connections to take part in our Golden Eagle event on Oct 13. It will be virtual this year, and our guest speaker is Mason Crosby, and it will continue to give us the opportunity to share the vision of Scouting in the Bay Lakes Council with the greater community. Host a “watch party”, pop up a mess of popcorn, and enjoy the event!

You can find more details here. And if you know people from the major sponsoring organizations make sure you thank them for all  their support, because we could not do this without them. Sponsorship information is here.

So, while we are still navigating some turbulent waters, there is a lot to be thankful for and good cause for optimism. Thank you all for all you are doing to help! It is making the difference.

If you have questions, or would like the opportunity to help even more, by serving on one of our teams, just send me an email at rgoldhahn@aol.com.  ​​

From the Council Commissioner – Roy LaPean

Youth Protection Challenge

As all of you know, making sure that all adult leaders are Youth Protection trained is one of the most important things we can do as a Council. Commissioners are responsible for making sure everyone is youth protection trained as a part of the re-chartering process. By district, between 50 to 70% of unit leaders and other district members will have their YPT training expire between now and the end of the re-chartering period. Units cannot re-charter unless their leaders are all currently trained.

That’s a lot of training that needs to take place!

It has been an unusual year to say the least. A lot of effort is being put into helping units get restarted and providing creative program to keep Scouting going for our youth. It’s stretching our resources for doing other things pretty thin. I believe that when people understand the importance of doing something and are asked to help, they will respond in ways you can’t believe. I am asking for your help now.

So, I would like to put forward a challenge to the leaders of Bay-Lakes Council to get their YPT done. Here are the challenge details:

• All Commissioners will have their YPT done by October 1.
• All leaders who are required to be YPT trained will have their training done by November 1.         

That’s it!  It’s what you might call it a BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal.)  I absolutely believe it is the right thing to do to get this training done early.  We avoid a lot of last-minute, unnecessary charter hold-ups by getting the training done and smooth out the process for everyone. It only takes about an hour to be trained on-line. Visit www.my.scouting.org.
            
If you would prefer to receive in-person training, we have that ready to go as well. Just let a Commissioner know and they will help to arrange it. You’ll also see our progress reported in the Guide to help us build and sustain momentum. 

Let’s get on this and see what we can do! 

Roy LaPean
Council Commissioner

Remember, Clyde is your go-to sources for all your commissioner questions. Send him a note at BAYLAKESCOMMISSIONERHELP@GMAIL.COM.

Join us for the Virtual Golden Eagle Event and Hear from Guest Speaker, Mason Crosby

The Golden Eagle Event proudly supports the mission and services we provide for 18,471 youth in the Bay-Lakes Council. Join us for an inspiring virtual event, as the areas corporate and community leaders come together to support our Scouts and future leaders.

This is a free event to attend, but we ask that you consider a donation or sponsorship. Click here for more information.

Would you like your Scout to ask Mason Crosby a question for the event? Submit a video of your Scout asking a question for Mason Crosby in 10 seconds or less in uniform to Alex Behrend at Alex.Behrend@scouting.org for a chance to be a part of our program.

You can also submit a picture of your Scout in uniform holding a sign to cheer on our Packers!

EAGLE SCOUT SPOTLIGHT: Ezra Linnan Completes Eagle Scout Project

With the help of 45 donors and 25 volunteers, Sevastopol freshman and Troop 1022 Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Ezra Linnan put the final touches on his Eagle Scout project last week. The 100-foot boardwalk through a section of Crossroads at Big Creek will allow people of all abilities to explore a muddy area of the site. The project also includes a boot-washing station so hikers can do their part to not spread invasive species elsewhere. The final touch was a plaque to scouter David Hirn, who passed away earlier this year. Volunteers put in over 100 hours of work into the project while donations surpassed over $3,500. Linnan was appreciative of the support his project received.

While the project is done, Linnan says he still has to earn a couple of merit badges and go through a final Eagle Board of Review before he achieves Scouting’s highest rank. (Written  by Tim Kowols, of the Door County Daily News. Pictures provided by Sean Linnan)

Help us celebrate our Eagles upon completion of their Board of Review or their project. Send details and pictures to https://baylakesbsa.org/submit-a-story/.

Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts – Important Update

The window for Eagle boards of review of the Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts is from October 1, 2020, to February 8, 2021. As such, all Eagle Scout credentials will be dated February 8, 2021, so that Scouting will commemorate this milestone alongside the recognized “birthday” of the Boy Scouts of America. 

This adjustment was implemented so that Scouts were not unfairly prohibited from being part of the Inaugural Class due to COVID-19. This extended window means that participating Scouts could experience a delay in receiving their Eagle Scout credentials if all of the applications were processed as originally planned.

The administrative adjustment to processing applications ensures Scouts can reference their Eagle Scout rank for academic, vocational, and military recognition, including scholarships and advanced enlistment grade. It permits Scouts earning the Eagle Scout rank to hold their Eagle Courts of Honor right away after getting their credentials so that they do not have to wait to celebrate the achievement until February 2021. Finally, it still retains the collective completion date as planned as one Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts, namely February 8, 2021.

For more information, please contact your District Advancement Chair, or your District Director or Executive.

Religious Emblems; Training November 19

“A Scout is Reverent,” the 12th point of the Scout Law says. Scouting offers a robust religious emblems program through its partners.  Counselors are always needed to assist Scouts as they explore their religious faith. The annual Religious Emblems Training will be Thursday, Nov. 19 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM Central.

To get more information and to register, click here. Otherwise, contact Chris Brandt at gsx@charter.net.

Scout Recruitment On NBC-26 News

Our fall recruitment efforts made the television news earlier this week on NBC-26.

Follow this link to the article.

Meanwhile, recruitment activities are well underway. If you still need assistance, contact your district director or executive, and find all your Cub leader resources here.

Scouting for Food: A New Look

The council has been working hard to try and make a more traditional Scouting for Food Drive happen this year. Sadly, It has been hard to make that happen. There was a great plan in place for last spring when COVID-19 changed everything. The Council was able to pivot and units did a Virtual Scouting for Food, where Scouts helped their local Food Banks and Pantries raise funds. We will continue to host a Scouting for Food Drive in Spring.

The need is still great. Units: consider running a local food drive in your area. Districts: consider organizing a district-wide event. Contact your district director or executive for more details.

Check out the Scout Shop

The Scout Shop is open for business, located inside the Center for Scouting at 2555 Northern Rd., Appleton, WI. Its Hours are Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

If you cannot leisurely shop around, you can place your order ahead of time, for curbside pickup or delivery to your home address. Use this convenient online ordering tool.

Currently there is a 25% discount on uniform bottoms when you purchase a uniform top.

If you have questions contact the Senior Store Manager at Robert.McDowell@scouting.org or call (920) 831-9504.

Miesfeld’s Cooking Corner with Mister K: BBQ Baked Beans

As we move deeper into autumn, what better way to enjoy that a nice batch of BBQ baked beans in the Dutch Oven.

Mr. K shares his recipe with video and instructions here.

Nice and meaty with a great BBQ flavor, this hearty dish will please your Scout Unit or Family on a cold fall day, or take any picnic menu to the next level (Yes, you can invite Mr. K to help sample the delicacy!)

Check out all of Mr. K’s past recipes!

2020 Summer Camp T-shirts Now Available

Summer Camp 2021

Looking Ahead