BSA Troop 37 Geneva, Illinois

Hello Scouts, parents and leaders of Troop 37,

I’d like to take a second to introduce myself, Brian Dahlberg, as your new webmaster.

We’re currently in a transition of duties from the former webmaster to the new, and I’d like to preemptively apologize if anything goes amiss on the site. I’m restructuring the way we do things and manage our information, and this inevitably means we’ll be experiencing some growing pains.

In the next month you might come across links that don’t work, pages that don’t navigate very well,  and pages with nothing on them at all! I’m hard at work to rebuild everything better and brighter, and I ask for your patience. All of our major renovations will be done by May 14th, 2013.

If you can’t access something you need and it is very important, then please don’t hesitate to contact me at my email address, “brian_dahlberg@yahoo.com” with the quotations removed. I will be happy to assist you, listen to your feedback, and hear your suggestions for our exciting new website!

All my best,

Brian Dahlberg

T37 WM and First Patrol PL

**NOTE** Troop announcements have been streamlined. Ongoing items such as Help Wanted, Training Opportunities, future events (High Adventure, Service projects , …) and …will be sent on once a monthly basis in a separate e-mail.From Troop 37 to all our friends and Scouters,

TUESDAY APRIL 9th  TROOP MEETING 
Troop Meeting is April 9th, 7pm ~ 8:30pm at GLC.
See attached for the Troop Meeting Plan for assignments. If you have a duty assigned and can not attend arrange for a substitute and notify your SPL Mark Bishop his contact information is:markbishop550@gmail.com or (630) 208-5967.

**Reminder** : ALL Patrol Leaders and Troop Guides are required to CALL their patrols, inform them of the troop meeting, encourage attendance to the Troop Meeting and share below information

Troop Elections (for SPL and PL’s)  and Jr. Leadership appointments; As of Troop Elections held on Tuesday, March 5th we have a new SPL. Mark Bishop his contact information is:markbishop550@gmail.com or (630) 208-5967. The troop is still in need of leaders see attached chart for vacancies.

**In addition; If you are considering any leadership position review the respective role in your Troop 37 Handbook (the Green Book) and see Mr Sparacio 708 642 6752 or kdsrjs@comcast.net for approval. For Current Open Leadership Positions See attached  TROOP LEADERS

Troop 37 Spaghetti Dinner
This year’s Troop 37 Spaghetti Dinner will be Saturday, April 13th, 4-8 pm at the Geneva Lutheran Church. Feel free to share the attached flier

We still need Adult volunteers for the main dinner stretch from 4:45pm to 615pm and from 6:15pm to 7:45pm.  Also all scout families who can are requested to bring at least one baked item for our desert table / bake sale.
Please pick up tickets at the next troop meeting (April 9^th). 

Tickets are:  $10 adults,  $7 seniors, and $5 for kids (ages 5-11), and there is a Family rate available for $33

This year’s sales goal is $99 per scout.

There will also be an adult sign up sheet at the troop meetings for anyone who is interested in helping out at the dinner.

Ticket money can be turned in the day of the dinner, or at the April 9^th or April 16^th meetings.

There will also be a bake sale at the dinner (more information to follow later)

Contact : Dave Heidlauf (312) 282-1377

Spaghetti Dinner Sponsorship opportunity

Would you, or your family, or your business like to be a T37 sponsor at our Spaghetti Dinner and join our Sponsor Wall (at the south end of the dining room)

Your color Logo or Name :

8.5×11″ with color border  $25

11×17   with color border   $50

Plus your contact info on a take-home flier (optional).

8.5×11″ with color border  $25

11×17   with color border   $50

Plus your contact info on a take-home flier (optional).

Contact Kim Valentine at kim@marshproducts.com or 630-287-1199 c by Tues, April 9th!

April Troop Campout
See attached for more information and the Permission Slip for this months campout. As Reminder forms are not longer be available at the signup table or at Troop Meetings. Print the attached form and bring it.

Scoutmaster Assistant Scoutmasters  4/2 Meeting
The 4/2 SM/ASM Meeting has been rescheduled to; Tuesday 4/9 from 6~7pm(before the Troop Meeting). All SM’s and ASMs are welcome to attend. Your input is appreciated and encouraged.

CALENDAR CHANGES

See attached revised Troop Calendar.

Some notable changes

- April 13 Spaghetti Dinner

- June 30-July 6  Summer camp

SEE ATTACHED TROOP ROSTER AND CALENDAR.

