Below are the event flyers, training newsletters and other information from our October Roundtable.

2019 Museum of Science Overnight Flyer

2019 Tread Lightly Trainer Course

District Leadership Summit

Freeze Out 2020

Mayflower training news Oct 19

October P-Bruins Game Tickets

November P-Bruins Game Tickets

Scouting-for-Food-Kickoff-flyer-2019

The Mayflower Council is utilizing the power of Scoutbook to enhance the functionality of our merit badge counselor list.

HOW DO I ACCESS THE LIST
Go to Scoutbook.com and login to your account. If you have the proper rights, you will see it towards the bottom of your troop’s page in Scoutbook (MB Counselor List on your dashboard).  This list is available to adults who are indicated in Scoutbook as adult leaders and committee members in your troop.

If you do not see it, go to My Dashboard > Administration > My Account > My Positions and make sure there is a green shield next to your troop leadership position. If it is missing, one of your unit admins will need to approve your position.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who will be on the list? 
Registered and council-approved merit badge counselors in the Mayflower Council.

Who will see the list?
Adult leaders in troops who are on Scoutbook will see all the merit badge counselors who have indicated to Mayflower Council that they are willing to counsel within your unit or ones who have indicated they are willing to counsel more broadly.

What does it mean for me?
When adult leaders (including committee members) search for merit badge counselors in Scoutbook, you can be confident that the listed counselors are qualified to counsel on the merit badge, have been approved by the Mayflower Council advancement personnel, and have stated a willingness to work with your unit or units across the council.

Why can’t parents see the list? 
The merit badge process directs the Scout to the Scoutmaster for a recommended merit badge counselor.  That is why the Scoutmaster has access to the list and the Scout and parents do not.  It keeps the Scoutmaster in the process.  The merit badge process is as follows:

1. The Scout develops an interest in a merit badge and may begin working on the requirements.
2. The Scout discusses his interest in the merit badge with his unit leader (i.e., Scoutmaster).
3. The unit leader signs a blue card and provides the Scout with at least one counselor contact.
4. The Scout contacts the counselor.
5. The counselor considers any work toward requirements completed prior to the initial discussion with the unit leader.
6. The Scout, his buddy, and the counselor meet (often several times).
7. The Scout finishes the requirements.
8. The counselor approves completion.
9. The Scout returns the signed blue card to his unit leader, who signs the applicant record section of the blue card.
10. The unit leader gives the Scout the applicant record.
11. The unit reports the merit badge to the council.
12. The Scout receives his merit badge.

How often will the Scoutbook list be refreshed? 
We will be refreshing the list by the seventh of each month.

What do I do if a Scout earns a merit badge at summer camp or with a merit badge counselor not on the list? 
If the Scout earned a merit badge from a registered and approved merit badge counselor, then a troop adult who has the authorization inside Scoutbook to mark merit badges or merit badge requirements as completed or approved will still be able to do so.

Can troop leaders and troop advancement coordinators sign a Scout off on a merit badge? are not authorized to sign a Scout off on a merit badge if they are not also a registered and approved merit badge counselor for that badge.
Troop leaders and troop advancement coordinators are only authorized to sign a Scout off on a merit badge if they are also a registered and approved merit badge counselor for that badge. However, you can record it in Scoutbook as completed and approved after the merit badge counselor has signed off (even if he/she does so outside of Scoutbook) after verifying that the Scout has a signed blue card from a registered and approved merit badge counselor.

Where can units who do not utilize Scoutbook go to find a list of registered and approved merit badge counselors?
Units should activate the Scoutbook account for their troop in order for leaders to be able to see the current list of merit badge counselors. Click here to find out how to get your unit started with Scoutbook.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Mayflower Council are committed first and foremost to keeping youth safe. Part of that commitment includes continually updating our youth protection policies to help ensure we are always on the forefront of youth safety.

As you know, one of the BSA’s many barriers to abuse is a mandatory criminal background check during the adult volunteer application process. The BSA will now also perform periodic rechecks of criminal backgrounds to support the continued safety of youth in our programs.

In order to conduct these background checks, we need a couple things from all registered leaders. Please complete the process listed below at your earliest convenience to help us continue to provide the safest environment possible for our Scouts and leaders. Please note that these steps must be completed before your 2020 membership renewal and unit rechartering can be processed.

1. Review the Background Check Disclosure.
2. Then, review the additional disclosures on the “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization” form, then complete and sign it using an ink/wet signature. Note: Digital signatures from third-party providers are acceptable. Email confirmations, permissions or typed names on the form are not acceptable substitutes for wet signatures.
3. Turn in the signed “Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization” form promptly depending on your registration.
   • If your primary registration is with a unit, please give the form with your original signature to your unit leader who will submit it with the recharter paperwork.
   • If your primary registration is NOT with a unit, please give the form with your original signature to your district executive, mail it to the Marlborough Service Center, 2 Mount Royal Avenue – Suite 100, Marlborough, MA  01752 or you may email it to membership@mayflowerbsa.org.

If you choose to decline the background check, or if you do not complete and return the Additional Disclosures & Background Check Authorization form, your personal registration for 2020 will not be processed; this may delay the processing of your unit’s rechartering paperwork. Please note we need a signed authorization form from every registered adult leader.

Thank you for making this investment of time to help protect our Scouts. We are truly grateful for your continued commitment to keeping youth safe and for helping them learn, grow, and thrive through Scouting programs.

FAQ on the background check disclosures & authorization form

Please join the Headwaters District Advancement team in congratulating the following Scouts on their achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout with the completion of their Board of Review in August 2019:

• Andrew D. – Troop 1 Hopkinton
• Carson B. – Troop 2 Marlborough
• Michael O. – Troop 126 Franklin
• Isaac T. – Troop 101 Northborough
• Ben S. – Troop 99 Franklin
• Garrett G. – Troop 1 Southborough

It is an honor and privilege to congratulate these exceptional Scouts for their achievement. As less than 5% of Scouts become Eagles, these are truly the best of the best, the most dedicated, and the most determined to succeed!

Congratulations!

Once an Eagle Scout, Always an Eagle Scout!

Click on image to download

Message from the Camp Resolute 100th Anniversary Camporee Chair

Thank you all for registering your units for the Camp Resolute 100th Anniversary Camporee. As most of you are already aware, the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus remains a serious concern in Massachusetts.

There is a strong possibility due to the danger of the virus, and presence of a healthy mosquito population at Camp Resolute, participation at the 100th Camporee may be limited to a Saturday only event. The organizers believe this would be a prudent compromise in the event Camp Resolute does not experience a frost prior to the date of the event. Participants should be aware that the town of Bolton’s risk level has been assessed as “moderate” by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Obviously this is not an ideal situation, but all of the activities are currently scheduled for Saturday and while removing the overnight component of the outing would be disappointing, we believe the program will still be top-notch. There may be minor schedule changes necessary such as moving the scheduled campfire to a bit earlier, but that aside, all of the program activities, awards, contests, and fun will still occur.

We will continue to monitor the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus situation and update as new information becomes available. Even as a day only event, the “Camporee” promises to be a wonderful celebration of Camp Resolute history and a great time for your Scouts.

Gary Bernklow
Camp Resolute 100th Anniversary Camporee Chair
ceo@tosalumni.org
978-886-5650