| February 2010 | Vol 3, Issue 1 | | |
| The Dispatch
Monthly News
for Marin Council Leaders
and Friends | | | | Dear Lisa, | | From Matt Galland, Cubmaster, Pack 1: On Saturday, January 16, Pack 1 Scouts raised $1,250 for the American Red Cross efforts in Haiti.  Like the earthquake, there was no planning for this. Our Pack spontaneously rose to the occasion, organized the group, gathered equipment and goods and changed their own plans in order to volunteer for several hours Saturday morning. Manning a table in downtown Mill Valley and equipped with signage, brownies, coffee and other treats, our community-service minded boys reached out to their neighbors and friends to ask for help on behalf those in need. Building on their popcorn sales and fundraising experience from last fall, these boys did an outstanding job drawing in people, demonstrating their concern for an important cause, and asking others to contribute to the earthquake relief effort. Along with all of our Pack 1 parents and Den leaders, I am especially proud of our Scouts and what they have done for this unique community service event. There was no formal sponsorship or mandate driving us; this was just our boys showing their concern for those in need. Here are a few pictures from the day. We owe a special thanks to Alan Frankel making the original call to action. For their time, effort and charity-minded spirit, I would also like to give special recognition to the list below of 21 boys and their parents. In addition to our $1,250 donation and on behalf of all our Scouts in Pack 1, we send our prayers and good thoughts to the people of Haiti. Sincerely,
Matt Galland, Cubmaster, Pack 1
Mill Valley, CA | Aaron Rose Adam Tolson
Adrian Leakas
Alex Podesta Beckett Williams
Ben Tolson
Colin Drechsel
Elliot Frankel
Felix Scholvinck
Gabriel Tolson
| Henry Lawrence
Jack Goldman Jackson Attinger
Jake Jones
Jake Shirley
Kyle Prager
Sol Tolson
Thomas Urey
Tristan Brousseau
Tyler Taft Daniel Walter | | |
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| | | Our Properties: A New Year and New Possibilities | |
Marin council properties on this 100th year of Scouting in America is a legacy we can all be proud of supporting. The properties committee would like to thank all those hard working and unsung heroes who have helped the council and scouting last year. We are looking forward to a New Year filled with fun in service to Boy Scouting. Our first work party of the year at Camp Tamarancho is scheduled for January 2nd, from 9am to 12pm and work parties are scheduled the first Saturday of every month throughout the year. Many projects were tackled during 2009: The Adirondacks , the Bode lodge interior, the kitchen septic system, Murray lodge roofing.etc. The Larkspur Sea base experienced vast improvement under the able guidance of Alan Laucke. Slanes Flat was visited by properties in the spring and holds vast potential as a wilderness camp and take off area for adventures in the Yolla Bolly wilderness. As many of you have experienced camp was excellent last year, and we would like this year to be even better with our facilities in top shape. The 60th Anniversary of Marin Sierra is August 20th through the 22nd and we are looking forward to a grand celebration. Work will begin on the new firing range and many other projects are planned. Help us turn 2010 in to a stellar year for your Marin Council properties. Last year showed great progress on improvements to our camps and office facilities and we hope to continue the progress and more this year. Projects abound as we march towards spring and preparations for camp activities. Please contact Tim Wells at the Council office or John Pope to let us know if you can help. We would like to especially encourage help at the Marin Sierra power weekends in the spring. Our monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, January 12th is this months. Contact John Pope at 497-5948 with any questions. |
| Save the Date -- Marin Sierra 60th Anniversary | |
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| Taking Risks Can Be Managed | |  Your council Risk Management Committee works hard to insure Scouts and adults are safe in whatever activity they do. Take a moment to read some information they would like to pass along to you about providing safe transportation for our youth. Your thoughts and comments on managing risks in the Marin Council are always encouraged and appreciated. Feel free to contact Council staff with your thoughts and comments or contact the Council's Risk Management Committee directly by emailing to ronflash@aol.com.
Drivers, Take the Pledge for 2010
One of the greatest responsibilities for our volunteers is providing safe transportation for our youth. To get 2010 off on the right foot, commit yourself to the principles contained in the 'California Driver's Pledge.'
California Driver's Pledge  - I will not drive when I feel fatigued. I realize that when I am fatigued, I process information more slowly and less accurately and this impairs my ability to react in time to avoid accidents.
- I will arrange my schedule so that several days before a scouting "driving trip," I will get a good night's sleep every night to avoid the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep.
- I will make trip preparations far enough in advance so that last-minute preparations don't interfere with my rest.
- I will make travel plans that take into account my personal biological clock and only drive during the part of the day when I know I will be alert.
- I will avoid being a 'distracted driver' when driving by not engaging in activities like cell phone use; reading; eating; reaching for a moving object; looking away from the road; changing radio stations, all of which take my attention away from safely controlling the vehicle.
- I will be smart about engaging in physical activities during scouting outings and will make sure that I will be ready to drive alertly.
