WHAT'S NEWS
We rely on our Scouters and friends to share the great news about the Chief Cornplanter Council. Please pass along items that you read in the Communicator to fellow Scouters, Scouts, parents, friends and neighbors, community leaders, and professional colleagues. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or would like more information, please contact the Betts Service Center at (814)723-6700, Fax (814)723-4008.
Email address cccbsa@altanticbbn.net
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The Council Web Site Address... The Gyantwachia Lodge web site address is: |
Breaking News
Send a letter to members in the military
The BSA in connection with the announcement of a stamp celebrating Scouting's Centennial has launched a new nationwide campaign encouraging Scouts to send letters and care packages to veterans and military men and women serving overseas - to remind them of our support and gratitude for their service.
Information about sending a letter: - click on Send a letter to members in the military above.
POPCORN AND PEANUTS
Congratulations to Scoutmaster Rick Kemp and the Scouts of Troop 55, Grand Valley for having the highest per-boy sale in the Council in the fall Popcorn and Peanut sale. Troop 55 sold nearly $600 per boy! Troop 13, North Warren was second highest in per-boy sales and Troop 8 had the third highest per-boy sale amount.
2010 Eagle Scout Scholarship
Applications Are
Online
Applications for Eagle Scout scholarships for 2010 are now available at
www.nesa.org. We ask that your local council web site please link back to the following URL so your Eagle Scouts who apply for a college scholarship use the correct application, which is a mandatory requirement. Incorrect applications from prior years will not be accepted. Here is that URL:http://www.nesa.org/applications.html
If your council Web site currently has NESA Eagle Scout scholarship applications alre4ady posted, those are the wrong and obsolete versions. Please delete them and link to the current ones now posted at the URL above.
This year, just over 4,500
applications were received for the 1089 scholarships awarded. Of those
applicants, 937 used the wrong form and thus were immediately rejected. Please
consider the time and effort these applicants took to complete the application
and to gather reference letters, and their anticipation as they mailed their
application and awaited a response. Yet the rule is that they must use the
correct application. None of these applicants ever had a chance. Let's work
together to help prevent this from happening again in your council. BSA Must Read: Scouting.org
Changes and our Council Web Site
As announced at the National Annual Meeting,
www.scouting.org has been re-branded to better meet the
needs of all audiences. The site's new look allows visitors to identify
themselves and receive information specific to their interests.
Member login to MyScouting also recognizes individuals
and provides tools based on who they are. A new profile page provides
links to systems and other information based on the login. The
consistent branding of all digital tools accessed from one location is
the BSA's ultimate digital strategy. The redesigned scouting.org site
will be the gateway to these tools.
To ensure a consistent and
helpful user experience, MyScouting will use a direct link
rather than framing within our website; our council shoulder insignia
will be displayed on MyScouting to identify the Chief Cornplanter
Council #538.
This move toward consistent
branding is the first step in providing a better user experience. The
rollout and support of content management for local council Web sites
will soon follow. The changes to MyScouting are designed to support that
effort. We look forward to providing you with more services to
ultimately improve membership, manpower, and money efforts. The Councils of the Northeast Region, Area IV Present
Sept 25, 2010 Good Turn For America
From barn raisings to soup kitchens, ordinary Americans have always made an
extraordinary difference in the lives of their neighbors by lending a
helping hand, and - as the Scout slogan states - doing a good turn daily.
Today, America needs the service of its citizens more than ever to help
overcome hunger, lack of adequate shelter, and poor health. To learn more
about this program go to
http://www.goodturnforamerica.org
ADVANCEMENT ITEMS ONLY We no longer carry Scout-related items
If you need badges If you need other Scout items, please visit
Dreamboat Marine,
2810 Pennsylvania Avenue West, Warren
or you can order online at the
Thank you ATTENTION - SCOUTMASTERS, CUBMASTERS, and ADVANCEMENT
CHAIRMEN With today's emphasis on
seeing our youth making advancements, it is imperative when they make those
advancements that we recognize their accomplishment. Please, whenever any
advancements and/or achievement is completed, make sure you fill out an
advancement form (34403B) for your unit and turn it into the Betts Service
Center. You should not hold up the accomplishments of your Scouts waiting for
other Scouts to finish their advancements. Remember, each Scout advances at
his own pace. Not every Scout in a den will receive their Bobcat, Wolf,
Bear, etc. at the same time. The ranks should be awarded for accomplishments,
not attendance at the meetings. When our Scouts have taken the time to earn an
award, it is our responsibility to see that they receive them in a timely
manner. Submitting an advancement report on a regular basis will assist the
council in their process of reporting information to the National Office. Please
note a few guidelines:
List all members exactly like their name
appears on your unit roster, nicknames are not acceptable, the computer
needs an exact name for a person march. When there are two brothers in a
unit, the office does not necessarily know which boy is which. List all of the rank advancements and merit
badges for each Scout before continuing on to the next Scout. Please insert correct dates for all
advancements and merit badge requirements (Date completed that is listed
on blue merit badge application). This plays a very important role when
the boy is applying for the rank of Eagle. Make sure that the correct signatures are on
the form for all Boards of Review.