Please keep in mind the calendar is a active document and changes will occur. Changes will be noted in the weekly troop announcements.

Campout Attendance Guideline (3/19/13)

Our Patrol Leaders Council is concerned regarding the increasing occurrence of scouts coming late to and leaving early from troop campouts. The PLC has developed and Troop Adult Leadership supports the attached guidelines addressing attendance to troop campouts. Please read them carefully and print them for review when appropriate.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding
Troop 37 PLC and Adult Leadership

YAHOO GROUP EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS

All: Effective this March we will replace the Yahoo group e-mail distributions with Troopmaster web announcements.  For the remainder of February you should receive the same e-mail notice from both Yahoo and Troopmaster web.  Please contact John Easton at john.easton@live.com if you do not receive the announcements from the Troopmaster web mailbox so that he can update your e-mail address.

Shooting Sports to support the Special Olympics

TROOP 37 RE-CHARTER DEADLINES 2013

 This year, Three Fires Council is requiring all troops to complete their re-charter process by Jan 31st.  Because current memberships are active thru Mar 31st, we do not feel that it would be reasonable to require everyone to submit all their paperwork and fees before the end of January. HOWEVER, to satisfy Council and National BSA, WE NEED ACKNOWLEDGMENT from each currently registered adult and youth of their intention to re-charter or not by Jan. 22nd, 2013. Please follow the timeline below to insure that your membership will stay current and that our re-charter volunteers will have what they need to maintain your active status Troop 37.

                                                  PRINTOUT YOUR OWN FORMS. 

1.    Due by Jan 22^nd:

It’s simple….. send an email to Kim Valentine at kim@marshproducts.comsaying that you WILL continue or WILL NOT continue your membership with T37 after 3/31/13. You may send one email for your entire family of scouts and adult leaders.

PLEASE NOTE:  Your email confirmation to re-charter means that Troop 37 will pay, on your behalf, $16.00 for each renewed membership.  Should you decide not to continue after March 31st you’ll be asked to reimburse Troop 37 this amount.

(If you miss the Jan 31st re-charter process, you may still continue your membership at any time by submitting a new BSA application form PLUS all the paperwork and fees (see Checklists)).

Now for the paperwork and fees…

2.     Due by Feb 12^th:               Early Bird Bonus Deadline!

For each Scout and Adult Leader:   Turn in all completed paperwork PLUS pay all fees by Feb. 12^th   (see Checklists) and EARN $10 in SCOUT ACCT CREDIT for EACH on-time registration. Credit will be added to the scout’s account. Note: BSA Med Forms have been revised.

3.    Due by Mar 12^th:             Deadline for all paperwork and fees to re-charter

For each Scout and Adult Leader:   Turn in all completed paperwork PLUS pay all fees by Mar. 12^th    (see Checklists).

4.    After Mar 31^st:                 If you change your mind….

Should you decide not to continue after Mar 31^st, you’ll be asked to reimburse Troop 37 the $16.00 per person that it paid on your behalf. 

???? Contact: Kim Valentine                        630-287-1199c                                 Kim@MarshProducts.com

630-879-8008×106           418 Willow Ln, Geneva IL  60134 

See attached (READ NOW and SAVE…)  for IMPORTANT recharter information

• Conduct Form
• Med form Part A & D
• Med form Part C
• Med form Part D
• Recharter Checklist – Adults
• Recharter Rules – Scouts & Adults

Quartermasters Letter 
See attached Quartermaster News Letter in contains with many practical and helpful tips for camping and the maintenance of your troop gear from our Troop Quartermaster Advisor Mr Fournier

ADDITIONAL MERIT BADGE REQUIREMENT for EAGLE SCOUT RANK

The BSA will be requiring Cooking MB for all new Eagle Scouts, regardless of when they earned Life or began work on their Eagle, starting January 1, 2014.
This will be very important for our troop, as we have so many Life Scouts who are unlikely to make this deadline (everything must be turned in and complete except the BOR).

Scott Helm and Pam Davis will be teaching the Cooking merit badge course some time in the Spring on a first-come first-served basis, watch the announcements for more information.

GENTLY USED UNIFORMS WANTED (A Scout is Thrifty)

Our scouts are attending the 2013 National Scout Jamboree as well as National Youth Leadership Training this summer.

Both these events require scouts to wear Class A shirts, boy scout pants or shorts and boy scout socks.   The Jamboree requires 2 Class A shirts.