Signed: _____________________________________________________________________
Boy Scout Troops, Varsity Teams and Venturing Crews using the Driver's Pledge will satisfy one of the requirements of the Ready and Prepared Awards. ~~This message provided by the Marin Council's Risk Management Committee ~~ |
| Training Updates | |  Marin Council Spring Basic Training Dates & Locations Quality Unit standards require "direct contact leaders" (Den Leaders, Cubmaster and assistants, Scoutmaster and assistants, Venturing Crew Advisor and assistants) to be trained as quickly as possible (Youth Protection within 90 days of assuming a leadership position) so they can deliver the Scouting program with confidence and with knowledge of the resources they have available to support them. A trained unit Committee Chair and Committee Members also make a Pack, Troop, or Crew function smoothly, supporting the program of the unit leaders working directly with youth. Spring 2010 Basic Leader Courses are ready for on-line registration. Questions? Please contact Marin Council Training Chair Joanne Keenan, 415-883-5729 / jkeenan@pacbell.net Cub Scout Leaders: Be sure you are a registered member of your Pack! Your Pack Committee Chair can tell you if you are registered with the Pack. Use your BSA registration number to get credit for taking on-line training before you attend the in-person courses below: Cub Scout Fast Start, This is Scouting, and Youth Protection. www.boyscouts-marin.org or http://olc.scouting.org/ * Cub Scout Leader Specific Training: Saturday, February 6, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM at LDS Church , 220 N. San Pedro Rd. , San Rafael . Registration fee $15 includes handouts. Register by February 3. No Walk-Ins please. * BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation): Saturday, May 1, Camp Tamarancho , 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. $20 registration fee includes lunch. No registration after Friday, April 23. Course is limited to the first 24 people who sign up.
Open to all parents and leaders of Cub Scouts!
Come spend a full day in a real campsite with real Scouts learning about the ins and out's of running an outing activity with your Cub Scouts. We'll talk about equipment, go for a hike look at nature, put on a campfire and learn about Cooking with Cubs.
Boy Scout Leaders: Be sure you are a registered member of your Troop! The Troop Committee Chair can tell you if you are registered. Use your BSA registration number to get credit for taking on-line training before you attend the in-person courses below: Boy Scout Fast Start, This is Scouting, and Youth Protection. www.boyscouts-marin.org or http://olc.scouting.org/
* Boy Scout Leader Specific Training (aka Scoutmaster / Asst Scoutmaster Specific): Saturday, March 20, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM at LDS Church , 220 N. San Pedro Rd. , San Rafael . Registration fee $15 includes handouts. Register by March 11 - No Walk-Ins please. * Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills: overnight April 10 and 11, Camp Tamarancho , 7:30 AM Saturday to 1:00 PM Sunday. $30 registration fee includes meals & handouts. No registration after Monday, April 5.
Venturing Crew Leaders: Be sure you are a registered member of your Crew! The Crew Committee Chair can tell you if you are registered. Use your BSA registration number to get credit for taking on-line training before you attend the in-person course below: Venturing Fast Start, This is Scouting, and Youth Protection. www.boyscouts-marin.org or http://olc.scouting.org/
* Venturing Leader Specific Training: Saturday, March 20, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM at LDS Church , 220 N. San Pedro Rd. , San Rafael . Registration fee $15 includes handouts. Register by March 11 - No Walk-Ins please. |
| Live Life Outside | |
The Marin Outdoor Challenge celebrating 100 years of Scouting 
The event was started February 2009 and we challenged units to do one outdoor activity each month for 12 months. Each youth and adult that has participated in all 12 activities will be given a special patch made specifically for this event. A form must be filled out and returned to the council office. You will find the forms on our website www.boyscouts-marin.org in general documents under the Documents and Forms section of the website. This Challenge ends February 28, 2010. Please send your completed forms no later than March 15 to Chris Wells at Marin Council. Either fax, mail, or email them. Once received, patches will be ordered This is from Patty Monge, Advisor for Post 400, Twin Cities "Our explorers collected enough toys to reach almost 500 people this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" |
| Exploring News | | San Anselmo Police Explorer Post #306 
The San Anselmo Police Explorer Post looks forward to welcoming new prospective members who are interested in law enforcement. Exploring is a fun and interesting way to learn about not only many different aspects of law enforcement, but teamwork, responsibility, and a good work ethic as well. Being an explorer teaches a young adult how to take initiative and really strive for his or her goals in both work and life. The explorers train diligently in multiple police scenarios in order to compete in both local and national competitions. They get to go on ride alongs with the officers; going on calls and training in radio traffic; and work in dispatch. They help the officers with real calls and are able to listen to various 911 calls. Through being able to experience police work from this perspective, the explorers can gain a better understanding of the inner workings of law enforcement. The San Anselmo Police Explorer Post #306 is recruiting young adults aged 14-21 and out of eighth grade who want to have a fun and interesting experience while learning about law enforcement, leadership, teamwork, and a good work ethic. The post is also interested in youth who are currently in eighth grade to come to our training sessions and possibly become members in June 2010. Explorers get to work closely with the officers and get a firsthand look at real police work. If you are interested in joining the post or finding out more about what we do, you may call the San Anselmo Police Department at 415-258-4610 and ask for Advisor Patty Stahl. You may also come to one of our events and pick up a brochure. |
| The Marin Council Eagle Scouts | | Eagle Wall If your son has become an Eagle Scout during the years 2007-2009, please submit a digital photo and a short description (like the ones shown here) so that we can post it on the Eagle Wall. |
| Of the Year Awards | | It's not too late to select who will be your nominees for the Of the Year awards, which will be presented at the Marin Council Recognition Dinner on March 15, 2010. Who will be your Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturer/Sea Scout, or Explorer of the year? What outstanding volunteers should be recognized as Volunteers of the Year, Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, or Spurgeon recipients? The nominations will be due by roundtable on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, so now is the time to finish up the nomination process. Nomination forms can be downloaded from our web site here. |
| Marin Council Cub Scout Camping Calendar for 2010 | |
FAMILY FIESTA -Celebrate 100 Years of Scouting
Our very own Marin Council Family Camping Event at Camp Tamarancho
Family camping with your Pack, Den or just your family we'll have two nights of camping, one and a half days of program activities and the opportunity to meet the Marin Council Boy Scouts, Venturer's and Explorer Scouts.
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