ADVANCEMENT
PURCHASING GUIDELINES
We "do our best" to
keep enough inventory on stock so that no boy is ever denied an
advancement because we didn't have it in stock. That being said,
when Packs and Troops come in a day or two before their ceremony and
request a bunch of things, we can't always guarantee that we'll have
them. We don't short stock the store, and we want to make sure that
everyone gets what they need. There are some steps that all units
should be following as well to help guarantee we have everything you
need in stock (or can order it and have it in a timely fashion):
1) Each unit must
have an advancement/awards chair. This is particularly important for
Packs. All leaders contact that person who coordinates the order and
places it in a timely fashion at the Service Center.
2) Do not hold
awards! If boys earned an award, it is the leader's responsibility
to see that they receive it at the Pack meeting immediately
following. Anything earned at camp should be awarded at the first
meeting after camp. We're doing a disservice to our boys if we
aren't following this simple principle. When you hold awards, such
as Arrow Points, and award them all in the spring, then there is a
run on those. Most awards we will have no idea how many Scouts are
working on so, when we have a run on a particular award, we are more
likely to be out of them.
3) If you are
working on any of the special awards such as Summertime Pack Award,
Good Turn for America, etc., please give us a heads-up that you are
working on them and give us an idea how many you may be needing. By
the time your Scouts earn them, we can make sure we have plenty in
stock.
4) Awards Chairs
should place their order with us at least two weeks prior to
their Pack Meeting or Court of Honor. This helps guarantee that we
will have it in stock or can order and have it available by the time
it needs to be awarded. If you come in a day or two in advance to
place an order, we cannot guarantee that you will receive any of
your awards.
We make every
effort to keep our stock up so that we're able to get you your
advancement items when you want them. These simple steps will help
us provide better service for you and your Scouts.
Kevin J. Bonner Just a
reminder about Boy Scout Advancements - Each Scout progresses at their own
rate. Advancement is not a competition among the unit. Scouts are encouraged
to advance steadily and set their own goals with guidance from parents and
leaders. A Scout should advance at his own pace, and while working a member of
the unit not is held back so everyone advances at the same time. Some Scouts
will work to earn merit badges and rank advancements at different rates of
speed. Recognition should be given as soon as a Scout earns a merit badge or
completes the requirements of a rank. Don’t hold someone back because they earn
and learn faster. Awards are not to be given as a group, but as an individual.
Allegheny
Trails
French Creek Chief
Cornplanter
Bucktail
Juniata Valley
Penn's Woods Moraine
Trails
Greater
Pittsburgh Area
Westmoreland-Fayette
Potomac
Moraine State Park, Butler, PA
PURPLE FLAG
Visitors to the Betts Scout Service Center will
start to see the purple flag, which represents International Scouting, on
our porch near the parking area.
The flag was purchased, at no cost to our
Council, for a couple of reasons. First, to show our pride in being members
of the international Scouting Community as America's Oldest Council. Second,
to let people know when the office is open.
If you pull into the parking area and the purple
flag is not flying, that means that no one is available at the Service
Center at that time. If it is out waving in the breeze, that means we're
open for business and you're welcome to walk right in.
Hopefully very soon the flag will be flying more
than it's not! We will be reestablishing regular business hours soon and
will notify everyone once they're in place.
in our Trading Post.
This is now an advancement-only store
or other advancement-related items, please
come in.
through the Council's website.
Scout Executive
Chief Cornplanter Council, BSA
Warren, PA
814-723-6700
A NOTE
FROM THE ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE...
Training Made Easier
Recently, the Chief Cornplanter Council equipped itself with the technology to copy videos. What does this mean for your unit ? Well, it means that all of your new leaders, or currently untrained leaders can get the FAST START training they need, without having to come to the Service Center to borrow them. All you need to do is stop by the Service Center with a list of the videos you need copied, and some blank tapes. Give us about a week, and we can have them copied for you. This service will allow more units to have what is needed, right in the Pack, Troop, Team, Crew, or Post library. We also have self-study kits available for leader specific training. These kits are available to those leaders who are unable to attend training sessions, due to work schedules or other commitments.