We will be collecting these items at troop meetings throughout the next few months.

What are we collecting?

Class A Shirts

Boy Scout Pants

Boy Scout Shorts

Boy Scout Belts

Boy Scout Socks

Questions?  Call Kathy Gagnon 630-402-0663

SUMMER CAMP 2013                             

Deposit due date change, deposit due April 12^th!

Troop 37 scouts,
We have been given a reprieve due to the snow storms that happened a couple of weeks ago. The Chicago Area Counsel has extend the deposit due date to April 12th which means you have to get me your deposit by April 10th.

Summer Camp will at Owasipppe Scout Reservation, Blackhawk Camp,  in Twin Lakes, MI., June 30th thru July 6th.

Please printout the attached “Deposit Form” (one for each family) and bring the completed form and deposit, with you to the April 2nd or 9th troop meetings or  drop it off at my house (823 Foxwood Circle).

Also, all medical forms need to handed in by May 1st.

Dates, fee’s and important information will be published and posted in the weekly troop e-mail , so please read them carefully !
Watch for additional Summer Camp e-mails with all the camp information and forms attached !

Thanks and feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Yours in Scouting
Bob Herrera
e-mail - herrera8@sbcgloal.net
See attached for contact information

Watch for additional Summer Camp e-mails with all the camp information and forms attached !

Thanks and feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Yours in Scouting

Bob Herrera

e-mail - herrera8@sbcgloal.net

HIGH ADVENTURE (HA)

2013 National Jamboree – July 2013

JR HIGH ADVENTURE 2013 

ALL 2^nd class scouts, 12yr and over

August 9~August 11- Jr H/A Canoe/Kayak Trip, Prairie Du Sac Wisconsin

Sign Up now  through 5/28

See attached Power Point for for more information               

Contact Ron Volk volklov5@sbcglobal.net (630) 740-9041or Tony Feldhaus feldhaus@flash.net (630) 272-8669

**HELP WANTED**

From:  Scott Helm, Committee Chair, Troop 37

To:  The Families of Troop 37:

Operating a Scout Troop the size of Troop 37 requires a large number of
dedicated parents, willing to work in the background to produce a great program
for our Scouts.  Many of the parents who have shouldered some of these tasks
will soon be retiring from the troop as their boys age out and move on.  While
we will be sad to see them go, we are hoping that parents of our younger Scouts
will be willing to step up and take on the responsibilities that remain.

Below is a list of Committee Positions that will be vacated this year, along
with the names of the adults who currently hold those positions.  Please
consider assuming one of these roles to support your Scout’s troop.  Not only
will your Scout benefit, but I believe that you will find the work rewarding as
well.  All of the adults who currently hold these positions are willing to
assist in the training of any new adult volunteer.  If you are interested in a
particular position, please feel free to contact the current volunteer, or
contact Ro Sparacio, Ron Kutz, or me, and we will be happy to facilitate the
transition.

Charter Organization Representative:   currently Ron Kutz

Weekly Email Announcements:   currently Ro Sparacio

Life-to-Eagle:  currently Bruce Crown

Re-charter Chair:  currently Kim Valentine

Wreath Sales:  currently Kim Valentine

Summer Camp:  currently Bob Herrera

Chaplain’s Aide:  currently Rob Simmons

Troop Master:  currently Brad Scott

Training:  currently Bob Tomaszewski

Thank you for your consideration of these important positions, and for your
continued support of our Troop.

Please feel free to contact me, Ro, or Ron with any questions.

Yours in Scouting,

Scott Helm
Committee Chair
Troop 37

TROOP MASTER ADMINISTRATOR 

Maintain the non-advancement Troop Master database beginning at the end of this year.

Data entry/database management position. Keeps Troop Master program updated with all information about the Scouts and leaders other than advancement

Contact Scott Helm scott.helm@sbcglobal.net

ADVANCEMENT CHAIR POSITION                                                                                                                                     
Kyla Keime is our Advancement Chair overseeing all Eagle Boards of Review and Courts of Honor.  Anyone who has completed their merit badges, project and fulfilled their leadership responsibilities for Eagle should be in contact with Ms. Keime at kbemt5@gmail.com about setting up an Eagle Board of Review with members of our Committee and a District Representative.

Trish Helm is our Co-Chair overseeing all Merit Badges and Rank Advancement other than Eagle.  All Scouts who have merit badge blue cards to turn in, and who have completed rank advancements, contact  Mrs. Helm at  scott.helm@sbcglobal.net or see her at a Troop Meeting.  She will collect all cards and forms, take them to the Scout office, and bring awards to the next meeting for distribution, whenever possible.

John Easton is our Co-chair overseeing all Troopmaster records of advancement, service, camping, and roster details.  If anyone feels that their troop information needs to be updated, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Easton at john.easton@live.com .

Our troop thanks these three people for their willingness to step up and serve in these roles that are so vital to the success of our Scouts.

LIFE to EAGLE

Life to Eagle Chair needed by June 2013—please contact Bruce Crown for details of the position

QUARTERMASTER ADVISOR (QMA)

The Troop Committee is in need of a Quartermaster Advisor. The position is held by a committee member that assists the Troop Quartermaster with the management of all troop gear. The QMA reports to the Committee Chair. Contact Scott Helm for more information at scott.helm@sbcglobal.net

General duties include:

•  Procurement of camping equipment
•  Work with the Troop Quartermaster in managing inventory to include proper storage and maintenance
• Assess equipment needs with Scoutmaster, Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), and Troop Quartermaster to ensure that the necessary equipment is available for each outing.
• Periodically report on equipment status to the Committee as needed

Co-Coordinator of Camping Sign-up.

Assist Donna Zander to collect registration forms and money, and help organize driving. Attend two Troop meetings per month, when camping sign-up is occurring. reports to Camping Chair Mike Causa

Troop Chaplain

The Troop Chaplain is an adult who may be a troop committee member, the executive officer of a religious chartered organization, or serves in another leadership capacity in the Troop.

• Provides opportunities for all boys to grow in their relationship with God and their fellow Scouts
• Encourages Scouts to participate in the religious emblems program of their respective faith.
• Is familiar with 5.11 Chaplain Aide section of the T37 manual. 

Troop Secretary

• Stay informed of Boy Scouting literature, materials, records, and forms to help leaders function effectively. Help new Scout leaders by telling them what resources are available
• Work with Troop Webmaster
• Handle correspondence for the Troop (troop publicity)
• Keep notes on business conducted at Troop leaders’ meetings
• Compile pertinent information, compose and send weekly e-mail announcements to the troop

TROOP 37 TRAINING ADULTS AND SCOUTS

*NOTE* Effective March 1, 2011 FULLY TRAINED and Registered Scout Masters, Assistant Scout Masters, USCRs and Committee Members of Troop 37 are eligible for“Complimentary camping fees” do not include grub fees and activities/equipment rental (i.e. Rock Climbing, Skiing, … ). . Contact: Troop Training Chair BobTomaszewski bob.tomaszewski@sbcglobal.net or (630) 208-0643 for details and qualifications

WILDERNESS FIRST AID, FIRST AID, AND CPR TRAINING (open to adults and scouts 14 yror older)   Please consult the 1st aid training page for dates & locations for the various 1st aid courses available.   You must have a valid CPR card (also offered on 1st aid training page) taken after 1/1/2010.  For additional required and supplemental training go to http://www.threefirescouncil.org/training-mainmenu-35/training-eventsfliers-mainmenu-69

“Every scout deserves a trained leader”

WATCH “ARE YOU TOUGHER THAN A BOY SCOUT?”

Show this clip  to your buddies when recruiting or when they say,  “Boy Scouts is for …. .”

That’s right! Six episodes of the reality TV show “Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?” will air on the National Geographic Channel starting Monday, March 4, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central time.

Invite your Scouts to watch the exciting trailer to get ready for the show. Also, visit the “Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?” website atwww.ToughScout.com for additional fun activities and an opportunity to share Scouting photos through social media!

Get “Tougher’s” cool digital downloadable Web banners and background screens from the Marketing Toolbox atwww.scouting.org/marketing. Pass the word – “Tougher” is coming to town!

*SUBMITTING ANNOUNCEMENTS?

In an effort to reduce the overwhelming amount of e-mails we all face each day and to reduce confusion, troop leadership makes every effort to limit our troop wide announcements to weekly Sunday afternoons. If you have an item you would like to submit, please provide them to Scott Helm or Ro Sparacio for approval no later than 12 pm the previous Saturday along with a suggested script and time period you would like it run in the announcements. This means if your request(s) are time sensitive you may need to submit them a week or more before the event. Your understanding and cooperation in adhering to the guideline will be greatly appreciated by all.