Tour Permits
"Should I file a tour permit? We are only going across the street to the park." That is the question that I have heard most often when talking to our leaders. Let me put this question to rest. If you are meeting at any location other than your usual meeting place; FILE A TOUR PERMIT. An accident can happen just as fast across the street from your usual meeting place as it can when you are twenty miles away from that spot. Don't take a chance on BSA's insurance covering an accident when the proper paperwork hasn’t been filled out.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TOUR PERMITS
WHY A TOUR PERMIT?
The single highest number of injuries and fatalities in the
United States and Scouting are caused by motor vehicle accidents.
A tour permit that has been filed with and approved by the
local Scout Council prior to the activity registers the activity as an official
Scouting activity. BSA’s insurance coverage only applies to official Scouting
activities.
Reinforces driver requirements and insurance requirements and
encourages routine maintenance checks on vehicles prior to the trip.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF TOUR PERMITS?
Provide the Scout executive with information regarding unit
outings and trips - i.e. - a tour permit helps you know "what is going
on".
Reinforces leader requirements, especially in regards to
Youth Protection, transportation, and aquatic activities. Make sure current
forms are used.
Can provide information necessary to locate a troop or post
if an emergency arises and lets the council know point of contact when an
emergency situation develops.
In summary tour permits re-enforce planning, safety, and
two-deep leadership.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO FILE THE TOUR PERMITS TWO WEEKS IN
ADVANCE?
The two-week (in advance) filing requirement helps ensure
that trips are well planned. Because of the large number of tour permits filed,
late/rush filings cause delays for those who file promptly.
If there are concerns with a tour permit, the two-week filing
requirement allows time for correction avoiding cancellation of the trip.
WHAT ACTIVITIES REQUIRE A NATIONAL TOUR PERMIT?
For tours or trips 500 miles or over, one-way, a National
tour permit application is required.
WHAT ACTIVITIES REQUIRE A LOCAL COUNCIL TOUR?
Units are required to submit Local Tour Permits if any of the
following conditions are met:
The event includes overnight camping.
Adults are providing transportation to non-family youth.
The event is being conducted at a location other than the traditional unit meeting site.
PLEASE NOTE: CHANGES IN FILLING OUT YOUR APPLICATION!!!!
Each unit will be responsible in maintaining a master list of vehicles, drivers, and insurance information. You may attach a copy of this list each time you apply for a local tour permit, circling the appropriate drivers for that particular event. Writing "On file" across the back of the application will no longer be accepted. Please remember to update your information periodically, cars and insurance companies do change throughout the year.
LEADER APPROVAL PROCESS
The approval process for a new leader coming into Scouting is a simple process, but it must be followed to insure the safety of our Scouts. The process to follow is described on the Adult Application. The steps that must be followed are:
The individual wanting to become a leader must complete, sign and give all copies of adult application to the Committee Chairman with the proper fees.
The unit committee reviews the application, and if necessary, contacts the references, and decides whether or not to accept the application. Accepted applications are then approved by the Committee Chairman and submitted to either the Chartered Organization Representative or the Executive Officer for their approval.
The Committee Chairman keeps the unit copy of the application, gives one copy to the chartered organization, and forwards the remaining copy to the local council service center for their approval and processing.
In the event the unit committee or the representatives of the chartered partner are uncomfortable with an applicant, they have the ability to decline membership in that unit. Membership in the Boy Scouts of America is not a right it is a privilege.
If you have questions about this process, please contact the Betts Service Center for further information.
ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE
For the past few years, the Chief Cornplanter Council has been paying an insurance premium to provide all the registered Scouts and Scouters in our council with accident insurance.
This policy has changed providers this year. The new policy is through Health Special Risk, Inc. and became effective January 1, 2004. The policy number is PTPN00327402. This insurance policy is intended to provide excess coverage for our Scouts and Scouters on their way to, during, and until their return home from APPROVED Scouting activities. APPROVED Scouting activities are all those that are in the normal operation of a Scouting unit: Den, Pack, Troop and Leader meetings. Event requiring prior council approval such as fundraisers, trips or outings must have the proper paperwork submitted and approved.
The necessary information and claim forms can be acquired at the Council Service Center. For more information or if you have questions about this insurance policy, please contact the Betts Service Center at 723-6700.